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Stuart, Florida

Coordinates:27°11′32″N80°14′35″W/ 27.19222°N 80.24306°W/27.19222; -80.24306
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Stuart, Florida
City
City of Stuart
Downtown Stuart
Downtown Stuart
Official seal of Stuart, Florida
Seal
Nickname:
Sailfish Capital of the World
Location in Martin County and the state of Florida
Location inMartin Countyand the state of Florida
Map
Map
Map
Coordinates:27°11′32″N80°14′35″W/ 27.19222°N 80.24306°W/27.19222; -80.24306
CountryUnited States
StateFlorida
CountyMartin
City1914
Government
• TypeCommission-Manager
• MayorBecky Bruner
• Vice MayorCampbell Rich
Area
[1]
• Total9.53 sq mi (24.67 km2)
• Land7.05 sq mi (18.25 km2)
• Water2.48 sq mi (6.42 km2)
Elevation
10 ft (3 m)
Population
(2020)
• Total17,425
• Density2,473/sq mi (955/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5(Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)UTC−4(EDT)
ZIP codes
34994-34997
Area code772
FIPS code12-68875[2]
GNISfeature ID0291756[3]
WebsiteCity of Stuart Website

Stuartis a city in and thecounty seatofMartin County, Florida,United States. Located in southeastern Florida, Stuart is the largest of fiveincorporated municipalitiesin Martin County. The population is 17,425 according to the2020 U.S. census.Stuart is the 126th largest city in Florida based on official 2019 estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.[4]It is part of thePort St. Lucie, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Stuart is frequently cited as one of the best small towns to visit in the U.S., in large part because of its proximity to theSt. Lucie River,Indian River Lagoon,and the Atlantic Ocean.[5][6]

History

[edit]

In the 18th century, several Spanish galleons were shipwrecked in theMartin Countyarea of Florida'sTreasure 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 historicDudley-Bessey Houseon SW Atlanta Avenue is now a yacht brokerage office

In 1832, piratePedro Gilbert,who often used a sandbar off the coast as a lure to unsuspecting prey, chased and caught theMexican,a U.S. 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 execution of Gilbert and his crew. The bar from which he lured his intended booty is named "Gilbert's Bar" on nautical charts.[7][8]: 1 

TheOld Martin County Courthouse,built in 1937, now the Courthouse Cultural Center

The Treasure Coast area that became Stuart was first settled by non-Native Americans in 1870. In 1875, aUnited States Lifesaving Stationwas established onHutchinson Island,near Stuart. Today, the station is known asGilbert's Bar House of Refugeand is on theNational Register of Historic Places.

From 1893 to 1895, the area was called Potsdam. This name was chosen by Otto Stypmann, a local landowner originally fromPotsdam,Germany. Stypmann, with his brother Ernest, owned the land that would become downtown Stuart.Henry Flagler'sFlorida East Coast Railwayconnected the area toDaytona Beachin 1892 and Miami in 1896.

Potsdam was renamed Stuart in 1895, in honor of Homer Hine (Jack) Stuart Jr., a local landowner who owned 160 acres around the railway station.[8]: 7 Rue, Luckhardt, Krueger, Crary, and Armellinis were some of the prominent settler families.[9][10]

When Stuart was incorporated as a town in 1914, it was located inPalm Beach County.In 1925, Stuart was chartered as a city and named the county seat of the newly created Martin County.[11]

The City of Stuart formally adopted the sloganSailfish Capital of the Worldin 1957, following pressure from the Stuart Chamber of Commerce,[12]owing to the manysailfishfound in the ocean off Martin County. The slogan is still used by the city.

From 1871 to 2005, 19 hurricanes passed through Stuart, includingIsbell(1964),Frances(2004),Jeanne(2004), andWilma(2005).[13]

Geography

[edit]

According to theUnited 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

[edit]

According to theKöppen climate classification,Stuart has atropical rainforest climate(Af), with hot, humid summers and warm, drier winters. Stuart has a noticeably seasonal precipitation pattern, with summer being the wettest season and winter being the driest.

Summers feature hot temperatures and frequent thunderstorms. Average highs during summer range from 88 to 91 °F (31 to 33 °C). On average, there are 81 days of 90+ °F highs annually, with an average annual mean maximum of 96.4 °F (35.8 °C). Late summer brings an increased threat of tropical storms and hurricanes, though landfalls are rare. Several major hurricanes have impacted Stuart since 1900, withHurricane Davidin 1979 and hurricanesFrancesandJeannecausing moderate damage to the area in 2004.

