Despite many thinking it was named for flora grown at plant nurseries (especially vegetables and fruits, as well as tropical houseplants) in its subtropical Gulf Coast climate, it was named after prominent railroad developer Henry B. Plant[5] (see Plant System). Plant City is known as the winter strawberry capital of the world[6] and hosts the annual Florida Strawberry Festival in the late winter (usually in February or early March), which is attended by people from all over the United States as well as many people from around the world.
History
Plant City's original name given during the middle 1800s was Ichepuckesassa (also known as Idasukshed) after the Indian village that once occupied the territory.[5] Its name caused so much confusion that the city was renamed "Cork", after the postmaster's Irish hometown. It was finally given the name "Plant City" in commemoration of Henry B. Plant and his railroad, which significantly boosted the commerce in this primarily agricultural community by incorporating it with the South Florida Railroad.
Location of Plant City in Hillsborough County, Florida
Plant City is located in northeastern Hillsborough County at 28°1′N82°8′W / 28.017°N 82.133°W / 28.017; -82.133 (28.0142, –82.1289).[7]Interstate 4 runs through the northern part of the city, with access from Exits 17 through 25. I-4 leads east 12 miles (19 km) to Lakeland and west 23 miles (37 km) to Tampa. U.S. Route 92 is the main highway through the center of Plant City, running generally parallel to I-4. Florida State Road 39 crosses US 92 in the center of Plant City and leads north 15 miles (24 km) to Zephyrhills and south 6 miles (10 km) to Hopewell.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Plant City has a total area of 28.1 square miles (72.8 km2), of which 27.2 square miles (70.4 km2) are land and 0.93 square miles (2.4 km2), or 3.31%, are water.
The city and its surrounding area are in the Southern Flatwoods ecological community as defined by the US Department of Agriculture.[8] The region as a whole is noted for its sandy, infertile, and poorly drained soils. In and around Plant City, however, high organic matter content and scattered phosphate nodules make many of the soils more fertile than typical for the flatwoods.[9]
Climate
Plant City, as does most of Florida, has a humid subtropical climate with humid and hot summers and warm, drier winters. Plant City is close to having a tropical climate since only one month (January) does not have a mean temperature over 64.4 °F (18.0 °C).
Climate data for Plant City, Florida, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1892–present
As of the 2020 United States census, there were there were 39,764 people, 14,223 households, and 9,449 families residing in the city.[15]
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 34,721 people, 11,992 households, and 8,640 families residing in the city.[16]
2000 census
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 29,915 people, 10,849 households, and 7,843 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,321.9 inhabitants per square mile (510.4/km2). There were 11,797 housing units at an average density of 521.3 per square mile (201.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 71.67% White, 17.42% Hispanic or Latino of any race, 16.16% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.89% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 9.10% from other races, and two or more races were 1.77% of the population.
As of 2000, there were 10,849 households, out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.7% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.20.
In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 29.4% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $37,584, and the median income for a family was $43,328. Males had a median income of $33,417 versus $23,585 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,815. About 11.3% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
Evangelical Presbyterian Church Learning Center (PK)
First Presbyterian Learning Center II (PK–K)
Faith Christian Academy of Plant City (K–12)
Bruton Memorial Library
The Quintilla Geer Bruton Memorial Library is located in Plant City and was built in 1960. It is a part of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative but is under the jurisdiction of the City of Plant City. There are 44,000 members as of 2014.[17]
Bruton Memorial Library offers programs for children, young adults, and adults. Bruton Memorial Library also offers free access to multiple databases, tutoring websites, ebooks, emagazines, and movie streaming. Computers are available for use, as are laptops that can be used only within the library. A variety of activities and services are available to a variety of patrons, from book clubs to extensive workshops regarding the beginnings and upkeep of the cultivation of homes and gardens, as well as crafts available on Mondays and hobbyists convening for fabric arts like knitting or crocheting two Fridays a month. Crafts also extend to children and teens as well.[18]
Economy
Wish Farms, the largest strawberry producer in Florida, has a large presence in Plant City.[19]
The Plant City Police Department (PCPD) is the law enforcement agency for the city of Plant City. The annual budget for the police department for 2017-2018 was $10,413,994.[22]
On October 12, 2009, the Plant City Commissioners voted 4-to-1 to essentially ban all new murals[23] in the Historic District of Plant City. Current murals being painted are not affected by this ban, but no new murals can be painted unless the owner of the building can prove there was an already existing mural on the wall before 1994. The ban was set in motion by a complaint that a recent mural by Blake Emory—a rendition of Norman Rockwell's "April Fools"—contained a sex organ in the painting. Even though the creators of the mural insisted it was not intentional, and immediately altered the section of the mural, City Commissioners hastily cast the vote adding that they may revisit this ban in the future. City Commissioner Bill Dodson was the only vote against the ban saying he was looking for a more thought out and complete ordinance over an immediate and outright ban.
United States
Florida
Hillsborough
