Winter Garden, Florida
Encyclopedia
Winter Garden is a city located 14 miles (22.5 km) west of downtown Orlando
in western Orange County, Florida
. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee
Metropolitan Statistical Area. Winter Garden's population is currently over 30,000.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 12.1 square miles (31.3 km²). 12.1 square miles (31.3 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.17%) is water.
Winter Garden is bordered on the south by the town of Windermere, on the east by the city of Ocoee, on the west by the town of Oakland, and on the north by Lake Apopka
.
.
, and there are two major seasons each year. One of those seasons is hot and rainy, lasting from May until October (roughly coinciding with the Atlantic hurricane season
). The other is a cooler season (November through March) that brings more moderate temperatures and less frequent rainfall. The area's warm and humid climate is caused primarily by its low elevation and its position relatively close to the Tropic of Cancer
, and much of its weather is affected by the movement of the Gulf Stream
.
of 2000, there were 14,351 people, 5,380 households, and 3,663 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,190.2 inhabitants per square mile (459.4/km²). There were 5,861 housing units at an average density of 486.1 per square mile (187.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 76.60% White, 13.25% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.99% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 6.45% from other races
, and 2.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.50% of the population.
There were 5,380 households out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples
living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.1 years. For every 100 females there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,858. About 10.1% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.7% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.
(W. Colonial Dr) bisects the city into northern and southern sections. The portion south of State Road 50, formerly occupied by orange groves and farmland, has recently been the site of the development of numerous large-scale communities, including Stoneybrook West, Stonecrest, Westfield, and Wintermere Pointe. A disparity exists between these new affluent residents, many of whom have moved from South Florida
, Tampa Bay
, Jacksonville
, and the New York metropolitan area
, and longtime residents, many of whom are much less well-off.
The toll road Western Beltway (SR 429) was completed in late 2006 and it links I-4
near mile marker 58 in Osceola County
with Florida's Turnpike
at Winter Garden. Other major roads through Winter Garden include Orange County Road 535 and Orange County Road 545. CR 535 (also called Winter Garden - Vineland Road) begins at SR 50 and bisects the southern half of the city and proceeds south to Windermere
, Lake Buena Vista
and Walt Disney World where it becomes State Road 535. CR 545 (also called Avalon Road) begins at SR 50 and proceeds south along the western edge of Winter Garden and along the border between Orange
and Lake
Counties. This area remains mostly rural but is quickly developing because of the nearby toll road. CR 545 currently ends at US 192
in Kissimmee
at the border to Osceola County.
contains a collection of restaurants, shops, and cafés, not to mention a couple of museums and a performing arts venue.
To the south, Winter Garden Village at Fowler Groves provides a vast array of chain retail and dining establishments. The 1100000 square feet (102,193.3 m²) open-air shopping center, located along Daniels Road just north of SR-429, is anchored by a Super Target, a Best Buy, and a Lowe's. http://www.wintergardenvillage.comhttp://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-cover0908jun09,0,5952274.story
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
in western Orange County, Florida
Orange County, Florida
Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida and is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 1,145,956....
. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee
Kissimmee, Florida
Kissimmee is a city in Osceola County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 59,682. It is the county seat of Osceola County...
Metropolitan Statistical Area. Winter Garden's population is currently over 30,000.
Geography
Winter Garden is located at 28°33′37"N 81°35′3"W (28.560328, -81.584069).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 12.1 square miles (31.3 km²). 12.1 square miles (31.3 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.17%) is water.
Winter Garden is bordered on the south by the town of Windermere, on the east by the city of Ocoee, on the west by the town of Oakland, and on the north by Lake Apopka
Lake Apopka
Lake Apopka is the third largest lake in the U.S. state of Florida. It is located northwest of Orlando, mostly within the bounds of Orange County, although the western part is in Lake County. Fed by a natural spring, rainfall and stormwater runoff, water from Lake Apopka flows through the...
.
.