Winter brings much cooler and drier air. Average highs during winter range from 74 to 78 °F (23 to 26 °C), though occasional strongcold frontsbring brief rainfall followed by cooler temperatures, with highs in the 50s °F for a few days each winter. Most winters are frost-free, with an annual mean minimum temperature of 37.6 °F (3.1 °C).

Climate data for Stuart, Florida, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1936–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 89
(32) 		98
(37) 		93
(34) 		98
(37) 		98
(37) 		102
(39) 		105
(41) 		99
(37) 		102
(39) 		97
(36) 		100
(38) 		99
(37) 		105
(41)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 84.1
(28.9) 		85.7
(29.8) 		87.7
(30.9) 		89.8
(32.1) 		91.7
(33.2) 		94.4
(34.7) 		94.8
(34.9) 		94.3
(34.6) 		93.6
(34.2) 		90.3
(32.4) 		86.7
(30.4) 		85.3
(29.6) 		96.4
(35.8)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 74.2
(23.4) 		76.2
(24.6) 		78.4
(25.8) 		82.3
(27.9) 		85.7
(29.8) 		89.2
(31.8) 		90.9
(32.7) 		90.6
(32.6) 		88.8
(31.6) 		85.1
(29.5) 		79.7
(26.5) 		76.1
(24.5) 		83.1
(28.4)
Daily mean °F (°C) 64.9
(18.3) 		67.4
(19.7) 		69.9
(21.1) 		74.4
(23.6) 		78.2
(25.7) 		81.8
(27.7) 		83.2
(28.4) 		83.2
(28.4) 		82.0
(27.8) 		78.4
(25.8) 		72.4
(22.4) 		68.1
(20.1) 		75.3
(24.1)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 55.7
(13.2) 		58.6
(14.8) 		61.4
(16.3) 		66.5
(19.2) 		70.8
(21.6) 		74.4
(23.6) 		75.5
(24.2) 		75.8
(24.3) 		75.2
(24.0) 		71.8
(22.1) 		65.1
(18.4) 		60.1
(15.6) 		67.6
(19.8)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 39.6
(4.2) 		42.0
(5.6) 		47.1
(8.4) 		54.3
(12.4) 		63.4
(17.4) 		69.8
(21.0) 		71.0
(21.7) 		71.4
(21.9) 		70.9
(21.6) 		60.5
(15.8) 		50.4
(10.2) 		44.0
(6.7) 		37.6
(3.1)
Record low °F (°C) 23
(−5) 		28
(−2) 		27
(−3) 		37
(3) 		45
(7) 		55
(13) 		59
(15) 		59
(15) 		58
(14) 		42
(6) 		31
(−1) 		26
(−3) 		23
(−5)
Averageprecipitationinches (mm) 3.01
(76) 		2.61
(66) 		3.76
(96) 		3.56
(90) 		5.66
(144) 		7.44
(189) 		6.08
(154) 		8.49
(216) 		8.28
(210) 		6.46
(164) 		4.16
(106) 		3.21
(82) 		62.72
(1,593)
Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) 8.7 7.7 7.9 8.7 10.2 14.1 14.4 16.2 15.9 13.5 10.2 10.2 137.7
Source: NOAA[14][15]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1920778—
19301,924147.3%
19402,43826.7%
19502,91219.4%
19604,79164.5%
19704,8200.6%
19809,46796.4%
199011,93626.1%
200014,63322.6%
201015,5936.6%
202017,42511.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]

2010 and 2020 census

[edit]
Stuart racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race Pop 2010[17] Pop 2020[18] % 2010 % 2020
White(NH) 11,392 11,905 73.06% 68.32%
Black or African American(NH) 1,815 1,945 11.64% 11.16%
Native American orAlaska Native(NH) 28 23 0.18% 0.13%
Asian(NH) 171 277 1.10% 1.59%
Pacific IslanderorNative Hawaiian(NH) 10 2 0.06% 0.01%
Some other race(NH) 31 81 0.20% 0.46%
Two or more races/Multiracial(NH) 223 570 1.43% 3.27%
Hispanic or Latino(any race) 1,923 2,622 12.33% 15.05%
Total 15,593 17,425

As of the2020 United States census,there were 17,425 people, 7,286 households, and 3,776 families residing in the city.[19]

As of the2010 United States census,there were 15,593 people, 7,182 households, and 3,470 families residing in the city.[20]

