Seminole County is a
countyA county is a land area of local government within a country. A county may have cities and towns within its area. Originally, in continental Europe, a county was the land under the jurisdiction of a count .Counts are called earls in post-Celtic Britain, Ireland and France—the term is from Old...
located in the
U.S. stateA U.S. state is any one of 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government . Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile...
of
FloridaFlorida is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the north. It was the 27th state admitted to the United States...
and part of the
Orlando-Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)Greater Orlando, alternatively known as the Orlando Area or Metro Orlando, is the third most populated metropolitan region in the state of Florida, and contains the 27th-largest metro area in the United States within the 16th largest Combined Statistical Area...
. It is located in the central part of Florida between
OrlandoOrlando is a major city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan region...
to the south and
DeLandDeLand is the county seat of Volusia County, Florida. In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population to be 24,375. It is part of the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 436,575 in 2006...
/
Daytona BeachDaytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, USA. According to 2006 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 64,421. Daytona Beach is a principal city of the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the census bureau estimated had a...
to the north. As of 2000, the population was 365,196. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the 2006 population was 406,875
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/GCTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=04000US12&-_box_head_nbr=GCT-T1-R&-ds_name=PEP_2005_EST&-_lang=en&-format=ST-2S&-_sse=on}. Its
county seatA county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county or civil parish, primarily used in the United States. In the Northeast United States, the statutory term often is shire town, but colloquially county seat is the term in use there...
is
Sanford, FloridaSanford is a city in and the county seat of Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 38,291 at the 2000 census. As of 2006, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 49,124. An older agricultural and resort area, Sanford is home to the Delta Connection Academy,...
.
History
On July 21, 1821, there were two counties that formed Florida: Escambia to the west and 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 large county was renamed
Orange CountyOrange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida and is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of 2007 Census Bureau estimates, the population was 1,066,113. The county seat is Orlando....
in 1845 when Florida became a state. For the next 70 years, Orange County would split into numerous other counties. Seminole County was one of the last counties to emerge from Orange County.
Seminole County was created on April 25, 1913 out of part of the northern portion of
Orange CountyOrange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida and is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of 2007 Census Bureau estimates, the population was 1,066,113. The county seat is Orlando....
by the
Florida LegislatureThe Florida Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The Florida Constitution mandates a bicameral state legislature with an upper house Florida Senate of 40 members and a lower Florida House of Representatives of 120 members...
. It was named for the
SeminoleThe Seminole are a Native American people originally of Florida, who now reside primarily in that state and Oklahoma. The Seminole nation was formed in the 18th century in a process of ethnogenesis...
tribe of
IndiansNative Americans in the United States is the phrase that describes indigenous peoples from North America now encompassed by the continental United States, including parts of Alaska and the island state of Hawaii. They comprise a large number of distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of...
. The name "Seminole" is thought to be derived from the
SpanishSpanish or Castilian is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that originated in northern Spain and gradually spread in the Kingdom of Castile, evolving into the principal language of government and trade in the Iberian peninsula...
word
cimarron, meaning "wild" or "runaway."
Government
The government currently operates under a County Charter originally adopted in 1989 and amended in November, 1994. Policymaking and the legislative authority are vested in the Board of County Commissioners, a five-member board elected to four-year terms in partisan, countywide elections and from single member districts. The Board adopts the County budget, levies property taxes and other fees, and hires the County Manager and County Attorney. In addition to the Board there are five Constitutional Officers who are elected to partisan, four-year terms in accordance with the constitution of the State of Florida.
The Constitutional Officers, Clerk of the
CircuitThe Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida is composed of Brevard and Seminole Counties.The jurisdiction covers a substantial area with over eighty miles between the courthouse in Viera and the Criminal Justice Center in Sanford...
and County Courts, Sheriff, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, and Supervisor of Elections, maintain separate accounting records and budgets. The Board funds a portion or, in certain instances, all of the operating budgets of the County's Constitutional Officers.
