Port St. Lucie, Florida

Port St. Lucie is a city in St. Lucie County, Florida, United States. The population of Port St. Lucie was 88,769 at the 2000 census. According to the 2006 Census estimates, the city proper had an estimated population of 144,159. [1] As of 2005, Port St. Lucie Metropolitan Area Population was 381,033.

Geography and climate

Location of Port St. Lucie, Florida

Port St. Lucie is located at 27°16′33″N 80°21′18″W (27.275772, -80.355029)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 198.6 km² (76.7 mi²). 195.6 km² (75.5 mi²) of it is land and 3.0 km² (1.1 mi²) of it (1.50%) is water.

During 2004 and 2005, Port St. Lucie was hit directly by Hurricane Frances and Hurricane Jeanne, while also being hit by Hurricane Wilma.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 88,769 people, 33,909 households, and 25,736 families residing in the city. The population density was 453.7/km² (1,175.1/mi²). There were 36,785 housing units at an average density of 188.0/km² (487.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.88% White, 7.09% African American, 1.24% Asian, 0.23% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.77% from other races, and 1.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.52% of the population.

There were 33,909 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.1% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $40,509, and the median income for a family was $44,162. Males had a median income of $31,730 versus $23,702 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,059. About 5.7% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.

History

Port Saint Lucie started as a development of the General Development Corporation and became a city on April 27, 1961. The very rapid population growth started after 1980, with a population around 15,000 in 1980, and around 55,000 in 1990. There were only about 300 inhabitants in 1970, [2].

The mayor of the city is Patricia Christensen. She is the city's first woman mayor.

Major Highways

Florida's Turnpike-This turnpike is the only tolled road in St. Lucie County, and the northernmost point of the Florida's Turnpike that is by Interstate 95. However, there is only one exit inside it's city limits, and that is SR 716. Another exit will be opened within the next few months near the southern border of the city with Martin County. In both St. Lucie and Martin counties, the turnpike is east of I-95 and provides access to Orlando to the north, and Miami to the south.

Interstate 95 is in the western portion of the city. It is 6 lanes wide in each direction, and provides access to Miami and Jacksonville. Exit's include exit 126 (Midway Road), exit 121 (St. Lucie West Blvd.), exit 118 SR 716 (Gatlin Blvd./Tradition Pkwy.).

Sports

The city is home to New York Mets spring training and the St. Lucie Mets Florida State League team. Florida Atlantic University has its Treasure Coast campus in the city.

External links

• City of Port St. Lucie
• St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce

• Port St. Lucie, Fla., is Fastest-Growing City, from the Census Bureau website
• Port St. Lucie Historical Society