Largo is the third largest city in Pinellas County, Florida, USA and is part of the Tampa Bay Area. Centrally located, it is the crossroads of the county. As of the 2000 census, the City had a total population of 69,371. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 71,704 .
Largo was first incorporated in 1905. In 1913, it became the first municipality in Pinellas County to adopt a Council-Manager government. It switched back and forth from "town" to "city" a few times, and became a city again in 1974. It was an exporter of agricultural products until the 1960's when the influx of people began to transform it into a bedroom community. From 1905 to 2005, Largo grew in area from 9/16ths of a square mile to about 17 square miles, and in population from about 300 people to more than 70,000. Largo began as a rural farming community and became the third largest city in Florida's most densely populated county. Largo is sister city to Tosayamada, Kochi, Japan.
Largo is located at 27°54'30"N, 82°46'40"W (27.908355, -82.777791). It is centrally located in Pinellas County, touching the Intracoastal Waterway to the southwest and Tampa Bay to the northeast. Clearwater is Largo's neighbor to the north. To the northwest are the towns of Belleair and Belleair Bluffs. The City of Pinellas Park lies south of eastern Largo. Seminole lies south of western Largo. The community of Ridgecrest forms a large enclave between western and central Largo. A number of county enclaves pepper the City of Largo.
In 2004, Largo's land area was about 17 square miles including 651 acres of park lands. The City of Largo's lowest elevation is sea level. At its highest, the City's elevation is about 69 feet. The City is dotted with a number of lakes, the largest of which is Taylor Lake at 53 acres. Allen's Creek drains northeast Largo, flowing into Tampa Bay. McKay Creek flows through southwest Largo into the Intracoastal Waterway. The McKay Creek basin is prone to flooding because of its size and its relative elevations.
As of the census of 2000, there are 69,371 people, 34,041 households, and 18,382 families residing in the City. The population density is 1,710.4/km2 (4,429.1/mi2). There are 40,261 housing units at an average density of 992.6/km2 (2,570.5/mi2). The racial makeup of the City is 92.71% White, 2.69% African American, 0.34% Native American, 1.69% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.99% from other races, and 1.49% from two or more races. 4.18% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 34,041 households out of which 17.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% are married couples living together, 9.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 46.0% are non-families. 38.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 19.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 1.99 and the average family size is 2.59.
In the City the population is spread out with 15.6% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 30.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 48 years. For every 100 females there are 87.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 83.9 males.
The median income for a household in the City is $32,217, and the median income for a family is $41,523. Males have a median income of $30,186 versus $24,477 for females. The per capita income for the City is $20,848. 9.1% of the population and 6.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 12.0% of those under the age of 18 and 8.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
The decline of agriculture with the influx of new residents beginning in the 1960's largely transformed Largo into a bedroom community. Electronics, though important, could not fill the gap left by agriculture. Other light manufacturers fill various niches. The vast majority of jobs in Largo are in services and in retail sales.
The health care industry continues to grow to meet the needs of an aging population. Hospitals are among the area's strongest employers. Largo Medical Center Hospital, owned by HCA, was built in 1978. It is the only hospital in Pinellas County with all private rooms. Sun Coast Hospital, a not-for-profit owned by a community foundation, was founded in 1957.
Source:
LargoFL.com
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