Kissimmee, Florida
Encyclopedia
Kissimmee is a city in Osceola County
, Florida
, United States
. As of the 2010 census, the population was 59,682. It is the county seat
of Osceola County. Kissimmee is a Principal City of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2010 population of 2,134,411.
of Philadelphia, who based his two-million acre (8,000 km2) drainage
operation out of the small town. Disston had contracted with the financially wobbly state of Florida to drain its southern lands, for which he would own half of all he successfully drained. This deal made Disston the largest single landowner in the United States.
Disston's dredging and land speculation required a small steamboat
industry to transport people and goods along the new waterway. The Kissimmee shipyard
was responsible for building most of these large steamships, which were just one jump ahead of civilization—with Kissimmee as the jumping off point. Concurrently, the South Florida Railroad
was growing and extended the end of its line from Sanford
down to Kissimmee, making the town on Lake Tohopekaliga
a transportation hub
for Central Florida
. On February 12, 1885, the Florida Legislature
incorporated the Kissimmee City Street Railway
.
But the heyday of Kissimmee was short-lived. Expanding railroads began to challenge the steamships for carrying freight and passengers. By 1885, the South Florida Railroad had extended its tracks again to Miami. The Panic of 1893
was the worst depression
or economic slump the U.S. had experienced, crushing land speculation and unsound debt
. Hamilton Disston closed his Kissimmee land operation. Back-to-back freezes in 1894 and 1895 wiped out the citrus
industry. The freezes, combined with South Florida's growth and the relocation of steamship operations to Lake Okeechobee
, left Kissimmee dependent on cattle raising.
Kissimmee had a population of 4,310 in 1950. At that point there was some citrus packing as well as the ranching.
Ranching remained an important part of the local economy until the opening of nearby Walt Disney World
in 1971. After that, tourism
and development
supplanted cattle ranching to a large measure; however, cattle ranches still operate nearby, particularly in the southern part of Osceola County.
On August 13, 2004, Hurricane Charley
passed through Kissimmee with winds in excess of 100 miles per hour, damaging homes and buildings, toppling trees and cutting electrical power to the entire city. Kissimmee Utility Authority
restored power to 54 percent of the residents 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, the area was struck by Hurricane Frances
, followed by Hurricane Jeanne
three weeks after Frances.
, the city has a total area of 17.32 square miles (44.9 km²), of which 16.7 square miles (43 km²) is land and 0.6 square miles (2 km²) is water (3.7%). Kissimmee and the city of St. Cloud
are the only incorporated settlements in the county. The cities lie in close proximity to each other along US Highways 192 and 441.
City water resources
Drained by the Kissimmee River
, the city is situated on the northwest shore of Lake Tohopekaliga
(locally called Lake Tohoe, West Lake Tohoe, or simply West Lake) in central Florida
.
Downtown
The downtown area lies near the intersection of US Highway 17/92 and US Highway 192
. The downtown of Kissimmee does not possess any big skyscrapers; most of the buildings are two or three stories high. The biggest and the tallest building in the downtown is the Osceola County courthouse. The main street that runs through the city's center is a combination of three smaller streets: Main Street, Broadway Street, and Emmett Street.
of 2000, there were 50,814 people, 17,121 households, and 11,813 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,866.6 per square mile (1,106.8/km2). There were 19,642 housing units at an average density of 1,177.6 per square mile (454.7/km2). 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. The majority of Hispanics residing in the city are Puerto Ricans. There are also small Colombian
, Cuban
, Dominican
and Mexican
communities residing in and/or around the city.
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.
In 2010 Kissimmee had a population of 59,682. The racial and ethnic composition was 58.9% Hispanic or Latino, 26.2% non-Hispanic White, 9.6% non-Hispanic African American , 2.8% Hispanic black, 0.6% Native American, 3.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.4% Non-Hispanic from some other race and 4.7% two or more races.
, which will be a station stop on the planned SunRail
commuter rail system. There is also a Greyhound
bus station. Local bus service is provided by the Lynx
network.
