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North Port, Florida

Coordinates: 27°3′58″N 82°10′19″W / 27.06611°N 82.17194°W / 27.06611; -82.17194
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North Port, Florida
City
The North Port Public Library
The North Port Public Library
Official seal of North Port, Florida
Seal
Official logo of North Port, Florida
Logo
Etymology: Shortened form of North Port Charlotte
Motto: 
"Achieve Anything"
Location in Sarasota County and the state of Florida
Location in Sarasota County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 27°3′58″N 82°10′19″W / 27.06611°N 82.17194°W / 27.06611; -82.17194[1]
Country United States
State Florida
County Sarasota
Incorporated (City of North Port Charlotte)June 18, 1959 (1959-06-18)[2][3]
Reincorporated
(City of North Port)		1974[2][3]
Government
 • TypeCommission-Manager
 • MayorAlice White
 • Vice MayorPhil Stokes
 • CommissionersBarbara Langdon,
Pete Emrich, and
Debbie McDowell
 • City ManagerAlfred Jerome Fletcher, II
 • City ClerkHeather Faust
Area
[4]
 • City104.21 sq mi (269.91 km2)
 • Land99.38 sq mi (257.39 km2)
 • Water4.83 sq mi (12.52 km2)  4.40%
Elevation
10 ft (3 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • City74,793
 • Estimate 
(2022)
85,099
 • Density752.60/sq mi (290.58/km2)
 • Urban
 (Port Charlotte–North Port, FL)
199,998 (US: 194th)[5]
 • Urban density1,484.8/sq mi (573.3/km2)
 • Metro
 (North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL MSA)
859,760 (US: 70th)
 • CSA
 (North Port-Sarasota, FL CSA)
1,089,011 (US: 56th)
Time zoneUTC−05:00 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−04:00 (EDT)
ZIP codes
34286-34291, 34293
Area codes941
FIPS code12-49675
GNIS feature ID0294334
Websitecityofnorthport.com
[6]

North Port is a city located in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 74,793 at the 2020 US Census,[7] up from 57,357 at the 2010 US Census.[8] It is a principal city in the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

It was originally developed by General Development Corporation (GDC) as the northern Sarasota County portion of its Port Charlotte development, the other portion located in the adjacent Charlotte County. GDC dubbed the city, "North Port Charlotte", and it was incorporated under that name through a special act of the Florida Legislature on June 18, 1959. By referendum in 1974, the city's residents approved a change to its name as "North Port", dropping "Charlotte" from its name to proclaim the city as a separate identity.[2][3] It is home to the Little Salt Spring, an archaeological and paleontological site owned by the University of Miami.

History

[edit]

Archaeological digs at the Little Salt Spring show that what is now North Port was inhabited by pre-Columbian Native Americans. Evidence of their existence includes projectile points, a carved oak mortar, and a piece of a nonreturnable wooden boomerang.[9]

In 1954, the Mackle Brothers started the General Development Corporation with the intention of selling property in Florida to northerners. Not only would they plat and sell a majority of what is now North Port, the company's employees served on the city's first council.[10] The city itself was incorporated in 1959.[11][12]

On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian made direct landfall in Florida just south of Sarasota County. North Port, in particular, experienced excessive flooding and the Holiday Park mobile home community was almost completely destroyed.[13][14]

Geography

[edit]

The approximate coordinates for the City of North Port is located at 27°3′58″N 82°10′19″W / 27.06611°N 82.17194°W / 27.06611; -82.17194.

North Port is a municipality containing large-scale residential subdivisions along with an extensive network of streets. The municipality has annexed nearby locales, including the area known as Warm Mineral Springs, the location of a notable artesian spring, as well as its own significant residential subdivision.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 104.16 square miles (269.8 km2), of which 99.58 square miles (257.9 km2) is land and 4.58 square miles (11.9 km2) (4.40%) is water.

Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park is in North Port.

