Orange County, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Orange County
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        Left to right from top down: Universal CityWalk; Lake Eola; Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom; Orange County Courthouse in Downtown Orlando; Universal Studios Florida; Orlando International Premium Outlets; Disney Springs; and Downtown Winter Park
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 Orange County
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | ||
| Founded | December 29, 1824 (renamed January 30, 1845) | ||
| Named for | For the citrus orange fruit that once thrived in the area | ||
| County seat | Orlando | ||
| Largest city | Orlando | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Mayor–commission | ||
| • Body | Orange County Board of County Commissioners | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 1,003 sq mi (2,600 km2) | ||
| • Land | 903 sq mi (2,340 km2) | ||
| • Water | 100 sq mi (300 km2) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,429,908 | ||
| • Estimate
(2023)
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1,471,416  |
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| • Rank | 28th in the United States 5th in Florida |
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| • Density | 1,425.6/sq mi (550.44/km2) | ||
| Gross Domestic Product | |||
| • Total | US$115.013 billion (2022) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern Time Zone) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern Daylight Time) | ||
| ZIP Codes |
32828, 32703, 32712, 32820, 32709, 34734, 34786, 32810, 32751, 32824, 34760, 34761, 32835, 32836, 32837, 32839, 32825, 32821, 32822, 32829, 32830, 32831, 32832, 32801, 32803, 32804, 32805, 32806, 32807, 32811, 32812, 32814, 32817, 32819, 32827, 32809, 32818, 32808, 32826, 32833, 34787, 32789, 32792, 32798
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| Area codes | 407, 689, 321 | ||
| FIPS code | 12095 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 295750 | ||
Orange County is a county in the central part of Florida, a state in the United States. In 2020, about 1.4 million people lived here. This makes it the fifth most populated county in Florida. Its main city and county seat is Orlando. Orlando is also the center of a larger area called the Orlando metropolitan area, which had about 2.67 million people in 2020.
Orange County is a big place for tourists, business, and culture in Central Florida. Many famous places are here, like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld Orlando. It's also home to the University of Central Florida (UCF), which is one of the largest public universities in the U.S. with over 69,000 students in Fall 2023. Other colleges like Rollins College and Valencia College are also in the county. Even with lots of buildings, Orange County still has beautiful natural areas, including many lakes like Lake Apopka and Wekiwa Springs State Park.
Contents
History of Orange County
The land that is now Orange County first appeared from under the sea millions of years ago. This area is known as Orange Island. Fossils found here, like those of giant sloths and mammoths, show that many animals lived here about 1.1 million years ago.
Early Years and Name Change
After Florida became part of the United States in 1821, the area was first called Mosquito County in 1824. It was a very large county covering much of central Florida. In 1830, a law was passed to move the Seminole people from Florida. This led to conflicts, including the Second Seminole War. When Florida became a state in 1845, Mosquito County was renamed Orange County. This new name came from the many citrus orange trees that grew well in the area. As more people moved in, parts of Orange County were used to create other counties like Osceola and Seminole.
The county faced challenges early on, but things got better after the Reconstruction Era. The Town of Orlando grew quickly from 1875 to 1895, becoming a center for Florida's citrus industry. Orange trees were everywhere, and the smell of orange blossoms filled the air. However, severe freezes in the 1980s destroyed most of the orange groves. This was the worst damage since 1899.
In the early 1900s, there were serious problems with unfair treatment and violence against African Americans in Orange County. One sad event was in Ocoee in 1920. On Election Day, African Americans were prevented from voting. This led to a terrible riot where many African American homes and properties were destroyed. Many Black residents had to leave Ocoee, and for a long time, it became a town with only white residents.
Modern Times and Growth
After the citrus industry declined, many farmers left the area. But after World War II, Florida's population grew, and new opportunities came. In 1962, the Orlando Jetport was built, which later became the Orlando International Airport.