Kissimmee Gateway Airport
offered nonstop service to 12 cities on DayJet
, but those services ended when the company suspended all operations in September 2008. However, Orlando International Airport
can be reached from Kissimmee in 15 minutes by car.
The major land transportation arteries are the Florida's Turnpike
, Osceola Parkway
, and US 192
. Among other important routes are US 17/92 that join with US 441
into the Orange Blossom Trail (OBT) and State Route 423 also known as the John Young Parkway.
conduct spring training
in Kissimmee, at Osceola County Stadium
. The stadium also hosts numerous amateur baseball events throughout the remainder of the year in conjunction with; USSSA, Triple Crown Sports, World Baseball Federation and Promotion Sports. The Jim Evan's Academy of Professional Umpiring has also called Osceola County Stadium home since 1994.
The Osceola County Softball Complex
is a facility of five softball fields which are host to a variety of amateur sports events. It is the home of the USSSA 2005 Complex of the Year Award, the Rebel Spring Games, and numerous other fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball, and youth baseball events.
Austin-Tindall Regional Park
is an athletic facility in the area that is host to a variety of annual events.
The city is also home to the annual NCCAA men's soccer National Championship Tournament.
Osceola Heritage Park is an event facility featuring a concert arena (Silver Spurs Arena
) and professional sports stadium (Osceola County Stadium
). The Silver Spurs Arena has been host to many acts, ranging from Hilary Duff
and Bob Dylan
to an annual rodeo event. Jehovah's Witnesses
also use The Silver Spurs Arena for their annual District Conventions. In 2008, a number of English and Spanish conventions will be held by the Witnesses, bringing thousands of delegates to the Kissimmee area for the three-day events.
Kissimmee is home to a 650-person capacity outdoor water park, in addition to multiple golf courses.
Kissimmee is also home to the Loop, a large outdoor shopping mall at John Young and Osceola Parkways on the Orange/Osceola County line. It features stores such as American Eagle, Kohls, and Best Buy. There is also a multi-plex theater.
Kissimmee is near Orlando, home to Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort
and SeaWorld
, allowing tourists to access the parks through the city.
Elementary schools
Middle schools
High schools
Osceola Library System
operates the Hart Memorial Central Library in Kissimmee.
Osceola County, Florida
Osceola 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...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2010 census, the population was 59,682. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Osceola County. Kissimmee is a Principal City of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2010 population of 2,134,411.
History
Founded in the mid-19th century as Allendale, it was renamed Kissimmee when incorporated as a city in 1883. Its growth can be credited to Hamilton DisstonHamilton Disston
Hamilton Disston , was an industrialist and real-estate developer who purchased four million acres of Florida land in 1881, an area larger than the state of Connecticut, and reportedly the most land ever purchased by a single person in world history...
of Philadelphia, who based his two-million acre (8,000 km2) drainage
Drainage
Drainage is the natural or artificial removal of surface and sub-surface water from an area. Many agricultural soils need drainage to improve production or to manage water supplies.-Early history:...
operation out of the small town. Disston had contracted with the financially wobbly state of Florida to drain its southern lands, for which he would own half of all he successfully drained. This deal made Disston the largest single landowner in the United States.
Disston's dredging and land speculation required a small steamboat
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
industry to transport people and goods along the new waterway. The Kissimmee shipyard
Shipyard
Shipyards and dockyards are places which repair and build ships. These can be yachts, military vessels, cruise liners or other cargo or passenger ships. Dockyards are sometimes more associated with maintenance and basing activities than shipyards, which are sometimes associated more with initial...
was responsible for building most of these large steamships, which were just one jump ahead of civilization—with Kissimmee as the jumping off point. Concurrently, the South Florida Railroad
South Florida Railroad
The South Florida Railroad was a railroad from Orlando to Tampa, Florida, becoming part of the Plant System in 1893 and the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in 1902.-History:...
