Editing Sumter County, Florida

{{short description|County in Florida, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county             = Sumter County
 | state              = Florida
 | ex image           = Bushnell Sumter Cty Crths01.jpg
 | ex image size      = 300px
 | ex image cap       = The [[Sumter County Courthouse (Florida)|Sumter County Courthouse]] in Bushnell
 | type               = [[County (United States)|County]]
 | flag               = 
 | seal               = Sumter County Fl Seal.png
 | logo               = 
 | coordinates        = {{Coord|28.713326|-82.069522|region:US-FL_type:county|display=inline,title}}
 | founded year       = 1853
 | founded date       = January 8
 | named for          = [[Thomas Sumter]]
 | seat wl            = Bushnell
 | largest city wl    = The Villages
 | city type          = community
 | area_total_sq_mi   = 579.829
 | area_land_sq_mi    = 557.144
 | area_water_sq_mi   = 22.685
 | area percentage    = 3.91%
 | population_as_of   = 2020
 | population_total   = 129752
 | pop_est_as_of      = 2024
 | population_est     = 154693 {{increase}}
 | density_sq_mi      = 277.647
 | time zone          = Eastern
 | area codes         = [[Area code 352|352]]
 | district           = 11th
 | website            = {{URL|https://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/|sumtercountyfl.gov}}
 | footnote           = 
}}

'''Sumter County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[Central Florida|central]] portion of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Florida]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 129,752,<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Sumter_County,_Florida?g=050XX00US12119 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=April 14, 2025}}</ref> and was estimated to be 154,693 in 2024.<ref name="QF"/> Its [[county seat]] is [[Bushnell, Florida|Bushnell]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Find a County |url=https://ce.naco.org/?find=true |publisher=[[National Association of Counties]] |access-date=April 14, 2025}}</ref> and the largest city is [[Wildwood, Florida|Wildwood]].  [[The Villages, Florida|The Villages]] is located in Sumter County.

It has the oldest median age (68.1 years) of any US county in the 2022 estimate.<ref>{{cite web|title=America Is Getting Older |url=https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2023/population-estimates-characteristics.html |date=June 22, 2023 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=April 14, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The 7 U.S. Counties With the Oldest Residents |first=Marilyn |last=Lewis |url=https://www.moneytalksnews.com/slideshows/counties-with-the-oldest-residents/ |date=July 10, 2023 |publisher=[[Money Talks News]] |access-date=April 14, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=These Large US Counties Have the Youngest Median Populations |url=https://www.marketingcharts.com/demographics-and-audiences-230138 |date=July 27, 2023 |publisher=Marketing Charts |access-date=April 14, 2025}}</ref>

Sumter County coincides with the '''The Villages, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area''', which is included in the '''[[Greater Orlando|Orlando–Lakeland–Deltona, FL Combined Statistical Area]]'''.<ref>{{cite web|title=OMB Bulletin No. 20-01 Appendix |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Bulletin-20-01.pdf |publisher=[[White House]] and [[Office of Management and Budget]] |pages=37 & 140 |date=March 6, 2020 |access-date=April 5, 2022}}</ref>

==History==
Sumter County was created on January 8, 1853.<ref>{{cite web|title=Florida: Individual County Chronologies |url=https://publications.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/FL_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm |website=publications.newberry.org |publisher=The [[Newberry Library]] |date=2008 |access-date=April 14, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Publications of the Florida Historical Society |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WZQ-AAAAYAAJ&pg=RA2-PA34 |year=1908 |publisher=[[Florida Historical Society]] |page=34 |access-date=June 6, 2015}}</ref> It was named for General [[Thomas Sumter]], a general in the American Revolutionary War.<ref>{{cite news|title=Indian heritage runs deep throughout Central Florida |first=Freida Ratliff |last=Frisaro |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=C7hPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CQcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2347%2C3456475 |date=February 21, 1988 |publisher=[[Ocala StarBanner]] |page=63 |access-date=June 6, 2015}}</ref> The county in the past, and to this day by some, is nicknamed "Hog County" most likely because it is home to a large population of wild hogs. Hog hunting is still a favorite pastime of locals in the more rural portions of the county.{{fact|date=July 2023}}

Although long extremely rural, in recent years Sumter County has sustained an exceptionally large increase in population, almost solely due to the expansion of [[The Villages, Florida|The Villages]] retirement complex, a significant portion of which is in the county. This has dramatically changed the demographics of the county and has brought in significant income.

