Fort Pierce, Florida
Fort Pierce, Florida | ||
---|---|---|
City | ||
Commissioners[6] List | ||
• FIPS code | 12-24300 | |
GNIS feature ID | 0307964[8] | |
Website | cityoffortpierce |
Fort Pierce is a city in and the
History
The city was named after the Fort Pierce Army post which was built nearby in 1838 during the Second Seminole War, and lasted until 1842.[1] The military post had been named for Benjamin Kendrick Pierce, a career United States Army officer and the brother of President Franklin Pierce.[12]
The first permanent settlement of the current city was during the 1860s.
Geography
According to the
Environment
Shore Protection project
According to the
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.
The
Ecology
The
Marina
Due to the devastation caused at the Fort Pierce City Marina by hurricanes Frances and Jeanne 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 rock artificial reefs, mangrove fringes and coastal dune. The "core" of the islands was constructed of TITANTubes, sometimes referred to as geotextile 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.
Climate
Fort Pierce has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and warm, drier winters.
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) |
25 (−4) |
26 (−3) |
33 (1) |
45 (7) |
56 (13) |
61 (16) |
61 (16) |
59 (15) |
42 (6) |
31 (−1) |
19 (−7) |
19 (−7) |
Average precipitation 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[14][15] |
Demographics
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[16] 2010[17] 2020[18] |
Race | Pop 2010[17] | Pop 2020[18] | % 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% |
Alaska Native (NH)
|
107 | 86 | 0.26% | 0.18% |
Asian (NH) | 337 | 472 | 0.81% | 1.00% |
Native 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 the 2020 United States census, there were 47,297 people, 16,687 households, and 10,005 families residing in the city.[19]
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 41,590 people, 15,207 households, and 9,515 families residing in the city.[20]
As of the census of 2010, the population density was 2,021.9 inhabitants per square mile (780.7/km2).[21] 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% were married 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.[22]
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.[22] 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.
Economy
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 |
Port of Fort Pierce
According to the
In late 2014 dredging efforts were completed in the port. The dredging effort included both beach placement of beach quality sand on the beach immediately south of the Inlet as well as placement of non beach quality sand in the approved offshore disposal area.[24]
Arts and culture
Tourist attractions
- A.E. Backus Museum and Gallery
- Arcade Building
- Art Mundo at the Art Bank[25]
- Boston House
- Dust Tracks of Zora Neale Hurston[26][27]
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
- Havert L. Fenn Center[citation needed]
- Heathcote Botanical Gardens
- Historic Main Street[28]
- Florida Power and Light Energy Encounter[29]
- Lincoln Park Main Street[26]
- Old Fort Pierce City Hall
- Old Fort Park
- Manatee Center[30]
- Navy UDT-SEAL Museum (Fort Pierce was the original home of the United States Navy SEALs)
- Smithsonian Marine Ecosystem Exhibit[31]
- St. Lucie County Marine Center[32]
- St. Lucie County Regional History Center[33]
- Sunrise Theatre[34]
Government
The city of Fort Pierce has a council–manager government form of local government. The offices of commissioner and mayor are nonpartisan, and have a term of four years.
Education
Colleges and Universities
- Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
- Florida State University Medical School Regional Campus
- Indian River State College
- University of Florida Indian River Research and Education Center
High Schools
- Faith Baptist School
- Fort Pierce Central High School
- Fort Pierce Westwood Academy
- John Carroll Catholic High School
- Lincoln Park Academy
Middle Schools
- Dan McCarty Middle School
- Forest Grove Middle School
- Creative Arts Academy of Saint Lucie
- Lincoln Park Academy
- Saint Anastasia Middle School
- Saint Andrew's Academy
- Samuel S. Gaines Academy K-8
Elementary Schools
- Chester A. Moore Elementary School
- Fairlawn Elementary School
- Creative Arts Academy of Saint Lucie
- Francis K. Sweet Elementary School
- Lakewood Park Elementary School
- Lawnwood Elementary School
- Samuel S. Gaines Academy K-8
- Weatherbee Elementary School
- White City Elementary School
Infrastructure
Transportation
Fort Pierce is located on U.S. Route 1, near its intersection with Florida State Road 70. Interstate 95 and Florida's Turnpike are nearby, at the west edge of town. The Intracoastal Waterway passes through the city. The nearest airport with scheduled passenger service is in Melbourne; the closest major airport is in West Palm Beach.[35] The city itself has a general aviation airport, Treasure Coast International Airport.