The County provides a full range of services; the construction and maintenance of the County's infrastructure, public safety, recreation, health and human services, and development and protection of the physical and economic environment.
In addition to the County Government described above, there are other political entities which are controlled by the County:
- US 17-92 Community Redevelopment Agency
The US 17-92 Community Redevelopment Agency was established by resolution in 1997 pursuant to Part III, Chapter 163, Florida Statutes, to redevelop the US 17-92 Community Redevelopment Area. US 17/92 in Seminole County, Florida. This road serves as a major commercial strip in the county.-External...
- Seminole County Expressway Authority
The Seminole County Expressway Authority is an independent special district established in 1974, pursuant to Chapter 348 of the Florida Statutes. A board made up of seven members, five of whom are the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners and two appointed by the Seminole County Board of...
- Fred R. Wilson Memorial Law Library
The Fred R. Wilson Memorial Law Library was established by the laws of Florida, Chapter 59-1863. The Law Library provides approximately one-half of its services to the general public and one-half to the County judiciary. The Law Library is governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the County...
- Seminole County Port Authority
The Seminole County Port Authority was established by the Laws of Florida, Chapter 65.2270, for the purpose of constructing, equipping, and operating a port facility. The Board members of the Port Authority are appointed by the Seminole County Board, who approve the Port Authority budget, levies...
Elected
Commissioner, District I - Bob Dallari
Commissioner, District II - Michael McLean
Commissioner, District III - Dick Van Der Weide
Commissioner, District IV - Carlton D. Henley
Commissioner, District V - Brenda Carey
Clerk of the Circuit Court - Maryanne Morse
Sheriff - Donald F. Eslinger
Tax Collector - Ray Valdes
Property Appraiser - David Johnson
Supervisor of Elections - Michael Ertel
Other
Administrative Services Director - Frank Raymond
Assistant County Manager - Sabrina O'Bryan
Community Services Director - Michele Saunders
County Attorney - Robert A. McMillan
County Engineer - Jerry McCollum
County Manager - Cynthia A. Coto
Deputy County Manager - Joe Forte
Economic Development Director - William McDermott
Environmental Services Director - Position vacant
Finance Director - David C. Godwin, CPA
Fire ChiefSeminole County Fire Department was founded in 1974 and currently has 19 stations throughout the unincoporated areas of Seminole County, Florida and the cities of Altamonte Springs and Winter Springs. Three more stations are currently being planned or under construction...
- Leeanna Raw
Fiscal Services Director - Lisa Spriggs, CPA
Human Resources Director - Janet Davis
Information Technology Services Director - Robert Beach
Leisure Services Director - Joe Abel
Library Services Director - Jane Peterson
Planning & Development Director - Dori DeBord
Public Safety Director - Tad Stone
Public Works Director - Gary Johnson
Geography
According to the
U.S. Census BureauThe United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data. As part of the United States Department of Commerce, the Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about...
, the county has a total area of 345 square miles (893 km²), of which, 308 square miles (798 km²) of it is land and 37 square miles (95 km²) of it (10.63%) is water.
Seminole County's location between
Volusia CountyVolusia County is a county located in the state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county was 496,575 . Although Daytona Beach is Volusia County's best-known city, its county seat is DeLand, and its most populous city is currently Deltona.Volusia County is the sole county of...
and
Orange CountyOrange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida and is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of 2007 Census Bureau estimates, the population was 1,066,113. The county seat is Orlando....
has made it one of the fastest growing counties in Florida. The Greater
OrlandoOrlando is a major city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan region...
Metropolitan District which includes Seminole,
OsceolaOsceola County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 172,493. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 244,045 , making it the 17th fastest-growing county in the United States. Its county seat is Kissimmee.- History :Osceola County was...
, and the surrounding counties of
LakeLake County is a county located in the state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 210,528. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 307,243. Its county seat is Tavares, Florida...
and Orange counties, together with neighboring Volusia and
BrevardBrevard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the population is 536,521. Influenced by the presence of the John F...
counties create a viable, progressive and diverse setting for economic growth and residential development.
