History of the City

The City of Minneola is nestled in the stunning rolling hills of Central Florida.  The City was originally part of the land area of Sumter County and Orange County.  In 1887, parts of Sumter County and Orange County were combined to form the new Lake County.  Minneola later became part of the newly formed Lake County in 1926.  The City’s name is derived from a Dakota Indian word meaning “many waters.”  With over 1,000 named lakes in Lake County, the City is aptly named.  The City is located on the highest elevation in Florida’s peninsula at 312 feet above sea level and covers 10.37 square miles.

Minneola was predominately a farming community with citrus being the primary crop.  Citrus production continued until the 1980s, when unusual freezes began to systematically eradicate local groves.  As the citrus industry faded, property was rezoned for residential development.  Recognizing its natural beauty as one the most spectacular in Florida combined with a low crime rate, low property taxes and fees, accessible and responsive elected officials, and great schools including two new elementary schools and a brand new state of the art high school, citizens from Orange and Seminole Counties as well as citizens from the northeastern United States are drawn to the new subdivisions and now enjoy the hometown atmosphere with big city conveniences close by.  The City has grown to 9,733 residents*.  Just miles from the City of Orlando, Minneola is part of the Orlando Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Minneola has one of the highest household income levels in Lake County, the City’s residents have one of the highest levels of educational attainment among all the municipalities in Lake County, and has a Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council that are business friendly.  Moreover, the citizens have overwhelmingly supported incentives that will make opening a business in Minneola a great opportunity.

* 2012 Estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.