Tavares Geography

Tavares Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 9,700 people, 4,471 households, and 2,821 families residing in the city. The
population density is 528.2/km2 (1,368.3/mi2). There are 5,475 housing units at an average density of 298.2/km2
(772.3/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 88.98% White, 7.70% African American, 0.30% Native American,
0.80% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. 3.46% of the
population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 4,471 households out of which 16.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% are
married couples living together, 9.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% are non-
families. 33.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 21.2% have someone living alone who is 65
years of age or older. The average household size is 2.01 and the average family size is 2.48.

In the city the population is spread out with 14.1% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 19.8% from 25 to 44,
22.2% from 45 to 64, and 38.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 56 years. For every 100
females there are 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $31,337, and the median income for a family is $36,243. Males
have a median income of $28,911 versus $20,271 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,942.
10.3% of the population and 6.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 18.2% of those
under the age of 18 and 6.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
A diverse range of companies and industries support the commercial base of Tavares. Five major business
districts fuel a wide variety of companies that include commercial, light industrial, legal, and medical companies.
The Southridge Industrial area located at CR 561 and CR 448 is a growing industrial center with land available
and perfect for development. The Lake County Job Growth Investment Trust Fund awards a qualified business up
to $4,000 for each new job created at a salary of 110 percent of the county’s average wage. Lake County also
offers a deferral plan for payments of transportation impact fees for qualified projects. Some recent growth
includes a major expansion of G&T Conveyor Company, the relocation from Eustis to Tavares by Florida Hospital
Waterman in 2003, the expansion of Trident Florida Trading and the relocation of Blue Rhino, Inc.

The largest employers include Florida Hospital Waterman, Lake County Government, the Lake County School
Board, G&T Conveyor Company, Inc. and Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

SHOPPING AND DINING
In Tavares, there is the quaint downtown district and merchants who line the corridors of US Highway 441, SR 19
and Alfred Street (Old 441).

Downtown Tavares offers a combination of specialty shops, unique restaurants, and government and
professional offices in a peaceful, lakeside, small-town atmosphere. Just north of Tavares, the Lake Square Mall
is home to more than 70 specialty shops and four major department stores: Belk, Sears, Target and JCPenney.

The variety of restaurants in the area offer just about any fare to reach everyone’s taste. From Thai, to sushi, to
pub, seafood and traditional family style “comfort food,” visitors and residents alike can experience a wide-range
of atmospheres and price ranges. Tavares boasts of at least two waterfront eateries, Harborside Restaurant on
the Dead River and O’Keefe’s Restaurant on Lake Dora.

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE
Tavares is a family-oriented community which provides a wide variety of events throughout the year. High-spirited
local festivals and special events bring every age in the community together to celebrate heritage, culture and just
about every holiday!

Some local events include:

Central Florida Dragon Boat Festival
Art in the Square
African American Heritage Festival
Easter Egg Hunt
Paddle Against Cancer
Independence Day Celebration
Thomas the Tank Engine
Fall Festival
Renaissance Faire
Christmas Light Up
RECREATION
The beautiful and pristine natural resources of Tavares provide the opportunity for endless recreation adventures.
Lake Eustis and Lake Dora are ready for all of your boating and fishing excursions. The city also operates 8 parks
on lands totaling more than 250 acres. Wooton Park, located on Lake Dora is the site of many city-sponsored
events. It includes a large playground, boat ramps and picnic area. Hickory Point is a 68-acre park located on
Lake Harris, which has 12 boat ramps and a marina pavilion. Woodlea Sports Complex has a multi-purpose
sports field and skateboard facility.

Fred Stover Park has four ball fields and holds annual adult and youth tournaments. The City of Tavares and Babe
Ruth sponsor local baseball leagues.

Several local golf courses, Deer Island, BayTree, Deer Island, Mission Inn, Sarabande ad Village Green provide
golfing outings for a variety of skill levels in Florida’s most natural settings.

EDUCATION
Children attending public schools in Tavares attend Tavares or Astatula Elementary Schools, Tavares Middle
School and Tavares High School (Home of the Bulldogs). These schools all belong to the Lake County School
District. Students from Tavares, Astatula and Howey-in-the-Hills attend these area schools, which boast some of
the highest test scores in the district.

For higher education, Lake/Sumter Community College and Lake Technical Center are within minutes from
Tavares in the golden-triangle area and offer a wide array of opportunities in many different career and technical
fields. Corporate training and lifelong learning are also available at these educational institutions.

HEALTHCARE
Residents can find virtually any level of healthcare they require as Tavares is host to independent practitioners
and clinics and is home to a local renowned hospital. Florida Hospital Waterman in a state-of-the-art acute care
hospital which has 204 beds. As a health information resource to the community offering a full array of medical
services and specialties, support groups and education programs, Florida Hospital Waterman is recognized as a
Distinguished Hospital for Service Excellence by J.D.Power and Associates.

Extensive home care services are also designed to accommodate the requirements of in-home patients through
nursing care, non-emergency transportation and home medical equipment. Area health professionals provide a
full range of services beyond the scope of the local hospital, as well.

History of Tavares

When founded in 1880 by Major St. Claire Abrams, he hoped the city would become the capital of Florida. Though
his dream was never realized, Tavares did become the county seat in 1887 and has remained a major force in
county government since that time. It is the location of three courthouses and a state-of-the-art Criminal Justice
Complex and Jail.

Many historical sites weave the interesting story of Tavares’ history. The oldest standing structure in Tavares is
known to be the Woodlea House. Built in 1871 by Captain Melton Haynes, (1827-1883), this home and the land
where it sits was named Woodlea by Isabella Haynes, the daughter of Melton and Sarah Haynes. Other historic
landmarks include the Opera House, built by Major Abrams in 1887, and the historic courthouse built in 1924,
which houses county offices on the upper floors and a museum on the ground floor. Its convenient location on
Main Street in downtown Tavares makes it an excellent source for additional information on area historical facts.