In 2010, the median income for a household in the city was $35,954, and the median income for a family was $47,736. Males had a median income of $29,151 versus $23,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,020.[2]

As of 2010, the cost of living in Stuart is 88, on a relative scale where the U.S. average is represented by 100.[21]

Cost of Living Stuart U.S.
Overall 88 100
Food 105 100
Utilities 97 100
Housing 55 100

2000 census

[edit]

As of the census[2]of 2000, there were 14,633 people, 7,220 households, and 3,422 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,320 people per square mile (900 people/km2). There were 8,777 housing units at an average density of 1,392 units per square mile (537 units/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% fromother races,and 1.46% from two or more races. 6.29% of the population wereHispanicorLatinoof any race.

In 2000, there were 7,220 households out of which 15.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.7% are married couples living together, 9.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 52.6% are non-families. 46.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 26.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.88 and the average family size was 2.60.

In 2000, 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 are 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.

In 2000, 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.

2020 census

[edit]

As of the census of 2020, there were 17,434 people, 7,852 households, with 2.18 persons per household. The median household income was $61,878. The per capita household income was $41,029. 13.9% of the population was reported to have been living below the poverty line.[22]

Economy

[edit]

Stuart hosts one of the two Florida Department of Health offices in Martin County, the other being inIndiantown.[23]

Various businesses cater to tourists, such as fishing charters, boating charters, sailing, cruises,SCUBAand snorkeling, and nature tours.[citation needed]

Top employers

[edit]

According to the city's 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[24]the top employers in the Stuart area are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 Martin Health System 2,825
2 Martin County School District 2,566
3 Martin County 1,566
4 Publix 1,276
5 State of Florida 637
6 iVox Solutions 532
7 TurboCombustor Technology 420
8 Winn-Dixie 329
9 Liberator Medical Supply 319
10 Florida Power & Light 303

Arts and culture

[edit]

Points of interest

[edit]

Notable historic properties in downtown in range from the early 1880s to 1940s, representing a mix ofBeaux-Arts,colonial revival,Spanish mediterranean,Art Deco,frame vernacular, masonry vernacular architecture styles.[25][26]

Stuart Heritage Museum
Stuart Riverwalk, 2018

Education

[edit]

Public education in Stuart is administered by theMartin County School District.

Infrastructure

[edit]
Roosevelt Bridge and Stuart City Downtown

Transportation

[edit]

Witham Fieldis a public-use airport located one mile southeast of the central business district owned by Martin County.

US 1passes northwest–southeast through Stuart. The coastal routeA1Aheads east from Stuart towardsHutchinson Island,and the road heads southeast out of Stuart.SR 76heads south from the city, andSR 714heads west from the city.

Stuart has a yacht club and several marinas serving private crafts of various sizes.

Local transit is provided by the county.[30]

Until 1968 theFlorida East Coast Railwayoperated Jacksonville to Miami service, with a station stop in Stuart. Until 1963 long-distance passenger trains included theIllinois Central Railroad'sCity of Miamiand theLouisville & Nashville Railroad'sSouth Windboth heading from Chicago; and they included theAtlantic Coast Line Railroad'sEast Coast Champion,theHavana Special,and the winter-onlyFlorida Specialoriginating from New York.[31][32][33]

In 2023,Brightline,aninter-city railroute that currently runs betweenMiamiandOrlando,announced that it was looking for sites for a new station on theTreasure Coast.[34]On March 4, 2024, Brightline officially announced that aninfill stationon the Treasure Coast would be built inStuartand begin service by 2026.[35][36]

Brightline trains cross theSt. Lucie Riveron the Florida East Coast Railroad Bridge.[37]Close coordination between rail and water traffic is necessary at thisbascule bridge.[38]

Notable people

[edit]
[edit]

In 1973, the movieLittle Laura and Big John,a highly fictionalized version of the true story ofJohn AshleyandLaura Upthegrove,was filmed in Stuart.[39]

