Leesburg, Florida | |
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City of Leesburg | |
![]() Leesburg City Hall | |
Motto: "The Lakefront City" | |
![]() Location in Lake County and the state of Florida | |
Coordinates: 28°47′36″N81°54′38″W / 28.79333°N 81.91056°W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
County | ![]() |
Settled (Leesburg) | 1857 [1] |
Incorporated (city) | July 12, 1875 [1] |
Government | |
• Type | Commission–Manager |
• Mayor | Jimmy Burry |
• Mayor Pro Tem | Jay Connell |
• Commissioners | Allyson Berry, Alan Reisman, and Mike Pederson |
• City Manager | Al Minner |
• City Clerk | J. Andi Purvis |
Area | |
• Total | 41.94 sq mi (108.61 km2) |
• Land | 38.45 sq mi (99.58 km2) |
• Water | 3.49 sq mi (9.04 km2) |
Elevation | 89 ft (27 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 27,000 |
• Density | 702.27/sq mi (271.15/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
ZIP codes | 34748, 34788 |
Area code | 352 |
FIPS code | 12-39875 [4] |
GNIS feature ID | 2404907 [3] |
Website | www |
Leesburg is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. As of 2020, the population had exactly 27,000 residents.
Leesburg is in central Florida, between Lake Harris and Lake Griffin, at the head of the Ocklawaha River. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Lake–Sumter State College and Beacon College are located in Leesburg.
Leesburg was first settled in 1857 by Evander McIver Lee. [1] Several of his brothers followed him to the area. One of them, Calvin Lee, was credited with giving the town its name. The city was incorporated in 1875, and was designated as the county seat of Sumter County for a time. When Lake County was formed in 1887, Tavares was designated as its seat. It was officially incorporated as the "City of Leesburg" on July 12, 1875. [1]
In the early 20th century, Leesburg was an important center for watermelon production. In 1930, it held its first Watermelon Festival, an annual tradition that lasted for nearly 30 years. But gradually watermelon production dwindled and, for the last festival in 1957, watermelons had to be brought to the city from outside the area.
In 1938, during the Great Depression, the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration invested in infrastructure and improvement projects across the county. Its Works Progress Administration began work on the Venetian Gardens waterside park, located on the shores of Lake Harris. These canals and gardens have been a centerpiece of the community ever since.
Lake Square Mall, the city's major shopping mall, opened in 1980.
On March 19, 1982, Ozzy Osbourne's guitarist Randy Rhoads, as well as the band's makeup artist and bus driver, were killed in a plane crash at Flying Baron Estates. [5]
The citrus industry was the principal business in this area for decades, but devastating freezes in December 1983 and February 1985 persuaded growers to move their groves further south. In 1997, Leesburg Bikefest started. It has since become an annual spring tradition, with upwards of 250,000 people attending every year.
Today, most of Leesburg's growth and economic development is the result of its increasing popularity as a retirement destination. In addition, the rapid growth of nearby Orlando has resulted in demand for housing here, as many people commute to Orlando for work. In 1977, 2011, 2016 and 2017, the Leesburg High School boys' basketball team won the FHSAA Class 4A State Championship, with the back to back 16/17 championships happening under head coach Sean Campbell.
In spring 2017, the Holding Company of the Villages planned to acquire 2,600 acres north and south of County Road 470 along the east side of Florida’s Turnpike for future development. The deal with the mega-retirement community has passed due diligence by the Leesburg City Commission. Age-restricted zoning ordinance changes have already been approved by the Leesburg Planning Commission (with the city commission giving final approval). [6] The initial plans call for building approximately 4,500 homes and some commercial development. [7]
The approximate coordinates for the City of Lessburg is located at 28°47′36″N81°54′38″W / 28.79333°N 81.91056°W . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.4 square miles (63 km2), of which 18.7 square miles (48 km2) is land and 5.8 square miles (15 km2) (23.65%) is water.
Leesburg is located 44.5 miles NNW of Orlando, 270 miles N of Miami, and 221 miles SW of Tallahassee, the state capital.
Several major highways pass through Leesburg, including U.S. Highway 27, U.S. Highway 441 and S.R. 44. Florida's Turnpike passes just to the south and west of Leesburg. Leesburg was on the western leg of the Dixie Highway.
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of Leesburg has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).
