Palmetto, Florida

City in Florida, United States

Palmetto, Florida

City

Palmetto, Florida c. 1960

Seal

Location in Manatee County and the state of Florida

Palmetto, Florida

Location in the United States

Coordinates: 27°31′20″N 82°34′42″W﻿ / ﻿27.52222°N 82.57833°W﻿ / 27.52222; -82.57833
Country| United States
State| Florida
County| Manatee
Incorporated (city)| 1897
Government

• Type| Strong Mayor-Commission
• Mayor| Dan West
Area

[1]

• Total

| 5.83 sq mi (15.11 km2)
• Land| 5.35 sq mi (13.86 km2)
• Water| 0.48 sq mi (1.25 km2)
Elevation

| 12 ft (4 m)
Population

(2020)[2]

• Total

| 13,323
• Density| 2,490.28/sq mi (961.42/km2)
Time zone| UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)| UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes|

34220–34221

Area code| 941
FIPS code| 12-54250[3]
GNIS feature ID| 0288429[4]
Website| palmettofl.org

Palmetto is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was listed as 13,323, up from 12,606 at the 2010 census.[2] It is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

## History

[edit]

A post office called Palmetto has been in operation since 1868.[5] Samuel Sparks Lamb is considered the "Father of Palmetto," having surveyed and plotted the city at its outset and donated several plots of land.[6] He owned a general merchandise store in town.[7] Samuel Sparks Lamb was from Clarke County, Mississippi, and arrived in the area near the Manatee River in 1868 establishing Palmetto.[8] The city received its name from the palmetto trees near the original town site.[9] Palmetto was first incorporated in May 1893 as a village, with its first mayor being P.S. Harlee. Palmetto was reincorporated as a city in 1897 and in the following years grew.[10] In 1902 with the arrival of the railroad, the center of town moved from the waterfront to the Seaboard Air Line train station, served by the Sarasota Branch from Turkey Creek near Plant City through Palmetto to "Bradentown" and Sarasota.[11][12] By 1921, the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad was operating a Tampa Southern Railroad Branch from Tampa to Palmetto and "Bradentown".[13]

Compiled during the late 1930s and first published in 1939, the Federal Writers' Project's Florida guide listed Palmetto's population as 3,043 and described it as:

> on the north bank of the Manatee River, has low frame-and-brick business buildings and numerous clapboard houses. The riverfront is alive with fishing and pleasure craft. Much of the town's income is derived from the packing and shipping of fruits and vegetables.[14]

> — Federal Writers' Project, "Part III: The Florida Loop", Florida: A Guide to the Southernmost State (1947)

A dolomite mine existed in Palmetto on the Manatee River from the 1950s to 1974. Several failed attempts were made to redevelop the property. In 1974, the property was almost sold for residential development, but the company backed out due to the economic recession that was occurring. In 1978, a proposal was made to create a residential community on the site. The site's master plan contained a nationwide motel chain with a restaurant, high-rise apartments along the Manatee River, single-family houses, and a shopping center built around a lake created from mining activities. The former 214-acre (87 ha) dolomite mine site was bought by WC Riveria Partners. It was then redeveloped in 1998 as Riveria Dunes, a residential community with a marina, townhouses, and homes.[15][16]

## Geography

[edit]

Palmetto is in central Manatee County, on the north side of the tidal Manatee River, across from the city of Bradenton, the county seat. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.8 square miles (15 km2), of which 5.3 square miles (14 km2) are land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) 8.26%, are water.[1]

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1890| 224| | —
1900| 569| | 154.0%
1910| 773| | 35.9%
1920| 2,046| | 164.7%
1930| 3,043| | 48.7%
1940| 3,491| | 14.7%
1950| 4,103| | 17.5%
1960| 5,556| | 35.4%
1970| 7,422| | 33.6%
1980| 8,637| | 16.4%
1990| 9,268| | 7.3%
2000| 12,571| | 35.6%
2010| 12,606| | 0.3%
2020| 13,323| | 5.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[17]
Palmetto racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race  | Pop 2010[18] | Pop 2020[19] | % 2010  | % 2020

|
|
|
|

White (NH)  | 7,456  | 7,680  | 59.15%  | 57.64%
Black or African American (NH)  | 1,293  | 1,323  | 10.26%  | 9.93%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)  | 29  | 27  | 0.23%  | 0.20%
Asian (NH)  | 71  | 94  | 0.56%  | 0.71%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH)  | 1  | 5  | 0.01%  | 0.04%
Some other race (NH)  | 21  | 66  | 0.17%  | 0.50%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH)  | 164  | 373  | 1.30%  | 2.80%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)  | 3,571  | 3,755  | 28.33%  | 28.18%
Total | 12,606 | 13,323 |  |

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 13,323 people, 4,715 households, and 3,043 families residing in the city.[20]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 12,606 people, 5,537 households, and 3,085 families residing in the city.[21]

In 2010, 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present. Within all households, 28.1% were made up of householders living alone and 14.8% had the individual living alone and was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.07.[22]

In 2010, the age distribution among the population includes 24.8% being 19 years old and under, 5.6% from 20 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.012 males. For every 100 males age 18 and over, there were 98.86 females.[22]

## Government

[edit]

The mayor of Palmetto is the city's head executive and is elected every four years. The city commission serves as the city's legislative body and has five members. Three of the commissioners are elected from their respective wards while the other two are elected at-large citywide. The city commission has the power to elect a vice-mayor who serves for a one-year term.[23]

Palmetto has an official seal which is defined under the municipal code of ordinances.[24] An earlier seal of Palmetto containing a Palm tree and text (also in green): "CITY OF PALMETTO" was replaced in 1997.[25]

## Education

[edit]

School District of Manatee County is the respective school district.

