Oviedo, Florida
Encyclopedia
Oviedo is a city in Seminole County
, Florida
, United States
. The population was 26,316 as of the 2000 census. As of 2009, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 32,961. It is part of the Orlando
–Kissimmee
-Sanford
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
needed an easily accessible post office
in the Florida back country. Andrew Aulin, an early settler and shop-owner, decided to file paperwork for a post office; in his first site location report he needed a unique name, one that no other post office in Florida had. Aulin liked having a Spanish
name, "to go with the Spanish name of the state," and decided to name his post office location Oviedo after the Oviedo University in northern Spain. Some say he visited the University, others say he just liked the sound, most agree he likely pronounced it "Oh-vee-Ay-Doh" rather than the Americanized way of "Oh-VEE-doh."
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 40.0 km² (15.4 mi²). 15.1 square miles (39.1 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) of it (2.07%) is water. Oviedo is located about 20 minutes from downtown Orlando, Fla. by highway (SR 417 and SR 408). The Econlockhatchee River
runs through the east part of the city, and a tributary, the Little Econlockhatchee River
, runs through the southern part of the city.
of 2000, there were 26,316 people, 8,556 households, and 7,178 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,738.9 inhabitants per square mile (671.6/km²). There were 8,977 housing units at an average density of 593.2 per square mile (229.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.55% White, 8.83% African American, 0.27% Native American, 2.42% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.62% from other races
, and 2.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.19% of the population.
There were 8,556 households out of which 50.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.8% were married couples
living together, 9.99% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.10% were non-families. 10.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.07 and the average family size was 3.31.
In the city the population was spread out with 32.0% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 36.60% from 25 to 44, 18.50% from 45 to 64, and 5.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $64,119, and the median income for a family was $66,288 (these figures had risen to $77,489 and $80,923 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $46,777 versus $30,757 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $23,831. About 3.30% of families and 4.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.70% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.
. Oviedo contains 6 public elementary schools (K-5), 2 public middle schools (6-8), and 2 public high schools (9-12). The city of Oviedo is also home to a branch of Seminole State College of Florida and borders the University of Central Florida
in Orlando
.
Money Magazine's 100 Best Places to Live 2009.
Oviedo was listed as one of the Top 10 Towns for Families in Family Circle's August 2011 issue
, Sears
, and Macy's
. There is a food court, including Chick-fil-A
, Subway
, Sarku Japan, and the new Sbarro Pizza. The mall has suffered from several new Orlando-area malls such as Waterford Lakes and The Mall at Millenia
driving its consumer base away, and these days it is common to find the mall with a very low number of shoppers. But, Regal Cinemas 22 mostly enjoys full theaters, and according to the Regal Cinemas website some time ago, it is one of the most prosperous locations. Also, Gap, Gap Kids, KB Toys, the Food Court Playground, and American Eagle have all closed down and Foot Locker has condensed its mega store of Foot Locker/Kids Foot Locker and Women's Foot Locker, into one small store.
Phase I commenced construction in the first quarter of 2007. Construction has stalled, and a new buyer or partners are being sought to help finish the immense project. It's set to include residences, businesses, a new library, amphitheater, and more.
A new hospital has been delayed over the past few years, but developers have picked two potential locations within Oviedo city limits, and construction should begin sometime in the near future.
A Target, Borders, YMCA, Little League, bowling center, nature nursery, and a new Aquatics Center are located in Oviedo.
Oviedo is also home to numerous developments including the established Whispering Woods, Aloma Woods, Remington Park, Carillon, Sanctuary, Kingsbridge, Riverside, Riverwind Apartments, Twin Rivers, and Bear Creek. It also has new subdivisions including the Oviedo Forest, Providence, Clayton's Crossing, Stratford Green, the Trails, and Live Oak.
Oviedo is known for a population of chickens that roam the downtown area. There are so many of them roaming the area that often traffic stops as they cross the roads. The chickens have been featured on Oviedo t-shirts and coffee mugs and a poster commemorating one of Oviedo's yearly festivals, "A Taste of Oviedo".
Contrary to what some believe, there are no specific laws or statutes surrounding the chickens, neither for their protection nor for their removal - the latter being something some residents would like to see due to the danger they pose with traffic in the congested town center. For others, however, the chickens add an element of fun, eating at the adjacent Townhouse restaurant, another trademark of Oviedo, and provide Oviedo with a uniqueness that can be boasted by no other neighboring town.
