Wildwood, Florida | |
|---|---|
| City of Wildwood | |
 Wildwood City Hall | |
 Location inSumter County and the state ofFlorida | |
| Coordinates:28°51′31″N82°2′19″W / 28.85861°N 82.03861°W /28.85861; -82.03861 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| County | Sumter |
| Area | |
• Total | 57.37 sq mi (148.59 km2) |
| • Land | 56.28 sq mi (145.77 km2) |
| • Water | 1.09 sq mi (2.82 km2) |
| Elevation | 66 ft (20 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 15,730 |
| • Density | 279.5/sq mi (107.91/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 34785 |
| Area code | 352 |
| FIPS code | 12-77675[2] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0293301[3] |
| Website | www |
Wildwood is a city inSumter County,Florida, United States. The population was 15,730 at the 2020 census.
A post office called Wildwood has been in operation since 1881.[4] The city was named for its remote location in the woods.[5]
In April 2015,The Villages petitioned the city of Wildwood with plans to build 785 new homes onCounty Road 466A, across from Pinellas Plaza. Wildwood leaders rejected the expansion efforts citing concerns of the city losing its identity when it was to become overwhelmed byThe Villages. On April 27, 2015, The Villages formally withdrew their plans for expansion, indicating that the City of Wildwood officials made too many requests that would be a “disservice to our residents and business partners". There are no known plans for further expansion of The Villages into the city of Wildwood.[6]
The city also includes the historic community ofOrange Home.
Wildwood is located at28°51′31″N82°2′19″W / 28.85861°N 82.03861°W /28.85861; -82.03861 (28.858610, –82.038499).[7]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.4km2 (5.2 mi2).
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 419 | — | |
| 1900 | 244 | −41.8% | |
| 1910 | 329 | 34.8% | |
| 1920 | 480 | 45.9% | |
| 1930 | 1,409 | 193.5% | |
| 1940 | 1,346 | −4.5% | |
| 1950 | 2,019 | 50.0% | |
| 1960 | 2,170 | 7.5% | |
| 1970 | 2,082 | −4.1% | |
| 1980 | 2,665 | 28.0% | |
| 1990 | 3,421 | 28.4% | |
| 2000 | 3,924 | 14.7% | |
| 2010 | 6,709 | 71.0% | |
| 2020 | 15,730 | 134.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] | |||
| Race | Pop 2010[9] | Pop 2020[10] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 4,754 | 12,210 | 70.86% | 77.62% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 1,378 | 1,489 | 20.54% | 9.47% |
| Native American orAlaska Native (NH) | 27 | 21 | 0.40% | 0.13% |
| Asian (NH) | 75 | 412 | 1.12% | 2.62% |
| Pacific Islander orNative Hawaiian (NH) | 3 | 3 | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Some other race (NH) | 16 | 39 | 0.24% | 0.25% |
| Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) | 83 | 462 | 1.24% | 2.94% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 373 | 1,094 | 5.56% | 6.95% |
| Total | 6,709 | 15,730 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 15,730 people, 3,293 households, and 1,893 families residing in the city.[11]
As of the2010 United States census, there were 6,709 people, 2,542 households, and 1,752 families residing in the city.[12]
As of thecensus[2] of 2000, there were 3,924 people, 1,640 households, and 1,074 families residing in the city. The population density was 759.7 inhabitants per square mile (293.3/km2). There were 2,062 housing units at an average density of 399.2 units per square mile (154.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 64.76%White, 32.93%African American, 0.13%Native American, 0.13%Asian, 0.97% fromother races, and 1.10% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 2.42% of the population.
In 2000, there were 1,640 households, out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% weremarried couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.81.
In 2000, in the city the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 18.4% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 33.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.2 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $23,357, and the median income for a family was $27,247. Males had a median income of $23,250 versus $18,103 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $11,758. About 17.3% of families and 21.7% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 39.6% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.
Wildwood is located at the juncture ofInterstate 75,Florida's Turnpike,State Road 44, andU.S. Route 301. For many years Wildwood was the northerncontrol city on Turnpike road signs however this was replaced withOcala, Florida beginning in 2007. Because of its centralized location and easy access to both coasts, it is often referred to as "The Crossroads of Florida".Wildwood station operates as aCSX maintenance yard, and until 2004, was served byAmtrak'sPalmetto between New York City and Tampa. Amtrak'sAmtrak Thruway bus service makes a stop in Wildwood. The bus travels fromJacksonville toDade City, and is timed to meet arrivals and departures of theSilver Star train in Jacksonville.[13] TheFlorida Midland Railroad owns an abandoned railroad spur that once led toLeesburg, but now solely serves as a home for several abandoned freight cars alongCounty Road 44A.
In the latter 20th century, Wildwood served as a division point and rail yard for theSeaboard Air Line Railroad (SAL), and later theSeaboard Coast Line (SCL) andSeaboard System Railroads. SAL, SCL and Amtrak passenger trains fromNew York City andthe Midwest were split and combined here to serveSt. Petersburg andMiami until the 1990s.[14] Wildwood continues to host Wildwood Yard, which is now used byCSX Transportation, a successor to the Seaboard.
Municipalities and communities ofSumter County, Florida,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