Climate data for Leesburg, Florida (Leesburg International Airport), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1958–present | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 86 (30) | 89 (32) | 92 (33) | 95 (35) | 99 (37) | 100 (38) | 100 (38) | 101 (38) | 100 (38) | 97 (36) | 90 (32) | 87 (31) | 101 (38) |
Mean maximum °F (°C) | 81.5 (27.5) | 84.3 (29.1) | 86.5 (30.3) | 89.7 (32.1) | 94.3 (34.6) | 96.2 (35.7) | 96.4 (35.8) | 96.0 (35.6) | 94.4 (34.7) | 90.7 (32.6) | 85.7 (29.8) | 82.4 (28.0) | 97.8 (36.6) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 69.9 (21.1) | 73.3 (22.9) | 77.3 (25.2) | 82.7 (28.2) | 88.1 (31.2) | 90.7 (32.6) | 91.1 (32.8) | 91.7 (33.2) | 89.7 (32.1) | 84.5 (29.2) | 77.3 (25.2) | 72.4 (22.4) | 82.4 (28.0) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 59.4 (15.2) | 62.6 (17.0) | 66.6 (19.2) | 72.2 (22.3) | 77.9 (25.5) | 81.9 (27.7) | 83.0 (28.3) | 83.3 (28.5) | 81.4 (27.4) | 75.3 (24.1) | 67.2 (19.6) | 62.2 (16.8) | 72.8 (22.7) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 48.9 (9.4) | 52.0 (11.1) | 56.0 (13.3) | 61.7 (16.5) | 67.7 (19.8) | 73.1 (22.8) | 74.9 (23.8) | 75.0 (23.9) | 73.1 (22.8) | 66.1 (18.9) | 57.1 (13.9) | 52.0 (11.1) | 63.1 (17.3) |
Mean minimum °F (°C) | 31.4 (−0.3) | 35.2 (1.8) | 39.7 (4.3) | 48.3 (9.1) | 57.7 (14.3) | 67.3 (19.6) | 70.6 (21.4) | 71.3 (21.8) | 66.2 (19.0) | 51.9 (11.1) | 41.6 (5.3) | 35.9 (2.2) | 29.8 (−1.2) |
Record low °F (°C) | 16 (−9) | 23 (−5) | 25 (−4) | 32 (0) | 46 (8) | 53 (12) | 62 (17) | 62 (17) | 52 (11) | 39 (4) | 24 (−4) | 16 (−9) | 16 (−9) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.51 (64) | 2.08 (53) | 3.22 (82) | 2.04 (52) | 2.68 (68) | 6.98 (177) | 5.88 (149) | 6.63 (168) | 5.21 (132) | 2.62 (67) | 1.76 (45) | 2.17 (55) | 43.78 (1,112) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 8.6 | 7.6 | 6.8 | 6.2 | 6.7 | 15.2 | 16.9 | 16.6 | 13.5 | 7.7 | 7.5 | 8.4 | 121.7 |
Source: NOAA [8] [9] |
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1880 | 200 | — | |
1890 | 722 | 261.0% | |
1900 | 765 | 6.0% | |
1910 | 991 | 29.5% | |
1920 | 1,835 | 85.2% | |
1930 | 4,113 | 124.1% | |
1940 | 4,687 | 14.0% | |
1950 | 7,395 | 57.8% | |
1960 | 11,172 | 51.1% | |
1970 | 11,869 | 6.2% | |
1980 | 13,191 | 11.1% | |
1990 | 14,903 | 13.0% | |
2000 | 15,956 | 7.1% | |
2010 | 20,117 | 26.1% | |
2020 | 27,000 | 34.2% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [10] 2020 [11] |
Race | Pop 2010 [12] | Pop 2020 [13] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
White (NH) | 11,917 | 13,978 | 59.24% | 51.77% |
Black or African American (NH) | 5,560 | 6,811 | 27.64% | 25.23% |
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 55 | 63 | 0.27% | 0.23% |
Asian (NH) | 340 | 520 | 1.69% | 1.93% |
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) | 43 | 78 | 0.21% | 0.29% |
Some other race (NH) | 17 | 190 | 0.08% | 0.70% |
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) | 380 | 1,115 | 1.89% | 4.13% |
Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1,805 | 4,245 | 8.97% | 15.72% |
Total | 20,117 | 27,000 | ||
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 27,000 people, 9,142 households, and 5,782 families residing in the city. [14]
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 20,117 people, 8,684 households, and 5,144 families residing in the city. [15]
As of the census [4] of 2000, there were 15,956 people, 6,775 households, and 4,078 families residing in the city. The population density was 854.8 inhabitants per square mile (330.0/km2). There were 7,742 housing units at an average density of 414.8 units per square mile (160.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 66.60% White, 29.12% African American, 0.27% Native American, 1.33% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.26% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.12% of the population.
In 2000, there were 6,775 households, out of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.6% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.86.
