Leesburg, Florida
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Leesburg is a city located in Lake County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 15,956. 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 located in Clermont, Florida and Sumterville, Florida.
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Geography
FLMap-doton-Leesburg.PNG
Location of Leesburg, Florida
Leesburg is located at 28°48'38" North, 81°53'0" West (28.810687, -81.883349)Template:GR.
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 is water. The total area is 23.65% 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 censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 15,956 people, 6,775 households, and 4,078 families residing in the city. The population density is 330.0/km² (854.8/mi²). There are 7,742 housing units at an average density of 160.1/km² (414.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 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. 4.12% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 6,775 households out of which 24.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.6% are married couples living together, 16.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% are non-families. 33.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 18.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.26 and the average family size is 2.86.
In the city the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 78.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $25,988, and the median income for a family is $33,250. Males have a median income of $25,840 versus $20,888 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,762. 19.8% of the population and 16.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 35.3% of those under the age of 18 and 11.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
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.
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.
External links
- Official Leesburg, FL website (http://www.ci.leesburg.fl.us/)
- Leesburg Area Chamber Of Commerce (http://www.leesburgchamber.com/)
- Lake Sumter Community College (http://www.lscc.edu/)