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Orange County
Universal CityWalk Orlando Panorama.jpg
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Flag of Orange County
Flag
Official seal of Orange County
Seal
Map of Florida highlighting Orange County.svg
Orange County is located in the United States
Orange County
Orange County
Location in the United States
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)
 • Total 1,429,908
 • Estimate 
(2023)
1,471,416 Increase
 • Rank 28th in the United States
5th in Florida
 • 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
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.

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.

Ocoee Withers-Maguire01
The Withers-Maguire House (built 1888) in Ocoee, shows a style of old Florida homes.
Dr. Phillips House-1
The Dr. P. Phillips House (built 1893) was bought by Dr. Phillips, who was important in the county's citrus business.
Orange Groves in Orlando, Florida
A postcard from 1921 showing orange groves near Orlando.

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.

The Wyoming, Orlando, FL
The Wyoming Hotel (built around 1905).

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

Winter park canal
One of many canals in Winter Park that connect to different lakes.

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

Downtown Orlando looking northeast, 1976
An aerial view of I-4 and SR 408 near Downtown Orlando in 1976.

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.

Calm sunset in Winter Garden, Florida1
Lake Apopka in Winter Garden at sunset.

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

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A map of Orange County's census areas from 2010.
Orlando downtown 2011
An aerial view of downtown Orlando (center) and Lake Apopka (upper-right) in 2011.

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.

Artegon Market
Dezerland Park Mall.

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

Dr. Phillips Center
The Dr. Phillips Center in the community of Dr. Phillips.

Orange County has 13 cities and towns, plus many other communities.

Neighboring Counties

Climate

Weather chart for Orange County
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temperatures in °F
precipitation totals in inches

Economy

Businesses and Companies

Orange County Convention Center (37966295531)
The Orange County Convention Center is a huge meeting place in Central Florida. It's the second largest in the United States.

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

AdventHealth Orlando
AdventHealth in Orlando is a large hospital and part of a big healthcare network.

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

Kia Center 12-22-24
The Kia Center is where the Orlando Magic basketball team plays.

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 Courthouse tall
The Orange County Courthouse.

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
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

Orange County Public Schools, Orlando
The Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center, main office for Orange County Public Schools.

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

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

Orlando Museum of Art
The Orlando Museum of Art is in the Mills 50 community.
Rollins College Russell Theatre06
The Annie Russell Theatre is a historic theater at Rollins College in Winter Park.

Museums

Culture and Wildlife

Harry P. Leu Gardens has 50 acres (20 ha) of beautiful gardens and historic buildings.
Volcano Bay (36829605694)
Universal Volcano Bay, a water park at Universal Orlando Resort.

Theme Parks and Attractions

Parks and Green Spaces

Citrus Bowl Orlando City
Camping World Stadium is an outdoor stadium west of downtown. It hosts college football games.
Disney's Wide World of Sports (7426504780)
The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is a 220-acre (89 ha) sports area at Walt Disney World.

Sports Venues

Orange County National Golf Center
The Orange County National Golf Center in Winter Garden.
  • 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

IntlDriveNorth-ToInt4sign (26804101148)
MP32PH-Q 103 Sand Lake Road Station 26.10.2016 2
A SunRail train at the Sand Lake Road station.

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

Tradewinds Orlando
The Tradewinds condominiums in MetroWest.

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Orange (Florida) para niños

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