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Kissimmee is a city in Osceola County, Florida, United States. The population
was 47,814 at the 2000 census. As of 2005, the population recorded by the U.S.
Census Bureau is 59,364. It is the county seat of Osceola CountyGR6. The Houston
Astros conduct spring training here.
History
Kissimmee (pronounced (IPA) /, 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.
Cattle ranching was an important part of the local economy for a century or so
before the opening of nearby 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
Location of Kissimmee, Florida
Kissimmee is located at 28°18′14″N, 81°24′46″W (28.303988, -81.412867)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 44.9
km˛ (17.3 mi˛). 43.2 km˛ (16.7 mi˛) of it is land and 1.7 km˛ (0.6 mi˛) of it
(3.70%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusGR2 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/km˛
(2,866.6/mi˛). There were 19,642 housing units at an average density of
454.7/km˛ (1,177.6/mi˛). 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.