Sumter County was affected by the massive [[2007 Groundhog Day tornado outbreak|Florida tornado outbreak of February 2, 2007]], and a [[state of emergency]] was declared.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|579.829|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|557.144|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|22.685|sqmi}} (3.91%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2024 County Gazetteer Files – Florida|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_gaz_counties_12.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 14, 2025}}</ref> It is the 51st largest county in Florida by total area.

The Wildwood-The Villages, Florida [[Metropolitan statistical area]] (MSA) consists of Sumter County. The [[Principal city|principal cities]] of the MSA are Wildwood and The Villages. The MSA was first defined in or before 2003 as The Villages, Florida [[Micropolitan statistical area]] (μSA) with The Villages as the principal city. The area was designated an MSA in or before 2013. In 2023, Wildwood was added as a principal city and the name of the MSA.<ref>{{cite web|title=OMB Bulletin No. 03-04 – Attachment |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/whitehouse.gov/files/omb/assets/OMB/bulletins/b03-04_attach.pdf |date=June 6, 2003 |publisher=[[White House]] and [[Office of Management and Budget]] |access-date=July 28, 2023 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809124358/https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/whitehouse.gov/files/omb/assets/OMB/bulletins/b03-04_attach.pdf |page=39 |archive-date=August 9, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=OMB Bulletin No. 13-1: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas |url=https://www.bls.gov/bls/omb-bulletin-13-01-revised-delineations-of-metropolitan-statistical-areas.pdf |date=February 28, 2013 |publisher=[[Bureau of Labor Statistics]] |access-date=July 28, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Guidance on the Uses of the Delineations of These Areas |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/OMB-Bulletin-23-01.pdf |page=77 |date=July 21, 2023 |publisher=[[Executive Office of the President of the United States]] |access-date=July 28, 2023}}</ref>

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Marion County, Florida|Marion County]] - north
* [[Lake County, Florida|Lake County]] - east
* [[Polk County, Florida|Polk County]] - southeast
* [[Pasco County, Florida|Pasco County]] - southwest
* [[Hernando County, Florida|Hernando County]] - west
* [[Citrus County, Florida|Citrus County]] - northwest

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 1549
|1870= 2952
|1880= 4686
|1890= 5363
|1900= 6187
|1910= 6696
|1920= 7851
|1930= 10644
|1940= 11041
|1950= 11330
|1960= 11869
|1970= 14839
|1980= 24272
|1990= 31577
|2000= 53345
|2010= 93420
|2020= 129752
|estyear=2024
|estimate=154693
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{cite web|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |access-date=April 14, 2025}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref><br>1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |publisher=University of Virginia Library |url-status=live |date=2007 |access-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212224028/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |archive-date=December 12, 2009}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|last=Forstall |first=Richard L. |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/fl190090.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |url-status=live |date=March 27, 1995 |access-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990219135447/http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/fl190090.txt |archive-date=February 19, 1999}}</ref><br>1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=live |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF"/>
}}

As of the third quarter of 2024, the median home value in Sumter County was $403,970.<ref>{{Cite web|title=County Median Home Price|url=https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/housing-statistics/county-median-home-prices-and-monthly-mortgage-payment|publisher=[[National Association of Realtors]]|access-date=April 14, 2025}}</ref>

As of the 2023 [[American Community Survey]], there are 66,941 estimated households in Sumter County with an average of 1.93 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $73,297. Approximately 9.7% of the county's population lives at or below the [[Poverty in the United States|poverty line]]. Sumter County has an estimated 25.0% employment rate, with 35.1% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 93.2% holding a high school diploma.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Sumter County, Florida |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/sumtercountyflorida/PST045224 |access-date=April 14, 2025 |website=www.census.gov |language=en}}</ref>

<!-- The top five reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (100.0%), Spanish (0.0%), Indo-European (0.0%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.0%), and Other (0.0%). -->
The median age in the county was 68.2 years.

