Bushnell is a city and the county seat of Sumter County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,047 at the 2020 census. It is part of The Villages metropolitan area, which consists of all of Sumter County and is included in the Orlando–Lakeland–Deltona combined statistical area.

A post office called Bushnell has been in operation since 1885. The City of Bushnell was named after John W. Bushnell, who was responsible for bringing the railroad to the community. The City of Bushnell is also home to Dade Battlefield Historic State Park, a park where on December 28, 1835, Seminoles ambushed 107 men in the forested area. Only 3 survivors came out of Dade Battlefield, and the battle signaled the beginning of the Second Seminole War.

The exact coordinates for the City of Bushnell is located at 28°39′54″N 82°06′46″W / 28.66500°N 82.11278°W / 28.66500; -82.11278.

Bushnell is located in west-central Sumter County. The area around Bushnell is relatively flat, with some forested areas belonging to the state and rivers, creeks, and small streams that flow underneath roadways with bridges.

The City of Bushnell is part of the humid subtropical climate zone with a Köppen Climate Classification of "Cfa" (C = mild temperate, f = fully humid, and a = hot summer).

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	400		—
1930	591		47.8%
1940	676		14.4%
1950	536		−20.7%
1960	644		20.1%
1970	700		8.7%
1980	983		40.4%
1990	1,998		103.3%
2000	2,050		2.6%
2010	2,418		18.0%
2020	3,047		26.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

Bushnell racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)

Race	Pop 2010	Pop 2020	% 2010	% 2020
White (NH)	1,840	2,194	76.10%	72.01%
Black or African American (NH)	304	343	12.57%	11.26%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	16	17	0.66%	0.56%
Asian (NH)	12	19	0.50%	0.62%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH)	0	6	0.00%	0.20%
Some other race (NH)	7	18	0.29%	0.59%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH)	44	119	1.82%	3.91%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	195	331	8.06%	10.86%
Total	2,418	3,047

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,047 people, 1,137 households, and 776 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 2,418 people, 1,400 households, and 906 families residing in the city.

At the 2000 census there were 2,050 people in 830 households, including 538 families, in the city. The population density was 871.7 inhabitants per square mile (336.6/km). There were 1,004 housing units at an average density of 426.9 units per square mile (164.8 units/km). The racial makeup of the city was 83.37% White, 12.98% African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 1.27% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.56%.

Of the 830 households in 2000, 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 31.2% of households were one person and 17.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.79.

In 2000, the age distribution was 20.6% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 25.8% 65 or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.

In 2000, the median household income was $26,676 and the median family income was $34,063. Males had a median income of $27,986 versus $23,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,737. About 11.0% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.

Sumter County operates Bushnell Annex in Room 201 at 910 North Main Street.

The main roads through Bushnell include US 301 which runs north and south through the city. County Road 48 (SR 48 until 2016) and County Road 476 run east and west, and have short concurrency with US 301, as well as each other.

Interstate 75 runs along the western edge of Bushnell with Exit 314 leading to Sumter CR 48. County Road 475 begins at CR 48 and runs the CSX Wildwood Subdivision, which carried Amtrak's Palmetto until 2004. The Wildwood Subdivision runs along US 301 from north of the Hernando-Sumter County Line, to Bushnell until Route 301 turns onto East Noble Avenue. From there it runs along the east side of CR 48 until that route turns west onto West Belt Avenue, then follows the east side of CR 475 until its terminus at Exit 321 on I-75 at CR 470 in Lake Panasoffkee.

Bushnell also runs a small transit bus, that follows a daily route around the city's main attractions and busiest areas.

Sumter District Schools headquarters and South Sumter High School are located in Bushnell.

• Bushnell City Website
• Bushnell History (Sumter Today)