Homosassa () is a census-designated place (CDP) in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,299 at the 2020 census, down from 2,578 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Homosassa Springs, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Homosassa is derived from a Seminole tribe Native American name meaning either "river of fishes" or "pepper ridge".

In 1851, David Levy Yulee established a sugar plantation on the Homosassa River, close to the current town of Homosassa. The plantation was worked by approximately 1,000 slaves, but Yulee was an absentee owner, spending most of his time in Fernandina. Among the crops raised were sugar cane, cotton, and citrus. The Yulee Groves were one of the first in Florida to grow sweet oranges budded from sour orange stock. The mill, which was steam-driven, operated from 1851 to 1864 and produced sugar, syrup, and molasses, the last of which was part of the rum-making process. After the Civil War ended in 1865, Yulee was imprisoned, the slaves were freed, and the site was abandoned. The remains of the plantation are preserved at the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park.

Wildlife

Homosassa is home to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, which is often home to large numbers of "migratory" manatees, which frequent the area due to its springs and relatively warm waters. The park has been known to have Florida panthers, black bears, red wolves, alligators and flamingos. The park is home to Lu, a famous hippopotamus known for his performances in many movies. The park also hosts an underwater viewing platform, known as the "fish bowl", where visitors can see manatees and fish swimming in the large spring from which the Homosassa River begins. The Wildlife Park helps spread awareness about the dangers of boating around areas inhabited by manatees as well as the destructive effects of polluting the environment. The park is one of the few major attractions of the area, which has a large retiree population and a very low level of activity compared to major tourist regions of Florida. The Homosassa and Halls rivers run through the area, and it is fairly common to see manatees surface near the area's waterfront restaurants and bars.

Homosassa is considered one of the best places in the world to catch Atlantic tarpon by Sport Fishing Magazine.

Geography

Homosassa is located in southwestern Citrus County, to the west of U.S. Routes 19 and 98 (Suncoast Boulevard). The CDP extends west on both sides of the Homosassa River to a network of marshes and islands that lead to the Gulf of Mexico. The original settlement of Homosassa is located on the south side of the Homosassa River, west of Homosassa Springs by either West Fishbowl Drive or West Yulee Drive.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , of which is land and , or 6.30%, is water.

48.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 52.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 1,186 households in Homosassa, of which 9.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 47.5% were married-couple households, 22.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. Homosassa Elementary School is in the community. Residents are zoned to Homosassa Elementary, Crystal River Middle School in Crystal River, and Crystal River High School in Crystal River.

The nearest public library, the Homosassa Public Library of Citrus Libraries, located in Homosassa Springs.

References

  • Citrus County Visitors & Convention Bureau
  • Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park