There are City Ordinances that protect birds in the City Limits, the entire city is designated a bird sanctuary. Chickens are afforded the courtesy of protection under the code.
The chickens were also the subject of a short documentary that was part of the Florida Film Festival 2009.
The Oviedo-Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce holds annual events such as Kidstravaganza, Home and Hurricane Expo, Winter Springs Festival of the Arts, and many more. Visit The Homepage for more information on attending.
The GFWC Oviedo Woman's Club which was established in 1906 organizes the Great Day in the Country Arts and Crafts Festival. It is the largest festival in Oviedo, FL, with an estimated 65,000 in attendance for the November 2010 festival. There are more than 350 Arts and Crafts booths, Business Booths, Food Vendors, and two entertainment stages! The money the GFWC Oviedo Woman's Club raises from this festival is given back to the community as scholarships for local High School Students, grants to local schools and charities. Visit Great Day Oviedo for more information on attending, volunteering, or participating.
passed directly over Oviedo while still a Category 2 storm. More than half the city as well as much of the surrounding unincorporated areas had no power for 5 to 7 days. School was not in session county-wide for one full school week. The damages ranged from toppled oaks to destroyed homes. The worst damage was in Palm Valley, a mobile home retirement community less than a mile from UCF
. Charley's damage in Oviedo is considered to be the worst in Seminole County
history. Barely a month later, Hurricanes Frances
and Jeanne
further battered the area resulting in additional damage and power outages, but they did not reach the level of Charley's fury.
Seminole County, Florida
Seminole County is a county in the U.S. state of Florida. Located between Orlando to the south and Deland and Daytona Beach to the north, it is part of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. Its county seat and largest city is Sanford...
, 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 26,316 as of the 2000 census. As of 2009, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 32,961. It is part of the Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando 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...
–Kissimmee
Kissimmee, Florida
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...
-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...
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Name
In the late 1870s, individuals living a couple miles south of Lake JesupLake Jesup
Lake Jesup is one of the largest lakes in Central Florida, one of many that make up the St. Johns River. Located in the heart of Seminole County along the middle basin of the St. Johns, the lake encompasses an area of approximately 16,000 acres , including open water and floodplain...
needed an easily accessible post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
in the Florida back country. Andrew Aulin, an early settler and shop-owner, decided to file paperwork for a post office; in his first site location report he needed a unique name, one that no other post office in Florida had. Aulin liked having a Spanish
Spanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
name, "to go with the Spanish name of the state," and decided to name his post office location Oviedo after the Oviedo University in northern Spain. Some say he visited the University, others say he just liked the sound, most agree he likely pronounced it "Oh-vee-Ay-Doh" rather than the Americanized way of "Oh-VEE-doh."
Geography
Oviedo is located at 28°40′13"N 81°12′30.5"W.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 40.0 km² (15.4 mi²). 15.1 square miles (39.1 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) of it (2.07%) is water. Oviedo is located about 20 minutes from downtown Orlando, Fla. by highway (SR 417 and SR 408). The Econlockhatchee River
Econlockhatchee River
The Econlockhatchee River is a north-flowing blackwater tributary of the St. Johns River that flows through Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties in Florida. Its name means "River of mounds"...
runs through the east part of the city, and a tributary, the Little Econlockhatchee River
Little Econlockhatchee River
Little Econlockhatchee River is a major tributary of the Econlockhatchee River. It originates at an unnamed lake at , near Orlando, Florida in southeast Orange County. It is approximately long, from unincorporated Orange County to its mouth at Oviedo. It is located within the Middle St. Johns...
, runs through the southern part of the city.
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 26,316 people, 8,556 households, and 7,178 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 1,738.9 inhabitants per square mile (671.6/km²). There were 8,977 housing units at an average density of 593.2 per square mile (229.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.55% White, 8.83% African American, 0.27% Native American, 2.42% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.62% 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 2.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.19% of the population.
There were 8,556 households out of which 50.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.8% 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, 9.99% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.10% were non-families. 10.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.07 and the average family size was 3.31.