was growing and extended the end of its line from Sanford
Sanford, Florida
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 2009, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 50,998...
down to Kissimmee, making the town on Lake Tohopekaliga
Lake Tohopekaliga
Lake Tohopekaliga Tohopeka ; Tohopekaliga [from tohopke /to-hó:pk-i/ fence, fort + likv /léyk-a/ site] Lake Toho, West Lake, or simply Toho for short, native name meaning "we will gather together here", is a lake in Osceola County, Florida, United States. It is the primary inflow of Shingle Creek,...
a transportation hub
Transportation hub
A transport hub is a place where passengers and cargo are exchanged between vehicles or between transport modes. Public transport hubs include train stations, rapid transit stations, bus stops, tram stop, airports and ferry slips. Freight hubs include classification yards, seaports and truck...
for Central Florida
Central Florida
Central Florida is a regional designation for the area surrounding Orlando in east central Florida, United States. The area represents the third largest population concentration in Florida, after the South Florida and Tampa Bay regions, respectively....
. On February 12, 1885, the Florida Legislature
Florida Legislature
The Florida State Legislature is the term often used to refer to the two houses that act as the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The Florida Constitution states that "The legislative power of the state shall be vested in a legislature of the State of Florida," composed of a Senate...
incorporated the Kissimmee City Street Railway
Kissimmee City Street Railway
Florida state law chapter 3659, approved February 12, 1885, incorporated the Kissimmee City Street Railway Company, owned by John M. Bryan, C. A Carson, M. C. Osborne, John M. Lee, Andrew J. Rose, L. P. Hughey, W. A. Patrick, N. C. Bryan, T. A. Bass, E. N. Fell, and W. B. M...
.
But the heyday of Kissimmee was short-lived. Expanding railroads began to challenge the steamships for carrying freight and passengers. By 1885, the South Florida Railroad had extended its tracks again to Miami. The Panic of 1893
Panic of 1893
The Panic of 1893 was a serious economic depression in the United States that began in 1893. Similar to the Panic of 1873, this panic was marked by the collapse of railroad overbuilding and shaky railroad financing which set off a series of bank failures...
was the worst depression
Depression (economics)
In economics, a depression is a sustained, long-term downturn in economic activity in one or more economies. It is a more severe downturn than a recession, which is seen by some economists as part of the modern business cycle....
or economic slump the U.S. had experienced, crushing land speculation and unsound debt
Debt
A debt is an obligation owed by one party to a second party, the creditor; usually this refers to assets granted by the creditor to the debtor, but the term can also be used metaphorically to cover moral obligations and other interactions not based on economic value.A debt is created when a...
. Hamilton Disston closed his Kissimmee land operation. Back-to-back freezes in 1894 and 1895 wiped out the citrus
Citrus
Citrus is a common term and genus of flowering plants in the rue family, Rutaceae. Citrus is believed to have originated in the part of Southeast Asia bordered by Northeastern India, Myanmar and the Yunnan province of China...
industry. The freezes, combined with South Florida's growth and the relocation of steamship operations to Lake Okeechobee
Lake Okeechobee
Lake Okeechobee , locally referred to as The Lake or The Big O, is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Florida. It is the seventh largest freshwater lake in the United States and the second largest freshwater lake contained entirely within the lower 48 states...
, left Kissimmee dependent on cattle raising.
Kissimmee had a population of 4,310 in 1950. At that point there was some citrus packing as well as the ranching.
Ranching remained an important part of the local economy until the opening of nearby Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort , is the world's most-visited entertaimental resort. Located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida ; approximately southwest of Orlando, Florida, United States, the resort covers an area of and includes four theme parks, two water parks, 23 on-site themed resort hotels Walt...
in 1971. After that, tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
and development
Subdivision (land)
Subdivision is the act of dividing land into pieces that are easier to sell or otherwise develop, usually via a plat. The former single piece as a whole is then known in the United States as a subdivision...
supplanted cattle ranching to a large measure; however, cattle ranches still operate nearby, particularly in the southern part of Osceola County.
