Stuart, Florida

Stuart, Florida
City
City of Stuart
Downtown Stuart
Seal
Nickname:  Sailfish Capital of the World
Location in Martin 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
Area [1]
• 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 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	17,425
• Density	2,473/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 the county seat of Martin County, Florida, United States. Located in southeastern Florida, Stuart is the largest of five incorporated municipalities in Martin County. The population is 17,425 according to the 2020 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 the Port 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 the St. Lucie River, Indian River Lagoon, and the Atlantic Ocean. ^{[5] [6]}

History

In the 18th century, several Spanish galleons were shipwrecked in the Martin County area of Florida's Treasure 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.

The historic Dudley-Bessey House on SW Atlanta Avenue is now a yacht brokerage office

In 1832, pirate Pedro Gilbert, who often used a sandbar off the coast as a lure to unsuspecting prey, chased and caught the Mexican, 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 Old Martin County Courthouse, built in 1937, now the Courthouse Cultural Center

The Treasure Coast area that became Stuart was first settled by non-Native Americans in 1870. In 1875, a United States Lifesaving Station was established on Hutchinson Island, near Stuart. Today, the station is known as Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

From 1893 to 1895, the area was called Potsdam. This name was chosen by Otto Stypmann, a local landowner originally from Potsdam, Germany. Stypmann, with his brother Ernest, owned the land that would become downtown Stuart. Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway connected the area to Daytona 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 in Palm 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 slogan Sailfish Capital of the World in 1957, following pressure from the Stuart Chamber of Commerce, ^[12] owing to the many sailfish found in the ocean off Martin County. The slogan is still used by the city.

From 1871 to 2005, 19 hurricanes passed through Stuart, including Isbell (1964), Frances (2004), Jeanne (2004), and Wilma (2005). ^[13]

Geography

According to the United 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.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification, Stuart has a tropical 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, with Hurricane David in 1979 and hurricanes Frances and Jeanne 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 strong cold 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)
Average precipitation 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]

Demographics

Historical population

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]

2010 and 2020 census

Stuart racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)

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 or Alaska Native (NH)	28	23	0.18%	0.13%
Asian (NH)	171	277	1.10%	1.59%
Pacific Islander or Native 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 the 2020 United States census, there were 17,425 people, 7,286 households, and 3,776 families residing in the city. ^[19]

As of the 2010 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

2000 census

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% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. 6.29% of the population were Hispanic or Latino 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.

2020 census

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]

Economy

Stuart hosts one of the two Florida Department of Health offices in Martin County, the other being in Indiantown. ^[23]

Various businesses cater to tourists, such as fishing charters, boating charters, sailing, cruises, SCUBA and snorkeling, and nature tours.^{[ citation needed ]}

Top employers

According to the city's 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, ^[24] 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

Arts and culture

Points of interest

Notable historic properties in downtown in range from the early 1880s to 1940s, representing a mix of Beaux-Arts, colonial revival, Spanish mediterranean, Art Deco, frame vernacular, masonry vernacular architecture styles. ^{[25] [26]}

Stuart Heritage Museum

Stuart Riverwalk, 2018

• Audubon of Martin County ^[27]
• Lyric Theatre
• Stuart Heritage Museum
• Elliott Museum
• Krueger House, a historic house on the National Register of Historic Places ^{[28] [29]}
• The Barn Theatre
• Geoffrey C. Smith Galleries
• Tropical Ranch Botanical Garden
• Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center
• Environmental Studies Council
• Sailfish Splash Waterpark

Education

Public education in Stuart is administered by the Martin County School District.

Infrastructure

Roosevelt Bridge and Stuart City Downtown

Transportation

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 route A1A heads east from Stuart towards Hutchinson Island, and the road heads southeast out of Stuart. SR 76 heads south from the city, and SR 714 heads west from the city.

Local bus service is provided by Martin County Public Transit (MARTY). ^[30] Stuart also operates a free courtesy tram throughout downtown. ^[31]

Stuart has a yacht club and several marinas serving private crafts of various sizes.

Until 1968 the Florida East Coast Railway operated Jacksonville to Miami service, with a station stop in Stuart. Until 1963 long-distance passenger trains included the Illinois Central Railroad's City of Miami and the Louisville & Nashville Railroad's South Wind both heading from Chicago; and they included the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad's East Coast Champion, the Havana Special, and the winter-only Florida Special originating from New York. ^{[32] [33] [34]}

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. ^[35] On March 4, 2024, Brightline officially announced that an infill station on the Treasure Coast would be built in Stuart and begin service by 2026. ^{[36] [37]}

Brightline trains cross the St. Lucie River on the Florida East Coast Railroad Bridge. ^[38] Close coordination between rail and water traffic is necessary at this bascule bridge. ^[39]