Fort Pierce is served by the St. Lucie Transportation Planning Organization (TPO).[36] The TPO is a Metropolitan 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.[37] 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, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) approved funding, expanding the bus service to Martin County, and it became the Treasure Coast Connector.[38][39]
From 1894 to 1968 the
In 2023, Brightline, an inter-city rail route that currently runs between Miami and Orlando, announced that it was looking for sites for a new station on the Treasure Coast.[46] As of 2024, there are currently no plans to add a station in Fort Pierce.
Notable people
Actors
- Ricou Browning, director, actor, producer, screenwriter, underwater cinematographer and stuntman best known for portraying Gill-Man underwater in Universal's Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) and its two sequels Revenge of the Creature (1955), and The Creature Walks Among Us (1956)
- Michael P. Nash, Filmmaker
- Lisa Janti, actress, The Lone Ranger and the City of Gold; Pearl of the South Pacific.
Businesspeople
- Edwin Binney, co-founder of Crayola Crayons[47]
Writers and artists
- A.E. "Beanie" Backus, artist and painter[48]
- Zora Neale Hurston, author best known for the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God[49]
Musicians
- Ted Hewitt, country music producer- produces Country Music artist Rodney Atkins
- Gary Stewart, country singer[50]
Politicians
- Alto L. Adams, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Florida
- Mark Foley, former U.S. Congressman[citation needed]
- Daniel T. McCarty, 31st Governor of Florida[51]
- Allen R. Sturtevant, Associate Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court[52]
Activists
- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Sports
- Jeff Blackshear, NFL guard for the Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers[53]
- Jamar Chaney, NFL linebacker[54]
- Yamon Figurs, NFL and CFL wide receiver[55]
- Tampa Bay Rays[56]
- Ladislav Karabin, retired Czechoslovakian hockey player, who played for the Pittsburgh Penguins
- Khalil Mack, NFL linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers
- Terry McGriff, MLB catcher for the Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals[57]
- Ryan McNeil, NFL defensive back[58]
- Wonder Monds, NFL defensive back[59]
- Luther Robinson, NFL defensive end[60]
- Larry Sanders, Former NBA player for the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers[61]
- Jeff Schwarz, Former MLB pitcher for the Chicago White Sox and California Angels[62]
- Herbert Strong, professional golfer and golf course architect[63]
- LaDaris Vann, Former CFL player for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Other
- Kimberly Bergalis, victim of first known case of clinical transmission of HIV
- Louise Gopher, the first Seminole woman to earn a bachelor's degree[64]
- John Houghtaling, creator of the Magic Fingers Vibrating Bed[65]
- CeeCee Lyles, Flight attendant on United Airlines Flight 93[66]
References
- ^ Britannica.
- ^ a b "ABOUT FORT PIERCE". cityoffortpierce.com.
- ^ a b "FLORIDA CITIES BY INCORPORATION YEAR WITH INCORPORATION & DISSOLUTION INFO" (PDF). flcities.com.
- ^ "City Clerk". City of Fort Pierce.
- ^ "Member Profile". Florida Bar.
- ^ "Mayor & City Commission". City of Fort Pierce. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ Jernigan, Meg. "Things to Do in Fort Pierce, Florida". USA Today. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
- ^ "Fort Pierce city, Florida". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- ISBN 9781467101271. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
- ^ a b c "U.S. Army Corps of Engineers -- Congressional Fact Sheet -- Fort Pierce Beach FL, Shore Protection Project" (PDF).
- ^ "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- US Census Bureau.
