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Kissimmee, FL

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Kissimmee, FL

Kissimmee is the largest city and county seat of Osceola County, Florida, United States. It is a Principal City of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2020 population of 2,673,376. The Census Bureau defines an urban area with Kissimmee as the principal city, which is separated from the Orlando urban area. The Kissimmee–St. Cloud, FL urban area had a 2020 population of 418,404, making it the 100th largest in the United States.

This area was originally named Allendale, after Confederate Major J. H. Allen who operated the first cargo steamboat along the Kissimmee River—the Mary Belle. It was renamed Kissimmee when incorporated as a city in 1883. The modern town, which is the county seat of Osceola County, was founded before the Civil War by the Bass, Johnson, and Overstreet families. The etymology of the name Kissimmee is debated, apart from the general agreement that it is Native American in origin. Its growth can be credited to Hamilton Disston of Philadelphia, who based his four-million acre (8,000 km²) drainage operation out of the small town. Disston had contracted with the financially wobbly state of Florida to drain its southern lands, for which he would own half of all he successfully drained. This deal made Disston the largest single landowner in the United States.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 17.32 square miles (44.9 km²), of which 16.7 square miles (43 km²) is land and 0.6 square miles (2 km²) is water (3.7%). Kissimmee and St. Cloud are the county's only incorporated settlements. They are in proximity to each other along U.S. Highways 192 and 441.

A large geographical area of unincorporated Osceola County is also referred to as Kissimmee. This includes most of the 192 corridor west of the city border to Highway 27, areas north of the city to Hunters Creek, and areas south of the city to Poinciana. The town is mostly built on deep sand which needs to be better drained in its natural state. The most common soil series is Myakka.

Drained by the Kissimmee River, the city is on the northwest shore of Lake Tohopekaliga (locally called Lake Toho, West Lake Toho, or simply West Lake) in central Florida. Shingle Creek, largely considered the headwaters of the Everglades, also runs through the city and features a canoe/kayak trail that runs from Steffe Landing on US 192 and ends in Lake Tohopekaliga.

The downtown area lies near the intersection of U.S. Highway 17/92 and U.S. Highway 192. Downtown Kissimmee has no skyscrapers; most of the buildings are two or three stories high. The biggest and the tallest building downtown is the Osceola County Courthouse. The main thoroughfare follows Highway 17/Highway 92 through the city's center and is a combination of three streets: Main Street, Broadway Street, and Emmett Street. The downtown area consists largely of restaurants, small shops, and historic residences. The University of Central Florida has a business incubator in the area that is an important part of the economic engine downtown.

Health and wellness are paramount in Kissimmee, with numerous facilities and outdoor spaces promoting a healthy lifestyle. The Osceola Regional Medical Center stands as a pillar of healthcare, providing comprehensive services to the community. Crunch Fitness offers a diverse range of workouts including group fitness classes, personal training, and specialized programs like HIIT and yoga. Select Physical Therapy offers comprehensive physical therapy services, including orthopedic rehabilitation, sports medicine, manual therapy, and specialized programs for various conditions. CORA Physical Therapy provides personalized physical therapy programs for musculoskeletal injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, balance and fall prevention, and occupational therapy services. Results Physiotherapy offers evidence-based physical therapy treatments for pain management, sports injuries, spine conditions, and neurological disorders. Physiotherapy Associates (now ATI Physical Therapy) provides individualized rehabilitation programs, sports performance enhancement, work injury prevention, and wellness services.

Top sites in Kissimmee, FL are Gatorland, Old Town, and the Museum of Military History.

Population: 84,756 (2024). ZIP codes: 34741-34747, 34758-34759. Area codes: 321, 407. Elevation: 72 ft (22 m). Area: 22.20 sq mi (57.50 km²).

FAQs

Is Kissimmee, FL expensive to live in?

Kissimmee is ranked 81 out of 273 cities across the US in terms of cost of living. The cost of living in Kissimmee is 101.7% of the national average. The average rent in Kissimmee (located in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford Metro) metro area for a 2-bed home is $1,989, which is 35% more than the average rent across the US. The median home price in Kissimmee is $382,000 with a median price per sqft of $204.

Is it ideal to live in Kissimmee, FL?

The city of Kissimmee in Florida’s Osceola County is a diversified and busy mid-sized city with something for everyone. It enjoys a cheap cost of living, the year-round warm weather, and proximity to Disney World and other attractions. Compared to other cities in Florida or the rest of the country, the cost of living in Kissimmee is low. In Kissimmee, you can choose from a wide range of available employment opportunities.

How far is Kissimmee, FL from the beach?

Kissimmee is located almost directly in the center of the Florida peninsula. It takes about 90 minutes to reach the Atlantic Ocean and two hours to reach the Gulf of Mexico for a day on the beach. Cocoa Beach is an incredible option along the eastern coast. Walk along the famous 800-foot Cocoa Beach Pier, lounge on the sand, or play volleyball nearby. If you would prefer to visit Florida's west coast, check out Clearwater Beach. This beach is a great place to spot some dolphins, relax under a beach umbrella, or catch a gorgeous sunset.

Sources

City of Kissimmee

Wikipedia

Flyhomes

Homeandmoney

Koa 

Osceola Regional Medical Center

Crunch Fitness

Select Physical Therapy

CORA Physical Therapy

Results Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy Associates (now ATI Physical Therapy)

Gatorland

Old Town

Museum of Military History

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.