| Gulfport, Florida | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
| Location in Pinellas County and the state of Florida | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Pinellas |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Mike Yakes |
| • Ward 1 | David Hastings |
| • Ward 2 | Barbara Banno |
| • Ward 3 | Jennifer Salmon |
| • Ward 4 | Samuel Henderson |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.8 sq mi (9.9 km2) |
| • Land | 2.8 sq mi (7.3 km2) |
| • Water | 1 sq mi (2.6 km2) |
| Elevation | 16 ft (5 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 12,029 |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP codes | 33707, 33711, 33737 |
| Area code(s) | 727 |
| FIPS code | 12-28175[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0283501[2] |
| Website | City Website |
Gulfport is a city in Pinellas County,[3] Florida and a suburb of St. Petersburg. The population of Gulfport was 12,527 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau was 12,740.[4] Gulfport is part of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area, the 21st largest MSA in the country.
The town was originally named Disston City in 1884 when Hamilton Disston purchased land here. The United States Postal Service would not recognize the name as it conflicted with a town in Hillsborough County. Instead, it was named Bonifacio. In 1890, the town name was changed to Veteran City. Finally, in 1910, the name officially changed to Gulfport.[5]
Gulfport is distinguished by its high concentration of artisans inspired by the intense light and tropical scenery. A celebration the first Friday and third Saturday of each month called "Art Walk" attracts locals and tourists. Many street performers, artists and craftspeople show up to create a relaxed cultured atmosphere in the warm balmy evening breezes coming off the beach at the end of the street.
"Old Florida" is a phrase often evoked in describing Gulfport's waterfront district, with its mix of small-scale cottages and small independent shops, restaurants and other businesses, situated among mature oak trees and brick-paved streets. Gulfport's recognition as a primary dining destination in Tampa Bay is exemplified by the proximity of over a dozen restaurants within walking distance along a few blocks on or near Beach Blvd.
Tuesdays are Fresh Market days in the Gulfport Waterfront district from 9AM to 3PM, on Beach Blvd. The Fresh Market showcases fresh produce, cheese, seafood, honey, nuts, baked goods, plants, art and crafts, and local entertainment. The Fresh Market is a year-round event.
Annual festivals include Get Rescued In Gulfport on the fourth Saturday of February, a charitable street festival featuring pet rescue organizations from throughout the region, vendors of pet products and demonstrations. SpringFest occurs on the fourth Saturday of March and involves a day devoted to local artists, crafters, live music and more. The July 4th Celebration includes a parade, vendors, live music and a fireworks production staged at Williams Pier on the waterfront. Gecko Fest happens on Saturday of each Labor Day weekend and is the largest street festival of the year, including street performers, live music on multiple stages, and food, art and craft vendors.
The Catherine A. Hickman Theater of Gulfport is located on Beach Blvd. at 26th Ave. South and is a venue for live theatrical performances. The nearby Gulfport Senior Center offers activities throughout the week for residents within and outside of the City.
The Gulfport Casino Ballroom, located on the waterfront, is one of the main event venues in the city. The Casino hosts dance events of Swing, Salsa, Argentine Tango, and Ballroom 5 days a week with a large turnout from all across the Tampa area. The venue also is available for rent to the public and popular for weddings, company parties and functions, and holiday parties. The ballroom features a 5,000-square-foot (460 m2) authentic 1930's style dance floor.
Adjacent to the Casino, Gulfport Beach offers an attractive swath of sand on Boca Ciega Bay for swimming, sunbathing and family gatherings. Beach pavilions, a bocce ball course, a playground, and jogging circle near the Recreation Center offer amenities for all ages. Teams assemble nearby for beach volleyball, while others enjoy picnics with tots on park swings.
Stetson University Law School, founded in 1900, is located in Gulfport (having moved there in 1954 from its original location in DeLand).
In 2011 Gulfport was named a finalist by Rand McNally for best food town in the U.S.[2]
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Gulfport is located at (27.750605, -82.708618)[6].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.8 square miles (9.8 km2). 2.8 square miles (7.3 km2) of it is land and 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2) of it (26.30%) is water.
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 12,527 people, 6,246 households, and 3,154 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,422.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,709.1/km²). There were 7,306 housing units at an average density of 2,579.1 per square mile (996.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.40% White, 7.06% African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.78% from other races, and 1.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.47% of the population.
There were 6,246 households out of which 16.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.3% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.5% were non-families. 39.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.98 and the average family size was 2.63.
In the city the population was spread out with 15.8% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 28.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,809, and the median income for a family was $37,016. Males had a median income of $25,756 versus $23,347 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,801. About 9.5% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.2% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.
GTV615 is the local Government-access television (GATV) cable TV channel for the City of Gulfport. The signal was moved to channel 615 on December 11, 2007 on Bright House Networks. Residents however then had to rent an official cable box to watch the channel, which cost an extra dollar a month.[7]
The channel includes city information, information relating to the city's trolley, a historical video of the city, city meetings, and Gulfport Little League games as well as additional programming.
Public education is provided by Pinellas County Schools. Gulfport has two public schools, Boca Ciega High School and Gulfport Elementary School. The closest middle school to Gulfport is Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School, located in St. Petersburg. It is known to be one of the best middle schools in Florida. Gulfport Elementary School was the first Montessori school in Pinellas County.
Stetson University School of Law is also located in Gulfport. It's tower is one of the best known images to locals and has become a iconic part of the skyline.
Gulfport has a nice trolly system, which you can ride around Gulfport and the surrounding area for free. .[8] The city is still a sleepy beach town but is gaining interest for its culinary and arts scene, and colorful ambiance. The downtown area has a few art galleries, as well as the Hickman theater, a small performing arts center. [9][10][11][12]
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