Leesburg, Florida

Encyclopedia : L : LE : LEE : Leesburg, Florida

Leesburg is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 15,956 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 18,079^[link]. Leesburg is located in central Florida, between Lake Harris and Lake Griffin, at the head of the Oklawaha River system. Leesburg is the home of Lake-Sumter Community College (LSCC) with campuses also in Clermont, Florida and Sumterville, Florida.

Contents

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 Notable Natives
5 External links

Geography

Leesburg is located at [28°48′38″N, 81°53′0″W] (28.810687, -81.883349)^{[Geographic references#1GR1]}.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 63.3 km² (24.4 mi²). 48.4 km² (18.7 mi²) of it is land and 15.0 km² (5.8 mi²) of it (23.65%) is water.

Several major highways pass through Leesburg, including U.S. Highway 27 and U.S. Highway 441. Florida's Turnpike passes just to the south and west of Leesburg. Leesburg was on the Western leg of the historic Dixie Highway.

Demographics

As of the census^{[Geographic references#2GR2]} of 2000, there were 15,956 people, 6,775 households, and 4,078 families residing in the city. The population density was 330.0/km² (854.8/mi²). There were 7,742 housing units at an average density of 160.1/km² (414.8/mi²). 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.

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 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.

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.

History

Leesburg was first settled in 1857 by Evander McIver Lee. Several of Evander Lee's brothers followed him to the area. One of these brothers, Calvin Lee, was credited with giving the town its name.

The city of Leesburg was first incorporated in 1875, and was the county seat of Sumter County for a time until Lake County was formed in 1887.

In the early 20th century, Leesburg was an important center for watermelon production. In 1930, Leesburg held its first Watermelon Festival, an annual tradition that would last until watermelon production in the area dwindled to the point that watermelons for the last festival had to be brought in from outside the area.

In 1938, the WPA began work on the Venetian Gardens waterside park, on the shores of Lake Harris. The canals and gardens of this park have been a centerpiece of the community ever since.

In 1982, Ozzy Osbourne's guitarist Randy Rhoads was killed in a plane crash at the home of their tourbus driver.

The citrus industry was the principal business in Leesburg for many years, until devastating freezes in December 1983 and January 1985 persuaded growers to move their groves further down the Florida peninsula.

Today, most of Leesburg's growth and economic development is the result of the increasing popularity of the area as a retirement destination and the rapid growth of nearby Orlando.

Notable Natives

Steven J. Richey - Attorney, Wine connoisseur, development shill and part-time handyman
Jennifer Lynn Wooten - Miss Florida Teen USA 2006

External links

[Official Leesburg, FL website]
[Leesburg Area Chamber Of Commerce]
[Lake-Sumter Community College]
[Maps and aerial photos] Coordinates: [28.810687° -81.883349°]
* Street map from [Google Maps] or [Yahoo! Maps]
* Topographic map from [TopoZone]
* Aerial image or topographic map from [TerraServer-USA]
* Satellite image from [Google Maps] or [Windows Live Local]

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