Gotha is a census-designated place (CDP) in Orange County, Florida, United States. Gotha is located between Ocoee and Windermere. As of the 2020 census, Gotha had a population of 2,217. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is the resting place of the famous painter Bob Ross.

History

A post office opened at Gotha in 1883. The town of Gotha was founded in 1885 by German immigrant H. A. Hempel. Hempel Avenue, the "main street" of Gotha, is named in his honor. After buying 1000 acres, the majority of acreage still designated as United States Territory, he laid out a town and named it after his birthplace of Gotha, Germany. He then mailed promotional pamphlets to northern cities and to Europe advertising the warm climate and mild winters.

In time, several German American families moved to and settled in and around Gotha. It is home to Nehrling Gardens, developed by horticulturist Henry Nehrling.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , of which is land and (10.20%) is water.

Climate

Gotha experiences a Humid subtropical climate (cfa) with all year precipitation, warm to hot summers, wet and mild to warm winters.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Gotha had a population of 2,217. The median age was 39.4 years. 26.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 12.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 84.7 males age 18 and over.

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 685 households in Gotha, of which 47.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 73.3% were married-couple households, 5.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 16.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 8.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. Residents are zoned to Thornebrooke Elementary School, Gotha Middle School, and Olympia High School.

References

  • Orange County Schools
  • West Orange Chamber of Commerce