Villa Speranza: ORLANDO REES, FURIOSO -- And Orange County

Speranza

Orange County Courthouse

Flag

Seal

Location in the state of Florida

Florida's location in the U.S.

Founded

1845

Named for

Orange fruit

Seat

Orlando

Largest city

Orlando

Area

• Total

1,003 sq mi (2,598 km²)

• Land

903 sq mi (2,339 km²)

• Water

100 sq mi (259 km²)

Population (est.)

• (2014)

1,253,001

• Density

1,249.25/sq mi (482/km²)

Congressional districts

5th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th

Time zone

Eastern: UTC-5/-4

Website

www.orangecountyfl.net

Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida.

As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,145,956, making it the fifth-most populous county in Florida.

The county seat is Orlando.

Orange County is included in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The land that is Orange County was part of the first land to emerge from below the Early Oligocene sea 33.9–28.4 million years ago and is known as Orange Island.

Orange County's Rock Spring location is a Pleistocene fossil bearing area and has yielded a vast variety of birds and mammals including giant sloth,mammoth, camel, and the Dire Wolf dating around 1.1 million years ago.

In 1821, there were two counties that formed Florida:

(A) Escambia to the west and

(B) St. Johns to the east.

In 1824, the area to the south of St. Johns County became Mosquito County, and Enterprise was named the county seat.

This massive county took up much of central Florida.

Mosquito County was renamed Orange County in 1845 when Florida became a state.

It was thought that 'mosquito' was a rude word. It means mosquito.

Several counties, such as Osceola, Seminole, Lake, and Volusia were carved out of Orange County.

Orange County was renamed from Mosquito County for the fruit that constituted the county's main product.

Not for the insect. "Orange" is the fruit.

At its peak in the early 1970s, some 80,000 acres (320 km²) were planted in citrus in Orange County.

There was the dark green foliage of orange trees and the scent of the orange blossoms when in bloom.

In 2015, fewer commercial orange groves remain.

The majority of groves were destroyed by the freezing temperatures experienced in successive winters of 1985-6, followed by the coldest temperatures of the century in the January 1985 cold wave, the worst since 1899.

The financial setbacks, not the first in the history of the grove region, were just too challenging for many growers.

Economically destroyed, many just walked away from the land and its obligations.

Others awaited other opportunities.

One of the major land owners and growers in the region was the Tropicana company.

They, however, also withdrew rather than try to come back again from these seemingly endless generational decimation.

With no realistic avenues for agricultural utilization of this rural land, and Florida's continuing strong population growth and its attendant needs (aided and supported by the great success of nearby Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Florida), these areas began and continue to be, swallowed up by growing housing developments. However, several packing facilities and wholesalers are still in Orange County.

Geography[edit]

2010 U.S. Census tract map of Orange County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,003 square miles (2,600 km²), of which 903 square miles (2,340 km²) is land and 100 square miles (260 km²) (10.0%) is water.^[5]

Adjacent counties[edit]

Seminole County - north
Volusia County - northeast
Brevard County - east
Osceola County - south
Polk County - southwest
Lake County - west

Transportation[edit]

Airports[edit]

Major highways[edit]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1840	73		—
1850	466		538.4%
1860	987		111.8%
1870	2,195		122.4%
1880	6,618		201.5%
1890	12,584		90.1%
1900	11,374		−9.6%
1910	19,107		68.0%
1920	19,890		4.1%
1930	49,737		150.1%
1940	70,074		40.9%
1950	114,950		64.0%
1960	263,540		129.3%
1970	344,311		30.6%
1980	471,016		36.8%
1990	677,491		43.8%
2000	896,344		32.3%
2010	1,145,956		27.8%
Est. 2014	1,253,001	^[6]	9.3%
U.S. Decennial Census^[7] 1790-1960^[8] 1900-1990^[9] 1990-2000^[10] 2010-2014ref name="QF" />

2010 Census[edit]

U.S. Census Bureau 2010 Ethnic/Race Demographics:^[11]^[12]

