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Martin County, Florida

 

 
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Martin County, Florida
 
 
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Martin County is a county
County

A county is a land area of Local government government within a larger state. A county may have city and towns within its area....
 in the U.S. state
U.S. state

A U.S. state is any one of the 50 state of the United States that share sovereignty with the federal government of the United States . Because of this shared sovereignty, an United States is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of Domicile ....
 of Florida
Florida

Florida is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the northeast....
. As of 2000, the population was 126,731. The U.S. 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....
 2005 estimate for the county is 139,728 . Its county seat
County seat

A county seat or parish seat is a term for an administrative center for a county or civil parish, primarily used in the United States. In the Northeast United States, the statutory term often is shire town, but colloquially county seat is the term in use there....
 is Stuart
Stuart, Florida

This article is only about the 'City of Stuart' in Martin County, Florida. For other nearby places , see: Martin County, Florida.'Stuart' is a city in Martin County, Florida, Florida, on Florida's Treasure Coast....
, Florida
Florida

Florida is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the northeast....
.

in County was created in 1925 with the northern portion coming from St. Lucie County and southern portion coming from Palm Beach County.






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Martin County is a county
County

A county is a land area of Local government government within a larger state. A county may have city and towns within its area....
 in the U.S. state
U.S. state

A U.S. state is any one of the 50 state of the United States that share sovereignty with the federal government of the United States . Because of this shared sovereignty, an United States is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of Domicile ....
 of Florida
Florida

Florida is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the northeast....
. As of 2000, the population was 126,731. The U.S. 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....
 2005 estimate for the county is 139,728 . Its county seat
County seat

A county seat or parish seat is a term for an administrative center for a county or civil parish, primarily used in the United States. In the Northeast United States, the statutory term often is shire town, but colloquially county seat is the term in use there....
 is Stuart
Stuart, Florida

This article is only about the 'City of Stuart' in Martin County, Florida. For other nearby places , see: Martin County, Florida.'Stuart' is a city in Martin County, Florida, Florida, on Florida's Treasure Coast....
, Florida
Florida

Florida is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the northeast....
.

History

Martin County was created in 1925 with the northern portion coming from St. Lucie County and southern portion coming from Palm Beach County. It was named for John W. Martin
John W. Martin

John Wellborn Martin was the twenty-fourth List of Governors of Florida of Florida. He was born in Plainfield, Marion County, Florida. Martin passed the Florida bar in 1914 and established a law career in Jacksonville, Florida....
, Governor of Florida from 1925 to 1929.

Geography

According to the U.S. 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 county has a total area of 753 square mile
Square mile

The square mile is an Imperial system and US customary system of measure for an area equal to the area of a square of one mile. It should not be confused with miles square, which refers to the number of miles on each side squared....
s (1,950 kmē), of which, 556 square miles (1,439 kmē) of it is land and 197 square miles (511 kmē) of it is water, much of it in the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions; with a total area of about 106.4 million square kilometres . It covers approximately one-fifth of the Earth's surface....
 and Lake Okeechobee
Lake Okeechobee

Lake Okeechobee, locally referred to as The Lake or The Big O is a freshwater lake in the U.S. state of Florida. It is the second-largest freshwater lake wholly within the continental United States, second only to Lake Michigan and the largest in the southern United States....
. The total area is 26.19% water.

Martin County is part of the Port St. Lucie Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Adjacent counties

  • St. Lucie County
    St. Lucie County, Florida

    St. Lucie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The county seat is the City of Fort Pierce. As of 2000, the population was 192,695....
    , Florida
    Florida

    Florida is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the northeast....
     - north
  • Palm Beach County
    Palm Beach County, Florida

    Palm Beach County has the largest land area located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2007, the county had an estimated population of 1,351,236 , making it the third most populous in the state of Florida and the twenty ninth most populous in the United States....
    , Florida
    Florida

    Florida is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the northeast....
     - south
  • Hendry County
    Hendry County, Florida

    Hendry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 36,210. The United States Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 39,561 ....
    , Florida
    Florida

    Florida is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the northeast....
     - southwest (only point of contiguity is in the center of Lake Okeechobee)
  • Glades County
    Glades County, Florida

    Glades County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 10,576. The United States Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 11,252 ....
    , Florida
    Florida

    Florida is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the northeast....
     - southwest (only point of contiguity is in the center of Lake Okeechobee)
  • Okeechobee County
    Okeechobee County, Florida

    Okeechobee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 35,910. According to 2005 U.S. Census estimates, its population had grown to 39,836.....
    , Florida
    Florida

    Florida is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the northeast....
     - northwest


National protected area
Protected area

Protected areas are locations which receive protection because of their environmental, cultural or similar value. The term protected area includes marine protected area, which refers to protected areas whose boundaries include some area of ocean....

  • Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge
    Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge

    The Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, a part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge System, is located on Jupiter Island in Florida....


Demographics

As of the census
Census

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....
 of 2000, there were 126,731 people, 55,288 households, and 36,213 families residing in the county. 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....
 was 228 people per square mile (88/kmē). There were 65,471 housing units at an average density of 118 per square mile (46/kmē). The racial makeup of the county was 89.88% White
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
, 5.27% Black
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
 or African American
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
, 0.30% Native American
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
, 0.60% Asian
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
, 0.10% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
, 2.72% from other races
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
, and 1.14% from two or more races. 7.50% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
 or Latino
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
 of any race.

In 2005 the county population was 83.9% non-Hispanic white, 9.1% Latino and 5.5% African-American. (Source=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/12085.html)

In 2000 there were 55,288 households out of which 21.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.00% were married couples
Marriage

Marriage is a social, spirituality, or law union of individuals. This union may also be called matrimony, while the ceremony that marks its beginning is usually called a wedding and the married status created is sometimes called wedlock....
 living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.50% were non-families. 29.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the county the population was spread out with 18.60% under the age of 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 22.90% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 28.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,083, and the median income for a family was $53,244. Males had a median income of $36,133 versus $27,000 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income

Per capita income means how much each individual receives, in monetary terms, of the yearly income generated in the country. This is what each citizen is to receive if the yearly national income is divided equally among everyone....
 for the county was $29,584. About 5.60% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.80% of those under age 18 and 5.20% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Martin County is a non-chartered county and its form of government is prescribed by the Florida Constitution and Florida Statutes, as follows:

Board of County Commissioners

The Board of County Commissioners is the legislative body of the county and has charge of all county executive and administrative functions, except those assigned by the Constitution to independent county officers or to the independent school district. The board also has some quasi-judicial functions. Some of functions exercised by the board are county-wide, while others are applicable only in the unincorporated areas of the county, where the board has many of the functions of a municipality. The county commissioners are elected by county-wide vote, but each one represents a specific district. The board appoints the county administrator who is responsible to it for the day-to-day operations of the county government. The current county commissioners by district number are:
  • 1. Doug Smith, Vice Chair
  • 2. Susan Valliere, Chair
  • 3. Patrick Hayes
  • 4. Sarah Heard
  • 5. Ed Ciampi


Constitutional Officers

The elected Constitutional Officers are:
  • Clerk (Clerk of Courts, County Clerk, etc.): Marsha Ewing
  • Property Appraiser: Laurel Kelly
  • Sheriff: Robert Crowder
  • Supervisor of Elections: Vicki Davis
  • Tax Collector: Larry C. O'Steen


School District

The independent Martin County School District has an elected Superintendent of Schools and elected School Board, as follows:
  • The Superintendent, Nancy Kline
    Nancy Kline

    Nancy Kline is an American-born author, teacher, coach and public speaker.Nancy Kline is President and Founder of Time To Think, an international leadership development and coaching company....
     (R), is the chief administrator of the district.
  • The School Board is the legislative body of the district and also exercises quasi-judicial powers. School Board members are elected county wide but each one represents a specific district. The current board members by district are:
    • 1. Lorie Shekailo
    • 2. Sue Hershey
    • 3. Laurie Gaylord, Chair
    • 4. Maura Barry-Sorenson
    • 5. Dr. David Anderson


Cities, towns and other places

Stuartflorida Skyline

Incorporated

  1. Town of Jupiter Island
    Jupiter Island, Florida

    Jupiter Island is a town on the barrier island of Jupiter Island in Martin County, Florida, Florida, United States. The population was 620 at the 2000 census....
  2. Town of Ocean Breeze Park
    Ocean Breeze Park, Florida

    Ocean Breeze Park is a town on the Indian River Lagoon in Martin County, Florida, Florida, United States. It and Briny Breezes, Florida in Palm Beach County, Florida are the only two towns in Florida in which all residents live in a mobile home park bearing the name of the town....
  3. Town of Sewall's Point
    Sewall's Point, Florida

    Sewall's Point is a town located on the peninsula of the same name in Martin County, Florida, Florida, United States. The population was 1,946 at the 2000 census....
  4. City of Stuart
    Stuart, Florida

    This article is only about the 'City of Stuart' in Martin County, Florida. For other nearby places , see: Martin County, Florida.'Stuart' is a city in Martin County, Florida, Florida, on Florida's Treasure Coast....


