City Town Info

Sanford, FL


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Sanford, Florida

Introduction to Sanford, Florida

Sanford, Florida, in Seminole county, is 10 miles S of Deltona, Florida (center to center) and 90 miles NE of Tampa, Florida. The city is located along the shoreline of Lake Monroe at the head of the St. Johns River in Central Florida. It features numerous marinas and provides boats and commercial vessels access to the Atlantic Ocean. The city includes a large number of old commercial buildings and residential homes and has a small town rural atmosphere.

Sanford History

The Timucuan Indians were the original inhabitants. By 1760 the Timucuan population was wiped out by war and disease which led to the Seminole Indians becoming the new residents. In 1821 the United States acquired the Florida region from Spain, however the Seminole Wars postponed the settlement of the territory. After the Indian battles were over, a large number of orange groves were established. In 1870, General Henry Shelton Sanford purchased a vast acreage and laid out the city of Sanford. The city was incorporated in 1877.

Swedes were brought in to convert the wilderness landscape into a major citrus area. The region became one of the major suppliers of oranges in the world after the arrival of the railroad. The decline in the agricultural industry began in 1940 due to the desirability of growing crops in South Florida where frost wasn't an issue. In 1942 the Naval Air Station at Sanford was constructed. It was closed in 1968 which harmed the local economy.

Sanford Attractions

  • Central Florida Zoological Park
  • Sanford Museum
  • Museum of Seminole County History
  • Jazzed in Sanford
  • Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium
  • Cinema in the Park
  • River Walk
  • Palms Island Resort and Marina
  • Big Tree County Park
  • Colonial Town Park
  • Historic Downtown Sanford
  • Jeanine Taylor Folk Art
  • The Helen Stairs Theatre

Sanford Activities

Tourists enjoy the cruises along the scenic St. John's River which provide opportunities to see heron, osprey, eagles, manatee and other types of wildlife. Lake Dot Park is noteworthy for fishing. Sanford River Walk provides scenic views of Lake Monroe. Lake Jesup is popular with residents. The nearby Wekiwa Springs State Park is a large scenic acreage.

Golfers enjoy the area's numerous quality courses including the Mayfair Country Club, Magnolia Plantation Golf Club and the Timacuan Golf & Country Club. The popular Sea World Orlando, Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Islands of Adventure are nearby.

Sanford Transportation

The Orlando Sanford International Airport provides air travel for the region.

Sanford Higher Education

Seminole Community College provides opportunities for higher education.

High Points

Sanford strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Florida):

CategoryTrophy
Affordability of Property Taxes
(vs. Peers)
Top 9%Sanford Affordability of Property Taxes
Racial Diversity
(vs. Peers)
Top 12%Sanford Racial Diversity

Comparative Profile of Sanford, FL

Comparing Sanford to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Florida (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Racial Diversity99
Male Share of the Population99
Children Under 5 Years Old79
Senior Citizens42
Age of the Population31
Female Share of the Population22
Well-Paid Single Men25

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Average Household Size68
Portion of People Married22

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
People Above Poverty34
College Educated Adults24
People in Middle Class or Better23
Median Family Income24

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Walking and Biking to Work87
Short Commute Times54
Working at Home54
Public Transportation Use47

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Affordability of Property Taxes107
Seasonal and Vacation Housing93
Housing Recently Built87
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals79
Affordability of Rents75
People Living Alone65

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Low Violent Crime24
Low Property Crime12

Detailed pages on related topics: Sanford collegesSanford travelSanford apartments and mortgage.

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Additional Details

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