Nestled in the picturesque Orange County, Florida, Windermere is a charming town with a unique blend of small-town ambiance and luxurious living. With a rich history and an enviable location amidst a chain of lakes, one might wonder, how big is Windermere Florida?
Windermere’s size and geography offer an intriguing tale. Are you curious to know more about this captivating town? Join us as we unravel the many dimensions of Windermere, Florida, and discover its size, geography, and how it fits into the broader landscape of Orange County.
Windermere, Florida is 1.57 square miles in size, with land making up approximately 1.12 square miles and water accounting for roughly 0.57 square miles
The town has a population density of 1,937 residents per square mile and features 5:2 ratio of residential to commercial land use
Windermere’s growth is determined by the Town Council’s decisions related to zoning & development as well as historical annexations approved by its citizens
We’ll start by examining Windermere’s size through a numerical lens. With an aggregate area of 1.57 square miles and a population of 3,030, Windermere is a cozy, close-knit community that offers a refreshing contrast to the bustling urban centers of nearby cities. Comparatively smaller than its neighboring cities like Ocoee and Winter Garden, Windermere’s size is a testament to its appeal as a quaint residential destination.
The total area of Windermere, Florida, is 1.57 square miles, with land accounting for approximately 1.12 square miles and water for roughly 0.57 square miles. The town’s relatively modest size in comparison to other cities in Florida might seem surprising, but it’s precisely this quality that adds to its allure. The compact dimensions of Windermere have remained more or less consistent over time, even in the face of development projects that sometimes faced opposition from the Windermere Town Council.
Windermere’s small-town charm truly shines when compared to its neighboring cities. Here is a comparison of the sizes of some adjacent cities:
Ocoee: approximately 11 square miles
Winter Garden: 8 square miles
Gotha: 4 square miles
Bay Hill: 2 square miles
Orlando: a whopping 110 square miles.
Amidst these more expansive urban landscapes, Windermere’s smaller size offers a refreshing and picturesque escape that’s perfect for those seeking a quieter, more relaxed lifestyle.
Now that we’ve examined Windermere’s size in terms of numbers, we’ll move on to its geographical features. Situated on an isthmus between several bodies of water in the Lake Butler chain, Windermere is defined by both natural borders, such as lakes and waterways, and man-made boundaries like streets and avenues. This unique combination of factors shapes the town’s landscape and contributes to its charm.
The Butler Chain of Lakes is a defining feature of Windermere’s geography, acting as a natural border for the town and offering a picturesque landscape. Comprising eleven interconnected lakes, the chain plays a significant role in fostering Windermere’s suburban lifestyle and community spirit.
The lakes offer residents a variety of recreational activities, including boating and fishing, making Windermere an attractive destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
The streets and avenues of Windermere, including Avenue West, contribute to the town’s boundaries and suburban layout. Main Street and East Sixth Avenue serve as the primary thoroughfares, with a grid-like pattern defining the town’s limits. The development of Windermere’s streets and avenues can be traced back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, with many dirt roads still present alongside paved ones today.
This combination of dirt and paved roads adds character to the town and serves as a reminder of Windermere’s rural origins.
After considering Windermere’s size and geography, we’ll look at the town’s population density and urban footprint. These factors provide insights into the town’s residential growth and land use patterns, which in turn influence its overall size and layout.
The town population density of Windermere is approximately 1,937 residents per square mile. This figure reflects the town’s small-town atmosphere and close-knit community.
As one of the smaller towns in Orange County, the town of Windermere offers residents a unique blend of tranquility and convenience, with easy access to nearby cities and attractions.
Windermere’s urban development includes residential growth and land use planning. Over the past five years, a key development project in the town has been The Residences at Greyhawk, a gated community featuring a 3,365-square-foot, 5-bedroom home with an integrated pool. The town’s land use ratio is estimated to be approximately 5:2 for residential to commercial use, highlighting the emphasis on residential development.
These factors combine to shape Windermere’s size and layout, as well as its desirability as a place to call home.
Windermere’s position within Orange County influences its size and development. Both the town council and regional development plans play essential roles in shaping the town’s growth and expansion.
Let’s explore how these factors impact Windermere and its place in the larger community.
The Windermere Town Council has a significant impact on the town’s size through zoning, land use, and development decisions. For instance, the council has assessed development standards, declined variance requests for expansion, and voted on ordinances related to lot sizes and setbacks. These decisions play a crucial role in shaping Windermere’s growth and development, as well as its overall size.
Orange County’s regional development plans affect Windermere’s growth and expansion. These plans focus on:
Creating a sustainable and vibrant community
Addressing housing, transportation, and economic development
Preserving the environment
Promoting public health and safety.
