St. Cloud is a city in northern Osceola County, Florida, set on the southern shore of East Lake Tohopekaliga in Central Florida, about 26 miles southeast of Orlando. It was founded in 1909 as a community for Union veterans of the Civil War, and the city still carries the nickname "the Soldier City" in recognition of that origin. Downtown St. Cloud preserves a historic, small-town main-street character, with landmark early-20th-century buildings and a cluster of local shops and restaurants. The city has grown well beyond its original core. The 2020 census counted roughly 59,000 residents, and ongoing development has added master-planned communities on the city's edges. St. Cloud blends old-Florida character with newer subdivisions — historic streets near East Lake Toho sit alongside planned communities built around lakes, parks, and community amenities. East Lake Tohopekaliga, often called East Lake Toho, is the defining natural feature. Lakefront Park anchors the shoreline with a sand beach, marina, fishing pier, splash pad, playground, and miles of paved trails along the water. The lake is a year-round draw for boating, fishing, and shoreline walks, and it gives much of the city a distinctly waterfront orientation. St. Cloud's location gives residents access to the wider Orlando region. Florida's Turnpike, State Road 417, Narcoossee Road, and U.S. 192 link the city to Kissimmee, Orlando International Airport, and employment centers across Central Florida. Public schools are part of the School District of Osceola County, and Osceola Heritage Park, a regional events and sports venue, sits within the city. The result is a practical base for families and workers seeking a smaller-town, lake-centered pace within reach of Orlando's job market.