On August 13, 2004, Hurricane Charley
Hurricane Charley
Hurricane Charley was the third named storm, the second hurricane, and the second major hurricane of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season. Charley lasted from August 9 to August 15, and at its peak intensity it attained 150 mph winds, making it a strong Category 4 hurricane on the...
passed through Kissimmee with winds in excess of 100 miles per hour, damaging homes and buildings, toppling trees and cutting electrical power to the entire city. Kissimmee Utility Authority
Kissimmee Utility Authority
Kissimmee Utility Authority was founded in 1901 and is Florida's sixth largest municipally-owned utility providing electric and telecommunication services to 64,000 customers in Osceola County, Florida. KUA owns and operates the Roy E...
restored power to 54 percent of the residents 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, the area was struck by Hurricane Frances
Hurricane Frances
Hurricane Frances was the sixth named storm, the fourth hurricane, and the third major hurricane of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season. The system crossing the open Atlantic during mid to late August, moving to the north of the Lesser Antilles while strengthening. Its outer bands affected Puerto...
, followed by Hurricane Jeanne
Hurricane Jeanne
Hurricane Jeanne was the deadliest hurricane in the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season. It was the tenth named storm, the seventh hurricane, and the fifth major hurricane of the season, as well as the third hurricane and fourth named storm of the season to make landfall in Florida...
three weeks after Frances.
Notable residents
- Vassar ClementsVassar ClementsVassar Clements was a Grammy Award- winning American jazz, swing, and bluegrass fiddler. Clements has been dubbed the Father of Hillbilly Jazz, an improvisational style that blends and borrows from swing, hot jazz, and bluegrass along with roots also in country and other musical...
, bluegrass musician - Buddy DyerBuddy DyerJohn Hugh "Buddy" Dyer is mayor of Orlando, Florida, first elected in 2003. He is a member of the United States Democratic Party. Previously he represented Orlando in the Florida State Senate for ten years, including three years when he was the Senate Democratic leader.-Early life:Dyer was born in...
, politician; mayor of OrlandoOrlando, FloridaOrlando is a 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 area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States... - Tonga Fifita, professional wrestler; actor
- Brent FullwoodBrent FullwoodBrent Lanard Fullwood , from St. Cloud High School, is a former professional American football player who was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 1st round of the 1987 NFL Draft...
, American football player - George Frederic KribbsGeorge Frederic KribbsGeorge Frederic Kribbs was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.George F. Kribbs was born on a farm in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. He attended the common schools and the Emlenton Academy and graduated from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in...
, congressman - Ray LloydRay LloydRaymond M. Lloyd is an American martial artist, professional wrestler, and actor. He is best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling in the late 1990s under the ring name Glacier.-Early life:...
, professional wrestler; martial artist - A. J. McLean, singer from the Backstreet Boys
- James Mitchell, professional wrestling manager
- Tito PaulTito PaulTito Jermaine Paul is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League for the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, and the Washington Redskins. He played college football at Ohio State University and was drafted in the fifth round of the 1995 NFL Draft.Paul...
, American football player - John QuinonesJohn Quiñones (politician)John P. Quiñones IV was the first Republican of Puerto Rican ancestry elected to the Florida House of Representatives. Quiñones, who was elected in 2002, represented the 49th District of the state, which stretches between Osceola and Orange counties...
, attorney and former politician - William J. SearsWilliam J. SearsWilliam Joseph Sears was a U.S. Representative from Florida.Born in Smithville, Georgia, Sears moved with his parents to Ellaville, Georgia, and thence to Kissimmee, Florida, in January 1881....
, congressman - Kissy SimmonsKissy SimmonsKissy Simmons is an American actress. "Kissy" is short for Kissimmee, the Floridian city near Orlando about 80 miles from Floral City where she was born...
, actor - John Milton Bryan SimpsonJohn Milton Bryan SimpsonJohn Milton Bryan Simpson was an American lawyer and judge.Simpson was born in Kissimmee, Florida, in 1903. He graduated from the University of Florida College of Law with an LL.B...