Topography
The terrain is characterized by a gentle to moderately sloping topography. The lowest elevation in the city is 66 feet (20.1 m) near Lake Apopka. The highest elevation is 190 feet (57.9 m) located in the southwest corner of the City.Climate
Winter Garden has a warm and humid subtropical climateClimate
Climate encompasses the statistics of temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, rainfall, atmospheric particle count and other meteorological elemental measurements in a given region over long periods...
, and there are two major seasons each year. One of those seasons is hot and rainy, lasting from May until October (roughly coinciding with the Atlantic hurricane season
Atlantic hurricane season
The Atlantic hurricane season is the period in a year when hurricanes usually form in the Atlantic Ocean. Tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic are called hurricanes, tropical storms, or tropical depressions. In addition, there have been several storms over the years that have not been fully...
). The other is a cooler season (November through March) that brings more moderate temperatures and less frequent rainfall. The area's warm and humid climate is caused primarily by its low elevation and its position relatively close to the Tropic of Cancer
Tropic of Cancer
The Tropic of Cancer, also referred to as the Northern tropic, is the circle of latitude on the Earth that marks the most northerly position at which the Sun may appear directly overhead at its zenith...
, and much of its weather is affected by the movement of the Gulf Stream
Gulf Stream
The Gulf Stream, together with its northern extension towards Europe, the North Atlantic Drift, is a powerful, warm, and swift Atlantic ocean current that originates at the tip of Florida, and follows the eastern coastlines of the United States and Newfoundland before crossing the Atlantic Ocean...
.
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 14,351 people, 5,380 households, and 3,663 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 1,190.2 inhabitants per square mile (459.4/km²). There were 5,861 housing units at an average density of 486.1 per square mile (187.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 76.60% White, 13.25% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.99% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 6.45% 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 2.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.50% of the population.
There were 5,380 households out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% 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, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.1 years. For every 100 females there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,858. About 10.1% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.7% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
State Road 50State Road 50 (Florida)
State Road 50 runs across the center of the U.S. state of Florida through Orlando, with its termini at SR 55 at Weeki Wachee and SR 5 in Titusville....
(W. Colonial Dr) bisects the city into northern and southern sections. The portion south of State Road 50, formerly occupied by orange groves and farmland, has recently been the site of the development of numerous large-scale communities, including Stoneybrook West, Stonecrest, Westfield, and Wintermere Pointe. A disparity exists between these new affluent residents, many of whom have moved from South Florida
South Florida metropolitan area
The South Florida metropolitan area, also known as the Miami metropolitan area, and designated the Miami–Fort Lauderdale–Pompano Beach, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area by the U.S...
, Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is a large natural harbor and estuary along the Gulf of Mexico on the west central coast of Florida, comprising Hillsborough Bay, Old Tampa Bay, Middle Tampa Bay, and Lower Tampa Bay."Tampa Bay" is not the name of any municipality...
, Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
, and the New York metropolitan area
New York metropolitan area
The New York metropolitan area, also known as Greater New York, or the Tri-State area, is the region that composes of New York City and the surrounding region...
, and longtime residents, many of whom are much less well-off.
The toll road Western Beltway (SR 429) was completed in late 2006 and it links I-4
Interstate 4
Interstate 4 is a intrastate Highway located entirely within the state of Florida, United States. It goes from Interstate 275 in Tampa, Florida to Interstate 95 at Daytona Beach, Florida . It also has the Florida Department of Transportation designation of State Road 400, but only a small...
near mile marker 58 in Osceola County
Osceola County, Florida
Osceola County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 172,493. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 244,045, making it the 17th fastest-growing county in the United States. Its county seat is Kissimmee.- History :Osceola County was...
with Florida's Turnpike
Florida's Turnpike
Florida's Turnpike , designated as the Ronald Reagan Turnpike, and originally known as the Sunshine State Parkway is a north–south toll road that runs through 11 counties in the Florida peninsula, from U.S...
at Winter Garden. Other major roads through Winter Garden include Orange County Road 535 and Orange County Road 545. CR 535 (also called Winter Garden - Vineland Road) begins at SR 50 and bisects the southern half of the city and proceeds south to Windermere
Windermere, Florida
Windermere is a town in Orange County, Florida, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 1,897. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 estimates, the town had a population of 2,019. It is expected that the 2010 census will show the town with almost 3000 people...
