Fort Pierce, Florida | |
|---|---|
 Fort Pierce Inlet State Park | |
 Seal | |
| Nickname: The Sunrise City | |
 Location inSt. Lucie County and the state ofFlorida | |
| Coordinates:27°24′15″N80°23′28″W / 27.40417°N 80.39111°W /27.40417; -80.39111 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | St. Lucie |
| Founded | 1838[1] |
| Settled | c. 1860s[1] |
| Incorporated (city) | 1901[2][3] |
| Government | |
| • Type | Commission-Manager |
| • Mayor | Linda Hudson |
| • Commissioners[6] | List
|
| • City Manager | Richard Chess |
| • City Clerk | Linda Cox[4] |
| • City Attorney | Andrea Duenas[5] |
| Area | |
• Total | 29.84 sq mi (77.29 km2) |
| • Land | 23.79 sq mi (61.62 km2) |
| • Water | 6.05 sq mi (15.67 km2) |
| Elevation | 20 ft (6.1 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 47,297 |
| • Density | 1,988.0/sq mi (767.59/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 34945–34951, 34954, 34979, 34981-34982 |
| FIPS code | 12-24300 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2403646[8] |
| Website | cityoffortpierce |
Fort Pierce is a city in and thecounty seat ofSt. Lucie County, Florida, United States. An hour north ofWest Palm Beach, the city is part of theTreasure Coast region of Florida’s Atlantic Coast.[9] It is also known as the Sunrise City.[10] Per the2020 census, the population was 47,297.[11]
The city was named after theFort Pierce army post which was built nearby in 1838 during theSecond Seminole War, and lasted until 1842.[1] The military post had been named forBenjamin Kendrick Pierce, a careerUnited States Army officer and the brother of PresidentFranklin Pierce.[12]
The first permanent settlement of the current city was during the 1860s.[1] In 1901, the city was officially incorporated as a municipality.[2][3] It was the largest city on Florida's Atlantic Coast betweenDaytona Beach andWest Palm Beach until 1970, when it was surpassed byMelbourne.
The neighborhood of Lincoln Park, the area north of Moore's Creek, originated as Edgartown. The renowned writer,Zora Neale Hurston lived in the neighborhood. In its heyday in the 1950s and 1960s, a thriving African-American community, centered along Avenue D. It was the county's center for African-American businesses and the Lincoln Theater on Avenue D.Lincoln Park Academy is situated in the neighborhood on Avenue I, west of North 17th Street.[13]
Lincoln Park each February hosts a celebration of the artwork of the African-American collective oflandscape artists formed in the 1950s. Local artistA.E. Backus mentored many of the artists at his gallery. Several of the artists got their start at Lincoln Park Academy under the leadership of teacher Zanobia Jefferson. Art historian Jim Fitch in 1994 gave the group the name of 'the Highwaymen'. Over the course of 2001 to 2020, Gary Monroe wrote several books on the artwork of the 26 artists known as Highwaymen (including one woman).[14][15][16][17]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.84 mi2 (77.29 km2), of which 23.79 square miles (61.62 km2) is land and 6.05 square miles (15.67 km2) of it (20%) is water.[18]
According to theU.S. Army Corps of Engineers, The Fort Pierce Beach Shore Protection project includes 1.3 miles (2.1 km) of shore-line running from immediately south of theFort Pierce Inlet southward to Surfside Park. The project is on a two-year renourishment cycle due to impacts to the beach from the federal navigation project at Fort Pierce Inlet. This two-year renourishment cycle is a much shorter renourishment interval than what is typical for other projects along the east coast of Florida.[19]
The initial construction of the project occurred in 1971, and the ninth nourishment was completed in May 2013. Completion of plans and specifications, advertisement and award for the 10th renourishment contract were completed in FY 2014. The project was scheduled to start mid-February 2015.Sand for the project is dredged from an approved offshore borrow area known as the Capron Shoal and then pumped via a pipeline onto the 1.3 miles (2.1 km) of beach south of the Fort Pierce Inlet. The sponsor,St. Lucie County, is preparing a General Reevaluation Report (GRR) for the project at their own expense that will evaluate extending Federal participation for an additional 50 years. Current Federal participation expires in 2020.[19]
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates the total cost of the project to be $75.9 million, with an estimatedU.S. Federal Government share of $46.4 million. No funding for the project was requested by theU.S. President from theU.S. Congress in Fiscal Year 2016.[19]
TheExperimental Oculina Research Reserve preserves the Oculina Banks, a reef ofivory bush coral (Oculina varicosa) off the coast of Fort Pierce, Florida. In 1984, a 92square-nautical-mile (316 km2) portion of these reefs was designated the "Oculina Habitat Area of Particular Concern". In 1994, the area was closed to all manner of bottom fishing and was redesignated as a research reserve. In 2000, themarine protected area was expanded to 300 square nautical miles (1,030 km2) and prohibited all gears that caused mechanical disruption to the habitat. The city is also known for its large manatee population.
