Located in the heart of Lake County, Eustis FL offers a combination of incredible weather, pristine environments, and beautiful views. The friendly hometown covers just over 11 square miles and offers a great destination for culture and arts, as well as a hometown community for young families. The city offers quality neighborhoods, a lovely waterfront, and a thriving downtown, making it attractive to home buyers and visitors. With opportunities for an active lifestyle, beautiful vistas, and natural resources, it’s easy to see why it’s a popular spot in Central Florida. Here’s a closer look at the city’s culture, demographics, quality of life, and more to help you decide of this friendly town is the perfect spot in Florida for you.
As of 2013, the population in Eustis FL was reported to be 19,214, a growth of 27.2% since 2000. Of that population, 71.6% is white alone, 14.5% is African American alone, 7.5% is Hispanic, 3.9% is Asian, 0.10% is American Indian, and 1.6% is two or more races.
There are currently more than 4,000 families and more than 6,000 households within the city, and the population density is 1,808 per square mile. Approximately 25.3% of the total households have children under age 18, 48% of households are married couples, and 36.6% of the households are non-families. The average family size is 2.86.
The population within Eustis is spread out in age, with 25.7% over age 65, 23.3% between 25 and 44, 22.5% under age 18, 21% between 45 and 64, and 7.5% between 18 and 24. The median age of Eustis residents is 42, and the population is 51.8% female and 48.2% male.
The culture in Eustis is rich with history, and the city of Eustis, FL dates all the way back to the post Civil War era in the 1870s, when settlers were beginning to move south from other states. The city is named after Colonel Abraham Eustis, a man who served in the U.S. Army back in the early part of the nineteenth century. While steamboat was originally the main method of shipping and long distance travel, eventually the arrival of the railway would replace steamboats. The railway also resulted in the growth of Eustis, and the city saw the addition of a newspaper, bank, schools, churches, stores, and more.
Citrus was, at one point, the main industry within the city, and the industry flourished in Eustis until at one point, the city was known as the “Orange Capital of the World.” In fact, a research station and laboratory was established in the city by the United States Department of Agriculture to study various plant diseases. Eventually, the research station was used to research citrus hybridization as well. Through the years, tourism became a major part of the city’s economy, and parks, boating, great weather, and hotels attracted visitors from around the world, particularly within the warm winter months.
Still today, the town caters to tourists and offers the waterfront activities that have long been a part of its culture. Old traditions from the past, such as the celebration of Washington’s Birthday, are still continued in Eustis, and the city continues to be a place of opportunity and culture today.
Eustis, FL offers an excellent quality of life for those living in the area, and the low cost of living is particularly appreciated by locals. Not only is the city’s cost of living 7% below the Florida average, its 6% below the national average as well. Housing costs are lower in the city as well, with the cost of housing sitting at 17% below the national average.
Currently, the median income for families within Eustis is $39,519, while the median income for Eustis households is $32,032. The city’s per capita income is $18,706. Females in the city have a median income of only $22,072, while males have a median income of $30,807. Currently, 15.3% of the city’s population lives below the poverty line.
The crime rate in Eustis is worth considering, since the city’s crime rate is 33% higher than the country’s average. Statistics show that residents have a 1 in 26 chance of becoming a victim of a crime, and there are 10.76 daily crimes for every 100,000 people in the city.
Eustis: Best Known For
The city of Eustis is well known for GeorgeFest, which has the distinction of being the longest running festival to celebrate George Washington’s birthday within the state of Florida. This festival is held each February on the last weekend in the city of Eustis FL. The festival has 113 consecutive events, which makes it the second longest ongoing festival of this type within the United States. The Lake Eustis Chamber of Commerce, City of Eustis, and small donors help to sponsor this event. Some of the many activities to enjoy at the festival include fireworks, music, float parade, outdoor dining, annual 5k, and carnival rides.
Eustis is also well known for the gorgeous Ferran Park and Lake Eustis Walkway. The park offers residents and visitors a stunning view of Lake Eustis and plenty of space to walk. The beautifully landscaped park features benches, walking paths, and a closer look at the city’s history. Picnic tables, gazebos, and a playground area are also available within the park. Since the park is located right downtown, it’s an easy walk from shops, art museums, the community theaters, and downtown restaurants.
