Stuart, Florida

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Downtown Stuart
Downtown Stuart

Stuart is a city in Martin County, Florida, on Florida's Treasure Coast. The population was 14,633 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 15,728 [1]. It is the county seat of Martin CountyGR6, and is also the site of the Martin County Fair.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Location of Stuart, Florida

Stuart is located at 27°11′32″N, 80°14′35″W (27.192163, -80.243001)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.1 km² (8.5 mi²). 16.3 km² (6.3 mi²) of it is land and 5.7 km² (2.2 mi²) of it is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 14,633 people, 7,220 households, and 3,422 families residing in the city. The population density was 895.4/km² (2,320.5/mi²). There were 8,777 housing units at an average density of 537.1/km² (1,391.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.30% White, 12.33% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.97% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.29% of the population.

There were 7,220 households out of which 15.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.7% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.6% were non-families. 46.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 26.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.88 and the average family size was 2.60.

In the city the population was spread out with 14.5% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 32.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,574, and the median income for a family was $40,701. Males had a median income of $29,151 versus $23,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,139. About 7.8% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

Stuart riverwalk before damage by hurricane Jeanne
Stuart riverwalk before damage by hurricane Jeanne

In the 1700s, several Spanish galleons shipwrecked in the Martin County area of Florida's Treasure Coast. The multiple wrecks were reportedly the result of a hurricane, and the ships were carrying unknown quantities of gold and silver. Some of this treasure has since been recovered, and its presence resulted in the region's name.

The Treasure Coast area that became Stuart was first settled by non-Native Americans in 1870. In 1875, a United States Lifesaving Station was established on Florida's Hutchinson Island, near the Stuart area. Today, the station is known as Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

From 1893-1895, the area was called Potsdam. This name was chosen by Otto Stypman, a local landowner originally from Potsdam, Germany. Stypman, with his brother Ernest, owned the land that would become downtown Stuart. Potsdam was renamed Stuart in 1895, after the establishment of the Florida East Coast Railway, in honor of another local landowner named Homer Hine Stuart, Jr.

In 1914, Stuart was incorporated as part of Florida's Palm Beach County. In 1925, Stuart was chartered and named the county seat of the newly created Martin County.[1][2]

[edit] Communities

  • Coral Gardens
  • Emerald Lakes
  • Foxwood
  • Holly Creek
  • Locks Landing
  • Lost Lakes
  • Mariner Kay
  • Mariner Sands
  • Mariner Village
  • Martin's Crossing
  • Martin's Preserve
  • North River Shores
  • The Preserve
  • Snug Harbor
  • Towne Park
  • Tropical Farms
  • Windermere

[edit] Natives from Stuart, Florida

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Goodnature.org, Official Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce Website, History Page
  2. ^ CityofStuart.com History Page


Cities and communities of Martin County, Florida
County seat Stuart Location of Martin County
Incorporated places Jupiter Island | Ocean Breeze Park | Sewall's Point | Stuart
Unincorporated places Hobe Sound | Indiantown | Jensen Beach | North River Shores | Palm City | Port Mayaca | Port Salerno | Rio
Adjacent Counties St. Lucie | Palm Beach | Hendry | Okeechobee | Glades


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