White (non-Hispanic) (63.6% when including White Hispanics): 46.0%(10.0% German, 8.5% Irish, 7.4% English, 5.6% Italian, 2.1% French, 1.8% Polish, 1.5% Scottish, 1.3% Scotch-Irish, 1.0% Dutch, 0.8% Swedish, 0.7% Russian, 0.6% Norwegian, 0.5% Welsh, 0.5% French Canadian)^[11]
Black (non-Hispanic) (20.8% when including Black Hispanics): 19.5%(5.4% West Indian/Afro-Caribbean American [2.2% Haitian,] 0.7% Subsaharan African)^[11]^[13]
Hispanic or Latino of any race: 26.9% (13.0% Puerto Rican, 3.2% Mexican, 2.0% Colombian, 2.0% Cuban, 1.8% Dominican, 0.7% Venezuelan, 0.5% Ecuadoran, 0.5% Peruvian)^[11]^[14]
Asian: 4.9% (1.4% Indian, 0.9% Vietnamese, 0.8% Filipino, 0.7% Chinese, 0.6% Other Asian, 0.3% Korean, 0.2% Japanese)^[11]^[12]
Two or more races: 3.4%
American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0.1%^[11]^[12]
Other Races: 6.7% (0.8% Arab)^[11]

In 2010, 5.9% of the population considered themselves to be of only "American" ancestry (regardless of race or ethnicity.)

There were 421,847 households out of which 30.81% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.50% were married couples living together, 15.65% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.18% were non-families. 24.85% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.08% (1.71% male and 4.37% female) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.19.^[12]^[15]

In the county the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 12.8% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.7 years. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.^[15]

2000 Census[edit]

As of 2000, there were 896,344 people, 336,286 households, and 220,267 families residing in the county. The population density was 381/km² (988/mi²). There were 361,349 housing units at an average density of 154/km² (398/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 68.59% White (57.6% were Non-Hispanic White),^[16] 18.17% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 3.35% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 6.01% from other races, and 3.43% from two or more races. 28.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 336,286 households out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.00% were married couples living together, 13.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.50% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.30% under the age of 18, 10.90% from 18 to 24, 33.80% from 25 to 44, 20.00% from 45 to 64, and 10.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,311, and the median income for a family was $47,159. Males had a median income of $32,053 versus $25,402 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,916. About 8.80% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.30% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.

Languages[edit]

As of 2010, 67.43% of all residents spoke English as their first language, while 22.59% spoke Spanish, 2.44%French Creole (mostly Haitian Creole,) 1.23% Portuguese, 0.88% Vietnamese, 0.78% Indian languages(including Gujarati and Hindi,) 0.58% Tagalog, 0.53% Chinese, 0.50% French, and 0.45% of the population spoke Arabic as their mother language.^[17] In total, 32.57% of the population spoke languages other than English as their primary language.^[17]

Government[edit]

The county functions under a charter form of government. The charter serves as a constitution, detailing the structure and operation of the local government. A Charter Review Commission has the power to consider and place amendments on the ballot. Voters then decide whether to accept or reject all amendments put forth. If voters approve an amendment, it is then inserted into the charter.

Federal Representation[edit]

Five districts of the US House of Representatives represent parts of Orange County.

Federal Representation
District	Incumbent	Hometown	% Orange County Voters^[18]	Next Election
5	Corrine Brown	Jacksonville	21.44	2014
7	John Mica	Winter Park	16.25	2014
8	Bill Posey	Rockledge	1.35	2014
9	Alan Grayson	Orlando	31.41	2014
10	Daniel Webster	Winter Garden	29.55	2014

District 5 is a district extending from Downtown Orlando to Jacksonville. The district continues north of Orange County, with voters in Alachua, Clay, Duval, Lake, Marion, Putnam, and Seminole.

Places include: Apopka, Eatonville, Pine Hills, and Tangelo Park.

District 7 is situated in north Orange, extending north into Seminole and Volusia.

Places include: Lockhart, Maitland, University, and Winter Park.

District 8 is situated in east Orange, extending southeast into Brevard and Indian River.