Climate

[edit]

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of North Port has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1960178—
19702,2441,160.7%
19806,205176.5%
199011,97393.0%
200022,79790.4%
201057,357151.6%
202074,79330.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[15] 2020[7]
North Port racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race Pop 2010[16] Pop 2020[17] % 2010 % 2020
White (NH) 46,752 58,417 81.51% 78.10%
Black or African American (NH) 3,824 3,788 6.67% 5.06%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 109 154 0.19% 0.21%
Asian (NH) 648 1,249 1.13% 1.67%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) 23 35 0.04% 0.05%
Some other race (NH) 112 371 0.20% 0.50%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) 885 2,924 1.54% 3.91%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5,004 7,855 8.72% 10.50%
Total 57,357 74,793 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 74,793 people, 25,592 households, and 19,716 families residing in the city.[18]

Of the 25,592 households in 2020, 4.8% of the population were under 5 years old, 18.6% were under 18 years old, and 26.7% were 65 years and older. 52.5% of the population was female.[19]

In 2020, the median income for a household in the city was $64,543. The per capita income for the city was $34,514. About 7.0% of people were below the poverty line.[19]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 57,357 people, 20,201 households, and 14,018 families residing in the city.[20]

Economy

[edit]

North Port is the Spring Training home for the Atlanta Braves, who hold extended spring training in North Port.[21]

Arts and culture

[edit]

In 1960, the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum was opened in North Port. The opening ceremony included remarks from the then Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy.[22] The museum has since relocated, first to Miami, and then to the present location in Titusville, Florida.[23][24]

In 2007, the North Port Art Guild leased a building from the city and established the North Port Art Center. The center hosts exhibits as well as classes.[25]

Government

[edit]

North Port has a city commission/city manager form of government.

The current city manager is Alfred Jerome Fletcher, II. The city commission has five members. The mayor/vice mayor roles are voted upon annually from the commission ranks.

As of 2024, the current commission includes:[26]

  • Mayor Alice White (District 1)
  • Commissioner Barbara Langdon (District 2)
  • Commissioner Debbie McDowell (District 3)
  • Commissioner Pete Emrich (District 4)
  • Vice Mayor Phil Stokes (District 5)

The city of North Port has its own police force, fire department, and waste management.[27] City Hall of North Port is located at 4970 City Hall Boulevard.[28]

Education

[edit]
Entrance to North Port High School

North Port has five elementary schools, one public charter school, two middle schools, one high school, and one college [29] operated by Sarasota County Public Schools.

Public elementary schools

[edit]
  • Atwater Elementary School (K–5)
  • Cranberry Elementary School (K–5)
  • Glenallen Elementary School (K–5)
  • Lamarque Elementary School (K–5)
  • Toledo Blade Elementary School (K–5)

Public middle schools

[edit]
  • Heron Creek Middle School (6–8)
  • Woodland Middle School (6–8)

Public high school

[edit]

Charter school

[edit]

Higher learning

[edit]
  • Suncoast Technical College

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c City of North Port History Book
  3. ^ a b c City of North Port Charter, §1.02, City Ordinance 74-5
  4. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  5. ^ "List of 2020 Census Urban Areas". census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  6. ^ "North Port". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. October 19, 1979. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  7. ^ a b US Census Bureau. "US Census Bureau Quick Facts - North Port city, Florida". US Census Bureau Quick Facts. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  8. ^ "North Port city, Florida". Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010; 2010 Demographic Profile Data. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020.
  9. ^ Milanich, Jerald T. (1994). Archaeology of Precolumbian Florida. Gainesville: University Press of Florida. p. 53. ISBN 9780813012728.
  10. ^ Grove, Marshall W. (2009). North Port : the first 50 years. North Port, Fla.: City of North Port. p. 17-19. ISBN 978-0976759461.
  11. ^ City of North Port History Book
  12. ^ Staff Report (September 17, 2021). "Archaeology, sprint training, but no port: Five things to know about North Port". Sarasota Herald Tribune. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  13. ^ Licon, Adriana; Anderson, Curt (October 1, 2022). "After Ian, river flooding menaces Florida inland towns". Associated Press. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  14. ^ "Draft Public Action Plan". www.scgov.net. Sarasota County. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  15. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  16. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - North Port city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  17. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - North Port city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  18. ^ "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: North Port city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  19. ^ a b "QuickFacts North Port city, Florida". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  20. ^ "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: North Port city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  21. ^ Murdock, Zack (January 24, 2017). "Atlanta Braves executives 'can't wait' to land in North Port stadium". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  22. ^ Arenberg, Gerald (1965). "National Police Museum and Hall of Fame". American Bar Association Journal. 51 (2): 161–162. JSTOR 25723117. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  23. ^ Yanez, Luisa (February 6, 1990). "POLICE HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM MOVES TO MIAMI". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  24. ^ "American Police Hall of Fame & Museum". Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  25. ^ "Our Story". North Port Art Center. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  26. ^ "City Commission | North Port, FL".
  27. ^ "City Services". City of North Port. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  28. ^ "Contact us". City of North Port. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  29. ^ North Port, FL : Education
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