Port St. Lucie, FL
History and General Information
The Florida city of Port St. Lucie is located in St. Lucie County, situated about 120 miles from other popular Florida state cities, such as Orlando and Miami. The Florida Turnpike also runs through the city, which is not far off from Interstate I-95 and U.S. Route 1.
The city’s roots trace back to 1958, when General Development Corporation, a subsidiary of the Mackle Co., granted $50 million to develop a new community on the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. Land marketing, sales and development soon ensued, leading ultimately to the city’s incorporation in 1961. A substantial population increase followed years later, with the city’s population more than tripling between 1980 and 1990. Today, the city has transitioned from a residential bedroom community to one of Florida’s fastest growing and dynamic cities. Port St. Lucie now boasts an approximate population of 180,500 residents, making it one of the most populous cities in the county of St. Lucie, it is the 3rd largest city in South Florida and the 8th largest city in Florida.
Port St. Lucie is also home to the Treasure Coast campus of Florida Atlantic University.
While many cities have a workforce of predominantly either white collar or blue collar jobs, Port. St. Lucie has a mixed workforce of people working in both white and blue collar occupations driving the city’s thriving economy. The most common occupations in Port St. Lucie are in sales, office administration and health care.
What to See in Lucie County
Recreational opportunities are abundant in Port St. Lucie. The beach is only a short drive away, and water-related activities (fishing, canoeing, kayaking, surfing, sailing, etc.) can be enjoyed in numerous locations. Golf, tennis, skating and other outdoor activities are available at many facilities and public parks. Port St. Lucie is home to the Professional Golf Association (PGA) Learning Center and also to the PGA Historical Center, home of the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame and the Probst Library, one of the world’s premier collections of golf periodicals and memorabilia.
Art and culture are also prominent in St. Lucie County. Highly original artworks of famed Florida painter A.E. Backus are on display at the A.E. “Bean” Backus Gallery & Museum, located in nearby Fort Pierce. The St. Lucie County Historical Museum, also in Fort Pierce, chronicles the county’s rich historical heritage. The Navy UDT-SEAL Museum is the world’s only museum dedicated exclusively to the elite warriors of Naval Special Warfare. Visitors and residents, young and old alike, can enjoy the Hallstrom Planetarium, located on the Indian River Community College campus in Fort Pierce.
Sports fans in Port St. Lucie can enjoy some of the best professional baseball in the state of Florida. Major League Baseball’s New York Mets make the city their Spring Training headquarters. Port St. Lucie is also home to Minor League Baseball’s St. Lucie Mets, a Class High-A affiliate of the New York team. Both teams play at newly renovated Tradition Field.
There are enough parks in Port St. Lucie to provide for a number of different interests, hobbies and recreational activities. The parks in St. Port Lucie offer inhabitants and visitors to the city opportunities to enjoy picnicking, hiking, fishing, boating, playing sports and more.
Port St. Lucie Weather Throughout the Year
When we take into consideration what the weather is like in Port St. Lucie, we can certainly conclude that it is one of the most enjoyable places to live in the US.
On estimate, summer weather fluctuates between a low of 70 degrees and a high of 90 degrees. When the chillier seasons approach, we can expect a low of 55 degrees and a maximum temperature of 75 degrees. This temperature variation is very mild in comparison to other US cities and regions that are able to fluctuate in more varying degrees than what we would see in Port St. Lucie.
The average annual rainfall in Port St. Lucie is 51 inches, which is higher than the US national average of 39. Overall, the City of Port St. Lucie is expected to be a warm, sunny place with a tranquil atmosphere and large areas of natural beauty.
