Editing Homosassa, Florida

{{short description|Census-designated place in Florida, United States}}
{{Redirect|Homosassa|the genus of moth|Homosassa (moth)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
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|official_name            = Homosassa, Florida
|other_name               = 
|native_name              = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
|nickname                 = 
|settlement_type          = [[Census-designated place]]
|motto                    = 
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|image_skyline            = Homosassapostoffice.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Homosassa Post Office
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|image_map                = Citrus_County_Florida_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Homosassa_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250x200px
|map_caption              = Location in [[Citrus County, Florida|Citrus County]] and the state of [[Florida]]
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<!-- Location ------------------>
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = {{flag|United States}}
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Florida}}
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Florida|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = {{noflag|[[Citrus County, Florida|Citrus]]}}
|subdivision_type3        = 
|subdivision_name3        = 
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|subdivision_name4        = 
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|established_title        = <!-- Settled -->
|established_date         = 
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<!-- Area    --------------------->
|area_magnitude           = 
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_12.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 31, 2021}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 21.58
|area_land_km2            = 20.23
|area_water_km2           = 1.35
|area_total_sq_mi         = 8.33
|area_land_sq_mi          = 7.81
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.52
|area_water_percent       = 
|area_urban_km2           = 
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<!-- Population   ----------------------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_note          = 
|population_total         = 2299
|population_density_km2   = 113.64
|population_density_sq_mi = 294.33
|population_metro         = 
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<!-- General information  --------------->
|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = &minus;5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = &minus;4
|coordinates              = {{coord|28|47|0|N|82|37|2|W|region:US-FL|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes      = <!--for references: use <ref> tags-->
|elevation_m              = 0
|elevation_ft             = 0
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]s
|postal_code              = 34446, 34448, 34487
|area_code                = [[Area code 352|352]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 12-32375<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0284219<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/cities/homosassa.html}}
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
}}

'''Homosassa''' ({{IPAc-en|,|h|oʊ|m|@|'|s|ae|s|@|}}) is a [[census-designated place]] (CDP) in [[Citrus County, Florida|Citrus County]], [[Florida]], United States. The population was 2,299 at the 2020 census, down from 2,578 at the 2010 census.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US1232375| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212175820/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US1232375| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Homosassa CDP, Florida| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=June 26, 2014}}</ref> It is part of the [[Homosassa Springs, Florida]] [[Citrus County, Florida|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==
Homosassa is derived from a [[Seminole]] Indian name meaning either "river of fishes" or "pepper ridge".<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n158 159]}}</ref>

In 1851, [[David Levy Yulee]] established a {{convert|5000|acre|km2|adj=on}} sugar plantation on the [[Homosassa River]], close to the current town of Homosassa. The plantation was worked by approximately 1,000 slaves, but Yulee was an absentee owner, spending most of his time in [[Fernandina Beach, Florida|Fernandina]]. Among the crops raised were sugar cane, cotton, and citrus. The Yulee Groves were one of the first in Florida to grow sweet oranges budded from sour orange stock. The mill, which was steam-driven, operated from 1851 to 1864 and produced sugar, syrup, and molasses, the last of which was part of the [[rum]]-making process. After the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] ended in 1865, Yulee was imprisoned, the slaves were freed, and the site was abandoned.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Landers |first1=Roger R. |title=The "Recent Unpleasantness" in Hernando County, Florida: Reconstruction, Redemption, Retrenchment, and Its Legacy |journal=Tampa Bay History |date=2010 |volume=24 |issue=1 |page=13 |url=https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1504&context=tampabayhistory |access-date=24 March 2023}}</ref> The remains of the plantation are preserved at the [[Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park]].

==Wildlife==
Homosassa is home to [[Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park]], which is often home to large numbers of "migratory" [[manatee]]s, which frequent the area due to its springs and relatively warm waters. The park has been known to have Florida panthers, black bears, red wolves, alligators and flamingos.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.discovercrystalriverfl.com/area/homosassa-florida/|title=Homosassa Florida {{!}} Discovery Crystal River Florida|work=Discover Crystal River Florida|access-date=2017-08-30|language=en-US}}</ref> The park is home to Lu, a famous [[hippopotamus]] known for his performances in many movies. The park also hosts an underwater viewing platform, known as the "fish bowl", where visitors can see manatees and fish swimming in the large spring from which the Homosassa River begins. The Wildlife Park helps spread awareness about the dangers of boating around areas inhabited by manatees as well as the destructive effects of polluting the environment. The park is one of the few major attractions of the area, which has a large retiree population and a very low level of activity compared to major tourist regions of Florida. The Homosassa and Halls rivers run through the area, and it is fairly common to see manatees surface near the area's waterfront restaurants and bars.

