[Home Search]

Orange County is a beautiful place to work and live! Geographic Location. Orange County sits on real estate in the approximate center of the state, midway between Jacksonville and Miami. The St. Petersburg-Tampa area on the Gulf of Mexico and Daytona Beach on the Atlantic Coast are easy drives for beach-goers. Two of the state's major highways, Interstate 4 (east-west travel) and the Florida Turnpike (north-south travel), intersect just outside Orlando.

The County is home to Lake Buena Vista, world renowned as the most desirable fun location in the Orlando Florida area. Situated on the edge of Disney property, it is in the midst of the world's most popular attractions and right in the middle of all the magic including Cracker Jack Stadium, Atlanta Braves' spring training facility.

For your real estate needs in this or any County in the Metro Orlando area, contact John Hambrick and Angela Chapman, Realtors, for Lake County, Osceola County, Orange County, Seminole County, Polk County, Brevard County and Volusia County.

History. Immediately after the cession of Florida by Spain in 1821, the territory was divided into two counties: Escambia (which included the northern portion) and St. Johns (which included all the real estate lying to the south and east of the Suwannee River). Three years later, the Legislative Council separated the central portion of Florida to form Mosquito County. This vast region contained 466 residents according to the 1850 census. After Florida became a state in 1845, the county was renamed Orange County. Its territorial limits as they exist were defined in 1913 and today encompass an area of approximately 1,000 square miles, with a 2003 population of approximately 964,865 and a projected 2010 population of 1.167M.  There are 13 municipalities within Orange County; Orlando is the county seat. And Orlando Realtor John Hambrick and Orange County Realtor Angela Chapman will be happy to help you find your perfect home, from charming condos, villas and townhouses to luxury estate homes.  If you're interested in having John or Angela help you sell your Central Florida home, please visit our Sellers Page.

We're A Charter County 

Orange County is a charter county, meaning it has its own constitution and is self-governing. Having a charter gives the county the ability to respond to a changing environment and meet local needs. The first charter was adopted in November 1986 and went into effect on January 6, 1987.

In November 1988, voters approved the creation of a new form of government for Orange County: a chairman elected by the community at large and the creation of six single-member districts.  The chairman and commissioners serve overlapping four-year terms. The chairman and commissioners for districts 2, 4, and 6 are elected during alternate years (1998, 2002, 2006); commissioners representing districts 1, 3, and 5 are elected in presidential election years (2000, 2004, 2008).

The Orange County Charter calls for the creation of a Charter Review Commission every four years. Meeting for 18 months, the 15 volunteers can study any and all phases of county government and pose questions directly to the voters on any special, primary, or general election ballot.

Orange County Cities

LYNX is responsible for providing residents and visitors in Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties with safe, reliable, affordable public transportation.  Orange County Realtors John Hambrick and Angela Chapman can help you find your home close to this system. Officially known as the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (CFRTA), Lynx has been recognized as the fastest growing transportation system in the United States. Lynx provides regularly scheduled bus service with colorful, comfortable buses; shuttle service to special events; commuter assistance with van pools and car pools; special door-to-door transportation for customers who cannot use regular bus service; and special fares for students, physically and mentally challenged customers and for people aged 65 and older. And for special needs, including those who prefer retirement communities, John and Angela, Central Florida Realtors, can find real estate near a Lynx bus stop. The colorful Lynx fleet currently uses approximately 235 coaches and 60 vans to serve its customers.

Last year, approximately seven million people visited Orange County parks. Today, the Parks and Recreation Department maintains, leases or owns over 12,000 acres and employs 268 permanent and 100 seasonal employees.   Orange County Lakes Conway Chain of Lakes Windermere Chain (Butler Chain) Winter Park Chain Johns Lake Lake Lawne Lake Underhill Clear Lake Lake Apopka Orlando Urban Lakes

 The 28,000 acres of Tosohatchee border 19 miles of the St. Johns River in east Orange County.  Real estate  was purchased in 1977  under Florida's Environmentally Endangered Lands program in order to preserve its aesthetic qualities and the extensive wetlands that are essential water cleansing and storage areas for the St. Johns River.  Park Rangers offer special tours and programs on a rotating basis, so be sure to call for details.

Orange County Convention Center 2nd largest in the United States! 9800 International Dr Orlando,  32819    DIRECTIONS: Take I-4 to Exit 28 (Beeline Expressway (SR 528). Take Exit 1(International Drive). At end of exit ramp turn right. Convention Center will be on the left across from Peabody Hotel.

Since opening its doors in the late '80's with 1,103,538 square feet of contiguous exhibition space, this award winning facility has hosted almost 6 million convention delegates, generating in excess of 11 billion for the Orlando economy.  And now with the new expansion the Center's total size is 2.1 million square feet making it the second largest in the U.S. and making Orlando a major player in the meetings industry.

Major Employers (2003)

Walt Disney World Business Line: Entertainment Number of Employees..................................................... 53,500

Orange County Public Schools Business Line: Education Number of Employees..................................................... 22,807

Adventist Health Systems Business Line: Healthcare Number of Employees..................................................... 17,059	Universal Orlando Business Line: Entertainment Number of Employees..................................................... 14,500
Orlando Regional Healthcare System Business Line: Healthcare Number of Employees.................................................... 12,000	Orange County Government Business Line: Government Number of Employees..................................................... 6,577

POST SECONDARY EDUCATION:
Colleges/Universities:                                                         Junior/Community Colleges:
University of Phoenix	Seminole Community College
Rollins College	Valencia Community College
Stetson University	Lake-Sumter Community College
University of Central Florida
Florida Metropolitan University
Vocational/Technical Schools                                            Other Schools:
Winter Park Tech	Florida Technical College
Orlando Technical Center	DeVry University
Mid-Florida Technical Institute	ITT Technical Institute
Orange Technical Education Centers / Westside Tech	Orlando Culinary Academy
Lake County Area Vocational Technical Center	Full Sail Real World Education (Digital Media)
	International Academy of Design & Technology
	FAMU College of Law
	Barry University College of Law
	Sistema Universitario Ana G. Mendez
	Nova Southeastern University

QUALITY OF LIFE:
		Hospitals:                                                                               Historical Points Of Interest:
		Arnold Palmer Hospital for Women and Children	Apopka Historical Trail
		Florida Hospital Orlando	Cathedral Church of St. Luke
		Health Central	Downtown Orlando Historic District
		M.D. Anderson Cancer Center	Eatonville Historic District
		Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC)	Fort Christmas Historical Park
		Sand Lake Hospital	Orange County History Center
		Winter Park Memorial Hospital	Winter Park Historic District
Cultural Events/Festivals:                                                     Recreational Opportunities:
		Bach Festival	Boating & Sailing
		Broadway Series	Camping
		Calle Orange Festival	Citrus Bowl
		Fiesta in the Park	Golfing
		Florida Film Festival	Leu Gardens
		Florida Music Festival	Swimming
		Gay Days	Tangerine Bowl
		Light Up Orlando	Tennis
		Morse Museum	The Bay Hill Invitational - PGA
		Orlando International Fringe Festival	The Funai Classic - PGA
		Orlando Museum of Art	The Orlando Magic
		Orlando Opera	The Orlando Seals Hockey
		Orlando Philharmonic	West Orange Trail
		Orlando Scottish Highland Games & Festival
		Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival
		Winter Park Art Festival
		Zellwood Corn Festival
		Zora Neale Hurston Festival