Not to be confused with Poinciana, Monroe County, Florida. A common enough mistake, I suppose, for those who don't bother with details.
Census-designated place in Florida, United States
Poinciana, Florida
Poinciana. A name that suggests a certain exotic flourish, doesn't it? Yet, here we are, discussing a census-designated place (CDP) that straddles the rather less exotic lines of Osceola and Polk counties in the sun-drenched, perpetually humid U.S. state of Florida. It’s not a city, mind you, but a statistical entity, a collection of human habitations meticulously defined by the United States Census Bureau. This particular slice of Florida is considered an integral, if somewhat sprawling, component of the larger Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the rather definitive count of the 2020 United States census, this CDP registered a population of 69,309 souls, all apparently content with their designation.
It sits rather precisely at coordinates 28°09′24″N 81°28′23″W. As for its administrative details, it falls under the purview of the United States, specifically the State of Florida, and is divided between the counties of Osceola and Polk. Its total land area, according to the latest figures, encompasses 72.94 square miles (which translates to approximately 188.91 square kilometers). Of this, a substantial 71.87 square miles (186.14 square kilometers) is solid ground, leaving a mere 1.07 square miles (2.77 square kilometers) to water, a fact that might disappoint anyone hoping for a more aquatic existence. Situated at an elevation of 62 feet (19 meters) above sea level, it hardly commands a panoramic view, but then, this is Florida.
The population density, as of the 2020 United States Census, stands at a rather packed 964.4 residents per square mile (372.36 per square kilometer). The local time adheres to UTC-5, observing Eastern Standard Time (EST), and shifts predictably to UTC-4 for Daylight Saving Time (DST), known as EDT. For those attempting to communicate with its denizens, the relevant ZIP codes are 34758 and 34759, and the area codes are a rather generous selection, including 407, 689, 321, and 863. The federal government, ever keen on classification, has assigned it the FIPS code 12-57900, and the GNIS feature ID 2403432. The name itself, Poinciana, is pronounced as /pɔɪnsiˈænə/, for those who care about such things.
Transportation
Considering its location, one might assume a certain isolation, but efforts have been made to connect Poinciana to the outside world, or at least, to other parts of Florida. U.S. Highway 17/92 — a segment of which is prosaically known here as the Orange Blossom Trail — slices through the northern reaches of the CDP. For those seeking a more direct, and perhaps more modern, route, the Poinciana Parkway (designated as State Road 538) was unveiled on April 30, 2016. This particular stretch of asphalt is a toll road, a small price to pay, one presumes, for a more efficient connection to the venerable Interstate 4.
In a gesture towards public transit, Poinciana also serves as the southern terminus for the SunRail system, a commuter rail service. The Poinciana station itself is strategically situated in the northern part of the CDP, nestled near the intersection of the aforementioned Orange Blossom Trail (U.S. Highway 17/92) and Poinciana Boulevard. This station, a beacon of modern convenience, commenced operations on July 30, 2018. For those who prefer the less structured, more localized embrace of bus travel, local service is thoughtfully provided by the Lynx network. These buses ferry residents from the central areas of Poinciana to the slightly more bustling locales of Kissimmee and Haines City, ensuring that no one is entirely stranded.
Geography
Geographically speaking, Poinciana occupies a position southwest of the rather well-known tourist hub of Kissimmee, Florida. To put it in slightly more precise terms, it lies approximately 14 miles (or about 23 kilometers) east of Haines City, Florida. It’s an inland location, far from the coastal breezes, but then, Florida has an abundance of those regardless.
The United States Census Bureau provides the rather dry, yet essential, details regarding its physical dimensions. The CDP covers a total expanse of 35.3 square miles (which converts to roughly 91 square kilometers). Within this area, a dominant 35.1 square miles (91 square kilometers) is classified as land, leaving a rather meager 0.2 square miles (0.52 square kilometers) as water. This watery component, representing a mere 0.68% of the total area, suggests that aquatic pursuits are not the primary geographic feature of this particular locale.
