Wewahitchka, Florida
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Wewahitchka, Florida
|official_name = City of Wewahitchka
|other_name =
|native_name =
|nickname =
|settlement_type = City
|motto = "Home of Dead Lakes & Tupelo Honey"{{Cite web| url=http://cityofwewahitchka.com| title=City of Wewahitchka| publisher=City of Wewahitchka| access-date=November 21, 2016}}
|image_skyline = Gulfctycourthouseoldwewa02.jpg
|imagesize =
|image_caption = Old Gulf County Courthouse
|image_flag =
|flag_size =
|image_seal =
|seal_size =
|image_shield =
|shield_size =
|image_blank_emblem =
|blank_emblem_type =
|blank_emblem_size =
|image_map = Gulf_County_Florida_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Wewahitchka_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize = 250x200px
|map_caption = Location in Gulf County and the state of Florida
|image_map1 =
|mapsize1 =
|map_caption1 =
|image_dot_map =
|dot_mapsize =
|dot_map_caption =
|dot_x =
|dot_y =
|pushpin_map = Florida#USA
|pushpin_label = Wewahitchka
|pushpin_map_caption =
|pushpin_mapsize =
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}}
|subdivision_type1 = State
|subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Florida}}
|subdivision_type2 = County
|subdivision_name2 = {{noflag|Gulf}}
|subdivision_type3 =
|subdivision_name3 =
|subdivision_type4 =
|subdivision_name4 =
|government_footnotes =
|government_type = Commission–Manager
|leader_title = Mayor
|leader_name = Phillip Gaskin
|leader_title1 = Commissioners
|leader_name1 = Johnny Paul, Brian Cox,
Ralph Fisher, and
Charlie Pettis
|leader_title2 = City Administrator
|leader_name2 = Michael Gortman
|leader_title3 = City Clerk
|leader_name3 = Rachel Jackson
|leader_title4 = City Attorney
|leader_name4 = Michelle Blankenship Jordan
|established_title = Settled
|established_date = {{circa|1870-1875|lk=yes}}{{Cite web|title=History of Gulf County (Page 2)|url=https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/321107?id=2|website=www.floridamemory.com}}{{Cite web|title=Wewahitchka Centennial Marker (Obverse), FL|url=https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/historical_architecture_main/4359/#:~:text=This%20waymark%20details%20the%20founding,First%20Seminole%20Was%20in%201818.|website=University of North Florida}}{{Cite web|title=Wewahitchka Centennial 1875-1975|url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=101420|website=www.hmdb.org}}
|established_title2 =
|established_date2 =
|established_title3 = Incorporated
|established_date3 = 1959{{Cite web|title=FLORIDA CITIES BY INCORPORATION YEAR|url=http://www.floridaleagueofcities.com/docs/default-source/CMRI/2016citiesbyincorporationb682b2c41a9e6c4e8be5ff0000e8da5f.pdf?sfvrsn=0|website=Florida League of Cities}}
|area_magnitude =
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_total_km2 = 20.20
|area_land_km2 = 17.34
|area_water_km2 = 2.87
|area_total_sq_mi = 7.80
|area_land_sq_mi = 6.69
|area_water_sq_mi = 1.11
|area_water_percent =
|area_urban_km2 =
|area_urban_sq_mi =
|area_metro_km2 =
|area_metro_sq_mi =
|area_blank1_title =
|area_blank1_km2 =
|area_blank1_sq_mi =
|population_as_of = 2020
|population_footnotes =
|population_note =
|population_total = 2074
|population_density_km2 = 119.64
|population_density_sq_mi = 309.88
|population_metro =
|population_density_metro_km2 =
|population_density_metro_sq_mi =
|population_urban =
|population_density_urban_km2 =
|population_density_urban_sq_mi =
|population_blank1_title =
|population_blank1 =
|population_density_blank1_km2 =
|population_density_blank1_sq_mi =
|timezone = Central (CST)
|utc_offset = -6
|timezone_DST = CDT
|utc_offset_DST = -5
|coordinates = {{coord|30|6|51|N|85|11|55|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes =
|elevation_m = 14
|elevation_ft = 46
|postal_code_type = ZIP Code
|postal_code = 32465
|area_code = 850
|blank_name = FIPS code
|blank_info = 12-77100{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}
|blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
|blank1_info = 0294641{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=United States Geological Survey|date=2007-10-25}}
|website = {{URL|cityofwewahitchka.com}}
|footnotes =
|pop_est_as_of =
|pop_est_footnotes =
|population_est =
}}
