Otter Creek, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Otter Creek, Florida
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Eastbound SR 24 entering Otter Creek.
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Location in Levy County and the state of Florida
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| 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)
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| • Total | 108 |
| • Density | 79.35/sq mi (30.64/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
32683
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| Area code(s) | 352 |
| FIPS code | 12-53500 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0288275 |
Otter Creek is a town in Levy County, Florida, United States. The town is located in North Florida. The population was 108 at the 2020 census.
History
Hernando de Soto crossed Otter Creek during his explorations of Florida in 1539.
It was settled in 1856, and the community was called "Otter Creek Ford".
In the 1930s and 1940s, Otter Creek was the second largest community in Levy County, with a population approaching 1,000.
The loss of a lumber mill that made cypress "flitches" for citrus crates and the discontinuation of two railroads which bisected the town led to a steady population decline.
The Town of Otter Creek was officially incorporated as a municipality in 1969.
In 2007, the town council created a local historic district consisting of neighborhoods with "company town" residences that date from the 19th and early 20th century
After the closure of the lumber mill, there has been very little business or commercial activity within Otter Creek. By 2019, only two small businesses remained, an independently-owned convenience store (no gasoline) located at the intersection of Highways 19 and 24, and the Creekside Christian School, a private, primary school operating on the grounds of Otter Creek Baptist Church.
To the extent that other businesses existed, they have closed due to the deaths of their owners or otherwise failed. Some notable examples were the Smith Store and the Country Store, both community-centric and vibrant in their days. The Smith Store was operated by Ella Graham (deceased 1996), whose grandson once delivered groceries and dry goods to the town residents on a Shetland pony. The Country Store, originally built and operated by Junior and Philene Williams, changed hands after their deaths, but permanently closed about 2000. There was an animal hide tannery until about 1980, and a few bait shops and convenience stores. The remnants of nearly all are now decrepit.
Geography
The approximate coordinates for the Town of Otter Creek is located at 29°19′24″N 82°46′22″W / 29.323435°N 82.772708°W.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.8 km2), of which 1.4 square miles (3.7 km2) is land and 0.019 square miles (0.05 km2) (1.28%) is water.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the Town of Otter Creek has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1970 | 230 | — | |
| 1980 | 167 | −27.4% | |
| 1990 | 136 | −18.6% | |
| 2000 | 121 | −11.0% | |
| 2010 | 134 | 10.7% | |
| 2020 | 108 | −19.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2010 and 2020 census
| Race | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 126 | 93 | 94.03% | 86.11% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 4 | 2 | 2.99% | 1.85% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 0 | 3 | 0.00% | 2.78% |
| Asian (NH) | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Some other race (NH) | 0 | 2 | 0.00% | 1.85% |
| Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) | 1 | 1 | 0.75% | 0.93% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3 | 7 | 2.24% | 6.48% |
| Total | 134 | 108 |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 108 people, 44 households, and 33 families residing in the town.
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 134 people, 65 households, and 49 families residing in the town.
See also
In Spanish: Otter Creek para niños
