Palm Harbor, Florida
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Palm Harbor, Florida | |
| Location in Pinellas County and the state of Florida | |
| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | Image:Flag of the United States.svg United States |
| State | Image:Flag of Florida.svg Florida |
| County | Pinellas |
| Area | |
| - Total | 26.6 sq mi (68.9 km²) |
| - Land | 17.9 sq mi (46.4 km²) |
| - Water | 8.7 sq mi (22.5 km²) |
| Elevation | 49 ft (15 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 59,248 |
| - Density | 2,227.4/sq mi (859.9/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP codes | 34682-34685 |
| Area code(s) | 727 |
| FIPS code | 12-54350GR2 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0288399GR3 |
Palm Harbor is a census-designated place and an unincorporated community in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 59,248.
Contents |
[edit] Culture
Palm Harbor is roughly 45 minutes from downtown St.Petersburg and Tampa. It is a largely residential community with several concentrations of commerce. Notably, downtown Palm Harbor, north of Tampa Rd. between Alternate Hwy. 19 and Omaha St., cultivates a charming atmosphere with dozens of small shops and eateries along with a handful of historic buildings. U.S. Hwy. 19, a mile or two east of downtown, offers access to higher concentrations of commerce, with the usual array of national chain restaurants and retailers. One entrance to The Innisbrook Golf Resort, a nationally regarded golf course, is found on U.S. 19.
The historic downtown district of Palm Harbor, at Florida Avenue and Alt. US 19 and CR 1, has numerous festivals and craft fairs. Old Palm Harbor Main Streets, Inc., a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, hosts their signature event the first Friday of every month. "Palm Harbor's First Friday Celebrations" -- are a very popular community event for youngsters and adults alike. There are rides and games for the children, with opportunities to dine on great food from the many local restaurants, enjoy local artists & crafters displaying and selling their wares. Every first Sunday in October, the "Taste of Palm Harbor"festival is held. The event is presented by the Palm Harbor Junior Women's Club with the proceeds benefiting their, "Making a Difference" grants & scholarships program. The Taste of Palm Harbor traditionally offers live music and the tasting of samples from over 20 local restaurants, many of which make seafood their specialty.
[edit] Government
As of January 2008, the area collectively known as Palm Harbor remains as a part of unincorporated Pinellas County. A movement towards incorporation which started in late 2002 has continued as mounting opposition towards the county diverting State Shared Revenues(SSR) and other tax dollars away from the unincorporated communities. Many residents feel that the if they incorporated, they would have greater control over service delivery, changes in the land use and management could be made that would protect and preserve the unique communities of the proposed incorporation area. The feeling of taxation without representation would be eliminated and greater fiscal control of the tax burden would be accomplished.
The Greater Palm Harbor Community Coalition initiated a study on whether it was feasible for the community to become a town in which it found it was. On January 3, 2008, the Pinellas County Legislative Delegation voted on the local bill providing for a community wide referendum. The local bill (Town Charter) passed and it will be filed with the Florida Legislature.
Once the bill has been prepared or approved by the House Bill Drafting Service, but prior to filing, the member is presented with the completed draft legislation. Once the House member is satisfied with the content of the proposed bill, he or she approves the bill and it is then automatically filed with the Chief Clerk’s Office. Each bill is given a number and filed with the Chief Clerk. Bills, upon filing or introduction may be referred by the Speaker to one or more councils. This type of bill (Municipal Incorporation) will probably be referred to the Government Efficiency & Accountability Council and be heard by the Committee on Urban & Local Affairs who will perform a staff analysis of the Palm Harbor Incorporation Feasibility Study and the Town Charter.
If the Florida Legislature approves the local bill, the question will be placed on the ballots of the voters within Palm Harbor. If a majority of the voter support the creation of the town on November 4, 2008; it would be officially incorporated on April 1st, 2009 as a sovereign government. If approved it will become the first new city within the county in 40 years.
[edit] Geography
Palm Harbor is located at (28.083926, -82.753947)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 68.9 km² (26.6 mi²). 46.4 km² (17.9 mi²) of it is land and 22.5 km² (8.7 mi²) of it (32.61%) is water.
[edit] History
Early History
Palm Harbor was originally called Sutherland, a shortening of Southern Land and Development Company, the group that originally platted the community as Sutherland, Hillsborough County in 1888. The name was changed to Palm Harbor in 1925. Palm Harbor, on the coast just north of Dunedin, have interesting histories. Palm Harbor was originally settled by J.C. Craver. According to Craver's diary, still in the family, he came here in the winter of 1877 upon the advice of his physician. A post office commission under the name of Bay St. Joseph was granted in 1878, this being the earliest written record of the community. The name Bay St. Joseph was used only a short time before Yellow Bluff replaced it. But that name proved relatively short-lived, as a few years later its negative connotation with the yellow fever epidemic gave way to its present name. Palm Harbor was originally called Sutherland after a post office was granted in 1888, the same year the railroad came through (the name was switched to Palm Harbor in 1925. Sutherland boasted two beautiful hotels, the larger one becoming Southern College in 1902. It sat high on the bluff overlooking Sutherland Bayou and the Gulf of Mexico. Sutherland was thought to be named after Duke of Sutherland, who visited these parts after landing at Tarpon Springs in 1887. Local pioneers dismiss this coincidence, pointing out that the name Sutherland is a shortening of Southern Land and Development Company, the group which originally platted the community in 1888. Areas pioneers included the Whitehursts, the Hollands, the Tinneys, the Suttons, the Thompsons, and the Wilsons. Palm Harbor also has a unique "hilly" geography which is uncommon in the relatively flat Florida.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 59,248 people, 25,461 households, and 16,906 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,276.6/km² (3,306.8/mi²). There were 28,044 housing units at an average density of 604.2/km² (1,565.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.83% White, 0.97% African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.45% of the population.
There were 25,461 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.79.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 23.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $45,404, and the median income for a family was $52,925. Males had a median income of $41,003 versus $29,287 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $26,470. About 4.3% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] Special Taxing Districts
[edit] Local Community Links
[edit] Map Links
- Palm Harbor, Florida is at coordinates Coordinates:
Municipalities and communities of Pinellas County, Florida | ||
|---|---|---|
| County seat: Clearwater | ||
| Cities | ||
| Towns | ||
| CDPs | Bay Pines | East Lake | Feather Sound | Gandy | Harbor Bluffs | Palm Harbor | Ridgecrest | South Highpoint | Tierra Verde | West and East Lealman | |
pt:Palm Harbor vo:Palm Harbor
