Homosassa, Florida | |
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Coordinates: 28°47′0″N82°37′2″W / 28.78333°N 82.61722°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Florida |
County | Citrus |
Area | |
• Total | 8.33 sq mi (21.58 km2) |
• Land | 7.81 sq mi (20.23 km2) |
• Water | 0.52 sq mi (1.35 km2) |
Elevation | 0 ft (0 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 2,299 |
• Density | 294.33/sq mi (113.64/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
ZIP codes | 34446, 34448, 34487 |
Area code | 352 |
FIPS code | 12-32375 [2] |
GNIS feature ID | 0284219 [3] |
Website | www |
Homosassa is a census-designated place (CDP) in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,299 at the 2020 census, down from 2,578 at the 2010 census. [4] It is part of the Homosassa Springs, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Homosassa is derived from a Seminole Indian name meaning either "river of fishes" or "pepper ridge". [5]
In 1851, David Levy Yulee established a 5,000-acre (20 km2) sugar plantation on the Homosassa River, close to the current town of Homosassa. The plantation was worked by approximately 1,000 slaves, but Yulee was an absentee owner, spending most of his time in Fernandina. Among the crops raised were sugar cane, cotton, and citrus. The Yulee Groves were one of the first in Florida to grow sweet oranges budded from sour orange stock. The mill, which was steam-driven, operated from 1851 to 1864 and produced sugar, syrup, and molasses, the last of which was part of the rum-making process. After the Civil War ended in 1865, Yulee was imprisoned, the slaves were freed, and the site was abandoned. [6] The remains of the plantation are preserved at the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park.
Homosassa is home to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, which is often home to large numbers of "migratory" manatees, which frequent the area due to its springs and relatively warm waters. The park has been known to have Florida panthers, black bears, red wolves, alligators and flamingos. [7] The park is home to Lu, a famous hippopotamus known for his performances in many movies. The park also hosts an underwater viewing platform, known as the "fish bowl", where visitors can see manatees and fish swimming in the large spring from which the Homosassa River begins. The Wildlife Park helps spread awareness about the dangers of boating around areas inhabited by manatees as well as the destructive effects of polluting the environment. The park is one of the few major attractions of the area, which has a large retiree population and a very low level of activity compared to major tourist regions of Florida. The Homosassa and Halls rivers run through the area, and it is fairly common to see manatees surface near the area's waterfront restaurants and bars.
Homosassa is considered one of the best places in the world to catch Atlantic tarpon. [8]
Homosassa is located in southwestern Citrus County, to the west of U.S. Routes 19 and 98 (Suncoast Boulevard). The CDP extends west on both sides of the Homosassa River to a network of marshes and islands that lead to the Gulf of Mexico. The original settlement of Homosassa is located on the south side of the Homosassa River, 3 miles (5 km) west of Homosassa Springs by either West Fishbowl Drive or West Yulee Drive.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 8.3 square miles (21.5 km2), of which 7.8 square miles (20.1 km2) is land and 0.54 square miles (1.4 km2), or 6.30%, is water. [4]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1990 | 2,113 | — | |
2000 | 2,294 | 8.6% | |
2010 | 2,578 | 12.4% | |
2020 | 2,299 | −10.8% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [9] [2] |
As of the census [2] of 2000, there were 2,294 people, 1,128 households, and 771 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 288.7 inhabitants per square mile (111.5/km2). There were 1,602 housing units at an average density of 201.6 per square mile (77.8/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.65% White, 0.04% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.04% Asian, 0.04% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population.
There were 1,128 households, out of which 12.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8% were married couples living together, 3.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.38.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 10.6% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 15.5% from 25 to 44, 35.4% from 45 to 64, and 35.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 58 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $38,696, and the median income for a family was $41,513. Males had a median income of $29,044 versus $21,755 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,135. About 10.5% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.
The CDP is served by Citrus County Schools. [10] Homosassa Elementary School is in the community. [11] Residents are zoned to Homosassa Elementary, [12] Crystal River Middle School in Crystal River, [13] and Crystal River High School in Crystal River. [14]
The nearest public library, the Homosassa Public Library of Citrus Libraries, located in Homosassa Springs. [15]
Crystal River is a city in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,396 in the 2020 census, up from 3,108 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Homosassa Springs, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city was incorporated in 1903 and is the self-professed "Home of the Manatee". Crystal River Preserve State Park is located nearby, and Crystal River Archaeological State Park is located in the city's northwest side.