Unincorporated

Hobesoundflorida Sunset
*Hobe Sound
Hobe Sound, Florida

Hobe Sound is an unincorporated area town and census-designated place in Martin County, Florida, Florida, United States. The population was 11,376 at the United States Census 2000....
  • Hutchinson Island part
  • Indiantown
    Indiantown, Florida

    Indiantown is a census-designated place in Martin County, Florida, Florida, United States. The population was 5,588 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Port St....
  • Jensen Beach
    Jensen Beach, Florida

    Jensen Beach is a census-designated place in Martin County, Florida, Florida, United States. The population was 11,100 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Port St....
  • North River Shores
    North River Shores, Florida

    North River Shores is a census-designated place in Martin County, Florida, Florida, United States. The population was 3,101 at the 2000 census....
  • Palm City
    Palm City, Florida

    Palm City is a census-designated place in Martin County, Florida, Florida, United States. The population was 20,097 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Port St....
  • Port Salerno
    Port Salerno, Florida

    Port Salerno is a census-designated place in Martin County, Florida, Florida, United States. The population was 10,141 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Port St....
  • Rio
    Rio, Florida

    Rio is a census-designated place in Martin County, Florida, Florida, United States. The population was 1,028 at the 2000 census. Rio is pronounced locally as if it were spelled "Rye-oh." It is part of the Port St....
  • Port Mayaca


Attractions

  • Elliott Museum
    Elliott Museum

    The Elliott Museum, located at 825 N.E. Ocean Boulevard, on Hutchinson Island, Florida near Stuart, Florida, Florida, United States, houses one of the finest collections of American antiques, decorative arts, baseball memorabilia and vintage automobiles that celebrate the Golden Age of American creativity, and of course, local and Florida his...
     on Hutchinson Island
  • Jonathan Dickinson State Park
    Jonathan Dickinson State Park

    Jonathan Dickinson State Park is a Florida State Parks and historic site located in Martin County, Florida, Florida, between Hobe Sound, Florida and Tequesta, Florida....
     in South Martin County
  • Martin County Fair
    Martin County Fair

    The Martin County Fair is one of the largest agricultural fairs in the United States, occurring annually in February in Stuart, Florida. The Martin County Fair is held at the Martin County Fairgrounds across from Witham Airfield....
     is held every February.
  • Martin County Public Beaches
    • Hobe Sound Public Beach on Jupiter Island
    • Jensen Sea Turtle Beach, Stuart Beach, Bathtub Beach and many beach strips on Hutchinson Island.
  • Savannas Preserve State Park
    Savannas Preserve State Park

    Savannas Preserve State Park is a Florida State Parks, located along much of the Atlantic Coast between Fort Pierce, Florida and Jensen Beach, Florida....
     (extends into St. Lucie County)
  • St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park
    St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park

    St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park is a Florida State Parks east of Port Salerno on the northern end of Jupiter Island and is accessible only by boat....
     on Long Island east of Port Salerno and north of Jupiter Island


Historic areas

On the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation....
:
  • Hobe Sound
    Hobe Sound, Florida

    Hobe Sound is an unincorporated area town and census-designated place in Martin County, Florida, Florida, United States. The population was 11,376 at the United States Census 2000....
    • Olympia School
      Olympia School

      The Olympia School, also known as the Picture City School and the Hobe Sound White School, is a historic elementary school building located at 9141 Southeast Apollo Street in Hobe Sound, Florida, Florida....
      , 1925
    • Trapper Nelson Zoo Historic District
      Trapper Nelson Zoo Historic District

      The Trapper Nelson Zoo Historic District, also known as Trapper Nelson Hunting Camp and Trapper Nelson Interpretive Site, is an historic district located south of Hobe Sound, Florida, Florida, in the United States....
      , located south of Hobe Sound is inside Jonathan Dickinson State Park
      Jonathan Dickinson State Park

      Jonathan Dickinson State Park is a Florida State Parks and historic site located in Martin County, Florida, Florida, between Hobe Sound, Florida and Tequesta, Florida....
       in southern Martin County, 1933
  • Hutchinson Island
    • House of Refuge at Gilbert's Bar
      House of Refuge at Gilbert's Bar

      The House of Refuge at Gilbert's Bar, also known as Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge, the House of Refuge Museum, or more simply by locals the House of Refuge, is an historic building located at 301 S.E....
      , 1876
    • Georges Valentine Shipwreck Site
      Georges Valentine (shipwreck)

      The Georges Valentine Shipwreck Site is an historic United States Italy barquentine shipwreck located off the coast of Hutchinson Island, Florida in Martin County, Florida, Florida, with the nearest landmark being the House of Refuge at Gilbert's Bar....
      , 1904
  • Indiantown
    Indiantown, Florida

    Indiantown is a census-designated place in Martin County, Florida, Florida, United States. The population was 5,588 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Port St....
    • Seminole Inn
      Seminole Inn

