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Coordinates: 28°43′N 81°14′W / 28.71°N 81.23°W / 28.71; -81.23
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{{short description|County in Florida, United States}}
{{short description|County in Florida, United States}}
{{distinguish|text= [[Seminole County, Georgia]], or the city [[Seminole, Florida]].}}
{{distinguish|text=[[Seminole County, Georgia]], [[Seminole County, Oklahoma]] or the city [[Seminole, Florida]].}}
{{use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
{{Infobox U.S. county
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==Libraries==
==Libraries==
{{main|Seminole County Public Library System}}
{{main|Seminole County Public Library System}}

The library system was founded in 1978 by the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners. It contains 500,000 volumes and has a circulation of 2.5 million books annually.<ref>{{cite web|title=Seminole County Public Library: About Us|url=http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/libraries/aboutscpl.aspx|publisher=Seminole County Government|access-date=26 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604173950/http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/libraries/aboutscpl.aspx|archive-date=4 June 2013}}</ref> There are five branches, located in the cities of Casselberry, Sanford, Lake Mary, Oviedo, and Longwood.<ref>{{cite web|title=Seminole County Public Library: Branch Information|url=http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/libraries/branchinformation.aspx|publisher=Seminole County Government|access-date=26 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509030254/http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/libraries/branchinformation.aspx|archive-date=9 May 2013}}</ref>
The library system was founded in 1978 by the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners. It contains 500,000 volumes and has a circulation of 2.5 million books annually.<ref>{{cite web|title=Seminole County Public Library: About Us|url=http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/libraries/aboutscpl.aspx|publisher=Seminole County Government|access-date=26 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604173950/http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/libraries/aboutscpl.aspx|archive-date=4 June 2013}}</ref> There are five branches, located in the cities of Casselberry, Sanford, Lake Mary, Oviedo, and Longwood.<ref>{{cite web|title=Seminole County Public Library: Branch Information|url=http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/libraries/branchinformation.aspx|publisher=Seminole County Government|access-date=26 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509030254/http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/libraries/branchinformation.aspx|archive-date=9 May 2013}}</ref>


Revision as of 14:09, 23 September 2022

Not to be confused with Seminole County, Georgia, Seminole County, Oklahoma or the city Seminole, Florida..

Seminole County
County
Seminole County
Seminole County Courthouse
Seminole County Courthouse
Official seal of Seminole County
Seal
Map of Florida highlighting Seminole County
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Map of the United States highlighting Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 28°43′N 81°14′W / 28.71°N 81.23°W / 28.71; -81.23
Country United States
State Florida
FoundedApril 25, 1913
Named forSeminole people
SeatSanford
Largest citySanford
Area
 • Total
345 sq mi (890 km2)
 • Land309 sq mi (800 km2)
 • Water36 sq mi (90 km2)  10.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
470,856 Increase
 • Density1,372.0/sq mi (529.72/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district7th
Websitewww.seminolecountyfl.gov

Seminole County (/ˈsɛmɪnoʊl/, SEM-i-nohl) is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 470,856.[1] Its county seat and largest city is Sanford.[2] Seminole County is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

On July 21, 1821, two counties formed Florida: Escambia to the west and St. Johns to the east. In 1824, the area to the south of St. Johns County was designated Mosquito County, with its seat at Enterprise. The county's name was changed to Orange County in 1845 when Florida became a state, and over the next 70 years several other counties were created. Seminole County was one of the last to split.

Seminole County was created on April 25, 1913, out of the northern portion of Orange County by the Florida Legislature. It was named for the Seminole people who historically lived throughout the area. The name "Seminole" is thought to be derived from the Spanish word cimarron, meaning "wild" or "runaway."

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 345 square miles (890 km2), of which 309 square miles (800 km2) is land and 36 square miles (93 km2) (10.4%) is water.[3] It is Florida's fourth-smallest county by land area and third-smallest by total area.