A huge change happened in 1965 when Walt Disney announced plans for Walt Disney World. When it opened in October 1971, it brought massive growth to the county's population and economy. Disney World's success led to other theme parks and attractions opening, like Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando. Today, Orange County has more theme parks and entertainment spots than almost anywhere else in the world.
In the 21st century, the county's economy has become more diverse. Even with all the new development, you can still find historic parts of "Old Orlando" in Downtown Orlando and in communities like Eatonville, Windermere, and Winter Park.
Geography of Orange County
Orange County covers about 1,003 square miles (2,600 km²). About 903 square miles (2,339 km²) are land, and 100 square miles (259 km²) are water. The county is about 89 feet (27 meters) above sea level. It is surrounded by other counties: Osceola to the south, Polk to the southwest, Lake to the west, Seminole to the north, Volusia to the northeast, and Brevard to the east.
Most of the county is flat, part of Florida's coastal lowlands. The northwestern areas are a bit higher, in the Florida Central Highlands. Orange County was one of the first parts of Florida to rise from the ancient sea.
The Kissimmee River starts in Orange County. This river forms the northern part of the Everglades. Boggy Creek also begins near the Orlando International Airport and flows into East Lake Tohopekaliga in Osceola County. Other rivers like the Ocklawaha and Wekiva also flow through the county. Lake Apopka is here, and it's the fourth largest lake in Florida. Wekiwa Springs State Park is a 7,000-acre (28 km²) state park along the Wekiva River.
Even though Orange County is in the middle of Florida, it's fairly close to beaches on the Atlantic Ocean to the east, like Cocoa Beach. The Gulf of Mexico is a bit farther west, with popular beaches like Clearwater Beach.
Regions of Orange County
Orange County has six main areas:
- The central Downtown Orlando area, which is very urban.
- The southwestern tourist strip, with hotels and resorts.
- Western suburbs, with different types of homes.
- Older, established northern suburbs.
- Eastern suburbs, with more affordable homes, near the University of Central Florida.
- Southern neighborhoods and more tourist spots, influenced by nearby Kissimmee.
Florida's Turnpike is often seen as a line dividing the northern areas (for residents) from the southern areas (for tourists).
The city of Orlando has 115 neighborhoods. There are also many towns and areas not officially part of a city. This means some places get services from both Orange County and the City of Orlando.
Downtown Orlando is the center for government, business, and culture. It has many tall buildings, including offices and homes. Important places like the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Kia Center, Lake Eola, and the Orlando Museum of Art are located downtown.
In the southern part of the county is Lake Nona, a fast-growing area. It's known as a health district, with places like Nemours Children's Hospital and the University of Central Florida's Health Sciences Campus, which includes its medical and nursing colleges.
The main tourist area is in the southwest, along International Drive. This road is 11.1 miles (17.9 km) long and has many attractions. At its north end, you'll find Orlando International Premium Outlets and Universal Orlando resort. Further south, there's the Orange County Convention Center, Dezerland Park mall, SeaWorld Orlando, ICON Park (with its famous Ferris wheel), and the World's Largest Entertainment McDonald's.
The Walt Disney World Resort is also in this region, covering almost 25,000 acres (101 km²). A special district called the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District manages the land for Disney World. Other communities in this area include Bay Hill, Dr. Phillips, and Windermere.
Orange County has many other communities, each with its own feel. To the west of Downtown Orlando are places like Apopka and Winter Garden. To the north are older suburbs like Maitland and Winter Park. To the east, you'll find areas like Alafaya and Avalon Park, as well as the University of Central Florida. South of Downtown Orlando are communities like Conway and Hunter's Creek.
Communities
Orange County has 13 cities and towns, plus many other communities.
Neighboring Counties
- Seminole County - north
- Volusia County - northeast
- Brevard County - east
- Osceola County - south
- Polk County - southwest
- Lake County - west
Climate
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Economy
Businesses and Companies
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Many companies have their main offices in Orange County, including ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Darden Restaurants, and Tijuana Flats. Other big companies like Amazon, JetBlue, Lockheed Martin, and Tupperware also have offices here.
