Fort Pierce, Florida
Encyclopedia
Fort Pierce, also spelled Ft. Pierce, is a city in St. Lucie County
, Florida
, USA
. It is known as The Sunrise City. The population was 37,959 at the 2004 census. As of 2008, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 41,000.http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2004-04-12.xls It is the county seat
of St. Lucie County
.
Fort Pierce is part of the Port St. Lucie, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area which have
population of 400,121.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 20.8 square miles (53.9 km²). 14.7 square miles (38.1 km²) of it is land and 6 square miles (15.5 km²) of it (35.00%) is water.
of 2008, there were 41,000 people residing in the city. The population density
was2,212.4/sq mi (697.3/km²) . The racial makeup of the city was 49.54% White, 40.85% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 5.36% from other races
, and 3.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.00% of the population.
There were 14,407 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.1% were married couples
living together, 19.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,121, and the median income for a family was $29,458. Males had a median income of $21,274 versus $20,012 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,345. About 25.4% of families and 30.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.1% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.
preserves the Oculina Banks, a reef of ivory bush coral
(Oculina varicosa) off the coast of Fort Pierce, Florida. In 1984, a 92 square-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 a research reserve. In 2000, the marine 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.
St. Lucie County, Florida
St. Lucie County is a county located in the state of Florida. The county seat is the city of Fort Pierce. In the year 2000, the population was 192,695. As of the year 2010, the United States Census Bureau sets the population at 277,789.- History :...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is known as The Sunrise City. The population was 37,959 at the 2004 census. As of 2008, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 41,000.http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2004-04-12.xls It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of St. Lucie County
St. Lucie County, Florida
St. Lucie County is a county located in the state of Florida. The county seat is the city of Fort Pierce. In the year 2000, the population was 192,695. As of the year 2010, the United States Census Bureau sets the population at 277,789.- History :...
.
Fort Pierce is part of the Port St. Lucie, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area which have
population of 400,121.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 20.8 square miles (53.9 km²). 14.7 square miles (38.1 km²) of it is land and 6 square miles (15.5 km²) of it (35.00%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2008, there were 41,000 people residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was2,212.4/sq mi (697.3/km²) . The racial makeup of the city was 49.54% White, 40.85% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 5.36% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.00% of the population.
There were 14,407 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 19.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,121, and the median income for a family was $29,458. Males had a median income of $21,274 versus $20,012 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $14,345. About 25.4% of families and 30.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.1% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.
Ecology
The Experimental Oculina Research ReserveExperimental Oculina Research Reserve
The Experimental Oculina Research Reserve preserves the Oculina Banks, a reef of ivory bush coral off the coast of Fort Pierce, Florida. Oculina varicosa is a U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service species of concern. Species of concern are those species about which the U.S...
preserves the Oculina Banks, a reef of ivory bush coral
Ivory Bush Coral
The ivory bush coral is a U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service species of concern. Species of concern are those species about which the U.S...
(Oculina varicosa) off the coast of Fort Pierce, Florida. In 1984, a 92 square-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 a research reserve. In 2000, the marine protected area
Marine Protected Area
Marine Protected Areas, like any protected area, are regions in which human activity has been placed under some restrictions in the interest of conserving the natural environment, it's surrounding waters and the occupant ecosystems, and any cultural or historical resources that may require...
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.
Transportation
Fort Pierce is served by the St. Lucie Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) http://stlucietpo.org/. The TPO is a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_planning_organization, 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 http://www.coasl.com/svc_transportation.html. The original bus system started out 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, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) http://www.dot.state.fl.us/ approved funding, expanding the bus service to Martin County, and became the Treasure Coast Connector http://treasurecoastconnector.com/.Tourist attractions
- A.E. Backus Museum and GalleryA. E. Backus Gallery & MuseumThe A. E. Backus Gallery & Museum is located at 500 North Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida. This museum houses artwork by A. E. Backus and other Florida artists. The museum contains the largest collection of paintings by A. E. Backus, a preeminent Florida landscape painter....
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic InstituteHarbor Branch Oceanographic InstituteHarbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University, also commonly referred to as HBOI or HBOI at FAU, is a non-profit oceanographic institution operated by Florida Atlantic University in Fort Pierce, Florida, USA. HBOI traces its history to a 1971 entity which was merged into...