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Due to the devastation caused at the Fort Pierce City Marina by hurricanesFrances andJeanne in 2004, FEMA mandated a plan to ensure that the rebuilt facility would be protected from future such events before FEMA would release funding for the repairs. Starting in 2012, construction began to create 12 artificial barrier islands including oyster beds, lime rockartificial reefs, mangrove fringes and coastal dune. The "core" of the islands was constructed of TITANTubes, sometimes referred to asgeotextile tubes or geotubes, manufactured by Flint Industries and covered by a coastal marine mattress and then armor stone. The project was completed in 2013 after six years of planning, permitting and construction and a cost of $18 million.
Fort Pierce is located in the broad transition zone between ahumid subtropical climate (Cfa), which dominatesCentral Florida, and within the northern extent of thetropical climate typical ofSouth Florida.
| Climate data for Fort Pierce, Florida (Treasure Coast International Airport), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1901–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 89 (32) | 90 (32) | 93 (34) | 97 (36) | 98 (37) | 101 (38) | 101 (38) | 101 (38) | 99 (37) | 98 (37) | 92 (33) | 89 (32) | 101 (38) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 84.4 (29.1) | 86.4 (30.2) | 89.4 (31.9) | 91.0 (32.8) | 93.4 (34.1) | 94.9 (34.9) | 95.7 (35.4) | 95.0 (35.0) | 93.3 (34.1) | 90.9 (32.7) | 87.0 (30.6) | 84.7 (29.3) | 97.0 (36.1) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 73.4 (23.0) | 75.7 (24.3) | 78.3 (25.7) | 81.9 (27.7) | 85.6 (29.8) | 88.5 (31.4) | 90.3 (32.4) | 90.2 (32.3) | 88.1 (31.2) | 84.2 (29.0) | 79.2 (26.2) | 75.4 (24.1) | 82.6 (28.1) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 62.3 (16.8) | 64.8 (18.2) | 67.4 (19.7) | 71.5 (21.9) | 76.2 (24.6) | 79.9 (26.6) | 81.4 (27.4) | 81.6 (27.6) | 80.3 (26.8) | 76.4 (24.7) | 69.9 (21.1) | 65.5 (18.6) | 73.1 (22.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 51.2 (10.7) | 53.9 (12.2) | 56.5 (13.6) | 61.1 (16.2) | 66.8 (19.3) | 71.3 (21.8) | 72.6 (22.6) | 72.9 (22.7) | 72.6 (22.6) | 68.5 (20.3) | 60.6 (15.9) | 55.7 (13.2) | 63.6 (17.6) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 34.0 (1.1) | 37.0 (2.8) | 41.3 (5.2) | 47.6 (8.7) | 56.7 (13.7) | 66.5 (19.2) | 68.7 (20.4) | 69.2 (20.7) | 67.2 (19.6) | 53.9 (12.2) | 44.7 (7.1) | 38.1 (3.4) | 31.8 (−0.1) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 19 (−7) | 23 (−5) | 26 (−3) | 33 (1) | 45 (7) | 56 (13) | 61 (16) | 61 (16) | 59 (15) | 42 (6) | 31 (−1) | 19 (−7) | 19 (−7) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 2.82 (72) | 2.17 (55) | 2.88 (73) | 3.03 (77) | 3.93 (100) | 6.69 (170) | 5.85 (149) | 6.94 (176) | 6.27 (159) | 5.25 (133) | 3.01 (76) | 2.33 (59) | 51.17 (1,300) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 8.7 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 7.2 | 9.0 | 14.2 | 15.3 | 15.4 | 15.4 | 12.2 | 10.4 | 9.3 | 132.9 |
| Source: NOAA[20][21] all-time Feb low[22] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 1,333 | — | |
| 1920 | 2,115 | 58.7% | |
| 1930 | 4,803 | 127.1% | |
| 1940 | 8,040 | 67.4% | |
| 1950 | 13,502 | 67.9% | |
| 1960 | 25,256 | 87.1% | |
| 1970 | 29,721 | 17.7% | |
| 1980 | 33,802 | 13.7% | |
| 1990 | 36,830 | 9.0% | |
| 2000 | 37,516 | 1.9% | |
| 2010 | 41,910 | 11.7% | |
| 2020 | 47,297 | 12.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[23] 2010[24] 2020[25] | |||
| Race | Pop 2010[24] | Pop 2020[25] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 14,639 | 15,465 | 35.20% | 32.70% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 16,787 | 17,936 | 40.36% | 37.92% |
| Native American orAlaska Native (NH) | 107 | 86 | 0.26% | 0.18% |
| Asian (NH) | 337 | 472 | 0.81% | 1.00% |
| Pacific Islander orNative Hawaiian (NH) | 20 | 15 | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Some other race (NH) | 83 | 273 | 0.20% | 0.58% |
| Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) | 613 | 1,450 | 1.47% | 3.07% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9,004 | 11,600 | 21.65% | 24.53% |
| Total | 41,590 | 47,297 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 47,297 people, 16,687 households, and 10,005 families residing in the city.[26]
As of the2010 United States census, there were 41,590 people, 15,207 households, and 9,515 families residing in the city.[27]
As of thecensus of 2010, the population density was 2,021.9 inhabitants per square mile (780.7/km2).[28] There were 17,170 housing units at an average density of 1,164.7 per square mile (449.7/km2).
