Click here to go back Statistics Education Library Licenses Taxes Museum Transportation Utilities Churches  Dade City Area Information Proud Heritage - Promising Future Incorporated in 1889, Dade City is located in the beautiful rolling hills of Eastern Pasco County. Dade City is the county seat of Pasco County. The main focal point in the heart of downtown is the original Pasco County Courthouse. Built in 1909, it is used today to house county offices. A major landmark in the city is the Edwinola, built on the site of the Old Dade City Hotel that burned in 1907. Today the Edwinola is a congregate living facility, renovated, and modern. Described as a gracious hotel, it's part private residence and part recreational resort. The Dade City area incorporates San Antonio, Darby, St. Leo, St. Joe, Lacoochee, Trilby, and Ridge Manor. The majority of Kumquats in the United States are grown in St. Joe, Florida. Dade City hosts annual Kumquat Festival Easily accessible by rail, in 1990 Dade City became the first new addition to the Amtrak schedule in seven years. After two years of persistence by city officials, Amtrak agreed to add Dade City. Readership figures for the first year indicate 5,070 passengers from Dade City. Dade City schools have a total student population of 5,771 students. The schools within our district have received accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Dade City is a recognized Main Street community and through its completed Streetscape Plan has made the city one to be proud of. With all of the fine eateries and shops, it has become very popular with the local tourists. It's a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of the large towns. Dade City was recognized as Florida's Outstanding Rural Community of the Year - 1994 by Governor Lawton Chiles. Another accolade the community received was a five-star, top-of-the-list, rating from where to Retire in Florida.î One hundred cities and towns in Florida were visited and interviewed. The authors commented on many of the area's assets. Very high on the list of good impressions was the warmth, friendliness and helpfulness of Dade City's townspeople. Dade City receives Tree City U.S.A. designation. The City of Dade City was recently recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation, a non-profit educational organization dedicated to tree planting and environmental stewardship. In order to receive this designation, a community must be recommended by State foresters and meet standards aimed at enhancing and preserving its tree resources. Dade City has long been known for its large oak trees that line many of our streets and beautify the community. The City is proud to be recognized for its urban forestry program. A Bed and Breakfast in the downtown area offers visitors a unique place to stay while in Historic Dade City. It is also within walking distance of many of the antique shops and downtown eateries. There are many community organizations in which an individual could become involved. These organizations are a very important addition to our community. Their involvement in our day to day life is just another reason for the quality of life we have in the Dade City area. Dade City is 15 minutes from the renowned Saddlebrook Resort, with golfing, tennis, swimming, convention facilities and all the amenities. For the sports-minded, there are acres of unspoiled lands for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and the like. There are numerous golf courses, tennis courts, and parks with various courts. The traditional beauty of the city's southern styled homes is outdone only by nature's surrounding artistry. Dade City is unique. It still has that slow southern charm, friendly people ready to lend a helping hand, annual spring and fall sidewalk sales, leisurely strolls through antique shops, and visits to the museum. For the more structured, there are classes in almost anything from computers to yoga at the college or adult education programs...all of these are in Dade City. Florida's Nature Coast The Withlacoochee State Trail is also one of the area's assets. The trail is a 47 mile linear park starting in Citrus Springs in Citrus County and ending just north of Dade City. The old Trilby railroad yard is the site of the Welcome/Visitors station which is in phase two of the park. This trail is a wonderful place for hiking, jogging, skating, bike riding or horseback riding. Statistics    * Dade City Area Population.....20,436         o (1990 estimate)    * Dade City Market Area.........115,468         o 20 mile radius (1990 estimate)    * Climate Data:         o Average temperature.......72 degrees         o Precipitation................average 58.8         o Altitude.............228 above sea level Transportation    * Major area Highways:         o Interstate 75, U.S. 301, U.S. 98, S.R. 52, S.R. 50, C.R. 41, C.R. 35A.    * Bus:         o County Bus         o Greyhound Bus    * Railroads:         o Amtrak Taxes Property Tax: Pasco County residents must pay county real estate taxes. Real property is assessed at just value with taxes due November 1 and delinquent on April 1. Contact the Pasco County Tax Collector's Office at (352) 521-4368 for more information. Sales Tax: Retail sales in Pasco County are taxed at 6% on the dollar. Living necessities such as groceries, medicines and professional services are exempt from taxation. Sales taxes paid by tourists are a major source of revenue. This makes for our area to be the second lowest level of direct taxation of business in the Southeast. Personal Income Tax: The Constitution of the State of Florida prohibits state personal income taxes. A small annual tax on intangible personal property such as loan notes, bonds, stocks, accounts receivable and other obligations for payment is levied in Florida. For complete information on Florida taxes, contact the Florida Department of Revenue, Taxpayer Assistance Section, Carlton Building, Tallahassee, FL 32301 and ask for the Guidebook to Florida Taxes and Licensing Requirements.î Utilities and Service Tampa Electric 38008 Meridian Avenue P.O. Box 588 Dade City, FL 33526-0588 (352) 567-5101 Withlacoochee River Electric Co-Op. 601 North 21st Street P.O. Box 278 Dade City, FL 33526-0278 (352)567-5133 Dade City Utilities 38020 Meridian Avenue P.O. Box 1355 Dade City, FL 33526-1355 (352)521-1460 Pasco County Utilities 37918 Meridian Avenue Dade City, FL 33525 (352) 521-4285 Sprint Telephone P.O. Box 48 Leesburg, FL 32749-0048 (352) 326-3535 Licenses & Registration Auto Registration & License: All new Florida residents living in Pasco County have ten days after they declare the County as their legal residency to get auto registration and license plates. The Auto Tag Agency is in the Tax Collector's Office, County Courthouse, 38053 Live Oak Avenue, Dade City. (352)521-4368 Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law: Every accident in which property damage is $100 or more or in which a person is injured or killed must be reported the the Florida Highway Patrol within 24 hours. Driver's License: The newcomer has 30 days to get a Florida license from the day of established residency. Your car must be registered before applying for a Florida Driver's License. Call (352) 521-1442 for an appointment or (352) 521-1441 for information. Restaurants Good food and dining out is always fun and Dade City can offer a wide variety from fast food to French, Mandarin, Chinese, Italian, Southern, HomeStyle, and Mexican. Hospitals and Health Care The greater Dade City area has two hospitals, three nursing homes, two congregate living facilities. There are also several health care services. Housing Contact us for Realtors and real estate brokers who are members of the Chamber. Churches The greater Dade City area has a total of 64 churches. This includes two African Methodist Episcopal; two Apostolic; five Assembly of God; 21 Baptist; five Catholic; three Church of Christ; six Church of God; two Church of God in Christ; one Episcopal; four interdenominational; one Jehovah Witness; two Lutheran; four Methodist; one Nazarene; three Pentecostal; one Presbyterian; and one Seventh Day Adventist. Recreational Facilities The largest auditorium in the city, the Armory, seats 1,888 people, (352) 521-1433. Dan Cannon Auditorium at the Pasco County fairgrounds seats 1,200. (352) 567-6678. Pasco County Parks & Recreation The Recreation Department offers various activities for people of all ages throughout the year. For more information contact Parks & Recreation, (352) 521-4166. A few of the county parks within the greater Dade City area are: Carver Heights Park, Trilby Park, Stanley Park, Burks Park, Darby Park, Lumberton Park, Withlacoochee River Park, Hercules Aquatic Center, Samuel W. PascoPark. Youth Programs For more information on youth programs contact City Recreation Director Willie Broner, (352) 583-2313 or County Recreation Director Will DeOrein, (352) 567-4845. Racquetball There are three racquetball courts in the Dade City area. Golf There are eight golf courses in the Dade City and Zephyrhills area. Tennis There are several tennis courts scattered throughout the Dade City area. Many on which our very own Jim Courier, world known tennis player, has practiced and played on. Hunting A great deal of hunting is done on private property, but just east of Lacoochee is Richloam which is known for good hunting. Theatre Dade City has very active theatre groups which honor the community with entertainment throughout the year. Center Stage Players, Heritage Arts Association, Pasco - Hernando Community College, and Saint Leo College offer a Cultural Series during the fall, winter, and spring. Education In the greater Dade City area there are five elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. Higher Education Facilities    * Florida Southern College         o Lakeland (30 Miles)    * Pasco - Hernando Community College         o East Campus - Dade City    * Saint Leo College - St. Leo    * University of South Florida         o Tampa (35 miles)    * University of Tampa         o Tampa (40 miles) Library Hugh Embry Library 14215 4th Street, Dade City, FL 33525 (352) 567-3576 Museum The Pioneer Florida Museum, founded and maintained by East Pasco residents, is in Dade City. The museum is the only one of its kind in Florida and is totally supported by donations. Building, clothing and artifacts of early pioneer life in Florida are on display.