Winter Haven, Florida
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Winter Haven is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 26,487 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 27,855. Winter Haven is best known as the home of Cypress Gardens, a theme park which has recently gone through renovations to add thrill rides. Country musician Gram Parsons was from a wealthy family in Winter Haven. Winter Haven was also home to the first Publix supermarket circa 1930.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 65.8 km² (25.4 mi²). 45.8 km² (17.7 mi²) of it is land and 20.0 km² (7.7 mi²) of it (30.45%) is water.
Winter Haven has 50 fresh-water lakes which touch or are contained within the city limits. 24 of the lakes are connected by a system of navigable canals better known as the Chain of Lakes. Winter Haven has its own professional sports team (Cleveland Indians Spring Training)and a theme park (Cypress Gardens Adventure Park – Florida’s first theme park. It is also the home of Winter Haven Hospital and Winter Haven's Gilbert Airport.
Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 26,487 people, 11,833 households, and 6,934 families residing in the city. The population density was 578.4/km² (1,498.3/mi²). There were 13,912 housing units at an average density of 303.8/km² (787.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.51% White, 23.16% African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.02% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.87% from other races, and 2.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.94% of the population.There were 11,833 households out of which 21.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.4% were non-families. 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.9% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 27.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 85.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,884, and the median income for a family was $39,657. Males had a median income of $30,943 versus $21,812 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,383. About 10.5% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.2% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.
Gallery
Sports
Winter Haven is the spring training home of the Cleveland Indians baseball team. Also, Winter Haven, having many small lakes, is home to many ski schools, both for water skiing and barefoot skiing.Education
K-12 Schools
The school district that serves Winter Haven is the [Polk County School District]- Denison Junior High School
- Winter Haven Senior High School
Colleges
- Polk Community College (PCC)
External links
- [City of Winter Haven] official site
- [The Main Street Program] Main Street is a comprehensive downtown revitalization program
The Main Street Program was originated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1980
- [Winter Haven News Chief] community news
- [The Ledger] newspaper serving Winter Haven and all of Polk County
- [Theatre Winter Haven] “one of the best community theatres in America”
- [Florida Citrus Festival] January and February
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