Homosassa is considered one of the best places in the world to catch [[Atlantic tarpon]] by [[Sport Fishing Magazine]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Olander |first1=Doug |title=World's Best Tarpon Fishing Spots |url=https://www.sportfishingmag.com/tarpon-fishing-best-locations/ |website=sportfishingmag.com |publisher=Sport Fishing Magazine |access-date=21 June 2019}}</ref>

==Geography==
Homosassa is located in southwestern Citrus County, to the west of U.S. Routes [[U.S. Route 19|19]] and [[U.S. Route 98|98]] (Suncoast Boulevard). The CDP extends west on both sides of the Homosassa River to a network of marshes and islands that lead to the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. The original settlement of Homosassa is located on the south side of the Homosassa River, {{convert|3|mi|0}} west of [[Homosassa Springs, Florida|Homosassa Springs]] by either West Fishbowl Drive or West Yulee Drive.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP has a total area of {{convert|21.5|km2|disp=flip}}, of which {{convert|20.1|km2|disp=flip}} is land and {{convert|1.4|km2|disp=flip}}, or 6.30%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010"/>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1990 = 2113
| 2000 = 2294
| 2010 = 2578
| 2020 = 2299
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2016}}</ref><ref name="GR2" />
}}
[[File: McRae'sHomosassaHotel.JPG|thumb|left|Homosassa McRae's Hotel]]
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 2,294 people, 1,128 households, and 771 families residing in the CDP. The population density was {{convert|288.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,602 housing units at an average density of {{convert|201.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.65% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.04% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.35% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.04% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.04% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.87% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.05% of the population.

There were 1,128 households, out of which 12.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8% were married couples living together, 3.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.38.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 10.6% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 15.5% from 25 to 44, 35.4% from 45 to 64, and 35.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 58 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $38,696, and the median income for a family was $41,513. Males had a median income of $29,044 versus $21,755 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the CDP was $21,135. About 10.5% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
[[File:Homosassaes.jpg|thumb|Homosassa Elementary School]]
The CDP is served by [[Citrus County Schools]].<ref>"[http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/GUBlock/st12_fl/place/p1232375_homosassa/DC10BLK_P1232375_001.pdf 2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Homosassa CDP, FL]." [[U.S. Census Bureau]]. Retrieved on February 3, 2017. Compare this map to the attendance boundary maps of the school district.</ref> Homosassa Elementary School is in the community.<ref>[http://www.citrus.k12.fl.us/hom Citrus County Schools website], citrus.k12.fl.us; accessed June 5, 2016.</ref> Residents are zoned to Homosassa Elementary,<ref>"[http://www.citrus.k12.fl.us/pgm/DistrictMaps_files/13-14-elementary_2013_14-VT-AllStreets-Apprv-4-9-13.pdf Citrus County Elementary School Attendance Boundaries]." [[Citrus County Schools]]. Retrieved on February 2, 2017.</ref> Crystal River Middle School in [[Crystal River, Florida|Crystal River]],<ref>"[http://www.citrus.k12.fl.us/pgm/DistrictMaps_files/13-14-MiddleSchool_2013_14-AllStreets-Apprv-4-9-13.pdf Citrus County Middle School Attendance Boundaries]." [[Citrus County Schools]]. Retrieved on February 2, 2017.</ref> and [[Crystal River High School]] in Crystal River.<ref>"[http://www.citrus.k12.fl.us/pgm/DistrictMaps_files/13-14-highschool_2013-14-AllStreets-Apprv-4-9-13.pdf Citrus County High School Attendance Boundaries]." [[Citrus County Schools]]. Retrieved on February 2, 2017.</ref>

The nearest public library, the Homosassa Public Library of Citrus Libraries, located in [[Homosassa Springs, Florida|Homosassa Springs]].<ref>"[https://www.citruslibraries.org/locations-hours/ Locations & Hours] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205181756/https://www.citruslibraries.org/locations-hours/ |date=2017-02-05 }}." Citrus Libraries. Retrieved on February 4, 2017. "HOMOSASSA PUBLIC LIBRARY 4100 S. Grandmarch Avenue Homosassa, FL 34446"</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.visitcitrus.com/ Citrus County Visitors & Convention Bureau]
* [http://www.manateecam.com/ Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park]

{{Citrus County, Florida}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Census-designated places in Citrus County, Florida]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Florida]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Florida on the Gulf of Mexico]]<!--sort of-->