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Coleman, Florida
City of Coleman
Coleman City Hall
Coleman City Hall
Location in Sumter County and the state of Florida
Location in Sumter County and the state of Florida
Country  United States
State  Florida
County  Sumter
Settled
(Fort McClure)
June 8, 1840
Settled
(Warm Springs)
1853
Incorporated
(Town of Coleman)
1882
Incorporated
(City of Coleman)
June 20, 1908
Government
 • Type Mayor-Council
Area
 • Total 2.24 sq mi (5.80 km2)
 • Land 2.24 sq mi (5.80 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
66 ft (20 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 642
 • Density 286.86/sq mi (110.74/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
33521
Area code(s) 352
FIPS code 12-13400
GNIS feature ID 0280642

Coleman is a small city located in Sumter County, Florida, in the United States. It's a quiet place with a population of 642 people, according to the 2020 census. Even though it's small, Coleman has an interesting history and plays a part in the local area.

History of Coleman

Early Beginnings: Fort McClure and Warm Springs

The area where Coleman now stands has a long history. On June 8, 1840, a place called Fort McClure was established. This was during a time when soldiers were exploring the Lake Panasoffkee area.

By 1853, the community around Fort McClure had grown and was given a new name: Warm Springs.

Becoming a Town and City

In 1882, Warm Springs officially became a town. It was named the Town of Coleman after Dr. B.F. Coleman. When a place is "incorporated as a municipality," it means it gets its own local government and rules.

In the early 1900s, Coleman was known for its farming. People grew citrus fruits, cotton, and especially cabbage. Raising cattle was also a big part of the local economy.

On June 20, 1908, the Town of Coleman was officially reincorporated as the City of Coleman. This meant it became an even more organized city with its own government.

In 1926, a railway line, the Seaboard Air Line, started running through Coleman. This helped connect the city to other places like West Palm Beach.

Protecting Nature in Coleman

In 1992, officials from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) bought land near Lake Panasoffkee. Their goal was to protect the environment and the many different kinds of plants and animals living there. This area is home to over 300 species! While some people liked this idea, others worried it might limit public access to the land.

Geography and Climate

Where is Coleman Located?

The City of Coleman is located in central Florida. Its exact coordinates are 28.800331 degrees North and 82.068766 degrees West.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Coleman covers about 1.5 square miles (3.9 square kilometers) of land. There is no water within the city limits.

Coleman's Landscape and Soil

Coleman is part of the South Central Florida Ridge area. The soil here is mostly sandy. It drains water well or somewhat well. The topsoil is acidic, but deeper soils might be alkaline, often with limestone rocks. There's also a type of sandy clay soil southeast of the main city area.

Weather in Coleman

Coleman has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot and humid summers. The winters are generally mild, not too cold.

People of Coleman (Demographics)

Population Changes Over Time

Coleman's population has changed quite a bit over the years. Here's how it has grown and shrunk:

Historical population
Census Pop.
1910 387
1920 640 65.4%
1930 786 22.8%
1940 764 −2.8%
1950 849 11.1%
1960 921 8.5%
1970 614 −33.3%
1980 1,022 66.4%
1990 857 −16.1%
2000 647 −24.5%
2010 703 8.7%
2020 642 −8.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

Who Lives in Coleman?

The 2020 United States census counted 642 people living in Coleman. There were 299 households and 175 families.

The 2010 United States census showed 703 people, 261 households, and 144 families.

Here's a look at the different groups of people living in Coleman, based on the 2010 and 2020 censuses:

Coleman racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race Pop 2010 Pop 2020 % 2010 % 2020
White (NH) 396 341 56.33% 53.12%
Black or African American (NH) 263 213 37.41% 33.18%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 6 3 0.85% 0.47%
Asian (NH) 4 10 0.57% 1.56%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) 0 0 0.00% 0.00%
Some other race (NH) 0 2 0.00% 0.31%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) 1 31 0.14% 4.83%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 33 42 4.69% 6.54%
Total 703 642

See also

In Spanish: Coleman (Florida) para niños

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