Altamonte Springs is a suburban city in Central Florida in Seminole County, Florida, United States, which had a population of 46,231 at the 2020 United States census. The city is in the northern suburbs of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the United States Census Bureau estimated had a population of 2,673,376 in 2020.
History
Dr. Washington Kilmer of Cincinnati was the first person of European background to settle into the area circa 1870, and he named the area Altamonte. In 1882, the Altamonte Land, Hotel and Navigation Company, founded by Thomas C. Simpson and four other Massachusetts businessmen, gave the area its present name: Altamonte Springs.
The company developed the core community along Altamonte Avenue (today's SR 436) between Maitland and Longwood Avenues (today's Ronald Reagan Boulevard). On November 11, 1920, the residents of Altamonte Springs voted 38 to 7 in favor of incorporation.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.4 mi2 (24.5 km2), of which 8.9 mi2 (23.1 km2) is land and 0.6 mi2 (1.5 km2) (5.93%) is water.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of Altamonte Springs has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).
Demographics
Racial and ethnic composition
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Altamonte Springs had a population of 46,231. The median age was 36.7 years. 18.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 86.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 83.4 males age 18 and over.
100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 21,101 households in Altamonte Springs, of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 31.7% were married-couple households, 21.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 37.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 22,990 housing units, of which 8.2% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.4%.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 41,496 people, 18,045 households, and 10,083 families residing in the city.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 41,200 people, 18,821 households, and 10,012 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,631.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,788.1/km2). There were 19,992 housing units at an average density of 2,247.2 per square mile (867.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 79.23% White, 9.72% African American, 0.33% Native American, 2.94% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 4.79% from other races, and 2.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.93% of the population.
In 2000, there were 18,821 households, out of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.1% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.8% were non-families. 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.86.
In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 20.4% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 37.1% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $41,578, and the median income for a family was $49,082. Males had a median income of $34,413 versus $28,897 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,216. About 5.6% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Altamonte Springs has a city manager, city commissioner form of government (commission-manager), consisting of four commission districts and the mayor serving citywide.
Education
The City of Altamonte Springs' public schools are a part of Seminole County Public Schools.
Altamonte Springs is served by 4 public elementary schools (K–5); 2 public middle school (6–8); and 2 public high school (9–12). The City of Altamonte Springs is also home to a branch of Seminole State College of Florida. Additionally, Altamonte Springs boasts 10 percent more college graduates per capita than the Florida average, and is just a few miles away from the University of Central Florida and Rollins College.
Elementary
Altamonte Elementary School
Forest City Elementary School
Lake Orienta Elementary School
Spring Lake Elementary School
Middle
Milwee Middle School
Teague Middle School
High
Lake Brantley High School
Lyman High School
Private
Altamonte Christian School
Annunciation Catholic Academy
Forest Lake Academy
Forest Lake Education Center
Pace Brantley Hall School
Saint Mary Magdalen School
College
Everglades University
Seminole State College of Florida
Library
Serving the needs of residents since 1960, the Altamonte Springs City Library houses a permanent collection of 44,000 items.
The city announced closure of the library on August 31, 2024 citing budget constraints and rising costs. Residents will be able to use the Seminole County Public Library. However, the city held a special meeting to discuss the library shutting down, and residents argued to commissioners that the library should not shut down and is vital to the city.
Community
Cranes Roost Park and Uptown Altamonte
Cranes Roost Park, Cranes Roost Lake, and the general area on State Road 436 east of Interstate 4 is known as the central area of the city. This is the area that borders Interstate 4 which is the main interstate highway for Central Florida connecting Daytona Beach, Orlando, and Tampa. An outdoor town center was recently opened named 'Uptown Altamonte' which marks the central business district of the city. Cranes Roost at Uptown Altamonte features a water fountain choreographed to classical, swing and contemporary music.
This city center incorporates large-scale apartment buildings and planned high rise condominiums. The construction also includes mixed use shops and retailers. The park area includes a square for weddings, festivals, and city holidays. The spot has become popular with Altamonte Springs residents, and attracts residents from nearby Longwood, Casselberry, and Maitland. Future plans include two high rise residential structures (in excess of 10 stories) and a series of parking structures to facilitate visitors.
The area includes the Altamonte Mall, a 4-anchor indoor shopping mall, which includes an 18-screen AMC Theatre. Many restaurants are located near the mall.
Special events
Since 1995 Altamonte Springs has been host city to the Red, Hot, & Boom annual firework festival each July 3 in celebration of Independence Day. The event, which includes musical performances by nationally and internationally known entertainers and a custom fireworks show with over 15,000 shells, has drawn 200,000 people in recent years, and is Central Florida's largest Independence Day Celebration.
Parks and recreation
Parks and events
A Petrified Forest (Halloween Event)