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Pine Castle, Florida facts for kids

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Pine Castle, Florida
Location in Orange County and the state of Florida
Location in Orange County and the state of Florida
Country  United States
State  Florida
County  Orange
Incorporated (town) February 26, 1925
Unincorporated 1930
Area
 • Total 2.69 sq mi (6.98 km2)
 • Land 2.42 sq mi (6.26 km2)
 • Water 0.28 sq mi (0.71 km2)
Elevation
98 ft (30 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 11,122
 • Density 4,597.77/sq mi (1,775.27/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
32809
Area code(s) 407, 689
FIPS code 12-56500
GNIS feature ID 0288827

Pine Castle is a community in Orange County, Florida, in the United States. It is known as a census-designated place, which means it's a special area defined by the government for counting people. Pine Castle is also an unincorporated area, meaning it doesn't have its own city government. It is part of the larger Orlando area.

History of Pine Castle

Pine Castle was first settled in 1870. Its growth has always been connected to the city of Orlando, which is about 5 miles north.

Early Transportation and Growth

Before 1882, the South Florida Railroad offered fast train services. This helped people and goods move in and out of Pine Castle. The railroad later became part of the Plant System and then the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.

In 1925, Pine Castle officially became a town. However, it later went back to being an unincorporated area in 1930.

Modern Rail Services

For many years, passenger trains bypassed Pine Castle. The closest stops were in Orlando and Kissimmee. But in 2014, passenger train service returned. The SunRail commuter train now stops at the Sand Lake Road station, making it easier for people to travel.

Where is Pine Castle Located?

Pine Castle is located at 28°28′6″N 81°22′30″W / 28.46833°N 81.37500°W / 28.46833; -81.37500.

Size and Area

According to the United States Census Bureau, Pine Castle covers a total area of about 2.8 square miles (7.3 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 2.6 square miles (6.8 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.2 square miles (0.5 square kilometers), is water.

How Many People Live in Pine Castle?

Historical population
Year Pop. ±%
1925 425 —    
1930 481 +13.2%
1935 564 +17.3%
2020 11,122 +1872.0%
U.S. Decennial Census Florida Department of Agriculture
Source:
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2020, the population of Pine Castle was 11,122 people.

Population Details (2000 Census)

In the year 2000, there were 8,803 people living in Pine Castle. There were 3,130 households, which are groups of people living together. About 35.6% of these households had children under 18.

The population was spread out by age:

  • 26.9% were under 18 years old.
  • 10.5% were between 18 and 24 years old.
  • 33.4% were between 25 and 44 years old.
  • 20.0% were between 45 and 64 years old.
  • 9.2% were 65 years or older.

The average age was 33 years old.

What Businesses are in Pine Castle?

The name "Pine Castle" has been linked to several important businesses and projects.

Boat Building

In 1925, a company called Correct Craft started building boats in Pine Castle. They built a much larger factory in 2006.

Aircraft Testing

In the mid-1940s, Bell Aircraft Corporation tested its X-1 supersonic rocket plane nearby. They chose this area because it was remote and had a very long runway. This airfield, once known as Pinecastle Army Airfield, is now Orlando International Airport. It is about 2 miles southeast of Pine Castle.

Education in Pine Castle

Pine Castle has a history of supporting education.

Local Schools

Pine Castle Christian Academy is a school that has won state championships in three different high school sports. Pine Castle Elementary School has been teaching students since 1877.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Pine Castle (Florida) para niños

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