, judge - Bobby SippioBobby SippioRobert Lee "Bobby" Sippio, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the Peoria Pirates in 2002...
, American football player - Justin SmithJustin Smith (poker player)Justin "Boosted J" Smith is an American professional poker player living in Los Angeles, CA. At 21 years old, Smith has been a participant in stateside poker tournaments for less than a year due to age requirements, winning nearly $900,000 in that time span.Smith began playing poker at the age of...
, professional poker player - Jonathan SummertonJonathan SummertonJonathan Summerton is an American race car driver.-Early Racing:He began racing karts at the age of 14 and by the end of the year had begun racing Skip Barber Series cars...
, race car driver - Colt TerryColt TerryColt Terry was one of the original Green Berets - one of the original instructors of Army Special Forces. He died on September 15, 2005 from pancreatic cancer....
, army special forces - Brett WilliamsBrett Williams (American football)Brett Weston Williams is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL draft, Williams played two full seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs...
, American football player - Arawak JahArawak JahArawak Jah is a Cuban-American reggae group based in Orlando, Florida. The group was founded in 1994 by Cuban expatriate Ras Juan Perez , who left Havana in 1980 during the Mariel boatlift, living first in Wisconsin, then moving to Orlando in 2000.In 1995, while based in Madison, Wisconsin, the...
, internationally known Cuban reggae band
Geography
Kissimmee is located at 28°18′14"N 81°24′46"W (28.303988, -81.412867). According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The 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...
, the city has a total area of 17.32 square miles (44.9 km²), of which 16.7 square miles (43 km²) is land and 0.6 square miles (2 km²) is water (3.7%). Kissimmee and the city of St. Cloud
St. Cloud, Florida
St. Cloud is a city in Osceola County, Florida, United States. The population was 35,183 at the 2010 census. St. Cloud is closely associated with the adjacent city of Kissimmee and its proximity to Orlando area theme parks, including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and Seaworld.St...
are the only incorporated settlements in the county. The cities lie in close proximity to each other along US Highways 192 and 441.
City water resources
Drained by the Kissimmee River
Kissimmee River
The Kissimmee River is a river in south-central Florida, United States.-Course:The Kissimmee River arises in Osceola County as the outflow from East Lake Tohopekaliga, passing through Lake Tohopekaliga, Lake Cypress, Lake Hatchineha and Lake Kissimmee...
, the city is situated on the northwest shore of Lake Tohopekaliga
Lake Tohopekaliga
Lake Tohopekaliga Tohopeka ; Tohopekaliga [from tohopke /to-hó:pk-i/ fence, fort + likv /léyk-a/ site] Lake Toho, West Lake, or simply Toho for short, native name meaning "we will gather together here", is a lake in Osceola County, Florida, United States. It is the primary inflow of Shingle Creek,...
(locally called Lake Tohoe, West Lake Tohoe, or simply West Lake) in central Florida
Central Florida
Central Florida is a regional designation for the area surrounding Orlando in east central Florida, United States. The area represents the third largest population concentration in Florida, after the South Florida and Tampa Bay regions, respectively....
.
Downtown
The downtown area lies near the intersection of US Highway 17/92 and US Highway 192
U.S. Route 192
U.S. Route 192 is an east–west route of the United States Numbered Highway system in central Florida. It runs 75.04 miles from U.S. Route 27 in Citrus Ridge, Lake County, east past Walt Disney World and through Kissimmee, St. Cloud and Melbourne, to end at State Road A1A in Indialantic, one...
