Stuart, Florida | |
|---|---|
City | |
| City of Stuart | |
 Downtown Stuart | |
 Seal | |
| Nickname: Sailfish Capital of the World | |
 Location inMartin County and the state of Florida | |
 Show Stuart Show Florida Show the United States | |
| Coordinates:27°11′32″N80°14′35″W / 27.19222°N 80.24306°W /27.19222; -80.24306 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Martin |
| City | 1914 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Commission-Manager |
| • Mayor | Campbell Rich |
| • Vice Mayor | Christopher Collins |
| Area | |
• Total | 9.53 sq mi (24.67 km2) |
| • Land | 7.05 sq mi (18.25 km2) |
| • Water | 2.48 sq mi (6.42 km2) |
| Elevation | 10 ft (3.0 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 17,425 |
| • Density | 2,470/sq mi (955/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes | 34994-34997 |
| Area code | 772 |
| FIPS code | 12-68875[2] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0291756[3] |
| Website | City of Stuart Website |
Stuart is a city in and thecounty seat ofMartin County, Florida, United States. Located in southeastern Florida, Stuart is the largest of fiveincorporated municipalities in 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]
In the 18th century, several Spanish galleons were shipwrecked in theMartin County area 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.
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
The Treasure Coast area that became Stuart was first settled by non-Native Americans in 1870. In 1875, aUnited States Lifesaving Station was established onHutchinson Island, near Stuart. Today, the station is known asGilbert's Bar House of Refuge and 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 Railway connected the area toDaytona Beach in 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 World in 1957, following pressure from the Stuart Chamber of Commerce,[12] owing to the manysailfish found 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]
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.
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 David in 1979 and hurricanesFrances andJeanne causing 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 fronts bring 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) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (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] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 778 | — | |
| 1930 | 1,924 | 147.3% | |
| 1940 | 2,438 | 26.7% | |
| 1950 | 2,912 | 19.4% | |
| 1960 | 4,791 | 64.5% | |
| 1970 | 4,820 | 0.6% | |
| 1980 | 9,467 | 96.4% | |
| 1990 | 11,936 | 26.1% | |
| 2000 | 14,633 | 22.6% | |
| 2010 | 15,593 | 6.6% | |
| 2020 | 17,425 | 11.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[16] | |||
| 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 Islander orNative 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 |
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 wereHispanic orLatino of 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.
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]
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,SCUBA and snorkeling, and nature tours.[citation needed] Stuart contends for the title of “TheSailfish Capital of the World” with many localfishing guides specializing in that species.[24]
According to the city's 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[25] 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 |
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.[26][27]
Public education in Stuart is administered by theMartin County School District.
Witham Field is a public-use airport located one mile southeast of the central business district owned by Martin County.
US 1 passes northwest–southeast through Stuart. The coastal routeA1A heads east from Stuart towardsHutchinson Island, and the road heads southeast out of Stuart.SR 76 heads south from the city, andSR 714 heads west from the city.
Local bus service is provided byMartin County Public Transit (MARTY).[31] Stuart also operates a free courtesy tram throughout downtown.[32]
Stuart has a yacht club and several marinas serving private crafts of various sizes.
Until 1968 theFlorida East Coast Railway operated Jacksonville to Miami service, with a station stop in Stuart. Until 1963 long-distance passenger trains included theIllinois Central Railroad'sCity of Miami and theLouisville & Nashville Railroad'sSouth Wind both heading from Chicago; and they included theAtlantic Coast Line Railroad'sEast Coast Champion, theHavana Special, and the winter-onlyFlorida Special originating from New York.[33][34][35]
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.[36] On March 4, 2024, Brightline officially announced that aninfill station on the Treasure Coast would be built inStuart.[37][38] The current plan sees the station beginning service by 2028.[39]
Brightline trains cross theSt. Lucie River on the Florida East Coast Railroad Bridge.[40] Close coordination between rail and water traffic is necessary at thisbascule bridge.[41]
In 1973, the movieLittle Laura and Big John, a highly fictionalized version of the true story ofJohn Ashley andLaura Upthegrove, was filmed in Stuart.[46]
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Municipalities and communities ofMartin County, Florida,United States | ||
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| City |  | |
| Towns | ||
| Village | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated community | ||
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