- ^ a b "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Fort Pierce city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ a b "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Fort Pierce city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Fort Pierce city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Fort Pierce city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ a b "Fort Pierce (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau". census.gov. Archived from the original on November 18, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
- ^ a b c Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS). "U.S. Census website". census.gov. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
- ^ Major Employers, St. Lucie EDC.
- ^ a b "U.S. Army Corps of Engineers -- Congressional Fact Sheet -- Fort Pierce Harbor" (PDF).
- ^ "Art Mundo".
- ^ a b [1] Archived August 1, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "St. Lucie County". Archived from the original on October 4, 2013.
- ^ "Main Street Fort Pierce". Retrieved August 8, 2013.
- ^ "Fort Pierce Tourist Attractions". PlanetWare. Archived from the original on February 16, 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
- ^ "Manatee Observation and Education Center". Manateecenter.com. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
- ^ "Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit: Smithsonian Marine Station (SMS) at Fort Pierce". Sms.si.edu. February 6, 2007. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
- ^ "St Lucie County Florida Online || St. Lucie County Marine Center". Stlucieco.gov. Archived from the original on August 9, 2013. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
- ^ "St Lucie County Florida Online || Regional History Center". Stlucieco.gov. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
- ^ "Sunrise Theatre".
- ^ Rand McNally Road Atlas, 2016.
- ^ "Transportation Planning Organization - Homepage". Stlucietpo.org. February 2, 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
- ^ "Our Services > Transportation". COASL. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
- ^ "Home". Treasure Coast Connector. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
- ^ "Treasure Coast Connector: Services". treasurecoastconnector.com. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
- ^ "Florida East Coast Railway". Official Guide of the Railways. 90 (7). National Railway Publication Company. December 1957.
- ^ "Florida East Coast Railway". Official Guide of the Railways. 91 (3). National Railway Publication Company. January 1962.
- ISBN 9781554077533.
- ^ Herr, Kincaid A. University Press of Kentucky, 1964, p. 273.
- ISBN 9781554077533.
- ^ "Orlando Sun-Sentinel," Feb 22, 2013, Angel Streeter, "Amtrak still hopeful for service on FEC tracks" http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-02-22/news/fl-amtrak-florida-east-coast-railroad-20130215_1_amtrak-service-fec-passenger-service Archived 2018-01-29 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "BRIGHTLINE ANNOUNCES PROCESS TO SELECT A TREASURE COAST STATION". www.gobrightline.com. October 26, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
- ^ "Edwin Binney" Retrieved on 2009-03-12
- ^ "A.E. Backus Museum". Archived from the original on February 14, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
- ^ "Zora Neale Hurston".
- ^ Gary Stewart (singer)
- ^ "Florida Governor Daniel Thomas McCarty". National Governors Association. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Jeffrey Leon Blackshear". Pro-Football-Reference.Com. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ "Jeffrey Leon Blackshear". Pro-Football-Reference.Com. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ "Yamon Figurs". Pro-Football-Reference.Com. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ "Charles Johnson Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ "Terry McGriff Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ "Ryan Darrell McNeil". Pro-Football-Reference.Com. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ "Wonder Monds". Pro-Football-Reference.Com. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
- ^ "Luther Robinson". hurricanesports.com. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
- ^ "Larry Sandersl". Basketball-Reference.Com. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ "Jeff Schwarz Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ Graffis, Herb (October 1944). "Making The Swing" (PDF). Golfdom: 5–6.
- ^ Bidney, Beverly (December 31, 2014). "Louise Gopher bestowed with FSU honorary degree" (PDF). Seminole Tribune. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 17, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
- ^ Fox, Margalit. "John Houghtaling, Inventor of Magic Fingers Vibrating Bed, Dies at 92", The New York Times, June 19, 2009. Accessed June 20, 2009.
- ^ "United Hero: CeeCee Ross-Lyles".
External links
- Official City of Fort Pierce website
- Virtual view of the City of Fort Pierce Archived March 8, 2014, at the Wayback Machine