Wewahitchka is a city in Gulf County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,074 as of the 2020 census. From the creation of Gulf County in 1925 until 1965, it served as the county seat before the county seat was moved to Port St. Joe. The City of Wewahitchka was settled around 1870 and officially founded in 1875. The city took its name from a Native American word meaning "water eyes". Two lakes along the edge of town look like a perfect pair of eyes, one of the lakes is called Lake Julia, while the other one is Lake Alice.{{cite web|url=http://americanprofile.com/articles/wewahitchka-means-water-eyes/|title=Wewahitchka Means 'Water Eyes'|access-date=14 February 2014}}
Geography
The approximate coordinates for the City of Wewahitchka is located in northeast Gulf County at {{coord|30|6|51|N|85|11|55|W|}}.
Wewahitchka is located in northeastern Gulf County at the junction of Florida State Roads 71 and 22. SR 71 leads north {{convert|27|mi}} to Blountstown and south {{convert|24|mi}} to Port St. Joe, while SR 22 leads west {{convert|28|mi}} to Panama City.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Wewahitchka has a total area of {{convert|20.0|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|16.8|km2|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|3.2|km2|order=flip}}, or 15.80%, is water.{{Cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US1277100| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Wewahitchka city, Florida| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| work=American Factfinder| access-date=November 21, 2016}}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
It is located west of the Chipola River, a tributary of the Apalachicola River, and southwest of Dead Lakes. The two "eye-shaped" lakes from which the city takes its Native American names are Lake Julia and Lake Alice. And Lake Shippey is also located at the bottom center of the city limits.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of Wewahitchka has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).
{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = Wewahitchka, Florida, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1901–present
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 85
|Feb record high F = 86
|Mar record high F = 93
|Apr record high F = 93
|May record high F = 99
|Jun record high F = 104
|Jul record high F = 105
|Aug record high F = 101
|Sep record high F = 99
|Oct record high F = 98
|Nov record high F = 93
|Dec record high F = 87
|Jan avg record high F = 76.9
|Feb avg record high F = 78.7
|Mar avg record high F = 83.2
|Apr avg record high F = 87.0
|May avg record high F = 92.5
|Jun avg record high F = 95.4
|Jul avg record high F = 95.8
|Aug avg record high F = 94.7
|Sep avg record high F = 93.1
|Oct avg record high F = 87.8
|Nov avg record high F = 83.7
|Dec avg record high F = 78.6
|year avg record high F = 97.4
|Jan high F = 63.1
|Feb high F = 66.5
|Mar high F = 72.2
|Apr high F = 78.1
|May high F = 84.9
|Jun high F = 88.4
|Jul high F = 89.4
|Aug high F = 89.0
|Sep high F = 86.1
|Oct high F = 79.7
|Nov high F = 71.5
|Dec high F = 65.3
|year high F =
|Jan mean F = 51.4
|Feb mean F = 54.9
|Mar mean F = 60.5
|Apr mean F = 66.2
|May mean F = 73.5
|Jun mean F = 78.8
|Jul mean F = 80.6
|Aug mean F = 80.4
|Sep mean F = 77.0
|Oct mean F = 68.7
|Nov mean F = 59.4
|Dec mean F = 53.8
|year mean F =
|Jan low F = 39.8
|Feb low F = 43.3
|Mar low F = 48.8
|Apr low F = 54.3
|May low F = 62.2
|Jun low F = 69.1
|Jul low F = 71.7
|Aug low F = 71.7
|Sep low F = 67.9
|Oct low F = 57.7
|Nov low F = 47.3
|Dec low F = 42.4
|year low F =
|Jan avg record low F = 23.9
|Feb avg record low F = 28.1
|Mar avg record low F = 32.8
|Apr avg record low F = 40.5
|May avg record low F = 49.6
|Jun avg record low F = 62.0
|Jul avg record low F = 67.7
|Aug avg record low F = 66.7
|Sep avg record low F = 58.2
|Oct avg record low F = 42.0
|Nov avg record low F = 31.5
|Dec avg record low F = 28.0
|year avg record low F = 22.3
|Jan record low F = 11
|Feb record low F = 15
|Mar record low F = 20
|Apr record low F = 34
|May record low F = 35
|Jun record low F = 45
|Jul record low F = 56
|Aug record low F = 60
|Sep record low F = 41
|Oct record low F = 30
|Nov record low F = 22
|Dec record low F = 11
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 4.83
