Historic railroad station
Dade City is a city in Pasco County, Florida. The population was 6,188 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Pasco County.[3] Dade City is a suburb of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 6,615.[1]
Geography
Dade City is located at 28°21′42″N 82°11′36″W / 28.361774°N 82.193319°W / 28.361774; -82.193319.[4]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²)— 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (2.96%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 6,188 people, 2,399 households, and 1,460 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,885.3 person per square mile (728.4/km²). There were 2,818 housing units at an average density of 858.6 houses per square mile (331.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.90% White, 24.16% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 8.10% from other races, and 1.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.76% of the population.
There were 2,399 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.3% were married couples living together, 18.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,115, and the median income for a family was $31,148. Males had a median income of $25,404 versus $21,984 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,675. About 12.0% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.3% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
Dade City is served by a low power FCC Part 15 AM community radio station, known as "Dade City Radio" located on 1710 kHz as well as the World Wide Web. This station airs Old Time Radio Shows from the Golden Age of Radio, Alternative Talk & music not heard on the local radio circuit. See below links for access to the web stream.
History
The Pioneer Florida Museum, which opened on Labor Day, 1975, describes the life of pioneers in central Florida. Its artifacts and exhibits include a 1913 locomotive, a Methodist church, a house built before the American Civil War, a old school, and an old train depot from Trilby, Florida[5].
The Hugh Embry Library, currently located on 4th Street, was started in 1904 when its namesake, then 25, was recovering from an illness. Embry had a strong desire to read, but at that time there was no public library in Dade City. He filled this need by soliciting donations from local households, leading to the development of a small library in the Embry home (now the site of the U.S. Post Office on Church St.).[6] His efforts helped generate enthusiasm in the community for a larger library, culminating in the development of the Pasco County Library Association in 1905. After Embry's death at the age of 28 due to tuberculosis, the library initially faltered, but was kept alive due to the efforts of active community members and civic organizations such as the Dade City Woman's Club. The library was relocated several times over the next five decades, finally ending up at the current location in 1963. The library underwent a complete renovation in the late 1980s, with the current 7,200-square-foot (670 m2) building opening in 1991.
The Crescent Theatre was Dade City's principal theater from its opening in 1926 until it closed in 1950[5]. It was located on the northeast corner of South 5th Street and Florida Avenue. The Pasco Theater, on South 7th Street, operated from 1948 until 1999. Both theatres have been demolished.
During World War II, a prisoner-of-war camp was situated in Dade City. The prisoners were German soldiers who were in Rommel's Afrika Korps and were captured in North Africa. They made limestone bricks, built warehouses, and made boxes. The POW camp operated from approximately 1942 to the spring of 1946. The site is now the Pyracantha Park Civic Center[5].
Downtown
Dade City's downtown is known or its myriad antique shops.[2][3] Also, Osceola Tavern was named one of the 100 best bars in Tampa Bay.[4]
Popular culture
In the television series Dexter, Dade City is the fictional home of Dexter Morgan's deceased biological father. As well, the city is incorrectly quoted as "5 hours up I-95"; Dade City is off of I-75. O'Henry's story "The Hand that Riles the World" ends with Bill Humble being appointed the Postmaster of Dade City[7]. Dade City also bears home to scenes presented in the film Edward Scissorhands.
Dade City was the first stop for Australian radio duo Hamish and Andy's American Caravan Of Courage 3: Yes We Van.
References
External links
