Weeki Wachee, Florida

Weeki Wachee is an unincorporated community and former city located in Hernando County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the community has a total population of 16. The 12,000-acre (4,900 ha) Weeki Wachee Preserve and the Weeki Wachee Springs park are located in the area. The park includes water rides, animal shows, mermaid costume shows, and manatee watching. The communities of Weeki Wachee Gardens and Spring Hill are nearby.

Weeki Wachee, Florida
Unincorporated community
US 19, SR 50 and CR 550 intersect at Weeki Wachee Springs and Buccaneer Bay
US 19, SR 50 and CR 550 intersect at Weeki Wachee Springs and Buccaneer Bay
Location in Hernando County and the state of Florida
Location in Hernando County and the state of Florida
Weeki Wachee, Florida is located in the United States
Weeki Wachee, Florida
Weeki Wachee, Florida
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 28°30′56″N 82°34′43″W
CountryUnited States
StateFlorida
CountyHernando
Founded1966
DissolvedJune 2020
Area
[1]
 • Total1.05 sq mi (2.73 km2)
 • Land1.00 sq mi (2.60 km2)
 • Water0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2)
Elevation
33 ft (10 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total16
 • Density12.94/sq mi (5.00/km2)
Time zoneUTC−05:00 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−04:00 (EDT)
Area code352
FIPS code12-75625[2]
GNIS feature ID0295700[3]
Websitewww.weekiwachee.com

History

Weeki Wachee was founded as a city in 1966 to promote the local mermaid attraction. With fewer than 15 residents, and increased concerns over the city's finances, services, and state park operations, state representative Blaise Ingoglia sponsored a bill to dissolve the city, and Governor Ron DeSantis signed it into law in June 2020. Hernando County, the county the former city resides in, was responsible for resolving its financial issues. Park operations were not affected.[4]

Geography

The former city boundaries of Weeki Wachee was located in western Hernando County at 28°30′56″N 82°34′43″W.[5] Via U.S. Route 19, it was 19 miles (31 km) north of Port Richey and 20 miles (32 km) south of Homosassa Springs. Via Florida State Road 50, Weeki Wachee was 12 miles (19 km) west of Brooksville, the Hernando County seat.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2), of which 0.050 square miles (0.13 km2), or 4.68%, was water.[6]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
197076—
19808−89.5%
199053562.5%
200012−77.4%
2010120.0%
20201633.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]

As of the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 12 people, five households, and five families residing in the city.[2] The population density was 11.8 people per square mile (4.5/km2). There were five housing units at an average density of 4.9 per square mile (1.9/km2). As identified by the census, no one in Weeki Wachee was Hispanic or Latino. All residents were White except for one Native American member of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians.

Weeki Wachee Springs

Tourist attraction
Entrance to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

Weeki Wachee Springs, the spring of the Weeki Wachee River, is a Florida tourist attraction where underwater performances by mermaids — women dressed in fancy outfits with fins about their legs — can be viewed in an aquarium-like setting. The attraction includes a Buccaneer Bay water park, animal shows, and boat rides. General Manager Robyn Anderson was the town's mayor. The park is now a Florida State Park and is owned and managed by the State Parks department.[8]

Deepest naturally formed spring in the United States

From May 22 until August 30, 2007, the discharge level at Weeki Wachee spring dropped to a level that allowed for cave divers to gain effective entry into the cave system at the spring. The Karst Underwater Research team successfully executed exploration dives and the necessary in-water decompression to explore approximately 6,700 feet (2,000 m) in multiple passages at an average depth of 265 feet (81 m) fresh water (ffw) with a maximum depth of 407 feet (124 m) ffw.[9][10]

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. Behrendt, Barbara (June 9, 2020). "Weeki Wachee, the city of live mermaids, is no more". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Weeki Wachee city, Florida". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  7. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  8. "Florida Springs Guide: Weeki Wachee Springs State Park". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  9. "Weeki Wachee Spring". karstunderwaterresearch.org. Karst Underwater Research. Retrieved August 18, 2008.
  10. Neill, Logan; Anderson, Joel (April 20, 2009). "Cave divers explore deepest parts of Weeki Wachee Springs". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved June 1, 2009.
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