Oviedo, Florida

Oviedo, Florida
—  City  —
The Wheeler-Evans House
Seal
Location in Seminole County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 28°39′35″N 81°11′45″W / 28.65972°N 81.19583°W / 28.65972; -81.19583Coordinates: 28°39′35″N 81°11′45″W / 28.65972°N 81.19583°W / 28.65972; -81.19583
Country	United States
State	Florida
County	Seminole
Government
– Mayor	Dominic Persampiere
– City manager	Ronald W. McLemore
Area
– City	15.4 sq mi (40 km2)
– Land	15.1 sq mi (39.2 km2)
– Water	0.3 sq mi (0.8 km2)
Elevation	48 ft (14.6 m)
Population (2009)
– City	32,961
– Density	1,738.9/sq mi (671.6/km2)
– Metro	2,082,421
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
– Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes	32762, 32765, 32766
Area code(s)	407 321
FIPS code	12-53575[1]
GNIS feature ID	0288305[2]
Website	www.cityofoviedo.net

Oviedo is a city in Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 26,316 as of the 2000 census. As of 2009, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 32,961.^[3] It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Name

In the late 1870s, individuals living a couple miles south of Lake Jesup needed an easily accessible post office in the Florida back country. Andrew Aulin, an early settler and shop-owner, decided to file paperwork for a post office; in his first site location report he needed a unique name, one that no other post office in Florida had.^[4] Aulin liked having a Spanish name, "to go with the Spanish name of the state," and decided to name his post office location Oviedo after the Oviedo University in northern Spain.^[4] Some say he visited the University, others say he just liked the sound, most agree he likely pronounced it "Oh-vee-Ay-Doh" rather than the Americanized way of "Oh-VEE-doh."

Geography

Oviedo is located at 28°40′13″N 81°12′30.5″W / 28.67028°N 81.208472°W / 28.67028; -81.208472.^[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 40.0 km² (15.4 mi²). 15.1 square miles (39 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km²) of it (2.07%) is water. Oviedo is located about 20 minutes from downtown Orlando, Fla. by highway (SR 417 and SR 408). The Econlockhatchee River runs through the east part of the city, and a tributary, the Little Econlockhatchee River, runs through the southern part of the city.

Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 26,316 people, 8,556 households, and 7,178 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,738.9 inhabitants per square mile (671.6/km²). There were 8,977 housing units at an average density of 593.2 per square mile (229.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.55% White, 8.83% African American, 0.27% Native American, 2.42% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.62% from other races, and 2.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.19% of the population.

There were 8,556 households out of which 50.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.8% were married couples living together, 9.99% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.10% were non-families. 10.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.07 and the average family size was 3.31.

In the city the population was spread out with 32.0% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 36.60% from 25 to 44, 18.50% from 45 to 64, and 5.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $64,119, and the median income for a family was $66,288 (these figures had risen to $77,489 and $80,923 respectively as of a 2007 estimate^[6]). Males had a median income of $46,777 versus $30,757 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,831. About 3.30% of families and 4.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.70% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

Schools

The city of Oviedo's public schools are a part of Seminole County Public Schools. Oviedo contains 6 public elementary schools (K-5), 2 public middle schools (6-8), and 2 public high schools (9-12). The city of Oviedo is also home to a branch of Seminole State College of Florida and borders the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

Elementary schools

• Carillon Elementary School
• John Evans Elementary School
• Lawton Elementary School
• Marguerite Partin Elementary School
• Douglas Stenstrom Elementary School
• Joan Walker Elementary School (in Chuluota)

Middle schools

• Jackson Heights Middle School
• Lawton Chiles Middle School
• Tuskawilla Middle School (Close to the Oviedo/Winter Springs border)

High schools

• Oviedo High School
• Paul J. Hagerty High School

Private schools

• Double R Private School
• The Master's Academy
• St. Luke's Lutheran School
• Trinity Preparatory School
• Tuskawilla/Twin Rivers Montessori Academy
• First Years Preschool & Kindergarten
• Bridges Academy

Local publications

The Oviedo Citizen is an online publication that has been covering Oviedo news since August 2008. The Seminole Voice and The Seminole Chronicle are both print newspapers that cover Seminole County news, with a focus on the Winter Springs, Oviedo, and Chuluota areas of the county. The Oviedo Voice has been servicing Oviedo for years.

National publications

Oviedo was voted #100 in CNN Money Magazine's 100 Best Places to Live 2009.

Oviedo was listed as one of the Top 10 Towns for Families in Family Circle's August 2011 issue <http://www.familycircle.com/family-fun/travel/best-towns-for-families/?page=9>

Oviedo Marketplace

Main article: Oviedo Marketplace

Oviedo is home to the Oviedo Marketplace Mall which opened in 1998.^[7] The mall is anchored by 3 major department stores which include Dillard's, Sears, and Macy's. There is a food court, including Chick-fil-A, Subway, Sarku Japan, and the new Sbarro Pizza. The mall has suffered from several new Orlando-area malls such as Waterford Lakes and The Mall at Millenia driving its consumer base away, and these days it is common to find the mall with a very low number of shoppers. But, Regal Cinemas 22 mostly enjoys full theaters, and according to the Regal Cinemas website some time ago, it is one of the most prosperous locations.^{[citation needed]} Also, Gap, Gap Kids, KB Toys, the Food Court Playground, and American Eagle have all closed down and Foot Locker has condensed its mega store of Foot Locker/Kids Foot Locker and Women's Foot Locker, into one small store.

Anchors

• Barnes & Noble (10,000 ft²)
• Dillard's (204,000 ft²)
• Macy's (191,000 ft²)
• Regal Cinemas-22 Screens (100,000 ft²)
• Sears (123,000 ft²)

Oviedo Hospital and developments

The city of Oviedo is currently planning a brand new downtown development just south of the current "old downtown" along Oviedo Blvd. The new town center will be a mixed-use development including town homes, single family living, apartment homes, restaurants, retail, and a planned amphitheater.

