Stuart is a city in Martin County, Florida, on Florida's Treasure Coast. The population was 14,633 at the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 15,964.[3] Stuart is the county seat of Martin County[4]. It is part of the Port St. Lucie Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
Stuart is located at 27°11′32″N 80°14′35″W / 27.192163°N 80.243001°W / 27.192163; -80.243001.[5]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.5 square miles (22 km2), of which, 6.3 square miles (16 km2) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) is water.
Climate
The average rainfall per year is 58 inches (150 cm). The US average is 37 inches (94 cm). It rains on average during 134 days a year. The average amount of sunny days is 236 annually. The average July high temperature is 90.2 °F (32.3 °C). With an average January low temperature of 55 °F (13 °C), there is no snowfall.[6]
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 14,633 people, 7,220 households, and 3,422 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,320.5 per square mile (896.0 /km2). There were 8,777 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1391.9|/sqmi|/km2. 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.
Public health and safety
There were 74 registered sex offenders living in Stuart, Florida in early 2007. The ratio of number of residents in Stuart to the number of sex offenders is 214 to 1. Also within that year there was 1 murder and 21 robberies per 100,000 people.[6]
Economy
Personal income
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.
The cost of living in Stuart is 146.62, which is higher than the U.S.average of 100.[7]
| Cost of Living |
Stuart |
U.S. |
| Overall |
147 |
100 |
| Food |
106 |
100 |
| Utilities |
97 |
100 |
| Miscellaneous |
106 |
100 |
Industry
Various businesses cater to tourists, such as fishing charters, boating charters, sailing, cruises , SCUBA and snorkeling, and nature tours
History
Stuart riverwalk before damage by hurricane Jeanne
In the 1700s, several Spanish galleons were 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.
In 1832, pirate Pedro Gilbert who often used a sandbar off the coast as a lure to unsuspecting prey, chased and caught the Mexican, a US merchant ship. Although he attempted to burn the ship and kill the crew, they survived to report the incident, ultimately resulting in the capture and subsequent execution of Gilbert and his crew.The bar from which is lured his intended booty is named "Gilbert's Bar" on nautical charts.[8]
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 Hutchinson Island, near Stuart. 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 Stypmann, a local landowner originally from Potsdam, Germany. Stypmann, 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 Homer Hine Stuart, Jr., another local landownder.[citation needed]
When Stuart was incorporated as a town in 1914, it was located in Palm Beach County. In 1925, Stuart was chartered as a city and named the county seat of the newly created Martin County.[9]
The city of Stuart is known as the Sailfish Capital of the World, because of the many sailfish found in the ocean off Martin County.
Between 1871 and 2005, 19 hurricanes have passed through Stuart, including Isbell (1964), Frances (2004), Jeanne (2004), and Wilma (2005),.[10]
Transportation
Witham Field is a public-use airport located 1 mile southeast of the central business district.
Education in the city
Neighborhoods inside city limits
- St. Lucie Estates
- Towne Park
- Windermere
- Indian Pines
- The Crossings
- Parkview
- Astorwood
- Ocean Boulevard area
- Downtown Stuart
Arts and culture
Notable residents and/or natives
- Dan Bakkedahl, Correspondent on the Daily Show
- Nelson Burton Jr., professional bowler and longtime TV analyst
- Kelly Carrington, Playboy Playmate October 2008
- James Davis, professional football player
- Ralph Evinrude CEO Outboard Motor Company born in Milwaukee, retired in Stuart, and married Frances Langford.
- Derek Fathauer, professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour.
- Willie Gary, attorney.
- Whitney Gaskell, novelist
- Ed Hearn, Major League Baseball player and motivational speaker.
- Chris Marquette, actor
- John McHale, player and executive in Major League Baseball.
- Corey McIntyre, professional football player
- Vaughn Monroe, crooner, pop music singer in 40's , 50's
- Scott Proctor, relief pitcher on the Florida Marlins
- Judge Reinhold, actor
- Kathy Rinaldi, professional tennis player
- Lee Rinker, PGA Tour Golf player
- Cleveland Gary, professional football player
References
External links
