Wauchula is a city located in Hardee County, Florida, United States, and had a population of 4,368 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 4,441.
It is the county seat of Hardee County.[3] Wauchula has been called the "Cucumber Capital of the World", although citrus has become a more important agricultural crop over the past few decades. It is home to the Florida Institute for Neurologic Rehabilitation, a residential therapy facility for people who have suffered debilitating brain trauma.
In 1978, Wauchula was the location of the infamous "Baby Swap", which took place at Hardee Memorial Hospital, where the babies Arlena Twigg and Kimberly Mays were switched and went home with the wrong parents. (This event was documented in the book The Baby Swap Conspiracy by Loretta Schwarz-Nobel, and in the 1991 made-for-TV movie Switched at Birth).
Barbara Coker Mays, the natural mother of Arlena Twigg, who died from a congenital heart defect on August 23 1988, was a member of one of Hardee county's prominent families, the Cokers. Bryant Coker was involved in the building and financing of the hospital, and had a commemorative plaque at Hardee Memorial; H L Coker was on the board of trustees. Hardee Memorial, a modern, beige two storey building, served the area until July 1992, when it declared bankruptcy due to the legal battle over the baby swap case and closed its doors, according to Loretta Schwarz-Nobel in the book The Baby Swap Conspiracy. It is now served by the Florida Hospital.
Geography
Wauchula is located at 27°32′46″N 81°48′52″W / 27.54611°N 81.81444°W / 27.54611; -81.81444 (27.546091, -81.814564).[4]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.8 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 4,368 people, 1,431 households, and 985 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,669.6 people per square mile (643.7/km²). There were 1,562 housing units at an average density of 597.0/sq mi (230.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 73.44% White, 4.17% African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 18.84% from other races, and 2.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 39.42% of the population.
There were 1,431 households out of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.57.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.7% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,931, and the median income for a family was $29,943. Males had a median income of $19,129 versus $15,867 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,665. About 19.9% of families and 25.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.0% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.
Hurricane Charley
Hurricane Charley hit Wauchula at ca 5:30 on Friday, August 13, 2004, causing more than $750 million in damage. Sustained winds of 140 mph, with gusts of over 160 mph, were clocked in downtown Wauchula. The entire area had either no running water, or contaminated water for one week. Power was lost to many sections for nearly three weeks, with school canceled for two weeks. The area was declared a federal disaster area after 85% of buildings were either damaged or destroyed. There was a curfew set for the area for weeks after from 8 pm to 7 am.
Transportation
Wauchula Municipal Airport is a public-use airport located 5 miles (8.0 km) southwest of the central business district.
References
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