Citrus County is a county located on the northwest central coast of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 153,843. Its county seat is Inverness, and its largest community is Homosassa Springs.
Beverly Hills is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 9,961 at the 2020 census, up from 8,445 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Homosassa Springs, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Black Diamond is a census-designated place (CDP) in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,255 at the 2020 census, up from 1,101 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Homosassa Springs, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Citrus Hills is a census-designated place (CDP) in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 9,302 at the 2020 census, up from 7,470 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Homosassa Springs, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Citrus Springs is a census-designated place (CDP) in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 10,246 at the 2020 census, up from 8,622 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Homosassa Springs, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Floral City is a census-designated place (CDP) in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,261 at the 2020 census, up from 5,217 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Homosassa Springs, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The community is home to the Floral City Heritage Hall Museum and hosts the Floral City Heritage Days the first weekend in December. The area has a history of phosphate mining and includes historic homes.
Hernando is a census-designated place in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 9,284 at the 2020 census, up from 9,054 at the 2010 census. At one time it was a city but it was disincorporated in the 1970s. It is part of the Homosassa Springs, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Homosassa Springs is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 14,283 as of 2020, up from 13,791 at the 2010 census. Homosassa Springs is the principal community of the Homosassa Springs, Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Inverness is a city and the county seat of Citrus County, Florida, United States. It is near the 10,950-acre (4,430 ha) Flying Eagle Preserve. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,543, up from 7,210 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Homosassa Springs, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Inverness Highlands North is an unincorporated area and census-designated place (CDP) in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,707 at the 2020 census, up from 2,401 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Homosassa Springs, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Inverness Highlands South is a census-designated place (CDP) in Citrus County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,698, up from 6,542 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Homosassa Springs, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Lecanto is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Citrus County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census it had a population of 6,301, up from 5,882 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Homosassa Springs, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is home to several county government facilities such as the Citrus County Sheriff's Office and the Citrus Campus of the College of Central Florida.
Sugarmill Woods is an unincorporated, census-designated place (CDP) in southwestern Citrus County, Florida. The population was 11,204 at the 2020 census, up from 8,287 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Homosassa Springs, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Manatee Road is a census-designated place (CDP) in Levy County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,484 at the 2020 census, up from 2,244 at the 2010 census. At the 2000 census, the CDP was misspelled as "Manattee Road". It is part of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Yulee is a census-designated place (CDP) located within Nassau County, Florida, in the United States. Positioned in northeastern Florida, Yulee lies directly south of the Florida-Georgia state line, marked by the St. Marys River. Furthermore, it is situated 24 miles north of downtown Jacksonville, Florida. The population at the 2020 United States Census was 14,195, up from 11,491 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Jacksonville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses an estimated population of approximately 1.68 million individuals as of 2022. Presently, Yulee serves as a residential bedroom community for individuals commuting to Jacksonville, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, and various locations in Southeast Georgia. It is also actively engaged in efforts to broaden its tax base for economic diversification.
Pine Ridge is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 11,042 at the 2020 census, up from 9,598 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Homosassa Springs, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The Nature Coast is an informal, unofficial region of the U.S. state of Florida. The broadest definition of the Nature Coast includes the eight counties that abut the Gulf of Mexico along the Big Bend Coast defined by geologists: from west to east, Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor, Dixie, Levy, Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco counties. The name "Nature Coast" was originally devised as part of a marketing campaign to promote tourism in Levy, Citrus, Hernando, and parts of Marion and Pasco counties.
Crystal River High School was built in Crystal River, Florida in 1969. It was the second of the high schools located in Citrus County. The first enrollment count was 750 students. As of 2022, it is rated #3 out of 5 in Crystal River.
Lakewood Ranch is a planned community and census-designated place (CDP) in southeastern Manatee County and northeastern Sarasota County, Florida, United States, consisting of approximately 31,000 acres (13,000 ha). It is part of the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to the 2020 census, the CDP had a population of 34,877.