Gotha is a census-designated place in Orange County, Florida, situated between the cities of Ocoee and Windermere in the southwestern portion of the Orlando metropolitan area. With a population of 2,217 at the 2020 census, it is a small, low-density community that stands out for its history and its deliberate preservation of rural character amid one of Central Florida's fastest-growing regions. The community was founded on April 20, 1885, by German immigrant H.A. Hempel, who named the settlement for his hometown of Gotha, Germany. It developed as a freethinker colony with a strong horticultural tradition, and its early residents cultivated citrus groves, nurseries, and gardens that shaped the local landscape. That German heritage and agricultural past remain central to Gotha's identity, and the community is recognized as a historic rural settlement in southwest Orange County. Today Gotha's character is defined by the contrast between its quiet, established streets and the surrounding growth of Windermere, Ocoee, and Winter Garden. A community association works to preserve its rural settlement heritage, and the area retains larger lots, mature trees, and historic structures that are increasingly uncommon in the region. The community functions as a residential enclave, with shopping and services a short drive away. Gotha is served by Orange County Public Schools, with students attending nearby campuses including Gotha Middle School and Olympia High School. The community's location near State Road 408, Florida's Turnpike, and State Road 429 provides convenient access to Orlando and the wider metro area. Gotha is a place for those who want a historic, established setting with a genuine sense of place, while remaining minutes from the amenities and employment of Central Florida.