. The downtown of Kissimmee does not possess any big skyscrapers; most of the buildings are two or three stories high. The biggest and the tallest building in the downtown is the Osceola County courthouse. The main street that runs through the city's center is a combination of three smaller streets: Main Street, Broadway Street, and Emmett Street.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A 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. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 50,814 people, 17,121 households, and 11,813 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,866.6 per square mile (1,106.8/km2). There were 19,642 housing units at an average density of 1,177.6 per square mile (454.7/km2). 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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, 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 4.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 41.73% of the population. The majority of Hispanics residing in the city are Puerto Ricans. There are also small Colombian
Colombian people
Colombian people are from a multiethnic Spanish speaking nation in South America called Colombia. Colombians are predominantly Roman Catholic and are a mixture of Europeans, Africans, and Amerindians.-Demography:...
, Cuban
Cubans
Cubans or Cuban people are the inhabitants or citizens of Cuba. Cuba is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
, Dominican
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
and Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
communities residing in and/or around the city.
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
In 2010 Kissimmee had a population of 59,682. The racial and ethnic composition was 58.9% Hispanic or Latino, 26.2% non-Hispanic White, 9.6% non-Hispanic African American , 2.8% Hispanic black, 0.6% Native American, 3.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.4% Non-Hispanic from some other race and 4.7% two or more races.
Transportation
Kissimmee has an Amtrak train stationKissimmee (Amtrak station)
The Kissimmee Amtrak station is a train station in Kissimmee, Florida, United States served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system. Kissimmee station was originally built as a South Florida Railroad Depot 1883, and replaced by an Atlantic Coast Line Depot in 1910, which is the building...
, which will be a station stop on the planned SunRail
SunRail
SunRail is a planned commuter rail system in the greater Orlando, Florida area, linking Poinciana to DeLand through Downtown Orlando...
commuter rail system. There is also a Greyhound
Greyhound Lines
Greyhound Lines, Inc., based in Dallas, Texas, is an intercity common carrier of passengers by bus serving over 3,700 destinations in the United States, Canada and Mexico, operating under the well-known logo of a leaping greyhound. It was founded in Hibbing, Minnesota, USA, in 1914 and...
bus station. Local bus service is provided by the Lynx
Lynx (transportation)
LYNX is a bus system run by the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, serving the Orlando, Florida region. Bus routes are referred to as Links. Standard adult one-way fare is $2 with free single transfers valid for 90 minutes...
network.
Kissimmee Gateway Airport
Kissimmee Gateway Airport
Kissimmee Gateway Airport , formerly known as Kissimmee Municipal Airport, is a public airport in Kissimmee, a city in Osceola County, Florida, United States. The airport is located 16 nautical miles southwest of the central business district of Orlando...
offered nonstop service to 12 cities on DayJet
DayJet
DayJet was an American commercial aviation operation that provided on-demand jet travel using Eclipse 500 Very Light Jets. The company began operations in Florida in October 2007 and suspended operations on September 19, 2008....
, but those services ended when the company suspended all operations in September 2008. However, Orlando International Airport
Orlando International Airport
Orlando International Airport is a major international airport located southeast of the central business district of Orlando. It is the second busiest airport in Florida, after Miami International Airport...
can be reached from Kissimmee in 15 minutes by car.
The major land transportation arteries are the Florida's Turnpike
Florida's Turnpike
Florida's Turnpike , designated as the Ronald Reagan Turnpike, and originally known as the Sunshine State Parkway is a north–south toll road that runs through 11 counties in the Florida peninsula, from U.S...
, Osceola Parkway
Osceola Parkway
The Osceola Parkway, signed as County Road 522 since around 2003 , is a long, partially-tolled arterial road extending east-west across the northern boundary of Osceola County, Florida, USA roughly paralleling the border with Orange County...
, and US 192
U.S. Route 192
U.S. Route 192 is an east–west route of the United States Numbered Highway system in central Florida. It runs 75.04 miles from U.S. Route 27 in Citrus Ridge, Lake County, east past Walt Disney World and through Kissimmee, St. Cloud and Melbourne, to end at State Road A1A in Indialantic, one...
. Among other important routes are US 17/92 that join with US 441
U.S. Route 441 in Florida
U.S. Route 441 in Florida is a north–south United States Highway. It runs from Miami in South Florida northwest to the Georgia border north of the Lake City area....
into the Orange Blossom Trail (OBT) and State Route 423 also known as the John Young Parkway.
