Ponce Inlet, Florida

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Ponce Inlet, Florida
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settlement_type = Town
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map_caption = Location in Volusia County and the state of Florida


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = flag|United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = flag|Florida
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = noflag|Volusia
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area_total_km2 = 38
area_land_km2 = 11.2
area_water_km2 = 26.8
area_total_sq_mi = 14.6
area_land_sq_mi = 4.3
area_water_sq_mi = 10.3
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population_as_of = 2000
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population_total = 2513
population_density_km2 = 66.1
population_density_sq_mi = 172.1
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timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 29 |latm = 5 |lats = 41 |latNS = N
longd = 80 |longm = 56 |longs = 33 |longEW = W
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 4
elevation_ft = 13
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 32127
area_code = 386
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 12-58200GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0289178GR|3
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Ponce Inlet is a town in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,513 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 3,178 [http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2004-04-12.xls] .

The Town of Ponce Inlet is located on the southern tip of a beach peninsula, south of Daytona Beach and Daytona Beach Shores. Several marinas are located in Ponce Inlet, which is considered one of the area's prime fishing spots. The area is prized by residents for its relaxed lifestyle and natural, uncrowded beaches.

The Lighthouse

Completed in 1887, the Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station was built when the area was known as Mosquito Inlet. After decades of restoration by the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse Preservation Association, it stands today as one of the best preserved, most complete Light Stations in the nation.

Visited by over 100,000 people each year, the Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1998. The lighthouse tower and museum are located 12 miles south of Daytona Beach and are open to the public year round. The lighthouse is close to Orlando attractions, historic St. Augustine and the Kennedy Space Center. The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Florida and the second tallest lighthouse in the nation. Visitors who climb the 175-foot-tall lighthouse tower are treated to a magnificent view of the Florida coastline and Halifax River from Daytona Beach to New Smyrna Beach.

The lighthouse keepers' dwellings and other historic light station buildings are now home to the lighthouse museum, which features exhibits on lighthouse life, Daytona Beach and Florida history, lighthouse and Fresnel lens restoration, shipwrecks, and the lighthouse keepers and their families. The Ayres Davies Lens Exhibit Building houses one of the finest collections of restored Fresnel lenses in the world, including the rotating first order Fresnel lens from the Cape Canaveral lighthouse and the restored original Ponce Inlet lighthouse first order Fresnel lens.

Geography

Ponce Inlet is located at coor dms|29|5|41|N|80|56|33|W|city (29.094744, -80.942599)GR|1, adjacent to the Ponce de León Inlet.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 38.0 km² (14.7 mi²). 11.2 km² (4.3 mi²) of it is land and 26.8 km² (10.3 mi²) of it (70.48%) is water.

Law and government

Local Government

Ponce Inlet is organized with a commission-manager form of government; voters elect a Town Council which consists of five members who serve two-year, staggered terms. Four are elected by district, the Mayor is elected town-wide.

The Town Council establishes ordinances and policies for the town. It also reviews and approves the town budget annually. The Council appoints a Town Manager, who carries out the will of the Council and handles day-to-day business.

Local elected officials

* Mayor, Seat 1 - Nancy Epps (Term expires Nov 2009)
* Councilmember Seat 2 - Tony Goudie (Term expires Nov 2008)
* Councilmember Seat 3 - Jim McCormick (Term expires Nov 2009)
* Councilmember Seat 4 - Jim Hinson (Term expires Nov 2008)
* Councilmember Seat 5 - Jack Sturno (Term expires Nov 2009)
* Town Manager (appointed) - Kassandra Esposito Blissett

Federal, state and county representation

Ponce Inlet is in the Seventh Congressional District and is part of Florida's 27th Legislative District.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 2,513 people, 1,206 households, and 883 families residing in the town. The population density was 224.1/km² (580.1/mi²). There were 2,043 housing units at an average density of 182.2/km² (471.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.73% White, 0.60% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.55% of the population.

There were 1,206 households out of which 11.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.9% were married couples living together, 5.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.38.

In the town the population was spread out with 10.1% under the age of 18, 3.2% from 18 to 24, 15.6% from 25 to 44, 38.2% from 45 to 64, and 32.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 57 years. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $52,112, and the median income for a family was $58,828. Males had a median income of $42,188 versus $31,989 for females. The per capita income for the town was $36,518. About 3.7% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.8% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.

Points of Interest

* Marine Science Center
* Lighthouse Point Park
* Ponce Inlet Jetty
* Timucuan Oaks Botanical Garden
* Marinas:: * Adventure Yacht Harbor Inc.: * Inlet Harbor Marina: * Sea Love Marina

References

External links

*wikitravel|Ponce Inlet

* [http://www.ponce-inlet.org/ Town of Ponce Inlet] official site