|Feb precipitation inch = 4.94
|Mar precipitation inch = 5.26
|Apr precipitation inch = 4.49
|May precipitation inch = 3.28
|Jun precipitation inch = 6.27
|Jul precipitation inch = 8.24
|Aug precipitation inch = 7.91
|Sep precipitation inch = 6.63
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.24
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.84
|Dec precipitation inch = 4.17
|year precipitation inch = 63.10
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 9.0
|Feb precipitation days = 8.6
|Mar precipitation days = 7.4
|Apr precipitation days = 7.1
|May precipitation days = 6.7
|Jun precipitation days = 13.4
|Jul precipitation days = 16.7
|Aug precipitation days = 16.5
|Sep precipitation days = 11.2
|Oct precipitation days = 6.3
|Nov precipitation days = 6.7
|Dec precipitation days = 8.3
|year precipitation days =
|source 1 = NOAA{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=tae
| title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| accessdate = June 24, 2021
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00089566&format=pdf
| title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| accessdate = June 24, 2021
}} }}
Demographics
{{US Census population
|1930= 584
|1940= 1022
|1950= 1289
|1960= 1436
|1970= 1733
|1980= 1742
|1990= 1779
|2000= 1722
|2010= 1981
|2020= 2074
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}
}}
=2010 and 2020 census=
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,074 people, 797 households, and 534 families residing in the city.{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Wewahitchka city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Wewahitchka+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1101|website=United States Census Bureau}}
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 1,981 people, 878 households, and 609 families residing in the city.{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Wewahitchka city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Wewahitchka+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2010.S1101|website=United States Census Bureau}}
=2000 census=
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,722 people, 696 households, and 483 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|277.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 894 housing units at an average density of {{convert|144.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 89.61% White, 7.55% African American, 7.64% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population.
In 2000, there were 696 households, out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.01.
In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.7 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $25,755, and the median income for a family was $32,935. Males had a median income of $26,023 versus $19,886 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,731. About 16.6% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.3% of those under age 18 and 17.6% of those age 65 or over.
Schools
Wewahitchka is home to two schools of Gulf District Schools: Wewahitchka Elementary School and Wewahitchka High School, whose mascots are the Gators. There is a Head Start program at the old elementary site.
Tupelo honey
Wewahitchka is the site of one of Florida's largest beekeeping operations, which was the setting for Ulee's Gold, a movie filmed in the area.{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120402/locations|title=Filming locations for Ulee's Gold|access-date=2012-11-06|publisher=www.imdb.com}} This honey is produced by placing beehives, known by the beekeepers as "Bee Boxes", in the swamps along the Apalachicola and other area rivers. In some areas the bees are placed on platforms and rafts to keep them above potential floods. Prior to the tupelo bloom, all earlier season honeys are stripped from the bees to avoid contamination with lesser grades produced earlier. Likewise, as soon as bloom is finished, the honey must be removed quickly before the bees have a chance to add other types of nectar.
Wewahitchka has a two-day Tupelo Honey festival each May.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://cityofwewahitchka.com/ City of Wewahitchka official website]
{{Gulf County, Florida}}
{{authority control}}