Crescent City is a small city in Putnam County, Florida, set between two lakes — Crescent Lake to the east and Lake Stella to the west — and surrounded by more than a dozen freshwater lakes that give the area its "Oasis of the Lakes" nickname. At the 2020 census, the city reported a population of 1,654, up from 1,577 a decade earlier. The city's history is closely tied to citrus. Settled in the late 1800s, Crescent City grew rapidly as a citrus-growing and shipping center, its prosperity reflected in the historic homes and commercial buildings that still line its downtown. Steamships were a common sight on Crescent Lake, connecting the town to Palatka and Jacksonville and carrying the area's oranges to market, while the railroad brought northern visitors seeking a winter retreat. In the late 1990s, much of the downtown was added to the National Register of Historic Places, preserving the scale and character of the town's citrus-era architecture. Today, Crescent City functions as a quiet lakefront community and a service point for the surrounding rural area of northwestern Putnam County. The local economy is modest, centered on services, agriculture, and the area's enduring appeal to boaters, anglers, and those seeking a slower, old-Florida pace. The city has its own junior/senior high school, part of the Putnam County School District, and is within commuting distance of Palatka, the county seat. Crescent City appeals to residents and buyers drawn to lakefront living and historic small-town character, with easy access to fishing, boating, and the St. Johns River region, while remaining within reach of larger towns in Putnam and Volusia counties.