Wauchula, Florida | |
|---|---|
| City of Wauchula | |
 Wauchula Chamber of Commerce in 2010 | |
 Seal | |
| Mottoes: "Building New Beginnings From Old Traditions" "Cucumber Capital of the World" | |
 Location inHardee County and the state ofFlorida | |
| Coordinates:27°32′46″N81°48′52″W / 27.54611°N 81.81444°W /27.54611; -81.81444 | |
| Country |  United States of America |
| State |  Florida |
| County | Hardee |
| Incorporated | September 29, 1902; 123 years ago (1902-09-29) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Commission–Manager |
| • Mayor | Keith Nadachay, Jr. |
| • Mayor Pro Tem | Neda Cobb |
| • Commissioners | Russell Graylin Smith, Sherri Albritton, and Gary Smith |
| • City Manager | Olivia Minshew |
| • City Clerk | Stephanie Camacho |
| Area | |
• Total | 3.27 sq mi (8.46 km2) |
| • Land | 3.27 sq mi (8.46 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 112 ft (34 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 4,900 |
| • Density | 1,499.9/sq mi (579.13/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 33873 |
| Area code | 863 |
| FIPS code | 12-75375[2] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0292949[3] |
| Website | cityofwauchula |
Wauchula is a city and thecounty seat ofHardee County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 4,900.
Wauchula has been called the "cucumber capital of the world", although citrus has become a more important agricultural crop over the past few decades. It is home to the downtown's Wauchula Historic District andAlbert Carlton Estate.
The exact coordinates for the City of Wauchula is located at27°32′46″N81°48′52″W / 27.54611°N 81.81444°W /27.54611; -81.81444.
Wauchula is located in north-central Hardee County.U.S. Route 17 passes through the city, leading north 25 miles (40 km) toBartow and south 24 miles (39 km) toArcadia. Within the county,Zolfo Springs is 4 miles (6 km) to the south on US 17 andBowling Green is 6 miles (10 km) to the north.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, Wauchula has an area of 3.3 square miles (8.6 km2), all land.
Hurricane Charley hit Wauchula atc. 5:30 on Friday, August 13, 2004, causing more than $750 million in damage. Sustained winds of 140 mph (230 km/h), with gusts of over 160 mph (260 km/h), were clocked in downtown Wauchula.[4] The entire area had either no running water, or contaminated water for one week. Power was lost to many sections for nearly three weeks, with school canceled for two weeks. The area was declared afederal disaster area after 85% of its buildings were either damaged or destroyed.[5] There was a curfew set for the area for weeks after from 8 pm to 7 am.
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and warm winters. According to theKöppen climate classification system, Wauchula has ahumid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).
.jpg)
| Climate data for Wauchula, Florida, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1933–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 90 (32) | 93 (34) | 94 (34) | 99 (37) | 104 (40) | 103 (39) | 102 (39) | 99 (37) | 99 (37) | 97 (36) | 92 (33) | 92 (33) | 104 (40) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 83.9 (28.8) | 86.0 (30.0) | 87.1 (30.6) | 91.2 (32.9) | 94.2 (34.6) | 95.8 (35.4) | 95.6 (35.3) | 95.7 (35.4) | 94.3 (34.6) | 91.5 (33.1) | 87.2 (30.7) | 84.6 (29.2) | 96.9 (36.1) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 72.7 (22.6) | 76.2 (24.6) | 79.6 (26.4) | 84.2 (29.0) | 88.7 (31.5) | 90.7 (32.6) | 91.8 (33.2) | 92.0 (33.3) | 90.1 (32.3) | 85.7 (29.8) | 79.5 (26.4) | 75.0 (23.9) | 83.8 (28.8) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 60.2 (15.7) | 62.9 (17.2) | 66.2 (19.0) | 71.0 (21.7) | 76.3 (24.6) | 80.5 (26.9) | 81.9 (27.7) | 82.3 (27.9) | 80.8 (27.1) | 75.3 (24.1) | 67.8 (19.9) | 63.0 (17.2) | 72.4 (22.