State in the extreme SE United States. A long, low peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Florida is bordered by Georgia and Alabama.
Area, 58,560 sq mi (151,670 sq km).
Pop. (2000) 15,982,378, a 23.5% increase since the 1990 census.
Capital, Tallahassee.
Largest city, Jacksonville.
Nickname, Sunshine State.
Motto, In God We Trust.
State bird, mockingbird.
State flower, orange blossom.
State tree, Sabal palmetto palm.
Tourism plays a primary role in the state's economy; in 1996 visitors to Florida spent over $48 billion. Walt Disney World, a massive cluster of theme parks near Orlando that is one of the world's leading tourist attractions; Universal Studios, a combination theme park and film and television production facility, also near Orlando; and other attractions draw millions yearly.
Famed beaches, such as those at Miami Beach , Daytona Beach , and Fort Lauderdale , attract hordes of vacationers. With more than 4,000 sq mi (10,360 sq km) of inland water and with the sea readily accessible from almost anywhere in the state, Florida is a fishing paradise. Other attractions include Everglades National Park, with its unusual plant and animal life; Palm Beach , with its palatial estates; and Sanibel Island's picturesque resorts.
Famous for its citrus fruits, Florida leads the nation in the production of oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, and market-ready corn and tomatoes. Other important crops include sugarcane and many varieties of winter vegetables. Cattle and dairy products are important, as is commercial fishing, with the catch including crabs, lobsters, and shrimp.
| Pasco County, Florida |
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| Map |
Location in the state of Florida |
| Statistics |
| Formed |
June 2, 1887 |
| Seat |
Dade City |
Area
- Total
- Land
- Water |
2,248 km² (868 mi²)
1,929 km² (745 mi²)
319 km² (123 mi²), 14.18% |
Population
- (2000)
- Density |
325,957
179/km² |
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Pasco County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 344,765. Its county seat is Dade City, Florida.
History
Pasco County was created in 1887 from the southern part of Hernando County. It was named for Samuel Pasco, who served in the Confederate Army, the state legislature and in the United States Senate from 1887 to 1899. The earliest towns were Anclote, Blanton, Dade City, Earnestville, Fort Dade, Macon (Trilby), and San Antonio. During the Florida land boom of the 1920s, New Port Richey became the winter home of silent screen star Thomas Meighan and golfer Gene Sarazen. The county experienced significant population growth beginning in the 1960s in the region along the Gulf coast and, more recently, in the area near Tampa.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,248 km² (868 mi²). 1,929 km² (745 mi²) of it is land and 319 km² (123 mi²) of it (14.18%) is water.
Adjacent Counties
- Hernando County, Florida - north
- Sumter County, Florida - northeast
- Polk County, Florida - southeast
- Hillsborough County, Florida - south
- Pinellas County, Florida - southwest
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 344,765 people, 147,566 households, and 99,016 families residing in the county. The population density was 179/km² (463/mi²). There were 173,717 housing units at an average density of 90/km² (233/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.70% White, 2.07% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.52% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. 5.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 147,566 households out of which 23.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.60% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.77.
In the county the population was spread out with 20.20% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 24.10% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 26.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 92.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,969, and the median income for a family was $39,568. Males had a median income of $30,974 versus $23,802 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,439. About 7.60% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.20% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.
Incorporated
- City of Dade City
- City of New Port Richey
- City of Port Richey
- City of San Antonio
- Town of St. Leo
- City of Zephyrhills
Unincorporated
- Bayonet Point
- Beacon Square
- Crystal Springs
- Dade City North
- Elfers
- Holiday
- Hudson
- Jasmine Estates
- Lacoochee
- Land O' Lakes
- New Port Richey East
- Odessa
- Shady Hills
- Trinity
- Wesley Chapel
- Wesley Chapel South
- Zephyrhills North
- Zephyrhills South
- Zephyrhills West
Unincorporated Communities Not CDPs
- Gulf Harbors
- Hudson Beach
- Moon Lake, Florida
Aviation
- Pilot Country Airport (KX05)
- Hidden Lake Estates Airport (Private airport in Moon Lake)
- Tampa North Aero Park (KX39)
- Zephyrhills Municipal Airport (KZPH)
Bus service
Pasco County Public Transportation provides bus service in West Pasco, Dade City and Zephyrhills. Amtrak formerly provided passenger rails service to Dade City, but the stop was terminated in late 2004.
Railroads
CSX operates three rail lines within the county.
Major roads
- Interstate 75
- Suncoast Parkway
- U.S. Route 19 - Alternate 19
- U.S. Route 41
- U.S. Route 98
- U.S. Route 301
- State Road 52
- State Road 54
- State Road 56
- State Road 575
- Bruce B. Downs Boulevard
- Rowan Road/East Lake Road (CR 77)
- Dale Mabry Highway
- Gunn Highway
- Little Road (CR 1)
*Information from Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition
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