| Gulfport, Florida | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
 |
|
| Coordinates: 27°45′2″N 82°42′31″W / 27.75056°N 82.70861°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| County | Pinellas |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Mike Yakes |
| - Ward 1 | Judy Ryerson |
| - Ward 2 | Michelle King |
| - Ward 3 | Bob Worthington |
| - 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 (2000) | |
| - Total | 12,527 |
| - Density | 3,296.6/sq mi (1,265.4/km2) |
| 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 recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau wa 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, enhanced by the swaying palms. 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.
Tuesdays are Fresh Market days in the Gulfport Waterfront district from 9AM to 3PM, showcasing fresh produce, cheese, seafood, honey, nuts, baked goods, art and crafts, and local entertainment.
Annual festivals include Get Rescued In Gulfport on the fourth Saturday of February, a charitable 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. 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 near the beach and is a venue for live theatrical performances. Teams assemble nearby for beach volleyball, while others enjoy picnics with tots on park swings.
The Gulfport Casino Ballroom also located waterfront is one of the main event venues in the city. The host 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 5000 square foot authentic 1930's style dance floor.
Stetson University Law School, founded in 1900, is located in Gulfport (having moved there in 1954 from its original location in DeLand).
A trolley that connects Gulfport to St. Pete Beach runs Monday through Saturday to stop at the restaurants, bars and shops, mostly concentrated on Beach Blvd. and Shore Blvd.[6] The city is still a sleepy beach town but is gaining interest for its culinary and arts scene.[7][8][9][10]
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Geography
Gulfport is located at 27°45′2″N 82°42′31″W / 27.75056°N 82.70861°W (27.750605, -82.708618)[11].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.9 km² (3.8 mi²). 7.3 km² (2.8 mi²) of it is land and 2.6 km² (1.0 mi²) of it (26.30%) is water.
Demographics
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 1,709.1/km² (4,422.2/mi²). There were 7,306 housing units at an average density of 996.8/km² (2,579.1/mi²). 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.
Cable TV channel
GTV615 is the local government 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.[12]
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.
Education
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 Middle School, located in St. Petersburg. Gulfport Elementary School was the first Montessori school in Pinellas County.
External links
- City of Gulfport official site
- Gulfport Police Department official site
- GulfportFlorida.us informational site
- Gulfport Merchants Association Official site with business and event listings and information for event vendors
- / Tuesday Fresh Market informational site including information for vendors
- / Art Walk informational site including information for vendors
- Get Rescued In Gulfport informational site about annual pet rescue festival
- Gulfport Chamber of Commerce official site
- Gulfport365 Daily photo story about the people and events of Gulfport
- Domain Home Accessories in Gulfport informational site for local gallery and gift shop
- THE GABBER, local weekly newspaperinformational site including online version
References
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ http://www.pinellascounty.org/Municipalities.htm#Gulfport
- ^ Gulfport Population Information. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2004-04-12.
- ^ Three Names Shape One. St. Petersburg Times. 2001-07-01. Retrieved on 2009-03-18.
- ^ New trolley service will link Gulfport to St. Pete Beach St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2009-09-12/
- ^ Gulfport boasts great dining off the beaten path The Tampa Tribune. Retrieved 2009-09-12.
- ^ Counting down Tampa Bay's best bars: No. 60 to No. 41 St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2009-09-12.
- ^ Gritty town cleans up its act, retains its charm Miami Herald. Retrieved 2009-09-12.
- ^ Gulfport pub seeking patron-designed label for new beer Bay News 9. Retrieved 2009-07-12.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ GTV615 Information Page City of Gulfport. Retrieved 2009-9-12.
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