Places include: Bithlo, Christmas, and Wedgefield.

District 9 is a Hispanic plurality district situated in central Orange, extending southwest into Osceola and Polk.

Places include: Azalea Park, Hunter's Creek, Meadow Woods, and Union Park.

District 10 is situated in central and southwestern Orange. The district takes in a majority of Downtown Orlandoand extends west into Lake and Polk.

Places include: Ocoee, Pine Castle, Williamsburg, Windermere and all of Orlando's major theme parks: Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Florida, and SeaWorld.

State Representation[edit]

Orange County residents are represented in Tallahassee with 5 Senate seats.

State Senators
District	Incumbent	Hometown	% Voters^[19]	Next Election
11	Alan Hays	Umatilla	1.71	2016
12	Geraldine Thompson	Orlando	37.39	2014
13	Andy Gardiner	Orlando	32.60	2016
14	Darren Soto	Orlando	20.55	2014
15	Kelli Stargel	Lakeland	7.76	2016

District 11 is largely based in Lake and Marion. It also includes a small portion of Sumter.

District 12 is wholly composed of Orange.

District 13 is largely composed of Orange, but includes portions of Brevard.

District 14 is largely split between Orange and Osceola. It also includes a small portion of Polk.

District 15 is predominantly centered in Polk, yet includes a small part of Orange and Osceola.

Orange County residents are represented in Tallahassee with 9 House seats.

State Representatives
District	Incumbent	Hometown	% Voters^[20]	Next Election
30	Karen Castor Dentel	Maitland	4.87	2014
31	Bryan Nelson	Apopka	5.28	2014
44	Stephen Precourt	Orlando	14.49	2014
45	Randolph Bracy	Orlando	12.73	2014
46	Bruce Antone	Orlando	10.80	2014
47	Linda Stewart	Orlando	16.30	2014
48	Victor Torres, Jr.	Orlando	12.76	2014
49	Joe Saunders	Orlando	13.96	2014
50	Tom Goodson	Titusville	8.82	2014

District 30 is largely based in Seminole. One-third of voters are situated in Orange.

District 31 is largely based in Lake. Slightly more than one-third of voters are situated in Orange.

District 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, and 49 are wholly composed of Orange.

District 50 is predominantly composed of Orange and Brevard.

County Representation[edit]

Orange County is served by a Board of Commissioners. The board consists of an elected mayor and six commissioners. The mayor is elected At-large, while commissioners are elected from single districts. The mayor and commissioners each serve staggered four year terms. Commissioners from Districts 1, 3, and 5 are elected in presidential election years, while the mayor and commissioners from Districts 2, 4, and 6 are elected in alternate years. The county is also served by a Clerk of Courts, Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Supervisor of Elections, State Attorney, and Public Defender. All positions are four year terms, requiring direct election by voters in presidential election years.

Orange County Officials
Position	Incumbent	Next Election
Mayor	Teresa Jacobs	2018
District 1 Commissioner	Scott Boyd	2016
District 2 Commissioner	Fred Brummer	2018
District 3 Commissioner	Pete Clarke	2016
District 4 Commissioner	Jennifer Thompson	2018
District 5 Commissioner	Ted Edwards	2016
District 6 Commissioner	Tiffany Moore Russell	2018
Clerk of Courts	Eddie Fernandez	2018
Sheriff	Jerry Demings	2016
Comptroller	Martha Haynie	2016
Property Appraiser	Rick Singh	2016
Tax Collector	Scott Randolph	2016
Supervisor of Elections	Bill Cowles	2016
State Attorney	Jeff Ashton	2016
Public Defender	Bob Wesley	2016

Education[edit]

Public Education[edit]

The Orange County Public Schools are responsible in delivering public education to students countywide. An elected school board composed of a chairman, elected At-large, and seven members, elected from single-member districts, oversees the functions and expenditures of the school system. Each member is elected to a staggered four-year term. Four are elected in presidential election years, while the chairman and three other members are elected in gubernatorial election years. The school system operates 182 schools (123 elementary, 3 K-8, 35 middle, 19 high, and 4 exceptional learning). In October 2012, the district had 183,562 students, making it the fourth largest school district statewide and eleventh in the nation.^[21]