- Heathcote Botanical GardensHeathcote Botanical GardensThe Heathcote Botanical Gardens 3.5 acres are subtropical botanical gardens located at 210 Savannah Road, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA....
- Historic Main Street
- Florida Power and Light Energy Encounter
- Old Fort ParkOld Fort Pierce ParkOld Fort Pierce Park is the site of Fort Pierce, a military installation constructed by the U.S. Army in Florida with the purpose of being a main supply depot for the army during the Second Seminole War...
- Manatee Observation Center
- Navy UDT-SEAL Museum (Fort Pierce was the original home of the Navy SEALs)
- St. Lucie County Marine Center
- St. Lucie County Regional History Center
Notable residents
- Rick AnkielRick AnkielRichard Alexander Ankiel is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently with the Washington Nationals. He bats and throws left-handed....
, Major League Baseball player - A.E. "Beanie" Backus
- Kimberly BergalisKimberly BergalisKimberly Ann Bergalis was one of six patients infected with HIV after visiting David J. Acer, a dentist who had AIDS. This incident is the first known case of clinical transmission of HIV.-Background:...
- Edwin BinneyEdwin BinneyEdwin Binney is best known for his invention of the Crayola crayon.In 1885, Binney took control of his father's business, Peeksill Chemical Co. While experimenting with a mixture of slate waste, cement, and talc, Binney created the first:) dustless white chalk. The invention was awarded a gold...
, co-founder of Crayola CrayonsCrayolaCrayola is a brand of artists' supplies manufactured by Crayola LLC, which was founded in 1885 as Binney & Smith. It is best known for its crayons... - Jeff BlackshearJeff BlackshearJeffrey Leon Blackshear is a former American football guard who played nine seasons in the National Football League. He played for the Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers. Blackshear attended Northeast Louisiana University.-External links:*...
- Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored PeopleNational Association for the Advancement of Colored PeopleThe National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, usually abbreviated as NAACP, is an African-American civil rights organization in the United States, formed in 1909. Its mission is "to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to...
- Jamar ChaneyJamar Chaney-Philadelphia Eagles:Chaney was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He was signed to a four-year contract on June 4, 2010...
, linebacker for Philadelphia Eagles - Yamon FigursYamon FigursYamon Figurs is an American football wide receiver and return specialist who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
- Mark FoleyMark FoleyMark Adam Foley is a former member of the United States House of Representatives. He served from 1995 until 2006, representing the 16th District of Florida as a member of the Republican Party....
- John HoughtalingJohn HoughtalingJohn Joseph Houghtaling was an American entrepreneur and inventor who in 1958 invented the Magic Fingers Vibrating Bed, a common feature in mid-priced hotels and motels from the 1960s to 1970s.-Early life:...
(1916–2009), creator of the Magic Fingers Vibrating Bed. - Zora Neale HurstonZora Neale HurstonZora Neale Hurston was an American folklorist, anthropologist, and author during the time of the Harlem Renaissance...
- Charles Johnson
- Ladislav KarabinLadislav KarabinLadislav Karabin is a retired professional ice hockey player who played nine games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Pittsburgh Penguins.- Personal Life :...
, retired CzechoslovakianCzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
hockey player, who played for the Pittsburgh PenguinsPittsburgh PenguinsThe Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... - CeeCee Lyles
- Daniel T. McCartyDaniel T. McCartyDaniel Thomas McCarty was an American politician and elected officeholder. McCarty was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, and served as its speaker, and was later elected the 31st Governor of Florida....
, 31st Governor of Florida - Ryan McNeil (American football)Ryan McNeil (American football)Ryan Darrell McNeil is a former American football defensive back in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Miami....
- Gary StewartGary Stewart (singer)Gary Stewart was a country musician and songwriter known for his distinctive vibrato voice and his southern rock influenced, outlaw country sound...
, country singer - Matthew UnderwoodMatthew UnderwoodMatthew Dillon Underwood is an American actor best known for his role as Logan Reese on the Nickelodeon TV show Zoey 101. His first film appearance was providing "Additional Voices" in My Neighbors the Yamadas in 1999. In 2009, he booked a lead in a new horror movie called Reality Horror Night,...