Phase I commenced construction in the first quarter of 2007. Construction has stalled, and a new buyer or partners are being sought to help finish the immense project. It's set to include residences, businesses, a new library, amphitheater, and more. ^[8]

A new hospital has been delayed over the past few years, but developers have picked two potential locations within Oviedo city limits, and construction should begin sometime in the near future.

A Target, Borders, YMCA, Little League, bowling center, nature nursery, and a new Aquatics Center are located in Oviedo.

Oviedo is also home to numerous developments including the established Whispering Woods, Aloma Woods, Remington Park, Carillon, Sanctuary, Kingsbridge, Riverside, Riverwind Apartments, Twin Rivers, and Bear Creek. It also has new subdivisions including the Oviedo Forest, Providence, Clayton's Crossing, Stratford Green, the Trails, and Live Oak.

Chickens

Cock behind Popeyes

Oviedo is known for a population of chickens that roam the downtown area. There are so many of them roaming the area that often traffic stops as they cross the roads. The chickens have been featured on Oviedo t-shirts and coffee mugs and a poster commemorating one of Oviedo's yearly festivals, "A Taste of Oviedo".

Contrary to what some believe, there are no specific laws or statutes surrounding the chickens, neither for their protection nor for their removal - the latter being something some residents would like to see due to the danger they pose with traffic in the congested town center. For others, however, the chickens add an element of fun, eating at the adjacent Townhouse restaurant, another trademark of Oviedo, and provide Oviedo with a uniqueness that can be boasted by no other neighboring town.

There are City Ordinances that protect birds in the City Limits, the entire city is designated a bird sanctuary. Chickens are afforded the courtesy of protection under the code.

The chickens were also the subject of a short documentary that was part of the Florida Film Festival 2009.^[9]

Events

Oviedo has annual events such as the Taste of Oviedo, Whale of a Sale, Great Day in the Country, 4 July, and Oktoberfest.

The Oviedo-Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce holds annual events such as Kidstravaganza, Home and Hurricane Expo, Winter Springs Festival of the Arts, and many more. Visit The Homepage for more information on attending.

The GFWC Oviedo Woman's Club which was established in 1906 organizes the Great Day in the Country Arts and Crafts Festival. It is the largest festival in Oviedo, FL, with an estimated 65,000 in attendance for the November 2010 festival. There are more than 350 Arts and Crafts booths, Business Booths, Food Vendors, and two entertainment stages! The money the GFWC Oviedo Woman's Club raises from this festival is given back to the community as scholarships for local High School Students, grants to local schools and charities. Visit Great Day Oviedo for more information on attending, volunteering, or participating.

Weather events

Hurricane season of 2004

In August 2004, the northwestern side of Hurricane Charley passed directly over Oviedo while still a Category 2 storm.^[10] More than half the city as well as much of the surrounding unincorporated areas had no power for 5 to 7 days. School was not in session county-wide for one full school week. The damages ranged from toppled oaks to destroyed homes. The worst damage was in Palm Valley, a mobile home retirement community less than a mile from UCF. Charley's damage in Oviedo is considered to be the worst in Seminole County history. Barely a month later, Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne further battered the area resulting in additional damage and power outages, but they did not reach the level of Charley's fury.

February 2, 2007 Tornadoes

After the central Florida Tornadoes of February 2, 2007, Oviedo installed a Tornado Siren System. The system consists of Federal Signal 2001s. During a Tornado Warning, they sound in Fast wail for 3 mins. The sirens are tested for a short period at noon on the first Saturday of each month (only if the weather is clear so as not to alarm the residents).

Tropical Storm Fay

Fay hung over Oviedo for days with high winds, heavy rains, and flooded roads.

Notable natives

• Hal King, Major League Baseball player

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
2. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
3. ^ "Oviedo city, Florida - Population Finder - American FactFinder". Factfinder.census.gov. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=ChangeGeoContext&geo_id=16000US1253575&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US12%7C16000US1278325&_street=&_county=Oviedo%2C+FL&_cityTown=Oviedo%2C+FL&_state=&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&_submenuId=population_0&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry=. Retrieved 2011-08-05. 
4. ^ ^{a b} Adicks, Richard; Neely, Donna (1992). Oviedo: Biography of a Town (2nd Edition ed.). Oviedo, Florida: Richard Adicks and Donna Neely. p. 13. 
5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
6. ^ American FactFinder, United States Census Bureau. "Oviedo city, Florida - Selected Economic Characteristics: 2005-2007". Factfinder.census.gov. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-context=adp&-qr_name=ACS_2007_3YR_G00_DP3YR3&-ds_name=ACS_2007_3YR_G00_&-tree_id=3307&-redoLog=false&-_caller=geoselect&-geo_id=16000US1253575&-format=&-_lang=en. Retrieved 2011-08-05. 
7. ^ "Oviedo Mall :: 1700 Oviedo Marketplace Blvd., FL, 32765 :: 407-977-2400". Oviedomarketplace.com. http://www.oviedomarketplace.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05. 
8. ^ "Oviedo on the Park | City of Oviedo, Florida". Cityofoviedo.net. http://www.cityofoviedo.net/index.php?q=node/205. Retrieved 2011-08-05. 
9. ^ "Oviedo Chickens // Current". Current.com. 2007-11-15. http://current.com/items/87390341/oviedo_chickens.htm. Retrieved 2011-08-05. 
10. ^ [1]^{[dead link]}

External links

• Seminole County Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Oviedo - Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce
• GFWC Oviedo Woman's Club
• Great Day in the Country Arts & Crafts Festival