In the city the population was spread out with 32.0% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 36.60% from 25 to 44, 18.50% from 45 to 64, and 5.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $64,119, and the median income for a family was $66,288 (these figures had risen to $77,489 and $80,923 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $46,777 versus $30,757 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 $23,831. About 3.30% of families and 4.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.70% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.
Schools
The city of Oviedo's public schools are a part of Seminole County Public SchoolsSeminole County Public Schools
Seminole County Public Schools is a public school district that covers Seminole County, Florida. As of September, 2006, the total district wide enrollment was 66,351 students in 2006.- School Board :...
. Oviedo contains 6 public elementary schools (K-5), 2 public middle schools (6-8), and 2 public high schools (9-12). The city of Oviedo is also home to a branch of Seminole State College of Florida and borders the University of Central Florida
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
in Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando 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...
.
Elementary schools
- Carillon Elementary School
- John Evans Elementary School
- Lawton Elementary School
- Marguerite Partin Elementary School
- Douglas Stenstrom Elementary School
- Joan Walker Elementary School (in Chuluota)
Middle schools
- Jackson Heights Middle School
- Lawton Chiles Middle School
- Tuskawilla Middle School (Close to the Oviedo/Winter Springs border)
Private schools
- Double R Private School
- The Master's Academy
- St. Luke's Lutheran School
- Trinity Preparatory SchoolTrinity Preparatory SchoolTrinity Preparatory School of Florida is an independent college preparatory day-school for students in grades 6 to 12, located east of Winter Park, Florida, a suburb of Orlando. It is affiliated with the Episcopal Church.-History:...
- Tuskawilla/Twin Rivers Montessori Academy
- First Years Preschool & Kindergarten
- Bridges Academy
Local publications
The Oviedo Citizen is an online publication that has been covering Oviedo news since August 2008. The Seminole Voice and The Seminole Chronicle are both print newspapers that cover Seminole County news, with a focus on the Winter Springs, Oviedo, and Chuluota areas of the county. The Oviedo Voice has been servicing Oviedo for years.National publications
Oviedo was voted #100 in CNNCNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
Money Magazine's 100 Best Places to Live 2009.
Oviedo was listed as one of the Top 10 Towns for Families in Family Circle's August 2011 issue
Oviedo Marketplace
Oviedo is home to the Oviedo Marketplace Mall which opened in 1998. The mall is anchored by 3 major department stores which include Dillard'sDillard's
Dillard's, Inc. is a department store chain in the United States, with 330 stores in 29 states. Headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, Dillard's locations are concentrated in Texas and Florida; with a major presence in other states including Arizona, Iowa, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Missouri,...
, Sears
Sears, Roebuck and Company
Sears, officially named Sears, Roebuck and Co., is an American chain of department stores which was founded by Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck in the late 19th century...
, and Macy's
Macy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
. There is a food court, including Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A |"fillet"]]) is a quick service restaurant chain headquartered in College Park, Georgia, United States, specializing in chicken entrées and is known for promoting the company founder's claims of Christian values. Long associated with the southern United States, where it has been a...
, Subway
Subway (restaurant)
Subway is an American restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads. It is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates, Inc. . Subway is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with 35,519 restaurants in 98 countries and territories as of October 25th, 2011...
, Sarku Japan, and the new Sbarro Pizza. The mall has suffered from several new Orlando-area malls such as Waterford Lakes and The Mall at Millenia
The Mall at Millenia
The Mall at Millenia is an upscale contemporary indoor shopping mall located in Orlando, Florida just off of Interstate 4 at Conroy Road near the northern end of International Drive. Opened in 2002, it has over 150 stores, and is anchored by Macy's, Bloomingdale's, and Neiman Marcus...
driving its consumer base away, and these days it is common to find the mall with a very low number of shoppers. But, Regal Cinemas 22 mostly enjoys full theaters, and according to the Regal Cinemas website some time ago, it is one of the most prosperous locations. Also, Gap, Gap Kids, KB Toys, the Food Court Playground, and American Eagle have all closed down and Foot Locker has condensed its mega store of Foot Locker/Kids Foot Locker and Women's Foot Locker, into one small store.
Anchors
- Barnes & NobleBarnes & NobleBarnes & Noble, Inc. is the largest book retailer in the United States, operating mainly through its Barnes & Noble Booksellers chain of bookstores headquartered at 122 Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District in Manhattan in New York City. Barnes & Noble also operated the chain of small B. Dalton...