'''Sumter County, Florida – racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''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 may be of any race.''}}</small>
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-
! Race / ethnicity <small>(''NH = non-Hispanic'')</small>
! Pop. 1980<ref name=1980CensusScope>{{Cite web|title=Sumter County, Florida — Population by Race |url=https://censusscope.org/us/s12/c119/chart_race.html |publisher=CensusScope |access-date=April 14, 2025}}</ref> !! Pop. 1990<ref name="Census 1990">{{cite web|title=1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics Florida |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/ch-1/ch-1-11.pdf |website=www.census.gov |date=October 6, 2022 |page=19 |access-date=April 14, 2025}}</ref> !! Pop. 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Sumter County, Florida |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?g=050XX00US12119 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=April 14, 2025}}</ref> !! Pop. 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Sumter County, Florida |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US12119&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=April 14, 2025}}</ref> !! {{partial|Pop. 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Sumter County, Florida |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US12119&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=April 14, 2025}}</ref>
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
| 19,149<br>(78.89%) || 25,526<br>(80.84%) || 41,796<br>(78.35%) || 77,338<br>(82.79%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |109,213<br>(84.17%)
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
| 4,504<br>(18.56%) || 5,064<br>(16.04%) || 7,202<br>(13.50%) || 8,736<br>(9.35%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |8,313<br>(6.41%)
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
| 84<br>(0.35%) || 162<br>(0.51%) || 241<br>(0.45%) || 294<br>(0.31%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |311<br>(0.24%)
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
| 30<br>(0.12%) || 51<br>(0.16%) || 216<br>(0.40%) || 609<br>(0.65%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |1,238<br>(0.95%)
|-
| [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
| — || — || 28<br>(0.05%) || 28<br>(0.03%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |31<br>(0.02%)
|-
| [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
| 0<br>(0.00%) || 12<br>(0.04%) || 13<br>(0.02%) || 77<br>(0.08%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |320<br>(0.25%)
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or multiracial]] (NH)
| — || — || 493<br>(0.92%) || 756<br>(0.81%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |2,743<br>(2.11%)
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
| 505<br>(2.08%) || 762<br>(2.41%) || 3,356<br>(6.29%) || 5,582<br>(5.98%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |7,583<br>(5.84%)
|-
| '''Total'''
| '''24,272<br>(100.00%)''' || '''31,577<br>(100.00%)''' || '''53,345<br>(100.00%)''' || '''93,420<br>(100.00%)''' || style='background: #ffffe6; |'''129,752<br>(100.00%)'''
|}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 129,752 people, 62,907 households, and 41,080 families residing in the county.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Sumter%20County,%20Florida%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=April 14, 2025 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|232.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 75,304 housing units at an average density of {{convert|135.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the county was 86.36% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 6.62% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.30% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.97% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.47% from some other races and 4.25% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people of any race were 5.84% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How many people live in Sumter County, Florida |url=https://data.usatoday.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/sumter-county-florida/050-12119/ |access-date=April 14, 2025 |publisher=USA Today}}</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 53,345 people, 20,779 households, and 15,043 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|98|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 25,195 housing units at an average density of {{convert|46|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the county was 82.60% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 13.78% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.51% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.41% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.05% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.16% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.49% from two or more races. 6.29% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 20,779 households, out of which 18.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.90% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.62.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 16.10% under the age of 18, 5.90% from 18 to 24, 23.30% from 25 to 44, 27.30% from 45 to 64, and 27.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females, there were 113.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 113.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,073, and the median income for a family was $36,999. Males had a median income of $27,346 versus $21,145 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $16,830. About 9.60% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the [[Poverty threshold|poverty line]], including 26.00% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.

