Homosassa, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Homosassa, Florida
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Homosassa Post Office
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Location in Citrus County and the state of Florida
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| County | Citrus |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.33 sq mi (21.58 km2) |
| • Land | 7.81 sq mi (20.23 km2) |
| • Water | 0.52 sq mi (1.35 km2) |
| Elevation | 0 ft (0 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,299 |
| • Density | 294.33/sq mi (113.64/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
34446, 34448, 34487
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| Area code(s) | 352 |
| FIPS code | 12-32375 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0284219 |
Homosassa is a special kind of community in Citrus County, Florida, United States. It's called a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's a place that looks like a town but doesn't have its own local government.
In 2020, about 2,299 people lived in Homosassa. It's part of the larger Homosassa Springs area.
Contents
History of Homosassa
The name Homosassa comes from the Seminole Indian language. It might mean "river of fishes" or "pepper ridge." Both names fit the area well!
Early Sugar Plantation
In 1851, a man named David Levy Yulee started a large sugar plantation. It was about 5,000 acres (20 square kilometers) big. This plantation was located near the Homosassa River.
The plantation grew sugar cane, cotton, and citrus fruits. Yulee's orange groves were among the first in Florida to grow sweet oranges. A steam-powered mill on the plantation made sugar, syrup, and molasses.
The mill operated until 1864. After the American Civil War ended in 1865, the plantation was no longer used. Today, you can visit the remains of the plantation at the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park. It's a cool place to see a piece of history!
Wildlife and Nature in Homosassa
Homosassa is famous for its amazing wildlife, especially the gentle manatees.
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
The Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is a big attraction here. Many manatees come to this park because the springs have warm water. This is super important for them, especially in cooler weather.
The park is also home to other animals like Florida panthers, black bears, red wolves, and alligators. You might even see flamingos!
Lu the Hippopotamus
One of the most famous residents of the park is Lu, a hippopotamus. Lu is special because he has appeared in many movies! He's a beloved part of the park.
The "Fish Bowl" Viewing Area
The park has a unique underwater viewing spot called the "fish bowl." It's like a giant window where you can see manatees and fish swimming in the spring. It's a great way to see these animals up close without disturbing them.
Protecting Wildlife
The Wildlife Park teaches people about protecting manatees. They also show how important it is to keep our environment clean. Homosassa is a quiet area, but its natural beauty makes it special.
Fishing in Homosassa
The Homosassa and Halls rivers flow through the area. It's common to see manatees pop up near restaurants along the water. Homosassa is also known as one of the best places in the world to catch Atlantic tarpon.
Geography of Homosassa
Homosassa is located in the southwest part of Citrus County. It's west of U.S. Routes 19 and 98.
The community stretches west along both sides of the Homosassa River. This river leads to a network of marshes and islands that connect to the Gulf of Mexico. The original part of Homosassa is about 3 miles (5 kilometers) west of Homosassa Springs.
Area and Water
The total area of Homosassa is about 8.3 square miles (21.5 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 7.8 square miles (20.1 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.5 square miles (1.4 square kilometers), is water.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1990 | 2,113 | — | |
| 2000 | 2,294 | 8.6% | |
| 2010 | 2,578 | 12.4% | |
| 2020 | 2,299 | −10.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, the population of Homosassa was 2,299 people. This was a bit less than the 2,578 people counted in 2010.
Homosassa has many households, and some have children. Many people living here are 65 years old or older. The average age in Homosassa is 58 years.
Education in Homosassa
Students in Homosassa go to schools run by Citrus County Schools.
Local Schools
Homosassa Elementary School is right in the community. After elementary school, students usually go to Crystal River Middle School. Then, they attend Crystal River High School, both located in Crystal River.
Public Library
The closest public library is the Homosassa Public Library. It's part of Citrus Libraries and is located in Homosassa Springs.
Images for kids
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McRae's Homosassa Hotel
See also
In Spanish: Homosassa para niños
