Dr. P. Phillips House (built 1893) was purchased byDr. Phillips in 1912. He was a prominent figure in the county's citrus industry.Postcard in 1921 depicting Orange groves nearOrlando
Early on, the county greatly suffered, due to theUnion blockade, but things greatly improved duringReconstruction. A boom in population, resulting from the incorporation of theTown of Orlando in 1875, greatly changed the demographics of the county.[15] Orlando, establishing itself as a city in 1885,[16] experienced rapid growth from 1875 to 1895, due to it becoming the hub of Florida'scitrus industry. Thefruit that constituted the county's main commodity crop, was the impetus to the aforementioned county's renaming. The dark-green foliage of orange trees filled the county, as did the scent of the orange blossoms when in bloom. Fewer commercial orange groves remained by the end of the twentieth century. The majority of groves were destroyed by the freezing temperatures that occurred in December 1983,January 1985, and December 1989, the worst since 1899.[17]
During the post-Reconstruction period, white people committed a high rate of racial violence against black people in Orange County; racial terrorism was used to re-establish and maintainwhite supremacy. Whiteslynched 33 African Americans here from 1877 to 1950; most were killed in the decades around the turn of the 20th century. This was the highest total of any county in the state, and sixth highest of any county in the country.[18] Florida had the highest per-capita rate of lynchings of any state in the South, where the great majority of these extrajudicial murders took place.[19]
Among the terrorist lynchings was thedeath of Julius "July" Perry of Ocoee, whose body was found November 3, 1920, hanged from a lightpole in Orlando, near the house of a judge known to be sympathetic to black voting.[18] But this was part of a much larger story ofKKK and other white attempts to suppress black voting in Ocoee and the state. African Americans had organized for a year to increase voter turnout for the 1920 presidential election, with organizations helping prepare residents for voter registration, paying forpoll taxes, and similar actions. On Election Day inOcoee, blacks were turned away from the polls. Perry, a prosperous farmer, was suspected of sheltering Mose Norman, an African-American man who had tried to vote.[20] After Norman was twice turned away, white violence broke out, resulting in a riot through the black community, leaving an estimated50 to 60 African-Americans dead and all the properties destroyed. Many blacks fled from Ocoee to save their lives, and the town became all-white.[20][18] Voting efforts were suppressed for decades.
One of many canals inWinter Park that connect to different lakes within the community
Economically destroyed at the turn of the century by the decimation of the citrus industry, many farmers walked away from the region. The freeze caused many farmers in central Florida to move to other warm climates, such as to theCaribbean or toCalifornia (such as the similarly namedOrange County, California). Others awaited other opportunities. One of the region's major land owners and growers was theTropicana company. They withdrew rather than try to come back from these seemingly endless generational decimation. With no realistic avenues for agricultural use of this rural land, and Florida's continuing strong population growth and its attendant needs (aided and supported by the success of nearbyWalt Disney World andUniversal Studios Florida), these areas began to be developed for housing and other industries, especially afterWorld War II.
In 1965,Walt Disney announced plans to buildWalt Disney World. The renowned resort opened in October 1971. This had a seismic impact to the region, resulting in an explosive growth in the county's population and in its economy. The success of Disney World, allowed for othertheme parks and entertainment attractions to open and thrive in the county, such asUniversal Orlando andSeaWorld Orlando. The county now has more theme parks and entertainment attractions than anywhere else in the world.[21]
In the 21st century, the county's economy has since diversified.[22][23] Despite the rapid development in the county, thanks togentrification relics of the historic core of "Old Orlando" still reside indowntown Orlando (along Church Street, between Orange Avenue and Garland Avenue), as well as within Orange County communities outside city limits, such as inEatonville,Windermere, andWinter Park.
Most of the county lies in theFlorida coastal lowlands, while the northwestern areas rise into theFlorida Central Highlands.[26][27][28] The population center of the county is in the central and western sections in the transition zone from coastal plain to highlands, whereas eastern sections in the coastal plain are more remote in population. Orange County was part of the first land to rise up below from below theEarly Oligocene sea about 33.9–28.4 million years ago, also known asOrange Island.[12]
Despite Orange County being landlocked in the center of the state, it is still relatively close to many beaches to the east on theAtlantic Ocean, withCocoa Beach being the closest and a popular destination. TheGulf of Mexico is also relatively close, although a bit farther away, to the west, with many beaches likeClearwater Beach andSt. Pete Beach also being popular destinations.