Subdivisions
Poinciana, in its very conception, was laid out as a Planned Unit Development (PUD). This means it wasn't just allowed to sprawl organically; it was meticulously designed, plotted, and structured. The vast majority of this PUD has been organized into 10 distinct Villages, each operating with its own sub-association and legally registered as a corporation with the State of Florida. These individual entities collectively form the overarching Association of Poinciana Villages (APV) Master Association, a bureaucratic marvel designed to ensure a semblance of order.
Of these villages, four find themselves within Osceola County: Village 1 (which further encompasses Cypress Woods and Stepping Stone), Village 2, Village 5, and Village 9 (a rather unique entry, being a mobile home park known as Broadmoor). The remaining six Villages — 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 — are situated within Polk County. Spanning an approximate 47,000 acres (or 190 square kilometers), these sub-villages function as their own associations within a deed-restricted community. This entire intricate web is, of course, governed by the Master homeowner association, the APV. However, not all communities initially conceived within the PUD have remained under the APV’s watchful eye. Solivita, for instance, a 55+ gated community located within Polk County, was rather decisively removed from the APV Master Association by the APV Executive Committee on November 2, 2011. This particular community now operates under the aegis of two separate Community Development Districts: Poinciana CDD and Poinciana West CDD, demonstrating a rare secession from the master plan.
Beyond these core villages, various neighboring subdivisions exist, such as Waterford, Little Creek, Brighton Lakes, Oak Hammock Preserve, Crescent Lakes, Trafalgar, Doral, Isles of Bellalago, Cypress Cove, Deerwood, Wilderness, and Bellalago. Many of these were originally delineated within the extensive Poinciana boundary PUD, only to later evolve and develop as distinct communities, choosing to operate outside the direct governance of the APV. A testament to the ever-shifting landscape of Florida's planned communities.
History
The genesis of Poinciana can be traced back to the 1960s, a decade of grand visions and expansive developments. The original orchestrator of this ambitious project was the Gulf American Corporation, an entity known for its large-scale land developments. Poinciana was initially envisioned as a tranquil haven for retirees, a destination where one could gracefully exit the workforce and enjoy the Florida sun. The inaugural homes, a testament to this vision, began to rise in 1973, strategically clustered around the Poinciana Golf and Racquet Club, presumably offering leisure activities for its intended demographic.
Since the mid-1980s, the mantle of development has been carried by AV Homes, an entity formerly recognized as Avatar Holdings. For a considerable period, growth remained rather modest. By 1994, the population had only climbed to approximately 8,000 residents, a leisurely pace for a Florida development. However, since that point, the trajectory has been anything but leisurely; Poinciana has experienced a truly rapid and sustained period of expansion. This growth trajectory took another turn on June 7, 2018, when Taylor Morrison Homes publicly announced its agreement to acquire AV Homes, Inc. at a per-share price of $21.90, signifying a new chapter in the community's development.
To keep pace with this unrelenting population surge, significant developments have been undertaken in the area. A prime example is Poinciana Lakes Plaza, a new shopping center designed to cater to the burgeoning needs of the community. Located at the northwest corner of Cypress Parkway and Marigold Avenue, Phase 1 of this commercial hub reached completion in April 2024, with Phase 2 slated to open in a staggered fashion. This retail endeavor was brought to fruition by the commercial development firm TCII Capital, ensuring that the rapidly expanding populace has ample opportunity to engage in the vital act of consumption.
Demographics
The demographic narrative of Poinciana is one of dramatic expansion, a common enough story in Florida, but striking nonetheless.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 13,647 | — | |
| 2010 | 53,193 | 289.8% | |
| 2020 | 69,309 | 30.3% | |
| source: | [11] |
A glance at the historical population figures reveals a truly remarkable surge. From a modest 13,647 in the 2000 United States census, the population skyrocketed to 53,193 by the 2010 United States census, marking an astonishing 289.8% increase in a single decade. The momentum continued into the 2020 United States census, which recorded 69,309 residents, representing a further 30.3% growth. One can almost hear the sound of houses being built.
