KISSIMMEE FLORIDA

KISSIMMEE FLORIDA

The area was originally named Allendale, after Confederate Major J.H. Allen who operated the first cargo steamboat along the Kissimmee River - the Mary Belle. It was renamed Kissimmee when incorporated as a city in 1883. The name, Kissimmee, came from 'Cacema', a Native American name meaning 'long water'. Its growth can be credited to Hamilton Disston of Philadelphia, who based his four-million acre (8,000 square kilometer) drainage operation out of the small town. Disston had contracted with the financially wobbly state of Florida to drain its southern lands, for which he would own half of all he successfully drained. This deal made Disston the largest single landowner in the United States.  See New Construction Homes In Kissimmee

As of the census of 2000, there were 47,814 people, 17,121 households, and 11,813 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,866.6 per square mile (1,106.8/kilometer square). There were 19,642 housing units at an average density of 1,177.6 per square mile (454.7/kilometer square). The racial makeup of the city was 67.22% White, 9.99% African American, 0.52% Native American, 3.38% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 14.15% from other races, and 4.66% from two or more races.

 Hispanic or Latino of any race was 41.73% of the population. The majority of Hispanics residing in the city are Puerto Ricans. There are also small Colombian, Cuban, Dominican and Mexican communities residing in and/or around the city.

There were 17,121 households out of which 37.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% 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 3.21.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 34.9% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,949, and the median income for a family was $36,361. Males had a median income of $25,851 versus $21,025 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,071. About 12.3% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.0% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those ages 65 or over.

In 2010 Kissimmee had a population of 59,682. The racial and ethnic composition was 58.9% Hispanic (33.1% Puerto Rican, 5.1% Dominican, 4.0% Colombian, 3.9% Mexican, 2.6% Cuban, 1.4% Venezuelan, 0.9% Ecuadorian, 0.7% Salvadoran, 0.7% Peruvian, 0.6% Honduran, 0.6% Nicaraguan) or Latino, 26.2% non-Hispanic White, 9.6% non-Hispanic African American, 2.8% Hispanic black, 0.6% Native American, 3.4% Asian (1.1% Asian Indian, 0.8% Filipino), 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.4% Non-Hispanic from some other race and 4.7% two or more races.  See Homes For Sale In Kissimmee.

The SchoolDistrict of Osceola County, Florida serves Kissimmee.

Public schools

The following Osceola County public schools are located in Kissimmee:

Elementary schools

Boggy Creek Elementary

Central Avenue Elementary

Chestnut Elementary School

Cypress Elementary

Deerwood Elementary

Highlands Elementary

Kissimmee Elementary

Kissimmee Charter Academy

Mill Creek Elementary

Partin Settlement Elementary

Pleasant Hill Elementary

Reedy Creek Elementary

Bellalago Academy Charter School

Sunrise Elementary School

Thacker Avenue Elementary

Ventura Elementary

Kissimmee Charter Academy

Westside K-8 School

Flora Ridge Elementary

Middle schools

Denn John Middle School

Discovery Intermediate School

Horizon Middle School

Kissimmee Charter Academy

Kissimmee Middle School

Bellalago Academy Charter School

Neptune Middle School

Parkway Middle School

New Beginnings Education Complex (Alternative school)

Westside K-8 School

High schools

Gateway High School - One of the high schools in the area that offers the International Baccalaureate Program.

Liberty High School

Osceola County School For The Arts (6-12)

Osceola High School

PATHS@TECO

Poinciana High School

Celebration High School - Started in 2009, the International Baccalaureate Program is offered here as well.

Private schools

Freedom land Christian Academy (K3-12th Grade)

Heritage Christian School K3-12 grade (Ministry of Bible Baptist Church)

Shady Oaks Private School, founded 1969, PK-5.

North Kissimmee Christian School, founded 1995, k3-12th grade

Holy Redeemer Catholic School (Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade)

Osceola Adventist Christian School (Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade)

Poinciana Academy

City of Life, founded 1994, k3-12th grade (formerly known as Heartland Christian academy [formerly known as Heartland Preparatory])

Southland Christian School, K3-12 grade. "House of Flame"

Institutions of higher education

State colleges

Valencia College, Osceola Campus

University of Central Florida, Osceola Campus

Private universities, colleges, and others

Johnson University Florida; formerly Florida Christian College