==Law enforcement==
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
| agencyname        = Sumter County Sheriff's Office
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| divname           = Florida
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| subdivname        = Sumter County, Florida
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| headquarters      = [[Bushnell, Florida]]
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The Sumter County Sheriff's Office is accredited by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc. and recognized by the [[Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies]]. It primarily patrols the unincorporated areas of Sumter County.

[[Federal Correctional Complex, Coleman]] of the [[Federal Bureau of Prisons]] (BOP) is located in the county.

It includes:
* [[Federal Correctional Institution, Coleman Low]] (FCI Coleman Low)
* [[Federal Correctional Institution, Coleman Medium]] (FCI Coleman Medium)
* [[United States Penitentiary I, Coleman]] (Coleman USP I)
* [[United States Penitentiary II, Coleman]] (Coleman USP II)

==Politics==
{{PresHead|place=Sumter County, Florida|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|72,134|32,551|923|Florida}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|62,761|29,341|522|Florida}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|52,730|22,638|1,870|Florida}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|40,646|19,524|376|Florida}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|30,866|17,655|462|Florida}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|19,800|11,584|458|Florida}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|12,127|9,637|497|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|5,960|7,017|2,423|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|4,366|5,027|2,936|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|5,936|3,900|60|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|6,255|3,461|1|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|3,671|4,380|216|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|2,212|4,721|157|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|3,695|1,107|15|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1968|American Independent|910|1,277|2,879|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,631|2,259|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,120|2,279|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|1,061|2,329|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|1,054|2,277|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|251|1,411|490|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|276|1,838|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|253|2,382|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|734|1,724|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|276|2,138|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,152|909|11|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|108|481|89|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|219|921|15|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|70|599|74|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|22|417|119|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|62|343|87|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|61|316|123|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|53|343|24|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|89|524|36|Florida}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Democratic|0|444|305|Florida}}
Most likely owing to its majority-elderly population, Sumter County has been a Republican stronghold in the 21st century.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

==Transportation==
{{Incomplete list|date=August 2008}}

===Railroads===
[[CSX Transportation|CSX]] operates one rail line within the county. [[Amtrak]] formerly provided passenger rail service to [[Wildwood (Amtrak station)|Wildwood]], but the stop was terminated in late 2004.<ref name="Amshack">{{cite web|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2004/10/29/Pasco/Loss_of_Amtrak_servic.shtml|title=St. Petersburg Times|work=Loss of Amtrak service shouldn't derail Dade City|access-date=October 29, 2004}}</ref> Other lines have existed in the past, most notably one from Coleman southeast towards [[Auburndale, Florida|Auburndale]] in Polk County, part of which includes the [[General James A. Van Fleet State Trail]] in Mabel. Amtrak ran along this line until 1988. Another line ran from Croom in [[Hernando County]] to Center Hill. Today, part of it is a Forest Road in [[Withlacoochee State Forest]] north of the Sumter Rest Area on I-75. A fourth one was part of the [[Orange Belt Railway]], which ran from [[Trilby, Florida|Trilby]] in Pasco County to [[Sylvan Lake (Florida)|Sylvan Lake]] in Seminole County. This runs along the south side of State Road 50 east of Tarrytown.

===Major roads===
{{See also|List of county roads in Sumter County, Florida}}
===Interstates and expressways===
* {{Jct|state=FL|I|75|name1=[[SR 93 (FL)|SR 93]]}} runs north and south across the western and northern part of the county, with interchanges at County Roads 476B & 673(Exit 309), SR 48 (Exit 314) CR 470(Exit 321), Florida's Turnpike(Exit 328), and SR 44(Exit 329).
* {{Jct|state=FL|FLTP|name1=[[SR 91 (FL)|SR 91]]}} runs north and south from Southeastern and Central Florida. Only three interchanges exist in the county; US 301 (Exit 304), SR 44 (Exit 307), and at the northern terminus at I-75 (unmarked Exit 309), in Wildwood.