Palmetto is home to Blackburn, Palmetto, James Tillman, Virgil Mills and Palmview Elementary Schools, Lincoln and Buffalo Creek Middle Schools and Palmetto High School. Charter schools include Manatee School for the Arts (grades 6–12), Imagine School of North Manatee (grades K–8), and Palmetto Charter School (grades K–8).[citation needed]

## Media

[edit]

The metro area has TV broadcasting stations that serve the Tampa-Saint Petersburg-Sarasota (DMA) as defined by Nielsen Media Research.[citation needed]

## Transportation

[edit]

US Route 41 and US Route 301 converge in Palmetto.

The Atlantic Coast Line's West Coast Champion passenger train into Palmetto, from New York bound for Sarasota, ceased making stops in Palmetto after the Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard Coast Line merged in 1967 into the Seaboard Coast Line and Palmetto was dropped as a stop.[26][27]

## Notable people

[edit]

* George Dickie, philosopher
* Eric Engberg, former CBS News correspondent
* Winfield R. Gaylord, Wisconsin state senator, socialist politician, minister[28]
* Ralph Haben, former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives[29]
* Tom Hume, former pitcher and coach for Cincinnati Reds
* Curtis Johnson, sprinter in the 2000 Summer Olympics
* Nick Neri, race car driver
* Mistral Raymond, former NFL defensive back for the Minnesota Vikings and former captain at the University of South Florida
* Willie Taggart, head coach for Florida Atlantic Owls football, former head coach of Florida State Seminoles football, Oregon Ducks football and South Florida Bulls football[30]

## Points of interest

[edit]

* Palmetto Estuary Preserve
* Palmetto Historic District
* Palmetto Historical Park

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Florida". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
2. ^ a b "P1. Race – Palmetto city, Florida: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
3. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
4. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. ^ "Manatee County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
6. ^ "City of Palmetto Official Website". Retrieved April 27, 2016.
7. ^ "A Place We Call Home: City of Palmetto". WWSB ABC7. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
8. ^ "Speech by Carl D. King "Boat Trip: Cruise from Dock at Cortez to Gamble Mansion on Manatee River"". Manatee County Public Library System: Digital Collection. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
9. ^ Grimes, David (November 23, 1979). "The Legends Behind Manatee Names". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. pp. 3B. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
10. ^ Parvin, Elizabeth (April 15, 1970). "Early Cultural and Social Life of Manatee County". Manatee County Public Library System: Digital Collection. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
11. ^ "City of Palmetto, FL - Official Website - History". www.palmettofl.org. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
12. ^ "Seaboard Air Line Railway, p. 1129". Official Guide of the Railways. 42 (8). National Railway Publication Company. January 1910.
13. ^ "Seaboard Air Line Railway, p. 467". Official Guide of the Railways. 54 (1). National Railway Publication Company. June 1921.
14. ^ Federal Writers' Project (1947). Florida: A Guide to the Southernmost State (5th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. p. 394\. ISBN 9781595342089. `{{cite book}}`: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
15. ^ "Palmetto's Dixie Dolomite Plant". Manatee County Public Library System: Digital Collection. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
16. ^ Stockbridge-Pratt, Dorothy (November 24, 2002). "Quarrying Profits". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
17. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
18. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Palmetto city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
19. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Palmetto city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
20. ^ "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Palmetto city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
21. ^ "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Palmetto city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
22. ^ a b "Palmetto City, Florida". Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 21, 2019.
23. ^ "Code of Ordinances | PART I - CHARTER". Municode. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
24. ^ "CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA: Chapter 2 Administration - Article I. - IN GENERAL Sec. 2-1. - Official seal of the City of Palmetto". City of Palmetto Florida. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
25. ^ The Bradenton Herald (December 1996). "Palmetto Retires City Seal". Manatee County Public Library Historical Digital Collections (Photograph). Retrieved March 25, 2025.
26. ^ "Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, Table 6". Official Guide of the Railways. 99 (7). National Railway Publication Company. December 1966.
27. ^ Seaboard Coast Line timetable, December 15, 1967, Table 19
28. ^ "Winfield R. Gaylord". Tampa Bay Times. February 24, 1943. p. 15. Retrieved July 3, 2020 - via Newspapers.com.
29. ^ Associated Press (November 15, 1978). "Ralph Haben Expected to Win Speaker Post". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Sarasota, Florida. The New York Times Company. p. 5-C. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
30. ^ WKU Names Willie Taggart New Head Football Coach. Retrieved April 5, 2016

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Palmetto, Florida.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Manatee County, Florida, United States

County seat: Bradenton

Cities|

* Anna Maria
* Bradenton
* Bradenton Beach
* Holmes Beach
* Palmetto

Town|

* Longboat Key‡

CDPs|

* Bayshore Gardens
* Cortez
* Ellenton
* Lakewood Ranch‡
* Memphis
* Samoset
* South Bradenton
* West Bradenton
* West Samoset
* Whitfield

Unincorporated
communities|

* Bethany
* Cedar Hammock
* Duette
* Edgeville
* Elwood Park
* Fort Hamer
* Foxleigh
* Gillette
* Lorraine
* Manhattan
* Manavista
* Memphis Heights
* Myakka City
* Oak Knoll
* Oneco
* Palm View
* Palma Sola
* Parmalee
* Parrish
* Perico
* Rubonia
* Rye
* Sandy
* Tallevast
* Tara
* Terra Ceia
* Verna‡
* Waterbury

Ghost towns|

* Angola
* Willow

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* Florida portal
* United States portal

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* United States
* Israel

Geographic|

* MusicBrainz area

*[Pop.]: Population
*[%±]: Percent change
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template