In 2010, there were 15,207 households, out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.3% weremarried couples living together, 19.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.50.[29]
In 2010, in the city, the population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 20 to 24, 13.3% from 25 to 34, 13.0% from 45 to 54, 9.8% from 55 to 64 and 6.8% who were 65 years of age or older.[29] The median age was 35.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.
In 2010, the median income for a household in the city was $30,869, and the median income for a family was $36,337. Males had a median income of $32,412 versus $26,349 for females.[29] Theper capita income for the city was $16,782. 30.2% of the population were below thepoverty line.[28]
| No. | Employer | Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital | 1,847 |
| 2 | Walmart Distribution Center | 1,273 |
| 3 | Pursuit Boats | 684 |
| 4 | Maverick Boat Group | 580 |
| 5 | City of Fort Pierce | 358 |
According to theU.S. Army Corps of Engineers, an average of 350,000 tons of waterborne commerce moves through the Port of Fort Pierce annually. Major commodities which are dependent on the port includecitrus exports,cement andaragonite imports. The last navigation improvements atFort Pierce were authorized by theU.S. Congress in theWater Resources Development Act of 1988, and construction was completed in August 1996. The existing entrance channel is 400 ft (120 m) wide and 30 ft (9.1 m) deep, the interior channel is 250 ft (76 m) wide and 28 ft (8.5 m) deep, the existing turning basin is 1,100 ft (340 m) square and 28 ft (8.5 m) deep, and the north access channel is located immediately north of the main turning basin is 1,250 ft (380 m) feet long, 250 ft (76 m) wide and 28 ft (8.5 m) deep.[31]
In late 2014, dredging efforts were completed in the port. The dredging effort included placement of beach quality sand on the beach immediately south of the Inlet and placement of non-beach quality sand in the approved offshore disposal area.[31]
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The city of Fort Pierce has acouncil–manager government form of local government. The offices of commissioner and mayor are nonpartisan, and have a term of four years.[citation needed]
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Fort Pierce is located onUS 1, near its intersection ofSR 70.I-95 andFlorida's Turnpike are nearby, at the west edge of town. TheIntracoastal Waterway passes through the city. The nearest airport with scheduled passenger service is inMelbourne; the closest major airport is inWest Palm Beach.[43] The city itself has a general aviation airport,Treasure Coast International Airport.
Fort Pierce is served by the St. Lucie Transportation Planning Organization (TPO).[44] The TPO is aMetropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), a federally mandated and federally funded transportation policy-making organization responsible for transportation planning, programming, and financing of State and Federal transportation funds for the City of Fort Pierce. The TPO is governed by a TPO Board, which is composed of elected officials, representatives from the St. Lucie County School Board, and representatives from Community Transit, a division of The Council on Aging of St. Lucie, Inc.[45] The original bus system started as a demand response service bus in the 1990s; it only served St. Lucie County. Soon it expanded to a fixed route system, going to predetermined locations along a route. On June 3, 2002, theFlorida Department of Transportation (FDOT) approved funding, expanding the bus service to Martin County, and it became the Treasure Coast Connector.[46][47]
From 1894 to 1968, theFlorida East Coast Railway served the city as a passenger railroad. Until a strike beginning in 1963, several long-distance passenger trains from Chicago, Cincinnati and New York City made stops there, en route toMiami. These long distances trains included theIllinois Central Railroad'sCity of Miami and theLouisville & Nashville Railroad'sSouth Wind, both heading from Chicago; and theAtlantic Coast Line Railroad'sEast Coast Champion, theHavana Special, and the winter-onlyFlorida Special originating from New York.[48][49][50] Into the latter 1950s, passengers could take theDixie Flagler to Chicago viaAtlanta from the station.[51] The FEC continued a six day a week Jacksonville-Miami train from 1965 to 1968, per court order.[52]
Amtrak and the Florida East Coast Railway had been planning to make stations along Florida's East Coast. The cities cited by Amtrak and the Florida Department of Transportation included:Stuart, Fort Pierce,Vero Beach,Melbourne,Titusville,Cocoa,Daytona Beach andSt. Augustine.[53]
In 2023,Brightline, aninter-city rail route that currently runs betweenMiami andOrlando, announced that it was looking for sites for a new station on theTreasure Coast.[54] As of 2024, there are currently no plans to add a station in Fort Pierce.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
Municipalities and communities ofSt. Lucie County, Florida,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Towns | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated community | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