===Surface roads===
* {{Jct|state=FL|US|301|name1=[[SR 35 (FL)|SR 35]]}} is the main local road through Sumter County, running southwest to northeast.
* {{Jct|state=FL|SR|44}} runs east and west through the northern part of the county from Rutland into Lake County.
* {{Jct|state=FL|CR|470|county1=Sumter}}: runs east and west from SR 44 near the Sumter-Citrus County Line along the west side of [[Lake Panasoffkee, Florida|Lake Panasoffkee]], then briefly joins US 301 in [[Sumterville, Florida|Sumterville]] before heading east again towards Lake County.
* {{Jct|state=FL|CR|48|county1=Sumter}} runs mostly east and west through Central Sumter County. It spans from Floral City in Citrus County to Howey-in-the Hills in Lake County. Until December 2016 the segment in Bushnell between I-75 (Exit 314) and US 301 was designated as a state road. Between the western terminus and US 301, it is also shared by the DeSoto Trail.
* {{Jct|state=FL|CR|476|county1=Sumter}}: East-West Bi-County road running from Nobleton in Hernando County to Webster. The road spans as far west as [[U.S. Route 19 in Florida|US 19]] along the [[Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge]].
*  {{Jct|state=FL|SR|50}} runs east and west across the southern part of the county from [[Withlacoochee State Forest]] in Hernando County through Tarrytown and Mabel before entering Lake County.
*  {{Jct|state=FL|SR|471}} runs north and south from Polk County north of US 98 into US 301 in Sumterville.
* {{Jct|state=FL|CR|475|county1=Sumter}}: Two north–south roads that were previously one until Interstate 75 was built. One section spans from SR 48 in Bushnell to CR 470 on the southeast corner of Exit 321 on I-75 in Lake Panasoffkee. The other starts at SR 44 in Wildwood west of Exit 329 on I-75 and crosses the Marion County line towards Ocala.
* {{Jct|state=FL|CR|462|county1=Sumter}}: is a west to east rural county road in northern Sumter County.
* {{Jct|state=FL|CR|466|county1=Sumter}}:  is a west to east rural county road in northern Sumter County.
* {{Jct|state=FL|CR|466A|county1=Sumter}}: is a suffixed alternate route of CR 466. 
* {{Jct|state=FL|CR|476A|county1=Sumter}}: is a suffixed alternate route of CR 476 within Busnnell.
* {{Jct|state=FL|CR|476B|county1=Sumter}}: is a suffixed alternate route of CR 476. It spans northwest from I-75 at Exit 309 to CR 476 west of Bushnell.
* {{Jct|state=FL|CR|673|county1=Sumter}}: is a west to east rural county road in southern Sumter County spanning from I-75 at Exit 309 to US 301 in St. Catherine.

[[File:Citrus-Sumter CR 48 Bridge; Looking East(Wynn Haven).JPG|thumb|right|upright=.95|Entering Sumter County over the [[Withlacoochee River (Florida)|Withlacoochee River]] on County Road 48]]

===Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway===
The Sumter County Chamber of Commerce, the cities of Webster and Bushnell, the Sumter County government, businesses, community leaders, veterans’ groups, and individuals worked to have 62 miles of road in Sumter County designated by the state of Florida as a Florida Scenic Byway.<ref name="SSHB">{{cite web |author=South Lake Press Staff |title=Sumter wins Florida Scenic Byway recognition |publisher=South Lake Press |date=June 21, 2013 |url=http://www.southlakepress.com/news/article_c46af754-0385-56c7-b37d-134c4f0c2ee0.html |access-date=March 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308045240/http://www.southlakepress.com/news/article_c46af754-0385-56c7-b37d-134c4f0c2ee0.html |archive-date=March 8, 2016 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>  On September 1, 2010, the Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway was designated a candidate for the Florida Scenic Highway Program.<ref>{{cite web |author=Florida Scenic Highway Program |title=FSHP Designated and Eligible Scenic Highway Information |publisher=Florida Scenic Highway Program |date=Jun 2010 |url=http://www.floridascenichighways.com/program/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Corridor-Matrix_MASTER-v4.pdf |access-date=March 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322003436/http://www.floridascenichighways.com/program/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Corridor-Matrix_MASTER-v4.pdf |archive-date=March 22, 2014 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>  The Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway became the 24th highway to be designated a Florida Scenic Highway by the Florida Department of Transportation in June 2013.<ref name="SSHB"/> Points of interest along the route include the Dade Battlefield State Historic Site, the Sumter County Farmer's Market, Lake Panasoffkee, the [[Florida National Cemetery]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Locklear |first=Brenda |title=Byways to benefit businesses, communities |publisher=Sumter County Times |date=February 4, 2014 |url=http://www.sumtercountytimes.com/content/byways-benefit-businessescommunities |access-date=March 9, 2014 |archive-date=March 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322001009/http://www.sumtercountytimes.com/content/byways-benefit-businessescommunities |url-status=dead }}</ref> On January 25, 2014, community leaders, supporters of the byway, and Assistant Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation Brian Blanchard cut the ribbon to the highway at the [[Dade Battlefield State Historic Site]] in Bushnell.<ref>{{cite web |author=Sumter County Times Staff |title=Out and About |publisher=Sumter County Times |date=January 22, 2014 |url=http://www.sumtercountytimes.com/content/out-and-about-2 |access-date=March 9, 2014 |archive-date=March 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322001511/http://www.sumtercountytimes.com/content/out-and-about-2 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Public Transportation===
Sumter County operates [[Sumter County Transit]], which operates three fixed-route services, as well as paratransit service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sumtercountyfl.gov/index.aspx?NID=184|title=Reservations and Routes - Sumter County, FL - Official Website|website=sumtercountyfl.gov}}</ref>

==Education==
[[Sumter District Schools]] operates district public and private schools in Sumter County.

[[The Villages Charter Schools]] is a K-12 charter school in unincorporated northern Sumter County in [[The Villages, Florida|The Villages CDP]].<ref>"[http://www.thevillagescharterschool.org/ Welcome]." ''The Villages Charter Schools''. Retrieved on December 11, 2008.</ref> Children are eligible to attend the charter school if one or both of their parents work for The Villages.<ref>"[http://www.thevillagescharterschool.org/images/CharterSchoolBrochure.pdf Charter-in-the-Workplace]." ''The Villages Charter Schools''. Retrieved on December 11, 2008.</ref>

Among  other schools  in  the county  is South Sumter Middle School, a junior high school for students in grades 6–8, and [[Lake-Sumter State College]] has a campus in [[Sumterville, Florida|Sumterville]] that serves the community.

===Libraries===
Sumter County has five branches serving its community as well as a Lake-Sumter State College campus library that is open to the public.
* Bushnell Public Library
* E.C. Rowell Public Library
* Panasoffkee Community Library
* Villages Public Library (Belvedere)
* Villages Public Library (Pinellas Plaza)
* Lake-Sumter State College Library (Sumterville)

The Sumter County Library Services began servicing the Wahoo, Center Hill, Linden, Croom-A-Coochee areas through the county's Library on Wheels program in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |author=Sumter County Board of County Commissioners |title=Annual Report 2008 |publisher=Sumter County Board of County Commissioners |date=2008 |url=http://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/documentcenter/view/281 |format=PDF |access-date=March 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322013534/http://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/documentcenter/view/281 |archive-date=March 22, 2014 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