Adjacent counties
- Brevard County, Florida
Brevard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the population is 536,521. Influenced by the presence of the John F...
- southeast
- Volusia County, Florida
Volusia County is a county located in the state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county was 496,575 . Although Daytona Beach is Volusia County's best-known city, its county seat is DeLand, and its most populous city is currently Deltona.Volusia County is the sole county of...
- north/east
- Orange County, Florida
Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida and is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of 2007 Census Bureau estimates, the population was 1,066,113. The county seat is Orlando....
- west/south
- Lake County, Florida
Lake County is a county located in the state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 210,528. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 307,243. Its county seat is Tavares, Florida...
- west
Demographics
As of the
censusA "census" is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population.In other words every 10 years...next one would be in 2010 The term is used mostly in connection with...
of 2000, there were 365,196 people, 139,572 households, and 97,281 families residing in the county. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the population of the County has grown to 394,878 by 2003. Current 2008 estimates put the population at more than 407,000. The
population densityPopulation density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans. It is a key term used in geography....
was 1,185 people per square mile (458/km²). There were 147,079 housing units at an average density of 477 per square mile (184/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 82.41%
WhiteRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 9.52%
BlackRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or
African AmericanRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.30%
Native AmericanRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.50%
AsianRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.04%
Pacific IslanderRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 3.06% from
other racesRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.18% from two or more races. 11.15% of the population were
HispanicRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or
LatinoRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 139,572 households out of which 33.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% were
married couplesMarriage is a social union or legal contract between individuals that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged by a variety of ways, depending on the culture or demographic...
living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.07. The Department of Education states that in 2003, school enrollment was approximately 72,630. As of 2006, the Seminole County School District was the 52nd largest in the nation.
Population was distributed with 25.40% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 32.00% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $49,326, and the median income for a family was $56,895. Males had a median income of $40,001 versus $28,217 for females. The
per capita incomePer capita income means how much each individual receives, in monetary terms, of the yearly income generated in the country. This is what each citizen is to receive if the yearly national income is divided equally among everyone. Per capita income is usually reported in units of currency per year...
for the county was $24,591. About 5.10% of families and 7.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.60% of those under age 18 and 6.60% of those age 65 or over. As of March 2009, according to
Workforce Central FloridaWorkforce Central Florida is the Central Florida region’s workforce board, responsible for workforce planning, programs, and the labor market for five Florida counties including Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Sumter...
, the unemployment rate for Seminole County is 9.2 percent.
Infrastructure
Because of the massive
urban sprawlUrban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is the spreading outwards of a city and its suburbs over rural land and to its outskirts. The problem of urban sprawl is that it is costly to initiate the development of new infrastructure adequate enough to support its residents...
in the area and outdated and unplanned transit infrastructure, traffic congestion is a growing concern. Fundamentally, the lack of east-west mobility in the area creates severe traffic issues every weekday. Many residents of Seminole County work in
Orange CountyOrange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida and is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of 2007 Census Bureau estimates, the population was 1,066,113. The county seat is Orlando....
, and those in northern Volusia County commute through Seminole County daily to Orange County.
Principal Taxpayers
| Taxpayer |
Type of Business |
Assessed Valuation |
Percent of Total Taxable Valuation |
| Colonial Realty LP |
Property Management / Development |
$ 217,597,511 |
1.18% |
Progress EnergyProgress Energy , headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., is a Fortune 500 energy company with more than 21,000 megawatts of generation capacity and $9 billion in annual revenues. Progress Energy includes two major electric utilities that serve approximately 3.1 million customers in the Carolinas and...
Florida, Inc. |
Electric Utility |
162,934,377 |
.88% |
BellSouthBellSouth Corporation is an American telecommunications holding company based in Atlanta, Georgia. BellSouth was one of the seven original Regional Bell Operating Companies after the U.S...