References

[edit]
  1. ^"2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedDecember 2,2021.
  2. ^abc"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJanuary 31,2008.
  3. ^"US Board on Geographic Names".United States Geological Survey.October 25, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 31,2008.
  4. ^"Stuart, Florida Population 2018".World Population Review.RetrievedDecember 25,2018.
  5. ^"The 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2015 – 3. Stuart, Florida".
  6. ^"20 Amazing Small Towns in America".
  7. ^Johnson, Larry (May 13, 2009). "column:Always Learning". Melbourne, Florida: Florida Today. pp. 1D.
  8. ^abHistoric Properties Survey of the City of Stuart Florida(PDF)(Report). Stuart, Florida: Historic Property Associates Inc. April 1991.RetrievedJanuary 15,2021.
  9. ^"Early Pioneers"(PDF).Historical Society of Martin County.March 2020.RetrievedJanuary 13,2021.
  10. ^Fontenay, Blake (November 7, 2022)."Stuart's Christian Science church has survived hardships in its first 100 years | Opinion".TC Palm.RetrievedNovember 7,2022.
  11. ^"Our Area's History".Stuary/Martin County Chamber of Commerce. Archived fromthe originalon December 9, 2009.RetrievedNovember 11,2009.
  12. ^"Historical Vignettes tells the story of how Stuart became 'The Sailfish Capital of the World'".tcpalm.RetrievedAugust 26,2022.
  13. ^"Stuart,Florida's history with tropical systems".Hurricane City.RetrievedNovember 11,2009.
  14. ^"NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedMay 4,2021.
  15. ^"Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedMay 4,2021.
  16. ^"Census of Population and Housing".Census.gov.RetrievedJune 4,2015.
  17. ^"P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Stuart city, Florida".United States Census Bureau.
  18. ^"P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Stuart city, Florida".United States Census Bureau.
  19. ^"S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES – 2020: Stuart city, Florida".United States Census Bureau.
  20. ^"S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES – 2010: Stuart city, Florida".United States Census Bureau.
  21. ^"Compare Cost of Living".Sperling's Best Places.RetrievedJune 17,2014.
  22. ^https:// census.gov/quickfacts/stuartcityflorida
  23. ^"Florida Department of Health in Martin".martin.floridahealth.gov.
  24. ^"City of StuartCAFR"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on February 2, 2015.RetrievedNovember 17,2012.
  25. ^Jett, Michele (April 3, 2020)."City of Stuart Florida's Historical Buildings Tour".ArcGIS.ArcGIS StoryMaps.RetrievedJanuary 15,2021.
  26. ^1991 Survey of Notable Historic Properties(PDF)(Report). Stuart, Florida: City of Stuart. 1991. p. 2.RetrievedJanuary 15,2021.
  27. ^Audubon of Martin County: Possum Long Nature CenterArchivedOctober 9, 2008, at theWayback Machine
  28. ^Swartz, Sally D. (January 26, 1997)."1880s Plantation House Gets New Life".The Palm Beach Post.pp. 611, 615.RetrievedJanuary 15,2021– viaNewspapersOpen access icon.
  29. ^Moore, Pat (February 27, 2002)."Stuart Mansion Declared Historic Treasure".The Palm Beach Post.pp. B5, 374.RetrievedJanuary 15,2021– viaNewspapersOpen access icon.
  30. ^"Public Transit Information".Martin County Florida.2019.RetrievedMay 15,2019.
  31. ^"Florida East Coast Railway".Official Guide of the Railways.90(7). National Railway Publication Company. December 1957.
  32. ^"Florida East Coast Railway".Official Guide of the Railways.91(3). National Railway Publication Company. January 1962.
  33. ^Bramson, Seth H.Speedway to Sunshine: the story of the Florida East Coast Railway,Boston Mills Press, 2010, p. 227.ISBN9781554077533.
  34. ^"BRIGHTLINE ANNOUNCES PROCESS TO SELECT A TREASURE COAST STATION".gobrightline.October 26, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 6,2024.
  35. ^"BRIGHTLINE ANNOUNCES STATION EXPANSION FOR DOWNTOWN STUART & MARTIN COUNTY".gobrightline.RetrievedMarch 4,2024.
  36. ^Scruggs, Danielle (March 4, 2024)."Brightline makes official announcement on Treasure Coast location".WPBF.RetrievedMarch 4,2024.
  37. ^"Florida East Coast Railroad Bridge, Stuart".Waterway Guide.RetrievedFebruary 16,2024.
  38. ^Johnston, Bob."Brightline's milestone moment: THE CHOKE POINT".Trains.Vol. 84, no. January 2024.Kalmbach Media.p. 18.
  39. ^Luckhardt, Alice; Luckhardt, Greg (October 27, 2013)."Ashley Gang: Notorious outlaws struck fear in Stuart residents".TCPalm.RetrievedMay 23,2016.
[edit]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide forStuart.
Wikimedia Commons has media related toStuart, Florida.
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