St. Lucie County, Florida
St. Lucie County is located on Florida's southeast Atlantic Coast within the Treasure Coast region, with an estimated population of 350,000. The county covers 688 square miles and encompasses the cities of Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce, along with barrier island beach communities. Port St. Lucie has grown from a small planned community to one of the largest cities in Florida by population, and St. Lucie County as a whole has been among the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the state over the past two decades.
Geography and Natural Features
St. Lucie County's geography includes Atlantic Ocean beaches on Hutchinson Island, the Indian River Lagoon, the North Fork and South Fork of the St. Lucie River, and interior agricultural and residential lands. The Indian River Lagoon, one of the most biologically diverse estuaries in North America, runs the length of the county between the barrier island and the mainland. Water quality in the lagoon and the St. Lucie Estuary has been a major environmental concern, as discharges from Lake Okeechobee through the C-44 canal have caused toxic algae blooms that harm marine life, fisheries, and tourism.
Hutchinson Island provides beach access and is home to the Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, which offers beach recreation, fishing, and a natural setting along the inlet. Savannas Preserve State Park, the largest freshwater marsh ecosystem on Florida's southeast coast, extends through the county and provides habitat for wading birds, alligators, and other wildlife, along with hiking and paddling opportunities. The inland areas consist of residential development, citrus groves (much diminished), and agricultural land. The St. Lucie River watershed is an important ecological and recreational resource. The climate is subtropical with warm winters and hot, humid summers.
County Seat and Government
Fort Pierce, with a population of approximately 48,000, is the county seat and the historic commercial and cultural center of St. Lucie County. Founded in 1901, the city's downtown and waterfront areas have undergone revitalization efforts, and the city is home to the Manatee Observation and Education Center, the A.E. "Bean" Backus Museum and Gallery, and a historic fishing community on the inlet. St. Lucie County operates under a commission-administrator form of government with a five-member Board of County Commissioners elected from single-member districts.
Key Communities
Port St. Lucie, with a population exceeding 220,000, is the dominant city in the county and one of the largest in Florida. Originally developed as a planned residential community by the General Development Corporation in the 1960s, the city has grown exponentially, attracting families and retirees from other parts of Florida and the northeastern United States with affordable housing, new schools, and a suburban quality of life. The city is home to Clover Park, the spring training facility for the New York Mets. St. Lucie Village, St. Lucie West, and Tradition are other notable communities within the county.
Economy and Major Employers
St. Lucie County's economy is driven by healthcare, education, construction, retail, and agriculture. Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital and Lawnwood Regional Medical Center are major healthcare employers. Indian River State College, headquartered in Fort Pierce, is a significant educational institution and employer, offering associate and baccalaureate degrees and workforce training programs. The St. Lucie County School District serves more than 42,000 students and is one of the county's largest employers.
The construction industry has been particularly active in response to the county's rapid population growth. Citrus production, while reduced from historical levels, remains present. The county's spring training baseball facility and other sports venues generate tourism revenue. The Digital Domain production facility (formerly in Port St. Lucie) and efforts to attract technology and professional services reflect the county's diversification strategy. The Treasure Coast Research Park in Fort Pierce provides space for research and development enterprises.
Transportation and Education
Interstate 95 and Florida's Turnpike provide north-south highway access. U.S. Route 1 serves as an arterial route through Fort Pierce and the eastern part of the county. Treasure Coast International Airport and Business Park provides general aviation and limited commercial services. Indian River State College, with its main campus in Fort Pierce, is the primary higher education institution serving the county and region. The Brightline intercity rail service provides a station in the area connecting to Miami and Orlando.