In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 26.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $25,988, and the median income for a family was $33,250. Males had a median income of $25,840 versus $20,888 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,762. About 16.2% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.3% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over.
The Leesburg Public Library was founded in 1875. [16] The library moved to the Venetian Gardens in 1953 when Leesburg established a library charter, [16] and in 2007, it moved to a 42,000-square-foot (3,900 m2) building. [17] The library joined the Lake County Library System in 2002. [18]
The Leesburg Center for the Arts is a nonprofit founded in 2000 to provide art education and exhibitions. [19]
The Leesburg African American Museum contains African-American artifacts. [20]
The Melon Patch Players is a nonprofit theater group founded in 1951. [21]
From 1922 to 1924, the city's Cooke Field was used by the Philadelphia Phillies for their spring training sessions. [22] On March 14, 1923, the stadium was used for the site of an exhibition game between the Phillies and the St. Louis Cardinals. [23] In 1936, the city built the Ballpark at Venetian Gardens, which was used by several minor league baseball clubs that played in the Florida State League from 1937 to 1968. The city won league titles in 1941 and 1946. [24] Since 2007, the city has been the home of the Leesburg Lightning, a wood-bat collegiate summer baseball team in the Florida Collegiate Summer League.
During the 1920s, sharpshooter Annie Oakley, who had a residence in Leesburg, performed shooting exhibitions at Cooke Field, including one for the Philadelphia Phillies. [25]
Lake County Schools operates public primary and secondary schools:
Leesburg International Airport is a small hub airport at the intersection of CR 44 and US 441, in front of Lake-Sumter State College. It is a hub of JetSky airlines, and serves Lake, Sumter, and Marion Counties.
Lake County is a county in the central portion of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 383,956. Its county seat is Tavares, and its largest city is Clermont. Lake County is included in the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Sumter County is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population is 129,752. It has the oldest median age of any US county and the highest percentage of residents aged 65 and older—at 55.6% in 2014–2018. Its county seat is Bushnell, and the largest city is Wildwood. Although the community of The Villages has more residents, it is a part of unincorporated Sumter County.
Clermont is a city in Lake County in central Florida, United States, about 22 miles (35 km) west of Orlando and 22 miles (35 km) southeast of Leesburg. The population was 43,021 in 2020. The city is residential in character and its economy is centered in retail trade, lodging, and tourism-oriented restaurants and bars. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Eustis is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 23,189 at the 2020 census.
Fruitland Park is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 8,325 at the 2020 census.
Lady Lake is a town in Lake County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area. Area history is exhibited at the Lady Lake Historical Society Museum. The population was 15,970 at the 2020 census.
Minneola is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area. The Minneola tangelo is named after the city. The population was 13,843 at the 2020 census.
Silver Lake is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,879 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Tavares is a city and the county seat of Lake County, Florida. The population at the 2020 census was 19,003, and in 2019 the population was estimated to be 17,749. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Yalaha is an unincorporated area and census-designated place (CDP) in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,364 at the 2010 census, up from 1,175 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Belle Isle is a city in Orange County, Florida, United States. The population was 7,032 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Kissimmee is the largest city and county seat of Osceola County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 79,226. It is a Principal City of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2020 population of 2,673,376. The Census Bureau defines an urban area with Kissimmee as the principal city, which is separated from the Orlando urban area. The Kissimmee–St. Cloud, FL urban area had a 2020 population of 418,404, making it the 100th largest in the United States.
Auburndale is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 15,616 at the 2020 census.
Davenport is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 9,043 at the 2020 Census. The city's population has increased dramatically since the 2010 Census, when the population was 2,888.
Eagle Lake is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area. Most of the town being centered around a subsection of U.S. Highway 17. The population was 3,008 as of 2020.
Altamonte Springs is a suburban city in Central Florida in Seminole County, Florida, United States, which had a population of 46,231 at the 2020 United States Census. The city is in the northern suburbs of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the United States Census Bureau estimated had a population of 2,673,376 in 2020.
Lake Mary is a suburban city that is located in the Greater Orlando metropolitan area in Seminole County, Florida, United States, and is located in Central Florida. The population was 16,798 at the 2020 census.
Bushnell is a city in western Florida and is the county seat of Sumter County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,047 at the 2020 census.
Coleman is a city in Sumter County, Florida, United States. The population was 642 at the 2020 census.
The Villages is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sumter and Marion counties in the U.S. state of Florida. It shares its name with a broader master-planned, age-restricted community that spreads into portions of Lake County. The overall development lies in central Florida, approximately 20 miles (32 km) south of Ocala and approximately 45 miles (72 km) northwest of Orlando. As of the 2020 census, the population of the CDP was 79,077.