The Orange County Convention Center is a very important place for events. It's the second largest convention center in the U.S. It hosts events that bring about 1.5 million people each year, adding billions of dollars to the local economy.
Healthcare
Orange County is becoming a major center for healthcare in Central Florida. Two of the biggest healthcare groups, AdventHealth and Orlando Health, started here. Orlando Health's main office is in Orange County.
Lake Nona Medical City is a special area in Lake Nona focused on health and science. It has the University of Central Florida's medical and nursing colleges, a teaching hospital, Nemours Children's Hospital, and the University of Florida's College of Pharmacy.
Shopping
Orange County is a big shopping destination. The Florida Mall is one of the largest single-story malls in the United States. It has over 250 stores and many places to eat, attracting more than 20 million visitors every year.
Disney Springs is an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment area at Walt Disney World. It's inspired by old Florida towns. Universal CityWalk is another entertainment and shopping area next to the theme parks at Universal Orlando.
Other popular shopping spots include The Mall at Millenia, Orlando International Premium Outlets, and Waterford Lakes Town Center.
Sports
Orange County is home to two major professional sports teams: the Orlando Magic (basketball) and Orlando City SC (soccer). There are also minor league teams like the Orlando Solar Bears (hockey) and the Orlando Predators (arena football). The UCF Knights college sports teams also play here.
The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World is a huge sports area. It has nine venues and hosts many professional and amateur sports events. For example, parts of the 2020 NBA season were played here during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament is held every March at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge. Other golf courses include Eagle Creek Golf Club and Lake Nona Golf & Country Club.
Tourism and Fun
Tourism is very important to Orange County's economy. It's called the 'Theme Park Capital of the World' because it has so many parks like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld Orlando. In 2022, Orlando was one of the most visited cities in the U.S.
Orlando International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. The county has many of the most visited theme parks and water parks in North America.
Walt Disney World Resort includes Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and water parks like Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Disney's Blizzard Beach. Universal Orlando has Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Volcano Bay. SeaWorld Orlando is an animal theme park with rides and shows, plus its own water park, Aquatica. Other fun places include Fun Spot Orlando and Icon Park.
Many of the companies that run these theme parks also have their main offices in Orange County. For example, United Parks & Resorts (which owns SeaWorld) is headquartered here. The hospitality business, like hotels and resorts, is also very important. Companies like Westgate Resorts and Hilton Grand Vacations Club have a big presence here.
Government
Orange County has a special type of government called a charter government. This means it has a written plan, like a constitution, that explains how the local government works.
Leaders and Representatives
Orange County is represented by people in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington D.C. and in the Florida State Senate and House of Representatives in Tallahassee.
The county also has its own leaders. The Board of County Commissioners includes an elected mayor and six commissioners. The mayor is elected by all voters in the county, while commissioners are elected from specific areas (districts). They all serve four-year terms. Other important county officials include the sheriff, tax collector, and supervisor of elections.
Politics
Orange County is located along the important Interstate 4 corridor. This area used to be a "swing region," meaning voters often chose candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties. This made elections very close.
For a long time, Orange County was a strong Republican area. But in the 1990s, things started to change. In September 2000, more people registered as Democrats than Republicans. Since then, Orange County has become a strong Democratic area. For example, in the 2024 election, Kamala Harris won the county by 13 points.
Voter Registration
| Registered active voters by party as of May 23, 2025 | |||||
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| Party | Total | Percentage | |||
| Democratic | 320,197 | 39.23% | |||
| Republican | 224,390 | 27.49% | |||
| Minor parties | 26,343 | 3.23% | |||
| Unaffiliated | 245,269 | 30.05% | |||
| Total | 816,199 | 100.00% | |||
Education
Public Schools
The Orange County Public Schools system provides education for students across the county. It's managed by an elected school board. As of the 2021–2022 school year, the system had 205 schools and over 206,000 students. It is the 8th largest school district in the United States.
