Kissimmee, Florida
Encyclopedia : K : KI : KIS : Kissimmee, Florida
Kissimmee is a city in Osceola County, Florida, United States. The population was 47,814 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 56,153 [link]. It is the county seat of Osceola County[Geographic references#6GR6]. The Houston Astros conduct spring training here.
History
Kissimmee (pronounced (IPA) /kɪˈsɪmi/, with the accent on the second syllable), on the northwest shore of Lake Tohopekaliga (locally called "Lake Toho", "West Lake Toho" or simply "West Lake") was founded in the mid-19th Century as Allendale. The name was changed when the city was incorporated in 1883.After the opening of nearby Walt Disney World in 1971, Kissimmee and its neighboring city of Saint Cloud began to experience rapid growth which continues to this day.
Cattle ranching was an important part of the local economy for a century or so before the opening of Walt Disney World. After that, tourism and development supplanted cattle ranching to a large measure; however, cattle ranches still remain nearby, particularly in the southern part of Osceola County.
On August 13, 2004, Hurricane Charley stormed through Kissimmee bringing damaging winds in excess of 100 miles per hour. The hurricane left behind hundreds of damaged homes and buildings, downed trees and 100 percent of the residents without power. Fifty-four percent of the residents had power restored in the first 72 hours; 85 percent were restored within one week. Service was restored to all customers on August 28. Three weeks after Hurricane Charley struck, the area was ravaged by Hurricane Frances; and three weeks after Frances, Hurricane Jeanne.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 44.9 km² (17.3 mi²). 43.2 km² (16.7 mi²) of it is land and 1.7 km² (0.6 mi²) of it (3.70%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 47,814 people, 17,121 households, and 11,813 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,106.8/km² (2,866.6/mi²). There were 19,642 housing units at an average density of 454.7/km² (1,177.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 67.22% White, 9.99% African American, 0.52% Native American, 3.38% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 14.15% from other races, and 4.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 41.73% of the population.There were 17,121 households out of which 37.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 34.9% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,949, and the median income for a family was $36,361. Males had a median income of $25,851 versus $21,025 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,071. About 12.3% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.0% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.
External links
- [Kissimmee Utility Authority] Municipal utility serving Kissimmee and surrounding area since 1901
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