Lake City, Florida

Lake City is a city located in Columbia County, Florida, USA. In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population at 11,953.^[2]. It is the county seat of Columbia County^GR6, and is the Principal City of the Lake City Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is composed of Columbia County, and had an estimated 2006 population of 67,007.

History

The site of Lake City was a Seminole village named Alpata Telophka, meaning "Alligator Town". By 1830, a white American town called Alligator was established, adjacent to the Seminole town. The city was incorporated and changed to its current name in 1859. The name was changed because the mayor's wife, who had recently moved to the town, refused to hang her lace curtains in a town named Alligator. The American Civil War Battle of Olustee took place near Lake City in February of 1864. By the early 20th century, Lake City had become an important railroad junction, served by the Seaboard Air Line, Atlantic Coast Line, Georgia Southern, and the Florida Railroad. By 1950, it had a population of 7,467 people.

Every February since 1976 Lake City has hosted the Olustee Battle Festival & Re-Enactment. Lake City also holds its Alligator Fest each October.

Geography

Lake City is located at 30°11′23″N, 82°38′23″W (30.189640, -82.639654)^GR1. Lake City is near the intersection of Interstate highways I-10 and I-75. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.1 mi² (28.7 km²). 10.6 square miles (27 km²) of it is land and .5 square miles (1 km²) of it is water. The total area is 4.69% water.

Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there are 9,980 people, 4,043 households, and 2,429 families residing in the city. The population density is 944.8/mi² (364.9/km²). There are 4,536 housing units at an average density of 429.4/mi² (165.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 59.32% White, 37.46% African American, 0.23% Native American, 1.02% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 1.55% from two or more races. 2.82% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 4,043 households out of which 28.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.5% are married couples living together, 20.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.9% are non-families. 33.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 15.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.34 and the average family size is 3.01.

In the city the population is spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $26,161, and the median income for a family is $31,920. Males have a median income of $27,369 versus $21,290 for females. The per capita income for the city is $14,697. 20.5% of the population and 16.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 27.8% of those under the age of 18 and 16.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Economy

Lake City and Columbia County, Florida are known as "The Gateway to Florida" because Interstate 75 runs though them, carrying a large percentage of Florida's tourist and trade traffic, and Lake City is the northernmost sizable town/city in Florida on Interstate 75.

Agricultural products of the area include tobacco, corn, peanuts, cotton, and melons.

Lake City is the location of the Osceola National Forest's administrative offices.

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