Florida

Sumter

129,752
2020 population
1860
first census record
17
census records

About Sumter

Sumter, Florida, first appears in the United States federal census in 1860, when it recorded a population of 1,549. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 129,752.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 7 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Dade Massacre (Second Seminole War), Battle of Pilaklikaha (Abraham's Town 1836), Battle of Peliklakaha — Abraham's Town (March 1836), and 3 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
2020129,752
201093,420
200053,345
199031,577
198024,272
197014,839
196011,869
195011,330
194011,041
193010,644
19207,851
19106,696
19006,187
18905,363
18804,686
18702,952
18601,549
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Sumter

Military engagements that took place in Sumter, Florida.

Dade Massacre (Second Seminole War)
1835
Battle of Pilaklikaha (Abraham's Town 1836)
1836
Battle of Peliklakaha — Abraham's Town (March 1836)
1836
Battle of Fort King Area / Pilaklikaha (Abraham's Town)
1836
Battle of Hatchee-Lustee Creek (January 27, 1837)
1837
Capture of the Prophet Otulkee Thlocco
1837
Expulsion of Seminoles under Coa Hadjo (1838 Truce)
1838

Historic places in Sumter

National Register of Historic Places listings in Sumter, Florida.

Dade Battlefield Historic Memorial
Bushnell
Pierce, Thomas R., House
Bushnell
Wild Cow Prairie Cemetery
Bushnell

Other counties in Florida

Explore census history and historic records for more Florida counties.

CalhounCharlotteCitrusClayCollierColumbiaDeSotoDixieDuvalEscambiaFlaglerFranklinGadsdenGilchristGladesGulfHamiltonHardeeHendryHernando
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Sumter County, Florida

This page charts the census history of Sumter County, Florida. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Sumter County, Florida report
Or see a real report first

Explore Florida records

Floridahistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Florida›

Frequently asked about Sumter

When does Sumter first appear in the US census?
Sumter, Florida first appears in the federal census in 1860, with a recorded population of 1,549.
What is the population of Sumter?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Sumter had a recorded population of 129,752.
Were any battles fought in Sumter?
7 documented military engagements took place in Sumter, including Dade Massacre (Second Seminole War), Battle of Pilaklikaha (Abraham's Town 1836), Battle of Peliklakaha — Abraham's Town (March 1836).
How many historic places are in Sumter?
3 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Sumter, Florida.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report