City of Port Saint Lucie, Florida
A Golf Course in Port St. Lucie
Port St. Lucie is a city in St. Lucie County, Florida, United States. The population of Port St. Lucie was 88,769 at the 2000 census. Port St. Lucie forms part of a metropolitan area called the Port St. Lucie, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area that in 2007 had 400,121 residents.[3]
History
Port Saint Lucie was a largely uninhabited tract of land south of White City, Florida in the 1950s, composed of a fishing camp, a few farms and businesses near US1. In 1958, with a budget of $50 million, the General Development Corporation (GDC) purchased the River Park development and 40,000 acres along the St. Lucie Fork River.[4] In 1959, the GDC opened its first bridge over the Fork River, allowing for direct automobile access to Port St. Lucie.
By February 25, 1961 there were 250 homes in the new city. The GDC requested the state legislature to incorporate 70 miles along with the River Park settlement into the City of Port St. Lucie. River Park did not incorporate into the city at the request of its residents. Port St. Lucie became a city on April 27, 1961 with the passage of House Bill No. 953, proposed by State Representative Rupert Smith and approved by Florida Governor C. Farris Bryant.[5] In the early 21st Century, Port St. Lucie was named the fastest growing city in the United States. There were only about 300 inhabitants in 1970; rapid growth began after 1980, with a population around 15,000 in 1980, and approximately 55,000 in 1990.[6]
In 2007, the housing market began to collapse and unemployment started to rise. As of February 2009, unemployment was at 10 1/2 percent and in 2008, nearly 11,000 homes went into foreclosure. This has prompted the county government to consider declaring itself a disaster area. Doing so would give county administrators access to $17 million in county emergency reserve funds. That money, combined with a transportation fund and other accounts, would give St. Lucie $20 million or $30 million to spend on building projects: research parks, highways and other infrastructure improvements.[7]
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 88,769 people, 33,909 households, and 25,736 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,175.1 people per square mile (453.7/kmē). There were 36,785 housing units at an average density of 487.0/sq mi (188.0/kmē). The racial makeup of the city was 87.88% White, 7.09% African American, 1.24% Asian, 0.23% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.77% from other races, and 1.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.52% of the population.
There were 33,909 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.1% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,509, and the median income for a family was $44,162. Males had a median income of $18,730 versus $16,702 for females.[citation needed] The per capita income for the city was $18,059. About 15.7% of families and 17.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated that Port St. Lucie's population had reached 151,391 as of July 2007.[8]
[edit] Geography and climate
Port St. Lucie is located at 
27°16′33″N 80°21′18″W / 27.27583°N 80.355°W / 27.27583; -80.355 (27.275772, -80.355029).[9]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 76.7 square miles (198.6 kmē), of which, 75.5 square miles (195.6 kmē) is land and 1.1 square miles (3.0 kmē) (1.50%) is water.
Port St. Lucie was hit directly in 2004 by Hurricane Frances (as a Category 2 hurricane) on September 4th, 2004 and by Hurricane Jeanne (as a Category 3 hurricane) on September 25th, 2004. On October 24th, 2005 Port St. Lucie was hit directly by Hurricane Wilma (as a Category 3 hurricane).
[edit] Major Highways
Florida's Turnpike is the only toll road in St. Lucie County, which is the northernmost place where the Turnpike and Interstate 95 run close to each other. The Turnpike has 2 exits within Port St. Lucie's city limits: Port St. Lucie Boulevard (SR 716) and Becker Road. For most of its route through St. Lucie County, the Turnpike is east of I-95. The Turnpike provides access to Orlando to the north, and Miami to the south.
Interstate 95 is in the western portion of the city. It is 6 lanes wide (3 in each direction), and provides access to Miami and Jacksonville. Exits include exit 126 (Midway Road), exit 121 (St. Lucie West Blvd.), exit 120 (Crosstown Parkway), and exit 118 (Gatlin Blvd./Tradition Pkwy.). The Becker Road interchange with I-95 (as part of the expansion of Tradition east of I-95) is to be completed soon.
[edit] Sports
The city is home to New York Mets spring training and the St. Lucie Mets Florida State League team. The Treasure Coast Galleons, a semi-pro soccer team also calls Port St. Lucie as its home. Florida Atlantic University has its Treasure Coast campus in the city. There is a golf complex, the PGA Village with 54 holes of golf, a learning center and a historical center. The city also hosted the Ginn Classic at Tesoro, the city's first ever PGA Tour Event, in 2007. [11] Port St Lucie is the home of UFC fighter Din Thomas, and the home of world renowned Mixed Martial Arts school, American Top Team Port St Lucie campus.
[edit] High schools
[edit] Government
City Council
- Mayor Patricia Christensen
- Vice Mayor Jack Kelly-District 4
- Councilwoman Michelle Berger-District 2
- Councilman Christopher Cooper-District 3
- Councilwoman Linda Bartz-District 1
City Manager
Assistant City Manager
Assistant City Manager/CRA Director
Chief of police
City Engineer
