History of Orange County, Florida in Timeline
Orange County, located in central Florida, had a population of 1,429,908 as of the 2020 census, making it the fifth most populous county in Florida and the 28th most populous in the United States. Orlando, the county seat and largest city, forms the core of the Orlando metropolitan area, which had a population of 2.67 million in 2020.
1913: Seminole County Formation
Seminole County was formed from Orange County in 1913.
November 3, 1920: Ocoee Massacre
On November 3, 1920, after attempts to suppress Black voting rights, a white mob attacked the Black community of Ocoee, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 50-60 African Americans and widespread destruction of property. Julius "July" Perry, a prosperous Black farmer, was lynched in Orlando following these events.
1923: Albertson Public Library Opens
The Albertson Public Library, named after Captain Charles L. Albertson, opened in 1923 using his collection. Before this, the Sorosis Club of Orlando ran a subscription-based book lending service. The Orange County Library System was also established in this year.
1924: Booker T. Washington Branch Established
In 1924, the Booker T. Washington Branch of the Albertson Library was established to serve the African American community of Orlando.
1944: Orange County Politics
In 1944, Franklin D. Roosevelt won Orange County by 15 points.
1948: Orange County Politics
In 1948, Thomas E. Dewey won Orange County by seven points, marking a shift in the county's political landscape.
1950: Racial Violence
By 1950, Orange County had witnessed 33 lynchings of African Americans since 1877, the highest number in Florida and sixth highest in the US.
1962: Orlando Jetport Construction
Orlando Jetport, the predecessor of Orlando International Airport, was built in 1962 on a portion of McCoy Air Force Base.
1964: Orange County Politics
In 1964, Barry Goldwater received 56 percent of the vote in Orange County.
1965: Walt Disney World Announcement
Walt Disney announced plans for Walt Disney World in 1965.
1966: Orlando Public Library Building Completed
The current Orlando Public Library building was completed in 1966 on the grounds of the former Albertson Public Library.
1970: Airline Service Begins
By 1970, four major airlines started scheduled flights from Orlando Jetport.
October 1971: Walt Disney World Opening
Walt Disney World opened in October 1971, marking a significant turning point in Orange County's development and leading to rapid population and economic growth.
1974: Bay Hill Club and Lodge
In 1974, Arnold Palmer purchased the Bay Hill Club and Lodge, which hosts the Arnold Palmer Invitational each March.
1975: McCoy Air Force Base Closure
McCoy Air Force Base officially closed in 1975, and its airport code (MCO) was retained by the Orlando International Airport.
1976: Orange County Politics
In 1976, Democrats cracked the 40 percent barrier in Orange County for the second time since 1948 (the first time being 1964).
December 1983: Freezing Temperatures
In December 1983, freezing temperatures damaged a significant number of orange groves in Orange County.
January 1985: Freezing Temperatures
In January 1985, freezing temperatures damaged a significant number of orange groves in Orange County.
1988: Orange County Politics
In 1988, George H.W. Bush received 67% of the vote in Orange County.
December 1989: Freezing Temperatures
In December 1989, freezing temperatures caused significant damage to orange groves across Orange County, marking the worst freeze since 1899.
1992: Orange County Politics
In 1992, George H.W. Bush's vote share in Orange County dropped to 45.9 percent.
1996: Orange County Politics
In 1996, Bob Dole narrowly won Orange County by 520 votes.
1997: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
In 1997, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex hosted the 1997 U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships. The Atlanta Braves also began using the complex for spring training.
September 2000: Orange County Politics
In September 2000, Democrats overtook Republicans in voter registration in Orange County.
2000: Orange County Politics
In 2000, Al Gore carried Orange County after it had voted for Bob Dole in 1996. Orange County was one of two counties in the US to do so (along with Charles County, Maryland). The Republican party had 40.95% of registered voters in Orange County.
2004: Orange County Politics
In 2004, John Kerry narrowly carried Orange County.
2004: Orange County Politics
The 2024 election was the closest margin in Orange County since the 2004 election.
2008: Orange County Politics
In 2008, Barack Obama won Orange County by the largest margin for a Democrat since Roosevelt.
2012: Orange County Politics
By 2012, the percentage of registered Republicans in Orange County had fallen to 29.85%.
2012: Rollins College Ranking
In 2012, Rollins College was ranked #1 among regional universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report.
2016: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
In 2016, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex hosted the 2016 Invictus Games.
2017: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
From 2017 to 2020, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex hosted the Pro Bowl skills competition.
2019: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
In 2019, the Atlanta Braves concluded their use of the complex for spring training after using it since 1997.
February 2020: Golf Channel Relocation
In February 2020, the Golf Channel announced its plans to consolidate its television operations with NBC Sports in Stamford, Connecticut.
2020: University of Central Florida
In Fall 2020, the University of Central Florida had 71,948 students, making it the largest university in the nation by enrollment.
2020: 2020 Census
The 2020 census recorded Orange County's population as 1,429,908, making it the fifth most populous county in Florida and the 28th most populous in the United States. The Orlando metropolitan area, which includes Orange County, had a population of 2.67 million.
2020: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
In 2020, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex hosted the 2020 NBA Bubble due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
July 2021: Westgate Resorts
As of July 2021, Westgate Resorts, headquartered in Orange County, operated 22 locations across the United States.
2021: Orange County Public Schools
In the 2021-2022 school year, Orange County Public Schools operated 205 schools with 206,246 students.
2022: Economic Data
In 2022, Orange County's gross domestic product reached $115 billion, ranking it third in Florida and 27th nationally.
2022: Orlando Tourism
In 2022, Orlando was the third most visited city in the U.S., hosting over 2.9 million visitors.
2022: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
In 2022, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex hosted the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.
2022: Orange County Public Schools
In the 2021-2022 school year, Orange County Public Schools operated 205 schools with 206,246 students.
May 2023: Disney Expansion Cancellation
In May 2023, Disney cancelled its planned expansion of its corporate presence in Orange County due to a feud with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
2023: Orange County Public Schools
As of 2023, Orange County Public Schools was the 4th largest district statewide and 8th largest nationally.
2023: University Enrollment
As of Fall 2023, the University of Central Florida (UCF) had 69,320 students, making it the fourth-largest on-campus student body among US public universities.
2023: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
In 2023, the Tampa Bay Rays utilized the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for spring training due to Hurricane Ian damage to their usual facility.
2024: Orange County Politics
In 2024, Kamala Harris won Orange County by 13 points, the closest margin since 2004.
2025: Epic Universe Opening
Epic Universe theme park, located near International Drive in Orange County, is set to open in 2025.