Colleges and Universities
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The University of Central Florida (UCF) is the main four-year public university. It's one of the largest universities in the nation by student numbers. Its main campus is in northeast Orange County.
Rollins College is a private college located in nearby Winter Park.
Valencia College offers two-year degree programs and some four-year programs across its six campuses in the county.
Law schools for Barry University and Florida A&M are also in Downtown Orlando. Full Sail University in Winter Park offers degrees in creative fields like film and animation.
Libraries
The Orange County Library System started in 1923. It has 16 libraries across the county. They offer books, movies, programs, and free access to online resources. They even deliver items to your home through their MAYL service.
However, residents of Maitland and Winter Park have their own separate library systems. They can get a free "Reciprocal borrower card" to use Orange County libraries, but there are some small differences in access.
Places to Visit
Museums
- Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
- Orange County Regional History Center
- Orlando Museum of Art
- Orlando Science Center
- Ripley's Believe It or Not!
- WonderWorks
Culture and Wildlife
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- Annie Russell Theatre
- Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
- Gatorland
- Harry P. Leu Gardens
Theme Parks and Attractions
- Walt Disney World
- Fun Spot America
- SeaWorld Orlando
- Discovery Cove
- Aquatica
- Icon Park
- Universal Orlando
- Universal Studios Florida
- Universal Islands of Adventure
- Universal Volcano Bay
- Universal Epic Universe (opening in 2025)
- Universal CityWalk
Parks and Green Spaces
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- Lake Eola Park
- Wekiwa Springs State Park
- West Orange Trail
Sports Venues
- Addition Financial Arena - At UCF, home to UCF's basketball teams.
- Camping World Stadium - Hosts the Citrus Bowl and other college football games.
- FBC Mortgage Stadium - At UCF, home to the UCF Knights football team.
- Inter&Co Stadium - Home to the Orlando City SC (soccer) and Orlando Pride (women's soccer) teams.
- Kia Center – Home to the Orlando Magic (basketball) and Orlando Solar Bears (hockey).
Golf Courses
- Bay Hill Club and Lodge
- Orange County National Golf Center
- Rio Pinar Country Club
Transportation
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Airports
- Orlando Apopka Airport: A small airport for private planes in Apopka.
- Orlando Executive Airport: For private jets and small planes, near downtown Orlando.
- Orlando International Airport: The busiest airport in Florida, serving many commercial flights.
Major Roads
I-4
Florida's Turnpike (Florida's Turnpike)- International Drive
US 17 / US 92
US 441 (Orange Blossom Trail)
SR 50 (Colonial Drive)
SR 408 (East–West Expressway)
SR 417 (Central Florida GreeneWay)
SR 429 (Western Expressway)
SR 436 (Semoran Boulevard)
SR 528 (Beachline Expressway)
Public Transport
- Amtrak: A train service with stations in Orlando and Winter Park.
- Brightline: A high-speed train service connecting Orlando International Airport to South Florida cities like Miami. This service started on September 22, 2023.
- Greyhound: A bus company offering trips across the U.S. from Orlando.
- Lynx: A public bus system serving Orange County and nearby counties.
- SunRail: A commuter train service with stations in Orange County and neighboring areas.
Communities
Cities
- Apopka
- Bay Lake
- Belle Isle
- Edgewood
- Lake Buena Vista
- Maitland
- Ocoee
- Orlando
- Winter Garden
- Winter Park
Towns
Census-designated places
- Alafaya
- Azalea Park
- Bay Hill
- Bithlo
- Christmas
- Conway
- Dr. Phillips
- Four Corners
- Goldenrod
- Hunter's Creek
- Lake Nona
- Pine Hills
- Southchase
- Union Park
- Williamsburg
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Orange (Florida) para niños