, Lake Buena Vista
Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Lake Buena Vista is a city in Orange County, Florida, United States. It is mostly known for being home to the Walt Disney World Resort. It is one of two Florida municipalities controlled by The Walt Disney Company, the other being Bay Lake....
and Walt Disney World where it becomes State Road 535. CR 545 (also called Avalon Road) begins at SR 50 and proceeds south along the western edge of Winter Garden and along the border between Orange
Orange County, Florida
Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida and is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 1,145,956....
and Lake
Lake County, Florida
Lake County is a county located in the state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 210,528. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 307,243. Its county seat is Tavares...
Counties. This area remains mostly rural but is quickly developing because of the nearby toll road. CR 545 currently ends at US 192
U.S. Route 192
U.S. Route 192 is an east–west route of the United States Numbered Highway system in central Florida. It runs 75.04 miles from U.S. Route 27 in Citrus Ridge, Lake County, east past Walt Disney World and through Kissimmee, St. Cloud and Melbourne, to end at State Road A1A in Indialantic, one...
in Kissimmee
Kissimmee, Florida
Kissimmee is a city in Osceola County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 59,682. It is the county seat of Osceola County...
at the border to Osceola County.
Points of interest
- Luther F. Tilden HouseLuther F. Tilden HouseThe Luther F. Tilden House is a historic home in Winter Garden, Florida, United States. It is located at 940 Tildenville School Road. On November 15, 1996, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places....
- West Orange TrailWest Orange TrailThe West Orange Trail is a long multi-use rail trail owned by Orange County Parks and Recreation in Orange County, Florida, in the United States.It passes through downtown Oakland, Winter Garden, and Apopka...
- Winter Garden Downtown Historic DistrictWinter Garden Downtown Historic DistrictThe Winter Garden Downtown Historic District is a U.S. historic district in Winter Garden, Florida. It is bounded by Woodland, Tremaine, Henderson, and Lake View Streets, encompasses approximately , and contains 26 historic buildings. On August 1, 1996, it was added to the U.S. National Register of...
- Winter Garden Heritage Museum
- Winter Garden Historic Residential DistrictWinter Garden Historic Residential DistrictThe Winter Garden Historic Residential District is a U.S. historic district in Winter Garden, Florida. It is bounded by Plant, Boyd, Tilden, and Central Streets, encompasses approximately , and contains 76 historic buildings. On August 1, 1996, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic...
- Stoneybrook West Golf Club
- Central Florida Railroad MuseumCentral Florida Railroad MuseumThe Central Florida Railroad Museum is located at 101 South Boyd Street, Winter Garden, Florida in a former Tavares and Gulf depot built in 1913. The museum contains exhibits depicting Central Florida's railroading history, including a large collection of dining car china...
- Garden TheatreGarden Theatre (Winter Garden, Florida)The Garden Theatre is a refurbished, historic theatre located at 160 West Plant Street in Winter Garden, Florida. The Garden Theatre, which hosts over 200 events a season, serves as the primary performing arts center for the Winter Garden area....
- Winter Garden Police Department
Shopping
Historic downtown Winter GardenWinter Garden Downtown Historic District
The Winter Garden Downtown Historic District is a U.S. historic district in Winter Garden, Florida. It is bounded by Woodland, Tremaine, Henderson, and Lake View Streets, encompasses approximately , and contains 26 historic buildings. On August 1, 1996, it was added to the U.S. National Register of...
contains a collection of restaurants, shops, and cafés, not to mention a couple of museums and a performing arts venue.
To the south, Winter Garden Village at Fowler Groves provides a vast array of chain retail and dining establishments. The 1100000 square feet (102,193.3 m²) open-air shopping center, located along Daniels Road just north of SR-429, is anchored by a Super Target, a Best Buy, and a Lowe's. http://www.wintergardenvillage.comhttp://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-cover0908jun09,0,5952274.story