Plant City, Florida


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Plant City is a city in Hillsborough County, Florida, approximately midway between Brandon and Lakeland along Interstate 4. The population was 29,915 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 30,906 [1].

Many people believe it was named for the flora (especially vegetables and fruits, as well as tropical houseplants) grown at plant nurseries in its tropical Gulf Coast climate. However, it was named after prominent railroad developer, Henry B. Plant (see Plant System).

Plant City is known as the winter strawberry capital of the world, and hosts the annual Florida Strawberry Festival in the late winter (usually in February or early March), which is attended by people all over the state.

History

Plant City's original name was Ichepucksassa after the indian village that once occupied the territory. So much confusion was caused, however, that the city was renamed Cork, after the postmaster's Irish hometown. It was finally given the name Plant City in commemoration of Henry B. Plant, for his railroad tycoonery which significantly boosted the commerce in this primarily agricultural community by incorporating it with the South Florida Railroad.

Originally, Plant City was a large cotton center, but after changing its primary crop to strawberries it gained recognition as the winter strawberry capital of the world.

Geography

 
Location of Plant City, Florida

Plant City is located at 28°0′51″N 82°7′44″W / 28.01417°N 82.12889°WInvalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (28.014250, -82.128864)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 58.9 km² (22.8 mi²). 58.6 km² (22.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.53%) is water.

The city and its surrounding area are in the Southern Flatwoods section as defined by the USDA.[2] The section as a whole is noted for its sandy, infertile, poorly drained soils. In and around Plant City, however, high organic matter content and scattered phosphate nodules make many of the soils more fertile than typical for the flatwoods.[3]

Schools

Tomlin middle school is know for being an A+ school and the middle school with most wins in Hillsborough county. Plant City High School is an A++ school. Burney Elementary is a A+ elementary school, it is an excellent school. Other schools in plant city are Bryan Elementary, Marshal Middle School and Plant City's Christian Academy.

Demographics

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As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 29,915 people, 10,849 households, and 7,843 families residing in the city. The population density was 510.4/km² (1,321.9/mi²). There were 11,797 housing units at an average density of 201.3/km² (521.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.67% White, 16.16% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.89% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 9.10% from other races, and 1.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.42% of the population.

There were 10,849 households out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.7% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.4% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,584, and the median income for a family was $43,328. Males had a median income of $33,417 versus $23,585 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,815. About 11.3% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.

National historic status

There are several locations in Plant City which have been included in the National Register of Historic Places.
They are:

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