2010 U.S. Census tract map of Orange CountyAerial view of downtown Orlando (center) and Lake Apopka (upper-right) in 2011
Orange County is divided into six regions; the (central)Downtown area (withurban characteristics); the (southwestern)tourist strip (with a mixture of permanent dwellings, resorts, and hotels); a mixture of working-class, middle-class, and wealthier suburbs in the west (with someexurban characteristics); more historically established suburbs to the north (withinner-ring characteristics, attributed to theSunRail); a mixture of suburbs with more accessibly priced homes in the east (within the influence ofUniversity of Central Florida); and working-class neighborhoods and additional tourist attractions to the south (within the influence of nearbyKissimmee in neighboringOsceola County).Florida's Turnpike is popularly regarded as a dividing line between northern areas catering more to permanent residents and southern areas catering more to tourists.
There are 115 neighborhoods within the city limits ofOrlando, along with many municipalities andunincorporated areas throughout the county. Orlando's city limits resemble a checkerboard, with pockets of unincorporated Orange County surrounded by city limits. Such an arrangement results in some areas being served by both Orange County and the City of Orlando. This also explains Orlando's relatively low city population when compared to its metropolitan population. The city and county are working together in an effort to "round-out" the city limits with Orlando annexing portions of land already bordering the city limits.[31][failed verification]
The maintourist strip for the city is in the southwestern section of the county.International Drive, commonly known as I-Drive, is a major 11.1-mile (17.9 km)thoroughfare that traverses central and southern portions of unincorporated Orange County. An additional extension is known as International Drive South, partly located in the northern portion of Osceola County. Other major roads in this region include, Sand Lake Road, Kirkman Road,SR 536, and Universal Boulevard, which runs parallel to the midsection of International Drive. At its northern end, International Drive is home toOrlando International Premium Outlets andUniversal Orlando resort, along with being in close proximity to theEpic Universe theme park that opened in May 2025.[34][35][36] Further south on International Drive, it features theOrange County Convention Center,Dezerland Park mall,SeaWorld Orlando (along withAquatica, SeaWorld's water park),ICON Park (featuring its famous Ferris wheel,Orlando Eye), theWorld's Largest Entertainment McDonald's, and other tourist ventures.[37] This region is most known for being the location ofWalt Disney World Resort, which covers nearly 25,000 acres (39 sq mi; 101 km2) (of which half has been developed).[38] TheCentral Florida Tourism Oversight District (formerly the Reedy Creek Improvement District) is the governing jurisdiction andspecial taxing district for the land of Disney World, encompassing a large swath of 39.06 sq mi (101.2 km2) in southern Orange county and northern Osceola County. It acts with most of the same authority and responsibility as a county government.[39][40] It includes the cities ofBay Lake andLake Buena Vista, as well asunincorporated land, within Orange County. Other communities in southwestern Orange County, which have primarily suburban and exurban characteristics, includeBay Hill,Dr. Phillips,Four Corners,Horizon West,MetroWest,Williamsburg, andWindermere.
Orange County Convention Center is aconvention center located in the aforementioned county. It is the primary publicconvention center for theCentral Florida region and the second-largest convention center in the United States, afterMcCormick Place inChicago.[74] Located on the south end ofInternational Drive, the OCCC offers 7,000,000 sq ft (650,000 m2) of space, 2,100,000 sq ft (200,000 m2) of which is exhibit space. The OCCC hosts events attracting about 1.5 million people annually, injecting $2.5 billion into the region's economy.[85]
Orange County has been a growing-hub for healthcare in Central Florida. Two of the largest healthcare networks in the county areAdventHealth andOrlando Health, which were both founded in the county. Currently, the headquarters for Orlando Health is in Orange County, whereas the headquarters for AdventHealth is located in neighboringSeminole County.[88][89]
The transient nature of Orange County makes it a major regional commercial hub for the State of Florida.The Florida Mall is located in unincorporated Orange County, and with agross leasable area of 1,718,000 square feet (159,600 m2) it is one of the largest single-story malls in the United States and the largest mall inCentral Florida.[91] With over 250 stores and various dining options (including 25 quick-service restaurants and 8 sit-down restaurants), The Florida Mall attracts over 20 million visitors annually, including domestic and international tourists.[92]
Along with these tourist offerings, the county is also home to the corporate headquarters for these theme parks' operations. One of the two corporate headquarters forDisney Experiences is located inLake Buena Vista (the other headquarters is located inGlendale, California). There were reportedly plans from Disney, that they were to expand more of their corporate presence in Orange County, with the transferring of DPEP positions over the next couple of years to a new 60-acre corporate campus in theLake Nona area of the county, with as many as 90% of the transferred positions being Imagineering positions.[107][108] However, the planned relocation was cancelled in May 2023 amidstthe feud between Disney and Florida's governorRon DeSantis.[109]United Parks & Resorts (formerly SeaWorld Entertainment Inc.[110] or SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment) is an American theme park and entertainment company, with corporate headquarters located in Orange County.[111][112] Along withSeaWorld, United Parks & Resorts is the parent company for the theme parksAdventure Island, Aquatica,Busch Gardens, Discovery Cove,Sesame Place,Water Country USA, and Worlds of Discovery.[113]
In-turn, hospitality is incredibly vital to the county's economy.Westgate Resorts, an Americantimeshare resort company, was founded and is currently headquartered in the county.[114] As of July 2021, Westgate Resorts has 22 locations across theUnited States.[115] Other major hospitality companies with a significant economic presence (both corporate and in its resort properties) within the county include:
The county functions under a charter form of government. The charter serves as a constitution, detailing the structure and operation of the local government. A Charter Review Commission has the power to consider and place amendments on the ballot. Voters then decide whether to accept or reject all amendments put forth. If voters approve an amendment, it is then inserted into the charter.