Notable people

• Dan Bakkedahl, correspondent on The Daily Show
• Paul Bley, jazz pianist
• Cynthia S. Burnett-Haney (1840–1932), educator, lecturer, temperance reformer, newspaper editor; Haney Circle in Stuart was named after her
• Nelson Burton Jr., professional bowler and longtime TV analyst
• Kelly Carrington, Playboy Playmate October 2008
• James Gould Cozzens, Pulitzer Prize-winning author
• James Davis, professional football player
• Ralph Evinrude, CEO of Outboard Motor Company with a test facility in Stuart, married Frances Langford and retired to Jensen Beach
• Derek Fathauer, professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour
• Cleveland Gary, professional football player
• Whitney Gaskell, novelist
• Ed Hearn, Major League Baseball player and motivational speaker
• Davy Jones, musician with The Monkees
• Chris Marquette, actor
• John McHale, player and executive in Major League Baseball
• Corey McIntyre, professional football player
• Rusty Meacham, former Major League Baseball player
• Nicole Melichar, professional tennis player
• Vaughn Monroe, big band singer
• Zack Mosley, cartoonist and creator of The Adventures of Smilin' Jack
• Scott Proctor, former Major League Baseball player
• Judge Reinhold, actor
• Kathy Rinaldi, professional tennis player
• Lee Rinker, PGA Tour golfer
• Roger Schank, leading visionary in artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and learning theory
• Will Sheehey, professional basketball player
• Bryan Silas, racing driver

Stuart in popular culture

In 1973, the movie Little Laura and Big John , a highly fictionalized version of the true story of John Ashley and Laura Upthegrove, was filmed in Stuart. ^[40]

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
3. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
4. "Stuart, Florida Population 2018". World Population Review. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
5. Magazine, Smithsonian; Lovejoy, Bess. "The 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2015". Smithsonian Magazine.
6. "20 Amazing Small Towns in America".
7. Johnson, Larry (May 13, 2009). "column:Always Learning". Melbourne, Florida: Florida Today. pp. 1D.
8. Historic Properties Survey of the City of Stuart Florida (PDF) (Report). Stuart, Florida: Historic Property Associates Inc. April 1991. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
9. "Early Pioneers" (PDF). Historical Society of Martin County. March 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
10. Fontenay, Blake (November 7, 2022). "Stuart's Christian Science church has survived hardships in its first 100 years | Opinion". TC Palm . Retrieved November 7, 2022.
11. "Our Area's History". Stuary/Martin County Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on December 9, 2009. Retrieved November 11, 2009.
12. "Historical Vignettes tells the story of how Stuart became 'The Sailfish Capital of the World'". www.tcpalm.com. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
13. "Stuart,Florida's history with tropical systems". Hurricane City. Retrieved November 11, 2009.
14. "NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
15. "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Retrieved May 4, 2021.
16. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
17. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Stuart city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
18. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Stuart city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
19. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES – 2020: Stuart city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
20. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES – 2010: Stuart city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
21. "Compare Cost of Living". Sperling's Best Places. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
22. "QuickFacts - Stuart city, Florida". www.census.gov.
23. "Florida Department of Health in Martin". martin.floridahealth.gov.
24. "City of StuartCAFR" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 2, 2015. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
25. Jett, Michele (April 3, 2020). "City of Stuart Florida's Historical Buildings Tour". ArcGIS . ArcGIS StoryMaps. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
26. 1991 Survey of Notable Historic Properties (PDF) (Report). Stuart, Florida: City of Stuart. 1991. p. 2. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
27. "Restoration Blog | 24-Hours Emergency Cleanup Service". January 2, 2023. Archived from the original on October 9, 2008.
28. Swartz, Sally D. (January 26, 1997). "1880s Plantation House Gets New Life". The Palm Beach Post . pp. 611, 615. Retrieved January 15, 2021– via Newspapers.com .
29. Moore, Pat (February 27, 2002). "Stuart Mansion Declared Historic Treasure". The Palm Beach Post . pp. B5, 374. Retrieved January 15, 2021– via Newspapers.com .
30. "Public Transit Information". Martin County Florida. 2019. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
31. "Tram Routes & Information". City of Stuart, FL. 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
32. "Florida East Coast Railway". Official Guide of the Railways. 90 (7). National Railway Publication Company. December 1957.
33. "Florida East Coast Railway". Official Guide of the Railways. 91 (3). National Railway Publication Company. January 1962.
34. Bramson, Seth H. Speedway to Sunshine: the story of the Florida East Coast Railway, Boston Mills Press, 2010, p. 227. ISBN   9781554077533.
35. "BRIGHTLINE ANNOUNCES PROCESS TO SELECT A TREASURE COAST STATION". www.gobrightline.com. October 26, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
36. "BRIGHTLINE ANNOUNCES STATION EXPANSION FOR DOWNTOWN STUART & MARTIN COUNTY". www.gobrightline.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
37. Scruggs, Danielle (March 4, 2024). "Brightline makes official announcement on Treasure Coast location". WPBF. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
38. "Florida East Coast Railroad Bridge, Stuart". Waterway Guide. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
39. Johnston, Bob. "Brightline's milestone moment: THE CHOKE POINT". Trains . Vol. 84, no. January 2024. Kalmbach Media. p. 18.
40. Luckhardt, Alice; Luckhardt, Greg (October 27, 2013). "Ashley Gang: Notorious outlaws struck fear in Stuart residents". TCPalm. Retrieved May 23, 2016.

External links

• City of Stuart Website