      The Seminole Inn , also known as the Seminole Country Inn, is an historic hotel located at 15885 Southeast Warfield Boulevard in Indiantown, Florida, Florida....
      , 1926
  • Jensen Beach
    Jensen Beach, Florida

    Jensen Beach is a census-designated place in Martin County, Florida, Florida, United States. The population was 11,100 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Port St....
    • Mount Elizabeth Archeological Site
      Mount Elizabeth Archeological Site

      The Mount Elizabeth Archeological Site, also known as Racey's Tuckahoe, St. Joseph's Novitiate or the Mount Elizabeth Indian Mound is a prehistoric midden and an archaeology site in Jensen Beach, Florida, Florida....
      , prehistoric
    • Stuart Welcome Arch
      Stuart Welcome Arch

      The Stuart Welcome Arch is a historic site in Jensen Beach, Florida, Florida. It is located at between 2369 and 2390 Northeast State Road 707 ....
      , 1926
    • Tuckahoe
      Tuckahoe (Florida)

      Tuckahoe, also known as the Leach Mansion , is an historic building at 1921 North East Indian River Drive in Jensen Beach, Florida, Florida....
      , 1938
  • Jupiter Island
    Jupiter Island, Florida

    Jupiter Island is a town on the barrier island of Jupiter Island in Martin County, Florida, Florida, United States. The population was 620 at the 2000 census....
    • Gate House
      Gate House (Jupiter Island, Florida)

      The Gate House is an historic single-family home located at 214 South Beach Road in Jupiter Island, Florida, Florida. On November 21, 2001, it was added to the United States National Register of Historic Places....
      , 1927
  • Stuart
    Stuart, Florida

    This article is only about the 'City of Stuart' in Martin County, Florida. For other nearby places , see: Martin County, Florida.'Stuart' is a city in Martin County, Florida, Florida, on Florida's Treasure Coast....
    • Burn Brae Plantation-Krueger House
      Burn Brae Plantation-Krueger House

      The Burn Brae Plantation-Krueger House is an historic house in Stuart, Florida, Martin County, Florida, Florida. It is located at 1170 South East Ocean Boulevard....
      , 1894
    • Lyric Theatre
      Lyric Theatre (Stuart, Florida)

      The Lyric Theatre is an historic theater located at 59 South West Flagler Avenue near Confusion Corner in Stuart, Florida, Florida. On November 12, 1993, it was added to the United States National Register of Historic Places....
      , 1927
    • Old Martin County Courthouse
      Old Martin County Courthouse

      The Old Martin County Court House, now known as the Court House Cultural Center, is located at 80 East Ocean Boulevard in Stuart, Florida, Martin County, Florida, Florida, and was added to the United States National Register of Historic Places on November 7, 1997....
      , 1937
Other historic areas listed in 1989 by the Florida Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects

The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image....
:
  • All Saints Episcopal Church, Waveland (Jensen Beach, Florida)
    All Saints Episcopal Church, Waveland (Jensen Beach, Florida)

    All Saints' Episcopal Church, Waveland, is an historic Carpenter Gothic church built in 1898 on Crossroads Hill in Waveland, Florida, now part of Jensen Beach, Florida It is the oldest church building located in what is now Martin County, Florida....
    , 2377 N.E. Patrician Street, 1898,
  • Bay Tree Lodge (Kiplinger House), 143 S. River Road (originally 104 S. Sewall's Point Road), Sewall's Point, 1909
  • Dudley-Bessey House, 110 S.W. Atlanta Avenue, Stuart, 1909
  • Dyer Homestead, 1006 S.W. St. Lucie Crescent, Stuart, 1904
  • Feroe Building, 73 S.W. Flagler Avenue, corner of St. Lucie, Stuart, 1905
  • France Apartments, 524 St. Lucie Crescent, Stuart, 1927
  • Golden Gate Building
    Golden Gate Building

    The Golden Gate Building, built in 1925, is an historic real estate and land development office building located on Florida State Road A1A at 3225 South East Dixie Highway in the unincorporated community of Golden Gate, Martin County, Florida south of Stuart, Florida in Martin County, Florida, Florida....
    , 3225 S.E. Dixie Highway in Golden Gate south of Stuart, 1925
  • Kitching House, 210 S.W. Atlanta Avenue, Stuart, 1894
  • Stuart Feed Store, 101 S.W. Flagler Avenue, Stuart, 1905
  • Sunrise Inn, S.E. Old St. Lucie Boulevard, Port Sewall. ca. 1925 (demolished)
  • John E. Taylor House, 204 S.E. Atlanta Avenue, Stuart, 1914


External links


Governmental

  • Board of County Commissioners


  • Constitutional officers of Martin County


  • School district


  • Multi-county Districts


  • Judicial branch


Non-governmental