Land O' Lakes, Florida

History

The land that is now Land O' Lakes was taken from its Native American inhabitants in the 1830s as part of the Second Seminole War. By the 1840s, a stage coach line ran through the center of where the CDP is now located. Eventually, by the early 1900s, a railroad line ran through the CDP and a station was built.

Throughout the 20th century, Land O' Lakes expanded and absorbed surrounding communities such as Denham, Ehren, and Gowers Corner.

Dupree Gardens, one of Florida's original roadside tourist attractions, was located in what is now known as Land O' Lakes. The name Land O' Lakes was suggested and thought of in 1949. On September 1950, the community was renamed Land O' Lakes.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 35,929 people, 13,663 households, and 10,393 families residing in the CDP.

In 2020, by age the population was split with 5.0% under 5 years old, 22.9% under 18 years old, and 17.1% 65 years or older. 50.8% of the population were female persons. The CDP had an average of 2.82 persons per household.

As of 2020, there were 2,636 veterans living in the CDP and 12.2% of the population were foreign born persons.

In 2020, the owner-occupied housing rate was 81.6%. The median value of owner-occupied housing units was $269,900. The median monthly owner costs with a mortgage was $1,720 and without a mortgage was $567. The median gross rent was $1,524. 98.5% of households had a computer and 95.1% had a broadband Internet subscription. 94.0% of the population 25 years and older were high school graduates or higher and 35.8% of that same population had a Bachelor's degree or higher. The median household income was $84,146 and the per capita income was $36,877. 8.2% of the population lived below the poverty threshold.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 31,996 people, 11,820 households, and 8,515 families residing in the CDP.

Major roads

• [[File:Toll Florida 589.svg|25px]] Suncoast Parkway runs north and south along the western edge of Land O' Lakes (actually closer to Odessa).
• [[File:US 41.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 41 (Land O' Lakes Boulevard) is the main north-south road in Land O' Lakes as well as the rest of central Pasco County
• [[File:Florida 52.svg|20x20px]] SR 52 is a main east-west road that runs through central Pasco County, from US 19 near Hudson to US 98 in Dade City.
• [[File:Florida 54.svg|20px]] SR 54 is the main east-west road that runs through southern Pasco County, from US 19 near Holiday to US 301 in Zephyrhills.
• [[File:Florida 597.svg|25px]] SR 597 (Dale Mabry Highway)
• [[File:Pasco County Road 583 FL.svg|25px]] County Road 583 (Ehren Cutoff) runs northeast to southwest from US 41 to SR 52 in rural Pasco County.
• Collier Parkway

Culture

An honorary mayor position was established by area residents in 1968. The honorary mayor has no real political power and only has ceremonial duties.

The town is a member of Pasco County Libraries with a library branch, the Land O' Lakes Branch Library, at 2818 Collier Parkway, Land O' Lakes, Florida 34639.

Education

Public district schools are operated by the Pasco County Schools.

High schools

• Angeline Academy of Innovation
• Pasco eSchool
• Land O Lakes High School
• Sunlake High School

Middle schools

• Angeline Academy of Innovation
• Pasco eSchool
• Charles S. Rushe Middle School
• Pine View Middle School

Charter schools

• Classical Preparatory School
• Countryside Montessori
• Imagine School at Land O Lakes

Private schools

• Angeline Country Day School
• Academy at the Lakes
• Center Academy Lutz
• Land O Lakes Christian School

Notable companies

• Artix Entertainment
• Hungry Harry´s Famous Barbecue

Points of interest

• Conner Preserve
• Cypress Creek Preserve
• Dupree Gardens (Historical marker and gate ruins)

References

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
3. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
4. (October 25, 2007). "US Board on Geographic Names". [[United States Geological Survey]].
5. "Developing Land O'Lakes". NatureCoaster.
6. "What's In A Name: Denham Oaks Elementary School".
7. Octavio, Miguel. (2023-12-06). "A brief history of the once thriving Dupree Gardens in Land O' Lakes".
8. "History of Land O' Lakes, Pasco County, Florida".
9. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Land O' Lakes CDP, Florida".
10. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Land O' Lakes CDP, Florida".
11. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Land O' Lakes CDP, Florida".
12. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Land O' Lakes CDP, Florida".
13. Sullivan, Erin. "[http://www.sptimes.com/2006/11/02/news_pf/Pasco/A_mayor__but_not_actu.shtml A mayor, but not actually mayoral]." {{Webarchive. link. (March 4, 2016 ''[[St. Petersburg Times]]''. November 2, 2006. Retrieved on March 19, 2014.)