Mulberry, Florida
Encyclopedia
Mulberry is a city in Polk County
, Florida
, United States
. The population was 3,230 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 3,228 http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2004-04-12.xls. Mulberry is home to Badcock Home Furniture
. It is part of the Lakeland
–Winter Haven
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
and the town resembled a scene from the Old West as mob rule prevailed. Everyone carried a gun and Monday morning was a busy time for the coroner as he dealt with the victims of Saturday night's "troublemakers."
The town had no official name, but the railroad which came through town stopped at a mulberry tree to let off passengers and drop off the mail. The old mulberry tree became the de facto
meeting place in town, and eventually gave the town its name. In 1886, phosphate rock was discovered in the Peace River
, and the dominant industry went from forestry to mining. The phosphate industry gave the town stability and Mulberry was incorporated in 1901. In 1910 Mulberry's Masonic lodge was established and still is around today.
with a terrain consisting of flatland interspersed with gently rolling hills.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.3 km²). 3.1 square miles (8.0 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.4 km²) of it (4.36%) is water.
Mulberry is located at the junction of State Road 60 and State Road 37.
Mulberry is located in the humid subtropical zone (Köppen climate classification
: Cfa).
of 2000, there were 3,230 people, 1,328 households, and 925 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,053.3 inhabitants per square mile (406.2/km²). There were 1,611 housing units at an average density of 525.3 per square mile (202.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 76.53% White, 19.97% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 1.67% from other races
, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.43% of the population.
There were 1,328 households out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples
living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 25.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,247, and the median income for a family was $28,860. Males had a median income of $29,417 versus $20,965 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,828. About 14.7% of families and 16.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.2% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.
is the world's most productive phosphate rock mining area in the world. According to the Chamber of Commerce, Mulberry is the "Official Phosphate Capitol of the World. The Mosaic Company
are located east of town. The Master Containers Company, a large styrofoam container company, is based in Mulberry. Mulberry is also the home of Badcock Furniture, which owns 365 stores throughout the southeast United States.
round out the educational system in Mulberry. Mulberry Christian Academy is a private elementary school where financial aid is available to families who qualify.
/St. Pete television market, the 13th largest in the country and part of the local Lakeland/Winter Haven radio market, which is the 94th largest in the country.
Polk County, Florida
Polk County is located in central Florida between the Tampa Bay and Greater Orlando metropolitan areas. The county was established by the state government in 1861 on the eve of the American Civil War and named after former United States president James K. Polk. The county seat is Bartow and its...
, 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...
. The population was 3,230 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 3,228 http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2004-04-12.xls. Mulberry is home to Badcock Home Furniture
Badcock Home Furniture
Badcock Home Furniture is a chain of over 320 furniture stores in eight states across the southeastern United States. The first store was opened by Henry S. Badcock in Mulberry, Florida in 1904....
. It is part of the Lakeland
Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406...
–Winter Haven
Winter Haven, Florida
Winter Haven is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 26,487 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2007 estimates, the city had a population of 32,577, making it the second most populated city in Polk County...
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
The first white settlers appeared in the Mulberry area in the 1840s. The first industry in the area was logging the longleaf yellow pine which dominated the area. Eventually the settlement grew to include log homes, stores, and saloons. The nearest sheriff and jail was hours away in BartowBartow, Florida
Bartow is the county seat of Polk County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1851 as Fort Blount, the city was renamed in honor of Francis S. Bartow the first brigade commander to die in combat during the American Civil War. According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2000 Census, the city had a...
and the town resembled a scene from the Old West as mob rule prevailed. Everyone carried a gun and Monday morning was a busy time for the coroner as he dealt with the victims of Saturday night's "troublemakers."
The town had no official name, but the railroad which came through town stopped at a mulberry tree to let off passengers and drop off the mail. The old mulberry tree became the de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
meeting place in town, and eventually gave the town its name. In 1886, phosphate rock was discovered in the Peace River
Peace River (Florida)
The Peace River is a river in the southwestern part of the Florida peninsula, in the U.S.A.. It originates at the juncture of Saddle Creek and Peace Creek northeast of Bartow in Polk County and flows south through Hardee County to Arcadia in DeSoto County and then southwest into the Charlotte...