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 47.7 (8.7) | 49.6 (9.8) | 52.9 (11.6) | 57.7 (14.3) | 63.9 (17.7) | 70.3 (21.3) | 72.1 (22.3) | 72.7 (22.6) | 71.5 (21.9) | 64.9 (18.3) | 56.0 (13.3) | 51.0 (10.6) | 60.9 (16.1) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 31.1 (−0.5) | 34.0 (1.1) | 37.9 (3.3) | 45.2 (7.3) | 54.4 (12.4) | 65.2 (18.4) | 68.6 (20.3) | 69.1 (20.6) | 66.1 (18.9) | 50.2 (10.1) | 41.4 (5.2) | 34.8 (1.6) | 29.5 (−1.4) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 20 (−7) | 24 (−4) | 23 (−5) | 34 (1) | 40 (4) | 51 (11) | 61 (16) | 61 (16) | 55 (13) | 37 (3) | 24 (−4) | 21 (−6) | 20 (−7) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 2.29 (58) | 2.18 (55) | 2.99 (76) | 2.92 (74) | 3.51 (89) | 8.46 (215) | 7.69 (195) | 8.46 (215) | 6.32 (161) | 3.09 (78) | 1.96 (50) | 2.13 (54) | 52.00 (1,321) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 4.9 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 5.8 | 13.4 | 13.1 | 13.9 | 11.3 | 5.8 | 3.9 | 4.5 | 89.2 |
| Source: NOAA[6][7] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 1,099 | — | |
| 1920 | 2,081 | 89.4% | |
| 1930 | 2,574 | 23.7% | |
| 1940 | 2,710 | 5.3% | |
| 1950 | 2,872 | 6.0% | |
| 1960 | 3,411 | 18.8% | |
| 1970 | 3,007 | −11.8% | |
| 1980 | 3,296 | 9.6% | |
| 1990 | 3,253 | −1.3% | |
| 2000 | 4,368 | 34.3% | |
| 2010 | 5,001 | 14.5% | |
| 2020 | 4,900 | −2.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] | |||
| Race | Pop 2010[9] | Pop 2020[10] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 2,179 | 2,008 | 43.57% | 40.98% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 281 | 358 | 5.62% | 7.31% |
| Native American orAlaska Native (NH) | 17 | 4 | 0.34% | 0.08% |
| Asian (NH) | 49 | 41 | 0.98% | 0.84% |
| Pacific Islander orNative Hawaiian (NH) | 1 | 2 | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Some other race (NH) | 4 | 5 | 0.08% | 0.10% |
| Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) | 42 | 97 | 0.84% | 1.98% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2,428 | 2,385 | 48.55% | 48.67% |
| Total | 5,001 | 4,900 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 4,900 people, 1,630 households, and 1,072 families residing in the city.[11]
As of the2010 United States census, there were 5,001 people, 1,574 households, and 1,035 families residing in the city.[12]
As of thecensus[2] of 2000, there were 4,368 people, 1,431 households, and 985 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,669.6 inhabitants per square mile (644.6/km2). There were 1,562 housing units at an average density of 597.0 per square mile (230.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 73.44%White, 4.17%African American, 0.57%Native American, 0.30%Asian, 18.84% fromother races, and 2.68% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 39.42% of the population.
In 2000, there were 1,431 households, out of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.57.
In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 30.7% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.7 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $25,931, and the median income for a family was $29,943. Males had a median income of $19,129 versus $15,867 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $10,665. About 19.9% of families and 25.0% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 30.0% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.
Wauchula Municipal Airport is a public-use airport located 5 miles (8.0 km) southwest of thecentral business district.
Center for Great Apes is a permanent sanctuary for rescued orangutans and chimpanzees.
The only hospital in Wauchula isAdventHealth Wauchula.[13]
Municipalities and communities ofHardee County, Florida,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| Town | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost town | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Geographic | |
.svg)