Seminole County's location between Volusia County and Orange County has made it one of Florida's fastest-growing counties. The Greater Orlando Metropolitan District which includes Seminole, Osceola, and the surrounding counties of Lake and Orange counties, together with neighboring Volusia and Brevard counties create a viable, progressive and diverse setting for economic growth and residential development.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
192010,986—
193018,73570.5%
194022,30419.0%
195026,88320.5%
196054,947104.4%
197083,69252.3%
1980179,752114.8%
1990287,52960.0%
2000365,19627.0%
2010422,71815.8%
2020470,85611.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]
1790-1960[5] 1900-1990[6]
1990-2000[7] 2010-2019[1]
Seminole County racial composition as of 2020
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[a]
Race Pop 2010[10] Pop 2020[11] % 2010 % 2020
White (NH) 280,452 264,072 66.34% 56.08%
Black or African American (NH) 44,196 50,276 10.46% 10.68%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 995 765 0.24% 0.16%
Asian (NH) 15,451 25,164 3.66% 5.34%
Pacific Islander (NH) 194 243 0.05% 0.05%
Some Other Race (NH) 1,202 2,975 0.28% 0.63%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 7,771 20,822 1.84% 4.42%
Hispanic or Latino 72,457 106,539 17.14% 22.63%
Total 422,718 470,856 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 470,856 people, 178,094 households, and 120,049 families residing in the county.

As of the census of 2000, there were 365,196 people, 139,572 households, and 97,281 families residing in the county. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the population of the county has grown to 394,878 by 2003. Current 2012 estimates put the population at more than 430,838. The population density was 1,185 people per square mile (458/km2). There were 147,079 housing units at an average density of 477 per square mile (184/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 82.4% White, 9.5% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 2.5% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.1% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. 11.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 139,572 households, out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.07. The Department of Education states that in 2003, school enrollment was approximately 72,630. As of 2006, the Seminole County School District was the 52nd largest in the nation.[12] As of 2020, the Seminole County School District was the 12th largest school district in Florida and 60th nationally with more than 67,000 students and 10,000 employees.[13]

Population was distributed with 25.4% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $49,326, and the median income for a family was $56,895. Males had a median income of $40,001 versus $28,217 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,591. About 5.1% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over. As of March 2009, according to Workforce Central Florida, the unemployment rate for Seminole County is 9.2 percent.

Religion

The following reflects the latest year available for religious statistics, which was 2000.[14]

Religion Number
Did not claim a religious affiliation 230,901
Catholic 60,191
Evangelical Protestant 48,430
Mainline Protestant 19,713
Other 5,487
Orthodox 474

Government and politics

Seminole County is part of the strongly Republican belt of central and southwest Florida that was the first portion of the state to move politically distance itself from the "Solid South": Until Joe Biden carried the county in 2020, the last Democratic Party candidate to win the county in a presidential election had been Harry Truman in 1948.[15] The entire county is currently represented by Democratic congresswoman Stephanie Murphy. As of August 31, 2021, Republicans slightly outnumbered Democrats, 115,318 to 115,303, in registered voters.[16]

Presidential election results
Seminole County vote
by party in presidential elections[17]
Year GOP Dem Others
2020 47.9% 125,241 50.7% 132,528 1.4% 3,764
2016 48.1% 109,443 46.6% 105,914 5.4% 12,169
2012 52.6% 109,943 46.1% 96,445 1.3% 2,732
2008 50.9% 105,070 48.1% 99,335 1.0% 2,021
2004 58.1% 108,172 41.3% 76,971 0.6% 1,052
2000 55.0% 75,790 43.0% 59,227 2.0% 2,788
1996 52.0% 59,797 39.2% 45,058 8.7% 10,049
1992 48.6% 57,101 30.3% 35,660 21.1% 24,799
1988 72.2% 60,401 27.1% 22,635 0.7% 622
1984 75.9% 56,244 24.0% 17,795 1.0% 53
1980 66.2% 39,989 28.9% 17,443 5.0% 3,007
1976 56.9% 26,655 41.9% 19,609 1.2% 549
1972 80.8% 27,658 19.0% 6,503 0.2% 51
1968 44.7% 10,821 25.3% 6,120 30.0% 7,275
1964 52.5% 10,078 47.5% 9,125
1960 64.6% 8,936 35.4% 4,891
1956 65.2% 5,841 34.9% 3,125
1952 60.0% 4,683 40.0% 3,120
1948 33.3% 1,665 45.2% 2,261 21.6% 1,081
1944 31.5% 1,352 68.5% 2,940
1940 30.3% 1,369 69.7% 3,150
1936 25.8% 897 74.2% 2,580
1932 30.7% 948 69.3% 2,142
1928 58.9% 1,788 39.1% 1,187 2.0% 61
1924 23.5% 372 59.6% 945 17.0% 269
1920 32.3% 767 62.5% 1,485 5.2% 124
1916 15.6% 155 70.9% 706 13.6% 135

The government operates under a County Charter adopted in 1989 and amended in November, 1994. Policymaking and the legislative authority are vested in the Board of County Commissioners, a five-member board elected to four-year terms in partisan, countywide elections and from single member districts. The board adopts the county budget, levies property taxes and other fees, and hires the county manager and county attorney. In addition to the board, five constitutional officers are elected to partisan, four-year terms in accordance with the constitution of the State of Florida.