==Communities==

===Cities===
* [[Bushnell, Florida|Bushnell]]
* [[Center Hill, Florida|Center Hill]]
* [[Coleman, Florida|Coleman]]
* [[Webster, Florida|Webster]]
* [[Wildwood, Florida|Wildwood]]

===Census-designated places===
* [[Lake Panasoffkee, Florida|Lake Panasoffkee]]
* [[The Villages, Florida|The Villages]]

===Other unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Croom-A-Coochee, Florida|Croom-A-Coochee]]
* [[Cumpressco, Florida|Cumpressco]]
* [[Linden, Florida|Linden]]
* [[Mabel, Florida|Mabel]]
* [[Oak Grove, Sumter County, Florida|Oak Grove]]
* [[Orange Home, Florida|Orange Home]]
* [[Oxford, Florida|Oxford]]
* [[Royal, Florida|Royal]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://florida.hometownlocator.com/fl/sumter/royal.cfm|title=Royal Populated Place Profile / Sumter County, Florida Data|website=florida.hometownlocator.com}}</ref>
* [[Rutland, Florida|Rutland]]
* [[St. Catherine, Florida|St. Catherine]]
* [[Sumterville, Florida|Sumterville]]
* [[Tarrytown, Florida|Tarrytown]]
* [[Wahoo, Florida|Wahoo]]
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Sumter County, Florida]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{AmCyc Poster|Sumter|Sumter County, Florida}}

===Government links/Constitutional offices===
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160604121342/http://sumtercountyfl.gov/ Sumter County Board of County Commissioners]
* [http://www.sumterelections.org/ Sumter County Supervisor of Elections]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050105084018/http://www.qpublic.net/sumter/ Sumter County Property Appraiser]
* [http://www.sumtercountysheriff.org/ Sumter County Sheriff's Office]
* [http://www.sumtertaxcollector.com/ Sumter County Tax Collector]
*Sumter County Clerk of Court

====Special districts====
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070125121034/http://www.sumter.k12.fl.us/ Sumter County School Board]
* [http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us Southwest Florida Water Management District]

====Judicial branch====
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041206225520/http://www.co.hernando.fl.us/judicial/  Public Defender, 5th Judicial Circuit of Florida] serving [[Citrus County, Florida|Citrus]], [[Hernando County, Florida|Hernando]], [[Lake County, Florida|Lake]], [[Marion County, Florida|Marion]], and Sumter counties
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041025165407/http://jud5.flcourts.org/sao/index-backup-091603.htm  Office of the State Attorney, 5th Judicial Circuit of Florida]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20020125233332/http://jud5.flcourts.org/  Circuit and County Court for the 5th Judicial Circuit of Florida]

====Museum and Library Resources====
* [http://ibistro.dos.state.fl.us/uhtbin/cgisirsi.exe/jVtnxgMDna/STA-FLA/138785558/18/X651/XSUBJECT/Sumter+County+(Fla.) Photographs]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} From the State Library & Archives of Florida.
* [http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00028420 ''The Sumter County Times,''] the local newspaper for Sumter County, Florida fully and openly available in the [http://ufdc.ufl.edu/FDNL1 Florida Digital Newspaper Library]

===Business and Visitor Information===
* [https://www.sumterchamber.org/ Sumter County Chamber of Commerce]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Sumter County, Florida
|North     = [[Marion County, Florida|Marion County]]
|Northeast =
|East      = [[Lake County, Florida|Lake County]]
|Southeast = [[Polk County, Florida|Polk County]]
|South     =
|Southwest = [[Pasco County, Florida|Pasco County]]
|West      = [[Citrus County, Florida|Citrus County]] and [[Hernando County, Florida|Hernando County]]
|Northwest =
}}
{{Sumter County, Florida}}
{{Geography of Florida}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Sumter County, Florida| ]]
[[Category:Florida counties]]
[[Category:1853 establishments in Florida]]
[[Category:Counties in Greater Orlando]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1853]]
[[Category:Metropolitan areas of Florida]]