Inglis, Florida

Geography

Inglis is located at 29°1'58" North, 82°40'0" West (29.032878, −82.666731), approximately 5 miles (8 km) east of the Gulf of Mexico.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.5 km²), of which 3.6 square miles (9.4 km²) is land and 0.015 square miles (0.04 km²), or 0.40%, is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 1,491 people in the town, organized into 670 households and 426 families. The population density is 408.2 people per square mile (157.7/km²). There are 803 housing units at an average density of 219.8 per square mile (84.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town is 98.73% White, 0.34% Asian, 0.13% Native American, 0.13% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. 1.88% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 670 households out of which 22.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% are married couples living together; 8.2% have a female householder with no husband present; and 36.3% are non-families. 31.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 15.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.23 and the average family size is 2.70.

In the town, the population is spread out with 20.9% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 22.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 46 years. For every 100 females there are 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 102.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $24,432, and the median income for a family is $27,734. Males have a median income of $24,342 versus $20,278 for females. The per capita income for the town is $14,098. 22.3% of the population and 18.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 35.1% of those under the age of 18 and 9.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Elvis Presley in Inglis

During July and August 1961, Elvis Presley spent his summer in Inglis and the surrounding areas filming his movie Follow That Dream. A historical marker on Follow That Dream Parkway in Inglis commemorates this event.

Satan banned by mayor

In November 2001, Mayor Carolyn Risher issued a proclamation banning Satan from Inglis. The proclamation began:

"Satan, ruler of darkness, giver of evil, destroyer of what is good and just, is not now, nor ever again will be, a part of this town of Inglis."

It ended:

"As the mayor of Inglis, duly elected by the citizens of this town, and appointed by God to this position of leadership, I proclaim victory over Satan, freedom for our citizens, and liberty to worship our Creator and Heavenly Father, the God of Israel. I take this action in accordance with the words of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as recorded in Matthew 28:18–20 and Mark 16:15-18."

This controversial proclamation garnered national and world attention. The American Civil Liberties Union accused the town of what they alleged was a clear violation of the separation of church and state. In addition, the proclamation was placed on wooden posts that were installed at the entrances to the town on public rights of way. After much controversy and the threat of lawsuits, the town later rescinded its proclamation, and the mayor reimbursed the town for the use of government stationery. The wooden posts were relocated to private property.