District 11 encompasses northwestern Orange County, District 13 encompasses north central and northeastern Orange County, and District 15 encompasses all ofOsceola County and the southern third of Orange County.
Orange County residents are represented in Tallahassee with 9House seats.
District 37 encompasses southernSeminole and portions of northern Orange County, Districts 35, 46, and 47 encompassOsceola County and Orange County, and Districts 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44 are wholly composed of Orange.
Orange County is served by aboard of commissioners. The board consists of an elected mayor and six commissioners. The mayor is electedAt-large, while commissioners are elected fromsingle-member districts. The mayor and commissioners each serve staggered four-year terms. Commissioners from Districts 1, 3, and 5 are elected in presidential election years, while the mayor and commissioners from Districts 2, 4, and 6 are elected in alternate years. The county is also served by a clerk of courts, sheriff, property appraiser, tax collector, supervisor of elections, state attorney, and public defender. All positions are four-year terms, requiring direct election by voters in presidential election years.
Orange County is located along the pivotalInterstate 4 corridor, which until recently was a powerfulswing region in what was one of the country's most critical swing states. Many close elections were won or lost depending on the voting outcome along the corridor. Voters were considered independent, traditionally splitting their votes, electing Democrats and Republicans on the same ballot. As a result of such independence, voters were inundated with non-stop television and radio ads months preceding ageneral election.
Orange County was one of the first areas of Florida to turn Republican. It swung from a 15-point victory forFranklin D. Roosevelt in 1944 to a seven-point victory forThomas E. Dewey in 1948. It eventually became one of the stronger Republican bastions in Florida, as evidenced when it gaveBarry Goldwater 56 percent of its vote in 1964. For most of the second half of the 20th century, it was one of the more conservative urban counties in Florida and the nation. From 1948 to 1988, Democrats only cracked the 40 percent barrier twice, in 1964 and 1976. However, the Republican edge narrowed considerably in the 1990s.George H. W. Bush fell from 67 percent of the vote in 1988 to only 45.9 percent in 1992. In 1996,Bob Dole only won the county by 520 votes.
In September 2000,[119] Democrats overtook Republicans in voter registration. This was a factor inAl Gore becoming the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry the county since 1944.John Kerry narrowly carried the county in 2004 by less than 1,000 votes. In 2008, however, Orange County swung hard toBarack Obama, who won it by the largest margin for a Democrat since Roosevelt. In the years since, it has become one of the strongest Democratic bastions in Florida.
Since 2000, Republicans have yet to retake the advantage they once enjoyed. In the twelve years that followed, Democrats experienced a modest increase in their voter registration percentage from 41.40% to 42.73% of the electorate. Minor party voters also had modest growth, increasing from 2.17% to 2.37%. In contrast, Republicans experienced a sharp decrease in registered voters, sliding from 40.95% in 2000 down to 29.85% in 2012. The beneficiary of the Republican losses have been unaffiliated voters. The percentage of the electorate identifying as an unaffiliated voter increased from 15.47% to 25.06% during this same period. Orange County is one of two different counties in the entire nation to have voted for Al Gore in 2000 after voting for Dole in 1996, a distinction it shares withCharles County, Maryland.[120]
However, Orange County went toKamala Harris by just 13 points in 2024, the closest margin in Orange County since 2004. This made Orange County one of just six Florida counties to go for Harris asDonald Trump won the former swing state of Florida by 13 points.[121][122] Florida is now considered a red state and presidential campaigns are unlikely to focus on the state in the future.[123]
United States presidential election results for Orange County, Florida[124]
TheOrange County Public Schools deliverpublic education to students countywide.[126] Its functions and expenditures are overseen by an elected school board composed of a chairman, elected at-large; and seven members, elected from single-member districts. Each member is elected to a four-year term: the chairman and three other members are elected in gubernatorial election years, while the other four are elected in presidential election years. As of the 2021–2022 school year, the school system operated 205 schools (127 elementary, 9 K-8, 39 middle, 22 high, and 8 exceptional learning), with 206,246 students.[127] As of 2023, it is the 4th largest district statewide andeighth largest in the nation.[128][better source needed]
NearbyWinter Park is home toRollins College, a private college situated only a few miles fromDowntown Orlando. In 2012, it was ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report amongst regional universities in the South.[130]
With six campuses spread throughout the county,Valencia College offers two-year degree programs, as well three baccalaureate programs.
