Wauchula, Florida
Encyclopedia
Wauchula is a city located in Hardee County, Florida
, United States, and had a population of 4,368 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 4,441.
It is the county seat
of Hardee County
. Wauchula has been called the "Cucumber
Capital of the World", although citrus has become a more important agricultural crop over the past few decades. It is home to the Florida Institute for Neurologic Rehabilitation, a residential therapy facility for people who have suffered debilitating brain trauma.
In 1978, Wauchula was the location of the "Baby Swap", which took place at Hardee Memorial Hospital, where the babies Arlena Twigg and Kimberly Mays were switched and sent home with the wrong parents. (This event was documented in the book The Baby Swap Conspiracy by Loretta Schwartz-Nobel
, and in the 1991 made-for-TV movie Switched at Birth).
Barbara Coker Mays, the natural mother of Arlena Twigg, who died from a congenital heart defect on August 23, 1988, was a member of one of Hardee county's prominent families, the Cokers. Bryant Coker was involved in the building and financing of the hospital, and had a commemorative plaque at Hardee Memorial; H L Coker was on the board of trustees. Hardee Memorial, a modern, beige two-storey building, served the area until July 1992, when it declared bankruptcy due to the legal battle over the baby swap case and closed its doors, according to Schwartz-Nobel. It is now served by the Florida Hospital.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²).
of 2000, there were 4,368 people, 1,431 households, and 985 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,669.6 people per square mile (643.7/km²). There were 1,562 housing units at an average density of 597.0 per square mile (230.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 73.44% White, 4.17% African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 18.84% from other races
, and 2.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 39.42% of the population.
There were 1,431 households out of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples
living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.57.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.7% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,931, and the median income for a family was $29,943. Males had a median income of $19,129 versus $15,867 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $10,665. About 19.9% of families and 25.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.0% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.
In 2010 Wauchula had a population of 5,001. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 43.6% non-Hispanic white, 5.9% black or African American, 0.9% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.1% non-Hispanic of some other race, 2.3% from two or more races and 48.6% Hispanic or Latino. 44.7% of the population was Mexican.
hit Wauchula at ca
5:30 on Friday, August 13, 2004, causing more than $750 million in damage. Sustained winds of 140 mph, with gusts of over 160 mph, were clocked in downtown Wauchula. The entire area had either no running water, or contaminated water for one week. Power was lost to many sections for nearly three weeks, with school canceled for two weeks. The area was declared a federal disaster area after 85% of buildings were either damaged or destroyed. There was a curfew set for the area for weeks after from 8 pm to 7 am.
is a public-use airport located 5 miles (8 km) southwest of the central business district
.
Hardee County, Florida
Hardee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 26,938. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 28,286 . Its county seat is Wauchula, Florida. The county comprises the Wauchula, Florida, Micropolitan Statistical Area.- History :It...
, United States, and had a population of 4,368 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 4,441.
It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Hardee County
Hardee County, Florida
Hardee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 26,938. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 28,286 . Its county seat is Wauchula, Florida. The county comprises the Wauchula, Florida, Micropolitan Statistical Area.- History :It...
. Wauchula has been called the "Cucumber
Cucumber
The cucumber is a widely cultivated plant in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae, which includes squash, and in the same genus as the muskmelon. The plant is a creeping vine which bears cylindrical edible fruit when ripe. There are three main varieties of cucumber: "slicing", "pickling", and...
Capital of the World", although citrus has become a more important agricultural crop over the past few decades. It is home to the Florida Institute for Neurologic Rehabilitation, a residential therapy facility for people who have suffered debilitating brain trauma.
In 1978, Wauchula was the location of the "Baby Swap", which took place at Hardee Memorial Hospital, where the babies Arlena Twigg and Kimberly Mays were switched and sent home with the wrong parents. (This event was documented in the book The Baby Swap Conspiracy by Loretta Schwartz-Nobel
Loretta Schwartz-Nobel
Loretta Schwartz-Nobel is an American journalist and writer currently living in Pennsylvania. She is known primarily for her advocacy of the disadvantaged families of America....
, and in the 1991 made-for-TV movie Switched at Birth).
Barbara Coker Mays, the natural mother of Arlena Twigg, who died from a congenital heart defect on August 23, 1988, was a member of one of Hardee county's prominent families, the Cokers. Bryant Coker was involved in the building and financing of the hospital, and had a commemorative plaque at Hardee Memorial; H L Coker was on the board of trustees. Hardee Memorial, a modern, beige two-storey building, served the area until July 1992, when it declared bankruptcy due to the legal battle over the baby swap case and closed its doors, according to Schwartz-Nobel. It is now served by the Florida Hospital.
Geography
Wauchula is located at 27°32′46"N 81°48′52"W (27.546091, -81.814564).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²).
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 4,368 people, 1,431 households, and 985 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,669.6 people per square mile (643.7/km²). There were 1,562 housing units at an average density of 597.0 per square mile (230.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 73.44% White, 4.17% African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 18.84% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 39.42% of the population.
There were 1,431 households out of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.57.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.7% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,931, and the median income for a family was $29,943. Males had a median income of $19,129 versus $15,867 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $10,665. About 19.9% of families and 25.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.0% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.
In 2010 Wauchula had a population of 5,001. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 43.6% non-Hispanic white, 5.9% black or African American, 0.9% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.1% non-Hispanic of some other race, 2.3% from two or more races and 48.6% Hispanic or Latino. 44.7% of the population was Mexican.
Hurricane Charley
Hurricane CharleyHurricane Charley
Hurricane Charley was the third named storm, the second hurricane, and the second major hurricane of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season. Charley lasted from August 9 to August 15, and at its peak intensity it attained 150 mph winds, making it a strong Category 4 hurricane on the...
hit Wauchula at ca
Circa
Circa , usually abbreviated c. or ca. , means "approximately" in the English language, usually referring to a date...
5:30 on Friday, August 13, 2004, causing more than $750 million in damage. Sustained winds of 140 mph, with gusts of over 160 mph, were clocked in downtown Wauchula. The entire area had either no running water, or contaminated water for one week. Power was lost to many sections for nearly three weeks, with school canceled for two weeks. The area was declared a federal disaster area after 85% of buildings were either damaged or destroyed. There was a curfew set for the area for weeks after from 8 pm to 7 am.
Transportation
Wauchula Municipal AirportWauchula Municipal Airport
Wauchula Municipal Airport is a public-use airport located southwest of the central business district of the city of Wauchula in Hardee County, Florida, United States. The airport is publicly owned....
is a public-use airport located 5 miles (8 km) southwest of the central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
.
External links
- City of Wauchula Official Site
- Hardee County Official Site
- Town of Zolfo Springs Official Site
- Peace River Electric Coop
- Directory of the Peace River Valley
- Cracker Barrel History articles about Wauchula and surrounding area, Spessard Stone.