2010 and 2020 census
The racial composition of Poinciana, viewed through the lens of the 2010 and 2020 censuses, offers a detailed picture of its diverse populace. (It's worth noting that Hispanics are, as per census methodology, excluded from the racial categories and presented separately.)
| Race | Pop 2010 [12] | Pop 2020 [13] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 12,015 | 12,509 | 22.59% | 18.05% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 11,321 | 14,742 | 21.28% | 21.27% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 102 | 102 | 0.23% | 0.15% |
| Asian (NH) | 910 | 1,217 | 1.71% | 1.76% |
| Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) | 82 | 34 | 0.15% | 0.05% |
| Some other race (NH) | 360 | 830 | 0.68% | 1.20% |
| Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) | 1,147 | 1,914 | 2.16% | 2.76% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 27,234 | 37,961 | 51.20% | 54.77% |
| Total | 53,193 | 69,309 |
As per the 2020 United States census, the community was home to 69,309 individuals, residing within 19,754 households, which collectively formed 15,633 families [14]. A decade prior, the 2010 United States census recorded 53,193 people, distributed among 16,375 households, with 13,517 families among them [15]. In that 2010 Census CDP, the population distribution indicated that 29.27% of residents were under the age of 18, while the remaining 70.73% comprised individuals aged 18 and over, suggesting a relatively young or at least mixed-age population, rather than the retirement haven it was initially conceived to be.
2000 census
Delving further back to the 2000 United States census, Poinciana housed 4,153 households. Of these, a significant 50.3% included children under the age of 18, a detail that rather starkly contrasts with the initial retirement community vision. A substantial 65.5% of households were categorized as married couples living together, while 15.4% were headed by a female householder with no husband present. Non-family households accounted for 14.2% of the total. A smaller segment, 10.5% of all households, consisted of individuals living alone, with 3.7% of those being someone aged 65 or older. The average household size was recorded at 3.29, with the average family size slightly larger at 3.49.
Economically, in 2000, the median income for a household within the CDP stood at 37,688. A gender disparity in earnings was evident, with males reporting a median income of 20,934 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $12,590. Regarding economic hardship, approximately 12.0% of families and 12.8% of the overall population were found to be below the poverty line. This included 17.9% of those under the age of 18 and 12.3% of those aged 65 or over, indicating that even in this developing community, economic challenges were present across various age groups.
Education
The commitment to education in Poinciana is evident in the array of institutions serving its growing population, split across its two counties.
Osceola County
- Pre-Kindergarten Schools
- Liberty High School (Pre-K program)
- Poinciana 247 Pre-K & V.P.K. (a private institution)
- Poinciana Christian Preparatory School (a private school catering to K-12)
- Reedy Creek Elementary (Pre-K program)
- Elementary Schools
- Bellalago Academy (a K-8 district-managed charter school)
- Renaissance Charter School at Poinciana (also K-8)
- Chestnut Elementary (CES)
- Deerwood Elementary (DWE)
- Koa Elementary
- Poinciana Academy Of Fine Arts (PAFA)
- Reedy Creek Elementary (RCES)
- Mater Brighton Lakes Academy
- Middle Schools
- Bellalago Academy
- Discovery Intermediate (DIS)
- Horizon Middle (HMS)
- Mater Brighton Lakes Academy (MBLA)
- High Schools
- Poinciana High School (PHS)
- New Dimensions (NDHS) (a public charter high school)
- Liberty High School (LHS)
- Post-secondary Schools
- Valencia College Poinciana Campus (which opened its doors in Fall 2017, providing higher education opportunities locally)
Polk County
- Elementary Schools
- Palmetto Elementary (serving grades Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade)
- Laurel Elementary (catering to students up to 4th grade)
- Middle Schools
- Lake Marion Creek Middle School (LMC) (for grades 6–8)
Notable person
In a place of such rapid growth, it's inevitable that some individuals might stand out. One such resident of Poinciana is the professional wrestler Rikishi, a figure known for his rather distinctive in-ring persona.
Libraries
For those who prefer the quiet pursuit of knowledge over the bustling demands of daily life, Poinciana offers a local sanctuary for literature and learning.
- Poinciana Branch Library - part of the Osceola library system, ensuring access to a broader network of resources.