Full Sail University is a for-profit university in Winter Park, Florida. Full Sail is not regionally accredited, but is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) to award associate's, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees in audio, film, design, computer animation, business, and other fields.[10] The school offers 35 degree programs and 2 graduate certificates and has a student population of more than 16,800.
Orange County is served by theOrange County Library System, which was established in 1923. Before the opening of the Albertson Public Library in 1923, a circulating library maintained by theSorosis Club of Orlando offered book lending services to patrons on a subscription basis. The Albertson Public Library was established with the collection of Captain Charles L. Albertson and the library was named in his honor. In 1924, the Booker T. Washington Branch of the Albertson Library was established to service the African American community of Orlando. In 1966, the current Orlando Public Library building was completed on the grounds of the Albertson Public Library.[131] Currently there are 16 libraries within the Orange County Library system.[132] The library systems offers a diverse selection of materials, free programs and free access to various databases. In addition, the library offers free delivery of most items through its MAYL service.[133]
One exception exists in the cities ofMaitland andWinter Park which are each part of a separate library taxing districts and as a result residents of these cities are not entitled to receive resident borrowing privileges at OCLS branches even though they are technically and legally residents of Orange County, instead an agreement was reached between Maitland, Winter Park and the OCLS whereas a resident of those cities can go to any OCLS branch and request a "Reciprocal borrower card" which is provided free of charge. The Reciprocal borrower cards is valid for one year and can be used at any OCLS branch with the exception of the Melrose Center at the Orlando Public Library which requires a separate Melrose Center specific card which is issued after the user applies for the card and goes through a mandatory orientation class. Access to the OCLS Internet on library owned PCs requires a Reciprocal borrower to pay small session access fee. The OCLS Wi-Fi network which is available at all branches remains free of charge to all users including Reciprocal borrowers and visitors who use their own iPad, Mac, PC, Smartphone or tablet devices. Maitland and Winter Park Library do not provide reciprocal privileges to OCLS patrons and charge non-residents a yearly user fee.
Harry P. Leu Gardens, with 50 acres (200,000 m2) of semi-tropical and tropical gardens, is designated as anhistoric district, containing landscaped grounds, three historic buildings, lakes, and nature trails
Orlando Apopka Airport, a privately owned uncontrolled, public-use airport in the City ofApopka which serves small private aircraft, there is no commercial service.
Orlando Executive Airport, a public airport owned byGOAA which serves private jets and small aircraft. It is a reliever airport for Orlando International Airport.
Orlando International Airport, the busiest airport in Florida by passenger traffic, is a public international airport owned by GOAA serving both commercial and private aircraft.
Greyhound a U.S. Intercity common carrier bus company providing nationwide service from Orlando.
Lynx a public bus authority providing service in Orange County and five additional Central Florida counties includingLake,Osceola,Polk,Seminole andVolusia.
SunRail a commuter rail service with eight stations serving Orange County and eight additional stations in three adjacent counties (Osceola, Volusia and Seminole).
^The Mayor of Orange County is officially elected in anon-partisan election, despite commonde facto party affiliation.[4]
^Language spoken at home among residents at least five years old; only languages (or language groups) which at least 2% of residents have spoken at any time since 1980 are mentioned
^Szary, William (March 16, 2021).Florida's Geologic Atlas: A guide to county geologic maps. Earth2Energy Educational Publishing.ISBN979-8723792111.
^Woodard, Kenneth & Liu, Kesi & White-Leech, U & Sollenberger, Lynn. (2013). Leaching Potential of Phosphorus from Cattle Excreta Patches in the Central Highlands of Florida. Journal of environmental quality. 42. 872-880. 10.2134/jeq2012.0348.
^"Census Counts: 1830-2020".Florida County Population Census Counts: 1830 to 2020. Office of Economic and Demographic Research, The Florida Legislature. 2023.Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. RetrievedApril 23, 2023.
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