Christmas, Florida

Christmas, Florida
—  CDP  —
Location in Orange County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 28°32′N 81°0′W / 28.533°N 81°W / 28.533; -81Coordinates: 28°32′N 81°0′W / 28.533°N 81°W / 28.533; -81
Country	United States
State	Florida
County	Orange
Area
- Total	3.6 sq mi (9.3 km2)
- Land	3.6 sq mi (9.3 km2)
- Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	43 ft (13 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	1,162
- Density	322.8/sq mi (124.9/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	32709
Area code(s)	407, 321
FIPS code	12-12250[1]
GNIS feature ID	0280429[2]

Christmas is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Orange County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,162 at the 2000 census. Christmas is home to the world's largest alligator shaped building, measuring at just over 200 feet (61 m). Every year, Christmas sends a large amount of mail from its Post Office from people who mail letters from the town so they can have the "Christmas" postmark on their holiday mailings.

It is also home to many Orlando digital TV stations' transmission towers.

History

On December 25, 1837, a force of 2,000 U.S. Army Soldiers and Alabama Volunteers arrived in the area to construct a fort, which they named, Fort Christmas. The fort was one of over 200 forts built during the Second Seminole War.

Geography

Christmas is located at 28°32′N 81°0′W / 28.533°N 81°W / 28.533; -81 (28.5324, -80.9940)^[3]. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.21 km² (3.6 mi²), all land.

Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 1,162 people, 420 households, and 304 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 125.7/km² (325.3/mi²). There were 446 housing units at an average density of 48.2/km² (124.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.44% White, 0.43% African American, 0.69% Native American, 0.95% Asian, 0.60% from other races, and 1.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.15% of the population.

There were 420 households out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.08.

"Swampy" the World's Largest Gator at Jungle Adventures Nature Animal Park.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 107.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $31,679, and the median income for a family was $30,667. Males had a median income of $32,981 versus $22,269 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $13,816. About 15.0% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.3% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.

Panoramic View

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
2. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
3. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 

External links

• Ft. Christmas Historical Park Website
• World's Largest Alligator