The constitutional officers, clerk of the circuit and county courts, sheriff, tax collector, property appraiser, and supervisor of elections, maintain separate accounting records and budgets. The board funds a portion or, in certain instances, all of the operating budgets of the county's constitutional officers.

The county provides a full range of services: the construction and maintenance of the county's infrastructure, public safety, recreation, health and human services, and development and protection of the physical and economic environment.

In addition to the county government described above, there are other political entities which are controlled by the county, but have their own appointed boards; the Seminole County Expressway Authority, the Seminole County Port Authority, the Fred R. Wilson Memorial Law Library and the US 17-92 Community Redevelopment Agency.

County elected officials

Republicans control all of Seminole County's partisan elected offices. In 2020, despite Joe Biden narrowly winning Seminole County in the presidential election, Republican candidates for county office won by wide margins over their Democratic opponents.[18]

Seminole County Officials
Position Incumbent Next election
District 1 Commissioner Bob Dallari 2024
District 2 Commissioner Jay Zembower 2022
District 3 Commissioner Lee Constantine 2024
District 4 Commissioner Amy Lockhart 2022
District 5 Commissioner Andria Herr 2024
Clerk of Courts and Comptroller Grant Maloy 2024
Sheriff Dennis Lemma 2024
Property Appraiser David Johnson 2024
Tax Collector J. R. Kroll 2024
Supervisor of Elections Chris Anderson 2024
18th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Phil Archer 2024
18th Judicial Circuit Public Defender Blaise Trettis 2024

Secondary officials

Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District

The Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District serves as an administrative role to conserve the environment within the county.[19] Supervisor Amy Volpe resigned in April, 2021 and Sarah Hall was elected to replace her in a Meeting in June 2021.[20]

The following officers are elected as indicated:

  • Group 1 - Jason Kirby
  • Group 2 - Jennifer Webb
  • Group 3 - Sarah Hall[20]
  • Group 4 - Ed Young
  • Group 5 - Karen Hariot[21]

Libraries

Main article: Seminole County Public Library System

The library system was founded in 1978 by the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners. It contains 500,000 volumes and has a circulation of 2.5 million books annually.[22] There are five branches, located in the cities of Casselberry, Sanford, Lake Mary, Oviedo, and Longwood.[23]

An online catalog is available including access to e-books and audio books. Library cards are restricted to county residents, property owners, students (enrolled in a county public school), or employed by the county government.[24]

Education

Seminole County Public Schools operates public schools.

Transportation

Interstates and expressways

Surface roads

Airports

Public transportation

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Former communities

  • Markham
  • Osceola

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.[8][9]

References

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Archived from the original on May 27, 2002. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 7, 2015. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  5. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  6. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  7. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  8. ^ https://www.census.gov/ [not specific enough to verify]
  9. ^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  10. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  11. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  12. ^ "National Center for Educations Statistics - 100 Largest School Districts in the United States". Retrieved July 31, 2008.
  13. ^ "Seminole County Public Schools". Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  14. ^ "The Association of Religion Data Archives | Maps & Reports". Thearda.com. Archived from the original on May 11, 2011. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  15. ^ Sullivan, Robert David; ‘How the Red and Blue Map Evolved Over the Past Century’; America Magazine in The National Catholic Review; June 29, 2016
  16. ^ "Voter Registration - by County and Party - Division of Elections - Florida Department of State".
  17. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  18. ^ "Official Election Results" (PDF). Seminole County Supervisor of Elections. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  19. ^ "Seminole Soil & Water Conservation District | Preserving Precious Resources". Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  20. ^ a b Conservation District, Seminole Soil & Water (July 13, 2021). "6-08-2021 Meeting Minutes" (PDF).
  21. ^ "Chris Anderson | Seminole County Supervisor of Elections | #VoteSeminole". www.voteseminole.org. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  22. ^ "Seminole County Public Library: About Us". Seminole County Government. Archived from the original on June 4, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  23. ^ "Seminole County Public Library: Branch Information". Seminole County Government. Archived from the original on May 9, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  24. ^ "Seminole County Public Library: Obtaining a Library Card". Seminole County Government. Archived from the original on May 9, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
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