Otter Creek, Florida facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Otter Creek, Florida
Town
Eastbound SR 24 entering Otter Creek.
Location in Levy County and the state of Florida
Country	United States
State	Florida
County	Levy
Settled (Otter Creek Ford)	1856
Incorporated (Town of Otter Creek)	1969
Government
• Type	Mayor-Council
Area
• Total	1.38 sq mi (3.57 km2)
• Land	1.36 sq mi (3.52 km2)
• Water	0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)
Elevation	26 ft (8 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	108
• Density	79.35/sq mi (30.64/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	32683
Area code(s)	352
FIPS code	12-53500
GNIS feature ID	0288275

Otter Creek is a small town located in Levy County, Florida, in the United States. You can find it in the northern part of Florida. In 2020, about 108 people lived there.

A Look at Otter Creek's Past

Early Explorers and Settlers

The famous explorer Hernando de Soto traveled through the Otter Creek area in 1539. This was during his journey to explore Florida. The town itself was settled much later, in 1856. Back then, the community was known as "Otter Creek Ford."

Growth and Decline of the Town

In the 1930s and 1940s, Otter Creek was a busy place. It was the second-largest community in Levy County. At that time, nearly 1,000 people called it home.

However, things changed. A large lumber mill, which made special wood pieces for citrus crates, closed down. Also, two railroads that ran through the town stopped operating. These changes caused the town's population to shrink.

Becoming an Official Town

The Town of Otter Creek officially became a municipality in 1969. This means it gained its own local government. In 2007, the town council created a special historic district. This area includes old "company town" homes from the 1800s and early 1900s.

Local Businesses Over Time

After the lumber mill closed, there wasn't much business activity in Otter Creek. By 2019, only two small businesses remained. One was a local convenience store (without gas) at the intersection of Highways 19 and 24. The other was Creekside Christian School, a private school located at Otter Creek Baptist Church.

Many other businesses have closed over the years. The Smith Store and the Country Store were once very important community spots. The Smith Store was run by Ella Graham, whose grandson used to deliver groceries on a Shetland pony! The Country Store closed around 2000. There was also an animal hide tannery until about 1980. Today, many of these old business buildings are no longer in good shape.

Where is Otter Creek?

The Town of Otter Creek is located at coordinates 29°19′24″N 82°46′22″W / 29.323435°N 82.772708°W / 29.323435; -82.772708.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town covers about 3.8 square kilometers. Most of this area, about 3.7 square kilometers, is land. A small part, about 0.05 square kilometers, is water.

Otter Creek's Weather

The weather in Otter Creek is usually hot and humid in the summer. Winters are generally mild. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate.

Who Lives in Otter Creek?

Population Changes in 2010 and 2020

The table below shows the different groups of people living in Otter Creek. It compares the population from the 2010 and 2020 censuses.

In 2020, the 2020 United States census counted 108 people living in Otter Creek. There were 44 households and 33 families.

Back in 2010, the 2010 United States census found 134 people. At that time, there were 65 households and 49 families in the town.

See also

In Spanish: Otter Creek para niños