Aripeka, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aripeka, Florida
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The historic former Aripeka Post Office on the Pasco County side of the town
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Location of Aripeka in Hernando County and Pasco County, Florida.
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 Aripeka, Florida
Location in Florida
Aripeka, Florida
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| Counties | Pasco, Hernando |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.02 sq mi (2.64 km2) |
| • Land | 0.82 sq mi (2.13 km2) |
| • Water | 0.20 sq mi (0.52 km2) |
| Elevation | 5 ft (2 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 320 |
| • Density | 389.29/sq mi (150.40/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
34679 (originally 33502)
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| Area code(s) | 727 |
| FIPS code | 12-01875 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0293914 |
Aripeka is a small community in Florida, a state in the United States. It's located right on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. What's special about Aripeka is that it sits on the border between two counties: Pasco County and Hernando County.
Aripeka is known as an unincorporated community. This means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own city government. It's also a census-designated place (CDP), which is a special area the government uses to collect population data. In 2020, about 320 people lived there.
Contents
Where is Aripeka located?
Aripeka is found at a specific spot on the map, near a small water channel called Hammock Creek. This creek flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The area around Aripeka is mostly marshland, which means it's a wetland with grassy areas.
The line that divides Pasco County and Hernando County actually runs right through Aripeka. You can see this line at the South Hammock Creek Bridge.
How many people live in Aripeka?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 320 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
According to the 2020 census, the population of Aripeka was 320 people. A census is like a big count of everyone living in a country, done every ten years.
What is Aripeka's history?
Aripeka has an interesting past! The area was first settled in 1873 and was called Gulf Key. It even had its own post office starting in 1883. Later, the post office's name changed briefly to "Argo" before becoming "Aripeka" in 1895.
The name Aripeka comes from a Seminole chief who lived in the early 1800s. People believe he might have lived close to this area.
The town was split in two in 1887 when Pasco County was created from part of Hernando County. The post office, which was originally in Hernando County, moved to the Pasco County side in 1921.
A fun fact about Aripeka's history is that Babe Ruth, a very famous baseball player, once visited the town to go fishing! On June 3, 1993, Aripeka was officially recognized as a State Historic Site. This means it's a place with important history.
Who are some famous people from Aripeka?
- James Rosenquist, a well-known artist, had a home and art studio in Aripeka during the later years of his life.
How do people get around in Aripeka?
The main road that goes through Aripeka is called County Road 595. In Pasco County, it's known as Aripeka Road, and in Hernando County, it's called Osowaw Boulevard. This road was once part of the original Dixie Highway, a famous old road that connected many parts of the eastern United States.
Because the road is very close to the water, it sometimes floods in the middle of town. County Road 595 connects Aripeka to U.S. Route 19, another important highway in Florida.
Images for kids
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South Hammock Creek, looking west from the bridge
See also
In Spanish: Aripeka para niños
