Wauchula, Florida

Wauchula, Florida
City
City of Wauchula
Wauchula Chamber of Commerce in 2010
Seal
Motto(s):  "Building New Beginnings From Old Traditions" "Cucumber Capital of the World"
Location in Hardee County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 27°32′46″N81°48′52″W / 27.54611°N 81.81444°W / 27.54611; -81.81444
Country	United States of America
State	Florida
County	Hardee
Incorporated	September 29, 1902;121 years ago (1902-09-29)
Government
• Type	Commission–Manager
•  Mayor	Keith Nadaskay, Jr.
•  Mayor Pro Tem	Neda Cobb
•  Commissioners	Russell Graylin Smith, Sherri Albritton, and Gary Smith
•  City Manager	Olivia Minshew
•  City Clerk	Stephanie Camacho
Area [1]
• Total	3.27 sq mi (8.46 km2)
• Land	3.27 sq mi (8.46 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	112 ft (34 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	4,900
• Density	1,499.85/sq mi (579.13/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	33873
Area code	863
FIPS code	12-75375 [2]
GNIS feature ID	0292949 [3]
Website	cityofwauchula.com

Wauchula is a city and the county seat of Hardee County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 4,900.

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 downtown's Wauchula Historic District and Albert Carlton Estate.

Geography

The exact coordinates for the City of Wauchula is located at 27°32′46″N81°48′52″W / 27.54611°N 81.81444°W / 27.54611; -81.81444 .

Wauchula is located in north-central Hardee County. U.S. Route 17 passes through the city, leading north 25 miles (40 km) to Bartow and south 24 miles (39 km) to Arcadia. Within the county, Zolfo Springs is 4 miles (6 km) to the south on US 17 and Bowling Green is 6 miles (10 km) to the north.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Wauchula has an area of 3.3 square miles (8.6 km²), all land.

Hurricane Charley

Hurricane Charley hit Wauchula at c. 5:30 on Friday, August 13, 2004, causing more than $750 million in damage. Sustained winds of 140 mph (230 km/h), with gusts of over 160 mph (260 km/h), were clocked in downtown Wauchula. ^[4] 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 its buildings were either damaged or destroyed. ^[5] There was a curfew set for the area for weeks after from 8 pm to 7 am.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and warm winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Wauchula has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

Confederate Memorial Day parade on Main Street, 1912

Hardee County Courthouse

Climate data for Wauchula, Florida, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1933–present
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	90 (32)	93 (34)	94 (34)	99 (37)	104 (40)	103 (39)	102 (39)	99 (37)	99 (37)	97 (36)	92 (33)	92 (33)	104 (40)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	83.9 (28.8)	86.0 (30.0)	87.1 (30.6)	91.2 (32.9)	94.2 (34.6)	95.8 (35.4)	95.6 (35.3)	95.7 (35.4)	94.3 (34.6)	91.5 (33.1)	87.2 (30.7)	84.6 (29.2)	96.9 (36.1)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	72.7 (22.6)	76.2 (24.6)	79.6 (26.4)	84.2 (29.0)	88.7 (31.5)	90.7 (32.6)	91.8 (33.2)	92.0 (33.3)	90.1 (32.3)	85.7 (29.8)	79.5 (26.4)	75.0 (23.9)	83.8 (28.8)
Daily mean °F (°C)	60.2 (15.7)	62.9 (17.2)	66.2 (19.0)	71.0 (21.7)	76.3 (24.6)	80.5 (26.9)	81.9 (27.7)	82.3 (27.9)	80.8 (27.1)	75.3 (24.1)	67.8 (19.9)	63.0 (17.2)	72.4 (22.4)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	47.7 (8.7)	49.6 (9.8)	52.9 (11.6)	57.7 (14.3)	63.9 (17.7)	70.3 (21.3)	72.1 (22.3)	72.7 (22.6)	71.5 (21.9)	64.9 (18.3)	56.0 (13.3)	51.0 (10.6)	60.9 (16.1)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	31.1 (−0.5)	34.0 (1.1)	37.9 (3.3)	45.2 (7.3)	54.4 (12.4)	65.2 (18.4)	68.6 (20.3)	69.1 (20.6)	66.1 (18.9)	50.2 (10.1)	41.4 (5.2)	34.8 (1.6)	29.5 (−1.4)
Record low °F (°C)	20 (−7)	24 (−4)	23 (−5)	34 (1)	40 (4)	51 (11)	61 (16)	61 (16)	55 (13)	37 (3)	24 (−4)	21 (−6)	20 (−7)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	2.29 (58)	2.18 (55)	2.99 (76)	2.92 (74)	3.51 (89)	8.46 (215)	7.69 (195)	8.46 (215)	6.32 (161)	3.09 (78)	1.96 (50)	2.13 (54)	52.00 (1,321)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	4.9	4.1	4.2	4.3	5.8	13.4	13.1	13.9	11.3	5.8	3.9	4.5	89.2
Source: NOAA [6] [7]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	1,099		—
1920	2,081		89.4%
1930	2,574		23.7%
1940	2,710		5.3%
1950	2,872		6.0%
1960	3,411		18.8%
1970	3,007		−11.8%
1980	3,296		9.6%
1990	3,253		−1.3%
2000	4,368		34.3%
2010	5,001		14.5%
2020	4,900		−2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [8]

2010 and 2020 census

Wauchula racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)

Race	Pop 2010 [9]	Pop 2020 [10]	% 2010	% 2020
White (NH)	2,179	2,008	43.57%	40.98%
Black or African American (NH)	281	358	5.62%	7.31%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	17	4	0.34%	0.08%
Asian (NH)	49	41	0.98%	0.84%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH)	1	2	0.02%	0.04%
Some other race (NH)	4	5	0.08%	0.10%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH)	42	97	0.84%	1.98%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	2,428	2,385	48.55%	48.67%
Total	5,001	4,900	100.00%	100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,900 people, 1,630 households, and 1,072 families residing in the city. ^[11]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 5,001 people, 1,574 households, and 1,035 families residing in the city. ^[12]

2000 census

As of the census ^[2] of 2000, there were 4,368 people, 1,431 households, and 985 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,669.6 inhabitants per square mile (644.6/km²). There were 1,562 housing units at an average density of 597.0 per square mile (230.5/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.

In 2000, 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 2000, 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.

In 2000, 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.

Infrastructure

Wauchula Municipal Airport is a public-use airport located 5 miles (8.0 km) southwest of the central business district.

Center for Great Apes is a permanent sanctuary for rescued orangutans and chimpanzees.

Notable people

• Doyle E. Carlton (1885–1972), 25th governor of Florida
• Tom McEwen (1923–2011), sportswriter
• B. J. McLeod (born 1983), NASCAR driver
• Zeke Mowatt (born 1961), NFL football player and Super Bowl XXI champion

See also

• Florida portal

• List of municipalities in Florida
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Hardee County, Florida

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
3. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
4. "NOAA Storm Tracker" (PDF). Spikowski. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
5. "Trip Journal Florida". MyTripJournal. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
6. "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Retrieved May 23, 2021.
7. "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Retrieved May 23, 2021.
8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
9. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Wauchula city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
10. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Wauchula city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
11. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Wauchula city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
12. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Wauchula city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .

External links

• Official website