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Tavares, FL

Frequently asked questions

Tavares, FL

Tavares is a city and the county seat of Lake County, Florida. The population at the 2020 census was 19,003, and in 2019 the population was estimated to be 17,749. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Tavares is at 28°48′6″N 81°44′1″W (28.801670, –81.733548). It sits on an isthmus between Lake Eustis to the north and Lake Dora to the south. The city of Eustis borders Tavares to the northeast, and Lake Harris is to the west.

U.S. Route 441 passes through the north side of Tavares, leading east 6 miles (10 km) to Mount Dora and west 10 miles (16 km) to Leesburg. Florida State Road 19 joins US 441 through part of Tavares but leads northeast 5 miles (8 km) to Eustis and southwest 14 miles (23 km) to Florida's Turnpike in the outskirts of Groveland. Tavares is 32 miles (51 km) northwest of Orlando and 43 miles (69 km) southeast of Ocala.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Tavares has a total area of 13.7 square miles (35.6 km²); of this, 12.2 square miles (31.5 km²) are land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²), or 11.62%, is water.

Organized in 1885, and completed in 1888 on land donated by St. Clair-Abrams, the Union Congregational Church was the first church in Tavares. Tavares was founded in 1880 by Alexander St. Clair-Abrams, a newspaper and railroad man from a Creole family in New Orleans. He gave it the surname of a Portuguese ancestor. In 1883 a post office was established; by the next year, a hotel, three stores, a sawmill, and eight cottages were built. St. Clair-Abrams's dream of Tavares as the state capital was not realized, but in 1887 it was designated the county seat of Lake County. St. Clair-Abrams later chartered a railroad from Tavares to Orlando. In 1919, Tavares was incorporated as a town.

Health and wellness in Tavares is anchored by the renowned AdventHealth Waterman, ensuring residents have access to comprehensive and high-quality medical services, further cementing Tavares's reputation as a health-conscious community. Mandara Spa at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Universal Orlando offers a range of services including massages, facials, and body treatments in a serene Italian-themed setting. Massage Envy offers a variety of massage services including Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, and more. Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa provides massage therapy services such as hot stone massage, couples massage, aromatherapy massage, and prenatal massage. Elements Massage specializes in custom massages tailored to individual needs, focusing on therapeutic techniques to address specific issues like pain relief or stress reduction. Bliss Spa offers a range of massages including Swedish, deep tissue, and prenatal massages, as well as specialty treatments like their "Blissage" and "Betweeny" waxing services.

Top sites in Tavares, FL are Lake County Museum of Art, Jones Brothers Air & Seaplane Adventures, and Lake County Historical Museum.

Population: 21,061 (2023). ZIP code: 32778. Area code: 352. Elevation: 75 ft (23 m). Area: 7.49 square miles (19.4 km²).

FAQs

What is Tavares, FL known for?

The lakeside community of Tavares, situated 35 miles northwest of Orlando, is a truly unique destination known as “America's Seaplane City,” where pilots can swoop down and fuel up, fly-in dinner dates aren't unusual, and chartered day trips take visitors to Key West and back. With its abundance of waterways, Lake County lives up to its name, and Tavares, the county seat, is surrounded by lakes Eustis, Harris, and Dora, which offer plenty of opportunities for boating, paddling, and fishing. At the vibrant waterfront area on Lake Dora known as the Pontoon Promenade, visitors will find the Tavares Seaplane Base & Marina, Prop Shop at Woodlea, picnic pavilion, gazebos, and boat ramp, with popular downtown restaurants and family-friendly parks close by.

What are the demographics of Tavares, FL?

As of the census of 2000, there were 9,700 people, 4,471 households, and 2,821 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,368.3 inhabitants per square mile (528.3/km²). There were 5,475 housing units at an average density of 772.3 per square mile (298.2/km²). The city's racial makeup was 88.98% White, 7.70% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.46% of the population.

Is Tavares, FL a good place to live in?

Tavares is a suburb of Orlando with a population of 19,088. Tavares is in Lake County. Living in Tavares offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Many retirees live in Tavares and residents tend to lean conservative.

Sources

City of Tavares

Wikipedia

Niche

visitflorida

AdventHealth Waterman

Mandara Spa at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

Massage Envy

Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa

Elements Massage

Bliss Spa

Lake County Museum of Art

Jones Brothers Air & Seaplane Adventures

Lake County Historical Museum

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