Sites of interest
- Colonial EstateColonial EstateThe Colonial Estate is a historic site in Kissimmee, Florida. It is located at 2450 Old Dixie Highway. On January 3, 1994, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.-References:* at * at...
- First United Methodist Church (Kissimmee, Florida)First United Methodist Church (Kissimmee, Florida)The First United Methodist Church is a historic site in Kissimmee, Florida. It is located at 215 East Church Street. On January 3, 1994, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.-References:* at * at **...
- Kissimmee Historic DistrictKissimmee Historic DistrictThe Kissimmee Historic District is a U.S. historic district located in Kissimmee, Florida. The district is bounded by Aultman Street, Monument Avenue, Penfield Street and Randolph Avenue. It contains 189 historic buildings.-External links:* at...
- Monument of States
- Old Holy Redeemer Catholic ChurchOld Holy Redeemer Catholic ChurchThe Old Holy Redeemer Catholic Church is a historic site in Kissimmee, Florida. It is located at 120 North Sproule Avenue. On January 3, 1994, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.-References:* at * ** **...
- Osceola Center for the Arts
- Osceola County Courthouse (Florida)
- Osceola County Historical Society & Museum
Sports
The Houston AstrosHouston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
conduct spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
in Kissimmee, at Osceola County Stadium
Osceola County Stadium
Osceola County Stadium is a baseball park located in Kissimmee, Florida. It is the home stadium of the Gulf Coast League Astros rookie league minor league baseball team of the Gulf Coast League. It is also the spring training home of the Houston Astros and their minor league affiliates. The stadium...
. The stadium also hosts numerous amateur baseball events throughout the remainder of the year in conjunction with; USSSA, Triple Crown Sports, World Baseball Federation and Promotion Sports. The Jim Evan's Academy of Professional Umpiring has also called Osceola County Stadium home since 1994.
Osceola County Softball Complex
The Osceola County Softball Complex is a softball complex located in Kissimmee, Florida. The facility has five softball fields that can be used to host a variety of events. The facility hosts fast pitch softball, slow pitch softball, and youth baseball events...
is a facility of five softball fields which are host to a variety of amateur sports events. It is the home of the USSSA 2005 Complex of the Year Award, the Rebel Spring Games, and numerous other fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball, and youth baseball events.
Austin-Tindall Regional Park
Austin-Tindall Regional Park
Austin-Tindall Regional Park is an athletic facility located in Kissimmee, Florida. The park encompasses of active and passive recreational areas and is located from the Orlando International Airport...
is an athletic facility in the area that is host to a variety of annual events.
The city is also home to the annual NCCAA men's soccer National Championship Tournament.
Recreation
Silver Spurs Arena
The current Silver Spurs Arena is an 8,000-seat multi-purpose arena, in Kissimmee, Florida. It was built in 2003. It replaced the original Silver Spurs grand stand. Both are home to the Silver Spurs Rodeo, a semi-annual rodeo event, as well as concerts, family shows and sporting events...
) and professional sports stadium (Osceola County Stadium
Osceola County Stadium
Osceola County Stadium is a baseball park located in Kissimmee, Florida. It is the home stadium of the Gulf Coast League Astros rookie league minor league baseball team of the Gulf Coast League. It is also the spring training home of the Houston Astros and their minor league affiliates. The stadium...
). The Silver Spurs Arena has been host to many acts, ranging from Hilary Duff
Hilary Duff
Hilary Erhard Duff is an American actress, singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, and author. After working in local theater plays and television commercials in her childhood, she achieved fame playing the title role in the Disney Channel television series Lizzie McGuire. She also reprised her role in...
and Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
to an annual rodeo event. Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses is a millenarian restorationist Christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream Christianity. The religion reports worldwide membership of over 7 million adherents involved in evangelism, convention attendance of over 12 million, and annual...
also use The Silver Spurs Arena for their annual District Conventions. In 2008, a number of English and Spanish conventions will be held by the Witnesses, bringing thousands of delegates to the Kissimmee area for the three-day events.