Orange County School Board
Position	Incumbent	Next Election
Chairman	Bill Sublette	2014
District 1	Joie Cadle	2014
District 2	Daryl Flynn	2014
District 3	Rick Roach	2014
District 4	Pam Gould	2016
District 5	Kathleen Butler-Gordon	2016
District 6	Nancy Robbinson	2016
District 7	Christine Moore	2016

Colleges and universities[edit]

The University of Central Florida is the sole public university. A Fall 2012 enrollment of 59,767, currently places it second in the nation amongst public colleges and universities for student enrollment.^[22] The university's massive campus is situated in northeast Orange County.

Nearby Winter Park is home to Rollins College, a private college situated only a few miles from Downtown Orlando. In 2012, it was ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report amongst regional universities in the South.^[23]

With six campuses spread throughout the county, Valencia Community College offers two-year degree programs.

The law schools for Barry University and Florida A&M are also conveniently located in Downtown Orlando.

Full Sail University is a for-profit university in Winter Park, Florida. Full Sail is not regionally accredited, but is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) to award associate's, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees in audio, film, design, computer animation, business, and other fields.[10] The school offers 35 degree programs and 2 graduate certificates and has a student population of more than 16,800.

Films[edit]

Walt Before Mickey, a feature film about Walt Disney creating Mickey Mouse, was shot locally.

Libraries[edit]

Orange County is served by the Orange County Library System.

Politics[edit]

Orange County is located along the pivotal Interstate 4 corridor, the swing part of the state. Many close elections are won or lost depending on the voting outcome along the corridor. Voters are considered independent, traditionally splitting their votes, electing Democrats and Republicans on the same ballot. As a result of such independence, voters are inundated with non-stop television and radio ads months preceding a general election.

In September 2000,^[24] Democrats overtook Republicans in voter registration. This was a factor in Al Gorebecoming the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry the county since 1948. In the years since, Republicans have yet to retake the advantage they once enjoyed. In the twelve years that followed, Democrats experienced a modest increase in their voter registration percentage from 41.40% to 42.73% of the electorate. Minor party voters also had modest growth, increasing from 2.17% to 2.37%. In contrast, Republicans experienced a sharp decrease in registered voters, sliding from 40.95% in 2000 down to 29.85% in 2012. The beneficiary of the Republican losses have been unaffiliated voters. The percentage of the electorate identifying as an unaffiliated voter increased from 15.47% to 25.06% during this same period.

Voter Registration[edit]

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of April 14, 2015^[25]
Party		Total	Percentage
	Democratic	299,794	41.53%
	Republican	204,852	28.38%
	Minor Parties	45,236	6.27%
	Unaffiliated	172,039	23.83%
Total		721,921	100.00%

Presidential Results[edit]

Year	Democrat	Vote	Pct	Republican	Vote	Pct	Third Parties	Vote	Pct
Orange County, Florida: Presidential Results (1980–2012)^[26]
2012	Obama	273,665	58.68%	Romney	188,589	40.44%	Third Parties	4,105	0.88%
2008	Obama	273,009	59.00%	McCain	186,832	40.38%	Third Parties	2,870	0.62%
2004	Kerry	193,354	49.83%	Bush	192,539	49.62%	Third Parties	2,151	0.55%
2000	Gore	140,220	50.06%	Bush	134,517	48.02%	Third Parties	5,388	1.92%
1996	Clinton	105,513	45.66%	Dole	106,026	45.89%	Third Parties	19,522	8.45%
1992	Clinton	82,656	34.89%	Bush	108,738	45.90%	Third Parties	45,523	19.21%
1988	Dukakis	53,991	31.28%	Bush	117,141	67.86%	Third Parties	1,486	0.86%
1984	Mondale	48,737	28.52%	Reagan	122,007	71.39%	Third Parties	165	0.09%
1980	Carter	48,732	34.06%	Reagan	87,375	61.06%	Third Parties	6,983	4.88%