Telecommunications |
Communications |
91,591,862 |
.50% |
| Seminole Towne Centre LP |
Shopping Mall |
87,867,747 |
.48% |
| Altamonte Mall A Jt. Venture |
Shopping Mall |
86,903,276 |
.47% |
Sprint NextelSprint Nextel Corporation is a telecommunications company based in Overland Park, Kansas.The company owns and operates the third-largest wireless telecommunications network in United States, with 49.3 million customers, behind Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility.Sprint is a global Internet carrier ...
Corp. |
Communications |
83,090,520 |
.45% |
| Convergys Convergys Corporation is a multi-national corporation that provides relationship management solutions, outsourced customer and HR management solutions, consulting and professional services, billing services, and multichannel self-care technology solutions to its clients...
|
Call Center Outsourcing |
68,774,402 |
.37% |
| United Dominion Realty Tr |
Property Management / Development |
61,467,400 |
.33% |
| Rouse-Orlando Inc. |
Shopping Mall |
60,318,083 |
.33% |
Per Capita Income and Unemployment Rate
Incorporated
- City of Altamonte Springs
Altamonte Springs is a city in Seminole county in the U.S. state of Florida. Located primarily in Seminole County, the city is a northern suburb of the Orlando–Kissimmee, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the United States Census Bureau estimated had a population of 2,032,496 in...
- City of Casselberry
Casselberry is a city in Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 22,629 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2006, the city had a population of 24,647...
- City of Lake Mary
Lake Mary is a city in Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 11,456 at the 2000 census. As of 2006, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 14,718. ...
- City of Longwood
Longwood is a city in Seminole County, Florida, USA. The population was 13,745 at the 2000 census. As of 2006, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 13,529
...
- City of Oviedo
Oviedo is a city in Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 26,316 at the 2000 census. As of 2006, the population recorded by the U.S...
- City of Sanford
Sanford is a city in and the county seat of Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 38,291 at the 2000 census. As of 2006, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 49,124. An older agricultural and resort area, Sanford is home to the Delta Connection Academy,...
- City of Winter Springs
Winter Springs is a city in Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 31,666 at the 2000 census. According to the City of Winter Springs estimates, the city has a population of 34,621...
City districts and neighborhoods
- Forest City
Forest City is a census-designated place and an area in Seminole County, Florida, United States. Its historic center is now in the City of Altamonte Springs. Data in this article deals only with the unincorporated part. The population was 12,612 at the 2000 census...
(partly within the City of Altamonte SpringsAltamonte Springs is a city in Seminole county in the U.S. state of Florida. Located primarily in Seminole County, the city is a northern suburb of the Orlando–Kissimmee, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the United States Census Bureau estimated had a population of 2,032,496 in...
)
- Heathrow
Heathrow is a census-designated place and an unincorporated suburban community in Seminole County, Florida, United States. Heathrow is located on the I-4 Corridor in Central Florida, 19 miles Northeast of Orlando and 38 miles Southwest of Daytona Beach...
(partly within the City of Lake MaryLake Mary is a city in Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 11,456 at the 2000 census. As of 2006, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 14,718. ...
)
- Tuskawilla (partly within the City of Winter Springs
Winter Springs is a city in Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 31,666 at the 2000 census. According to the City of Winter Springs estimates, the city has a population of 34,621...
)
Unincorporated
- Chuluota
Chuluota is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,921 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- Fern Park
Fern Park is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 8,318 at the 2000 census...
- Geneva
Geneva is a community, census-designated place, and an unincorporated area in Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,601 at the 2000 census...
- Midway
Midway is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,714 at the 2000 census...
- Wekiwa Springs
Wekiwa Springs is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 23,169 at the 2000 census...
- an unincorporated area of Winter Park
Winter Park is a city in Orange County, Florida, United States. The population was 24,090 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 estimates, the city had a population of 28,083. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area...
External links