(10,000 ft²) - Dillard'sDillard'sDillard's, Inc. is a department store chain in the United States, with 330 stores in 29 states. Headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, Dillard's locations are concentrated in Texas and Florida; with a major presence in other states including Arizona, Iowa, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Missouri,...
(204,000 ft²) - Macy'sMacy'sMacy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
(191,000 ft²) - Regal Cinemas-22 ScreensRegal Entertainment GroupRegal Entertainment Group also known as REG is a movie theater chain headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. Regal operates the largest and most geographically diverse theater circuit in the United States, consisting of 6,775 screens in 548 locations in 39 states and the District of Columbia as of...
(100,000 ft²) - SearsSears, Roebuck and CompanySears, officially named Sears, Roebuck and Co., is an American chain of department stores which was founded by Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck in the late 19th century...
(123,000 ft²)
Oviedo Hospital and developments
The city of Oviedo is currently planning a brand new downtown development just south of the current "old downtown" along Oviedo Blvd. The new town center will be a mixed-use development including town homes, single family living, apartment homes, restaurants, retail, and a planned amphitheater.Phase I commenced construction in the first quarter of 2007. Construction has stalled, and a new buyer or partners are being sought to help finish the immense project. It's set to include residences, businesses, a new library, amphitheater, and more.
A new hospital has been delayed over the past few years, but developers have picked two potential locations within Oviedo city limits, and construction should begin sometime in the near future.
A Target, Borders, YMCA, Little League, bowling center, nature nursery, and a new Aquatics Center are located in Oviedo.
Oviedo is also home to numerous developments including the established Whispering Woods, Aloma Woods, Remington Park, Carillon, Sanctuary, Kingsbridge, Riverside, Riverwind Apartments, Twin Rivers, and Bear Creek. It also has new subdivisions including the Oviedo Forest, Providence, Clayton's Crossing, Stratford Green, the Trails, and Live Oak.
Chickens
Contrary to what some believe, there are no specific laws or statutes surrounding the chickens, neither for their protection nor for their removal - the latter being something some residents would like to see due to the danger they pose with traffic in the congested town center. For others, however, the chickens add an element of fun, eating at the adjacent Townhouse restaurant, another trademark of Oviedo, and provide Oviedo with a uniqueness that can be boasted by no other neighboring town.
There are City Ordinances that protect birds in the City Limits, the entire city is designated a bird sanctuary. Chickens are afforded the courtesy of protection under the code.
The chickens were also the subject of a short documentary that was part of the Florida Film Festival 2009.
Events
Oviedo has annual events such as the Taste of Oviedo, Whale of a Sale, Great Day in the Country, 4 July, and Oktoberfest.The Oviedo-Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce holds annual events such as Kidstravaganza, Home and Hurricane Expo, Winter Springs Festival of the Arts, and many more. Visit The Homepage for more information on attending.
The GFWC Oviedo Woman's Club which was established in 1906 organizes the Great Day in the Country Arts and Crafts Festival. It is the largest festival in Oviedo, FL, with an estimated 65,000 in attendance for the November 2010 festival. There are more than 350 Arts and Crafts booths, Business Booths, Food Vendors, and two entertainment stages! The money the GFWC Oviedo Woman's Club raises from this festival is given back to the community as scholarships for local High School Students, grants to local schools and charities. Visit Great Day Oviedo for more information on attending, volunteering, or participating.
Hurricane season of 2004
In August 2004, the northwestern side of Hurricane CharleyHurricane 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 directly over Oviedo while still a Category 2 storm. More than half the city as well as much of the surrounding unincorporated areas had no power for 5 to 7 days. School was not in session county-wide for one full school week. The damages ranged from toppled oaks to destroyed homes. The worst damage was in Palm Valley, a mobile home retirement community less than a mile from UCF
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
. Charley's damage in Oviedo is considered to be the worst in Seminole County
Seminole County, Florida
Seminole County is a county in the U.S. state of Florida. Located between Orlando to the south and Deland and Daytona Beach to the north, it is part of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. Its county seat and largest city is Sanford...
history. Barely a month later, Hurricanes 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...
and 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...
further battered the area resulting in additional damage and power outages, but they did not reach the level of Charley's fury.