Apopka, Florida
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Apopka, Florida | |
| Location in Orange County and the state of Florida | |
| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | Image:Flag of the United States.svg United States |
| State | Image:Flag of Florida.svg Florida |
| County | Orange |
| Area | |
| - Total | 24.9 sq mi (64.6 km²) |
| - Land | 24 sq mi (62.3 km²) |
| - Water | 0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²) |
| Elevation | 131 ft (40 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 26,642 |
| - Density | 1,070/sq mi (412.4/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP codes | 32703, 32704, 32712 |
| Area code(s) | 407 |
| FIPS code | 12-01700GR2 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0294327GR3 |
Apopka (APK) is a city in Orange County, Florida, United States. The population was 26,642 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2006, the city grew to 35,563. [1] Apopka is an Indian word for "Potato eating place". [2]
Contents |
[edit] Geography
Apopka is located at (28.676075, -81.510618)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 64.6 km² (24.9 mi²). 62.3 km² (24.0 mi²) of it is land and 2.3 km² (0.9 mi²) of it (3.57%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 26,642 people, 9,562 households, and 7,171 families residing in the city. The population density was 427.9/km² (1,108.1/mi²). There were 10,091 housing units at an average density of 162.1/km² (419.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 73.85% White, 15.56% African American, 0.42% Native American, 1.89% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 5.36% from other races, and 2.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.08% of the population.
There were 9,562 households out of which 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $43,651, and the median income for a family was $49,380. Males had a median income of $32,177 versus $26,553 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,189. About 7.1% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.
Apopka is also known as the "Indoor Foliage Capital of the World."
[edit] History
The earliest known inhabitants of the Apopka area were the Acuera people, members of the Timucua confederation. But, they had disappeared by 1730, probably decimated by diseases brought to Florida by Spanish colonists.
The Acuera were succeeded by refugees from Alabama and Georgia, who formed the new Seminole Indian Tribe. They called the area "Ahapopka," which means "potato eating place." By the 1830s, this settlement numbered about 200, and was the birthplace of the chief Coacoochee (known in English as "Wild Cat").
At the conclusion of the Second Seminole War, the U.S. Congress passed the Armed Occupation Act of 1842, forcing surviving natives at Ahapopka to abandon their village and seek refuge deeper in the wilderness of the Florida peninsula.
The early American settlers built a major trading center on the foundations of the earlier Indian settlement. Their population was large enough by 1857 to support the establishment of a Masonic lodge. And, in 1859 the lodge erected a permanent meeting place at what is now the intersection of Main Street (U.S. Highway 441) and Alabama Avenue.
The settlers in the vicinity of "The Lodge" were largely isolated during the U.S. Civil War. But, the area rebounded once peace was re-established. And, a population boom followed the construction of railroad lines thru the region.
In 1882 the one square mile surrounding "The Lodge" was officially incorporated under the name "Apopka."
In 1905, the Apopka City Council authorized incorporation of the Apopka Water, Light, and Ice Company. Councilman A.M. Starbird was appointed its manager. But, it was not until voters approved a $9,000 bond in 1914 that he was able to contract with International Harvester Corporation to construct a power plant. So, electricity was not available in the city until February 10, 1915. This independent utility company was one of many that were gobbled-up by the Florida Public Service Corporation in the 1920s. They continued to manage the city's utility needs until the 1940s, when they sold off its ice plants to the Atlantic Company, its electric service to Florida Power Corporation, and its water services to Florida Utilities.
[edit] Points of interest
- Apopka Seaboard Air Line Railway Depot
- Carroll Building
- Mitchill-Tibbetts House
- Ryan & Company Lumber Yard
- Waite-Davis House
[edit] Education
- Apopka is served by Orange County Public Schools.
- A satellite campus of the University of Florida College of Pharmacy is located in Apopka.
- University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Science Mid-Florida Research and Education Center is located in Apopka.
[edit] Notable residents
- John Anderson - country singer
- Sawyer Brown - country group
- Jerry Lawson, former lead singer of the The Persuasions
- Brandon Meriweather - Former University of Miami All-American safety and presently a defensive back for the New England Patriots
- Warren Sapp - All-Pro NFL defensive lineman
- Monty Sopp - professional wrestler Former IWF Tag Team, WWE Tag Team and WWE Intercontinental Champion
[edit] External links
- Apopka, Florida is at coordinates Coordinates:
Municipalities and communities of Orange County, Florida | ||
|---|---|---|
| County seat: Orlando | ||
| Cities | Apopka | Bay Lake | Belle Isle | Edgewood | Lake Buena Vista | Maitland | Ocoee | Orlando | Winter Garden | Winter Park | |
| Towns | ||
| CDPs | Azalea Park | Bay Hill | Bithlo | Christmas | Citrus Ridge | Conway | Doctor Phillips | Fairview Shores | Goldenrod | Gotha | Holden Heights | Hunters Creek | Lake Butler | Lake Hart | Lockhart | Meadow Woods | Oak Ridge | Orlo Vista | Paradise Heights | Pine Castle | Pine Hills | Sky Lake | South Apopka | Southchase | Taft | Tangelo Park | Tangerine | Tildenville | Union Park | Wedgefield | Williamsburg | Zellwood | |
| Communities | ||
io:Apopka, Florida lmo:Apopka, Florida nl:Apopka pt:Apopka vo:Apopka