Projects associated with Windermere include the Windermere Downtown Property Development Agreement and the construction of a new on-campus football stadium for Windermere High. These initiatives shape the town’s growth and size, ensuring Windermere remains an attractive residential destination.
Annexation has historically impacted Windermere’s size, with residents playing a crucial role in approving or rejecting proposed changes. In late 2007, Windermere filed a proposal to annex two wealthy subdivisions - Isleworth and Butler Bay. The proposal was to expand the boundaries of the town so as to include these localities. However, Windermere Town Council opposed the annexation, leaving the decision to the residents.
Let’s delve further into the impact of annexation on Windermere’s size.
Past annexations have altered Windermere’s map, expanding its boundaries and incorporating new areas into the town. One notable historical annexation is the annexation of Chaine du Lac, which occupies 103 acres south of Lake Butler Boulevard and is adjacent to the town limits on the west. Factors such as water quality played a role in the decision to annex particular areas into Windermere.
Windermere residents have a say in annexation decisions, influencing the town’s size and future development. For instance, when the town proposed annexing Isleworth and Butler Bay, Butler Bay was eventually annexed into Windermere, with more than 90% of its residents endorsing annexation through a mail-in ballot.
Town residents’ support or opposition to annexation proposals can have a significant impact on the town’s growth and financial landscape, including property tax revenue.
To truly understand Windermere’s size and geography, it’s necessary to inspect both its downtown area and outskirts. From the enchanting downtown streets, where dirt roads intersect with pavement, to the town’s peripheries, we’ll take a comprehensive look at Windermere.
Windermere’s downtown area features a mix of dirt and paved roads, reflecting its small-town charm and unique character. Main Street North and Main Street South, along with Oakdale Street, are the principal thoroughfares in the downtown district, with historical buildings such as the Windermere Town Hall and the Armstrong Parramore House adding to the area’s allure. Additionally, the Windermere Elementary School intersection serves as a key point in the community.
The presence of dirt roads alongside paved ones, especially where county road meets the rural areas, offers a distinct visual and serves as a reminder of Windermere’s rural origins.
Reaching the town line requires traveling to Windermere’s edges, providing a sense of the town’s size and geographical limits. With a distance of approximately 9.7 miles from downtown Windermere to the town’s borders, one can encounter major landmarks such as:
Brockhole on Windermere
Fell Foot Park
Lakes Aquarium
Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway
On the outskirts of the town, you’ll find the beautiful Park Avenue.
Venturing to the town’s edges allows for a clear understanding of Windermere’s geographical limits and its place within the broader landscape of Orange County.
Recreational spaces like public parks and waterways add to Windermere’s total size and raise its appeal as a residential area. Examples of such public parks include:
Central Park
Town Square Park
Fernwood Park
Windermere Recreation Center (also referred to as Butler Bay)
Johnson Park
These parks provide residents with ample outdoor recreation options.
Windermere’s public parks and green spaces, such as:
Central Park
Town Square Park
Fernwood Park
The Windermere Recreation Center (Butler Bay)
Lake Street Park
Park Among the Lakes
Queens Park
Rayrigg Meadow
add to the town’s size and provide residents with access to outdoor recreational activities. These parks offer amenities such as walking trails, park equipment, tennis courts, and recreational services, making them an essential part of the town’s landscape and contributing to its overall size.
The Lake Butler Chain and other recreational waterways contribute to Windermere’s size and offer residents a variety of water-based activities. With a total area of 4,927 acres, the Butler Chain of Lakes is a prominent feature of Windermere’s geography, providing numerous opportunities for:
Boating
Fishing
Water skiing
Wakeboarding
Pontoon boat tours
The chain’s excellent water quality and accessibility make it a popular destination for residents and visitors alike, adding to the town’s overall size and appeal.
In conclusion, Windermere, Florida, presents a fascinating blend of small-town charm, picturesque landscape, and luxurious living. Through a combination of quantitative analysis, geographic exploration, and an examination of its population density and urban footprint, we’ve discovered the many dimensions of this captivating town. With its unique combination of natural and man-made boundaries, as well as the influence of the town council, regional development plans, and residents’ input on annexation, Windermere’s growth and development continue to evolve. So, whether you’re navigating the charming streets of downtown or exploring the town’s recreational spaces and waterways, Windermere offers a delightful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Windermere is an affluent area, boasting a median household income of over $111,000 and residents such as Tiger Woods and Shaquille O'Neal. Additionally, many non-celebrities own some of the most expensive homes in Florida. Overall, Windermere Florida is indeed a wealthy area.
Yes, Windermere is a small town located southwest of Downtown Orlando and a short drive north from Universal Studios and Walt Disney World.
Windermere, Florida has an area of 1.57 square miles, including both land and water.
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