, and the dominant industry went from forestry to mining. The phosphate industry gave the town stability and Mulberry was incorporated in 1901. In 1910 Mulberry's Masonic lodge was established and still is around today.
Geography and climate
Mulberry is located at 27.898855°N 81.974173°W. Mulberry is located within the Central Florida Highlands area of the Atlantic coastal plainAtlantic Coastal Plain
The Atlantic coastal plain has both low elevation and low relief, but it is also a relatively flat landform extending from the New York Bight southward to a Georgia/Florida section of the Eastern Continental Divide, which demarcates the plain from the ACF River Basin in the Gulf Coastal Plain to...
with a terrain consisting of flatland interspersed with gently rolling hills.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 3.2 square miles (8.3 km²). 3.1 square miles (8.0 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.4 km²) of it (4.36%) is water.
Mulberry is located at the junction of State Road 60 and State Road 37.
Mulberry is located in the humid subtropical zone (Köppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
: Cfa).
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 3,230 people, 1,328 households, and 925 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 1,053.3 inhabitants per square mile (406.2/km²). There were 1,611 housing units at an average density of 525.3 per square mile (202.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 76.53% White, 19.97% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 1.67% 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 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.43% of the population.
There were 1,328 households out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 25.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,247, and the median income for a family was $28,860. Males had a median income of $29,417 versus $20,965 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 $14,828. About 14.7% of families and 16.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.2% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
The economy of Mulberry is dominated by phosphate mining. The Bone ValleyBone Valley
The Bone Valley is a region of central Florida, encompassing portions of present-day Hardee, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Polk counties, in which phosphate is mined for use in the production of agricultural fertilizer...
is the world's most productive phosphate rock mining area in the world. According to the Chamber of Commerce, Mulberry is the "Official Phosphate Capitol of the World. The Mosaic Company
The Mosaic Company
The Mosaic Company is a Fortune 500 company based in Plymouth, Minnesota. Mosaic offers two key crop nutrients—phosphate and potash—plus specialty products K-Mag®, MicroEssentials® and Pegasus™...
are located east of town. The Master Containers Company, a large styrofoam container company, is based in Mulberry. Mulberry is also the home of Badcock Furniture, which owns 365 stores throughout the southeast United States.
Transportation
- State Road 37, which leads due north to LakelandLakeland, FloridaLakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406...
and south toward Bradley JunctionBradley Junction, FloridaBradley Junction is an unincorporated community in southwestern Polk County, Florida.-Geography:Bradley Junction is located at 27.795 degrees north, 81.98056 degrees west . The elevation for the community is 135 feet above sea level.... - State Road 60, leading west toward BrandonBrandon, FloridaBrandon is a census-designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the CDP had a total population of 103,483.-Founding:...
and east toward BartowBartow, FloridaBartow is the county seat of Polk County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1851 as Fort Blount, the city was renamed in honor of Francis S. Bartow the first brigade commander to die in combat during the American Civil War. According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2000 Census, the city had a...
and Lake WalesLake Wales, FloridaLake Wales is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 10,194 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 11,802 . It is part of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area...
Education
Public schools in Mulberry are operated by the Polk County School Board. The three elementary schools in the area are Kingsford, Purcell, and Sikes. Mulberry Middle and Mulberry HighMulberry High School
Mulberry High School is a four-year public high school located in Mulberry, Florida, serving the city and surrounding areas. Its enrollment is 1005 students.-History:...
round out the educational system in Mulberry. Mulberry Christian Academy is a private elementary school where financial aid is available to families who qualify.
Media
Mulberry is part of the TampaTampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
/St. Pete television market, the 13th largest in the country and part of the local Lakeland/Winter Haven radio market, which is the 94th largest in the country.