Kissimmee is home to a 650-person capacity outdoor water park, in addition to multiple golf courses.
Kissimmee is also home to the Loop, a large outdoor shopping mall at John Young and Osceola Parkways on the Orange/Osceola County line. It features stores such as American Eagle, Kohls, and Best Buy. There is also a multi-plex theater.
Kissimmee is near Orlando, home to Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort is a theme park resort in Orlando, Florida. It is wholly owned by NBCUniversal and its affiliates. The resort consists of two theme parks , Universal CityWalk , and three Loews Hotels...
and SeaWorld
SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando is a theme park, and marine-life based zoological park, near Orlando, Florida. It is owned and operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a subsidiary of The Blackstone Group...
, allowing tourists to access the parks through the city.
Public schools
The following Osceola County public schools are located in Kissimmee:Elementary schools
- Boggy Creek Elementary
- Central Avenue Elementary
- Chestnut Elementary School
- Cypress Elementary
- Deerwood Elementary
- Highlands Elementary
- Kissimmee Elementary
- Kissimmee Charter AcademyKissimmee Charter AcademyKissimmee Charter Academy is a Kindergarten-8th grade charter school in Kissimmee,Florida. The elementary school mascot is Koalas and the middle school mascot is a Timber Wolf.-History:The school originally opened in July 2000 as an elementary school...
- Mill Creek Elementary
- Partin Settlement Elementary
- Pleasant Hill Elementary
- Reedy Creek Elementary
- Bellalago Academy Charter School
- Sunrise Elementary School
- Thacker Avenue Elementary
- Ventura Elementary
- Kissimmee Charter Academy
- Westside K-8 School
- Flora Ridge Elementary
Middle schools
- Denn-John Middle School
- Discovery Intermediate School
- Horizon Middle School
- Kissimmee Charter AcademyKissimmee Charter AcademyKissimmee Charter Academy is a Kindergarten-8th grade charter school in Kissimmee,Florida. The elementary school mascot is Koalas and the middle school mascot is a Timber Wolf.-History:The school originally opened in July 2000 as an elementary school...
- Kissimmee Middle School
- Bellalago Academy Charter School
- Neptune Middle School
- Parkway Middle School
- Kissimmee Charter Academy
- New Beginnings Education Complex (Alternative school)
- Westside K-8 School
High schools
- Gateway High School - One of the high schools in the area that offers the International Baccalaureate ProgramIB Diploma ProgrammeThe International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16–19that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is recognised by universities worldwide. It was developed in the early to mid-1960s in Geneva by...
. - Liberty High School
- Osceola County School For The Arts
- Osceola High School
- PATHS@TECO
- Poinciana High School
- Celebration High School - Started in 2009, the International Baccalaureate Program is offered here as well.
Private schools
Elementary schools- Heritage Christian School K3-12 grade (Ministry of Bible Baptist Church)
- Shady Oaks Private School, founded 1969, PK-5.
- North Kissimmee Christian School, founded 1995, k3-12th grade
- Holy Redeemer Catholic School (Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade)
- Poinciana Academy
- Trinity Christian School
- City Of Life, founded 1994, k3-12th grade (formerly known as Heartland Christian academy [formerly known as Heartland Preparatory])
Public libraries
Osceola Library System
The Osceola Library System is a public library system located in the Kissimmee, Florida area of Central Florida. The main branch is the Hart Memorial Central Library in historic downtown Kissimmee. The system itself has four large branch locations in Kissimmee, St...
operates the Hart Memorial Central Library in Kissimmee.
External links
- City of Kissimmee official website
- Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Osceola Library System
- Kissimmee Downtown District Preservation
- Kissimmee Utility Authority, municipal utility serving Kissimmee and surrounding area since 1901