Manatee County, Florida

Manatee County, Florida
County
County of Manatee

The Manatee County Courthouse in 2010

Seal
Map of Florida highlighting Manatee County
Location in the U.S. state of Florida
Map of the United States highlighting Florida
Florida's location in the U.S.
Founded January 9, 1855
Named for Florida manatee
Seat Bradenton
Largest city Bradenton
Area
 • Total 893 sq mi (2,313 km2)
 • Land 743 sq mi (1,924 km2)
 • Water 150 sq mi (388 km2), 16.8%
Population (est.)
 • (2015) 363,369
 • Density 435/sq mi (168/km²)
Congressional districts 16th, 17th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.mymanatee.org

Manatee County is a county in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 322,833.[1] Its county seat and largest city is Bradenton.[2] The county was created in 1855. It was named for the Florida manatee[3] (commonly called a "sea cow" and distantly related to the elephant), which is endangered and Florida's official marine mammal.

Manatee County is included in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Features of Manatee County include access to the Southern part of Tampa Bay, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, and the Manatee River. Rowing facilities are being developed in the area and the Upper Manatee River Canoe Trail has been created. There are several parks and preserves.

About 1.8% of all of Florida's population lives in Manatee County and is ranks 16 for Florida counties in Population.[4]

History

The area now known as Manatee County was inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years. The southern mouth of the Manatee River was likely the landing site of the De Soto Expedition and is the location of the U.S. National Park Service's De Soto National Memorial. The area was opened to settlement in 1842 and Manatee County had the Gamble Plantation, a sugar plantation that was one of the south's finest. The area that Manatee County is in today had a major feature for pioneers - the Manatee River. Most pioneers chose to settle here because of the fertile soil at the Manatee River Valley. The Manatee River was also a deep river which made it a valuable place to settle at. The area Manatee County once had where Hardee County, Highlands County, Sarasota County, DeSoto County, Charlotte County and Glades County.[5]

Every January, the Manatee County Fair takes place at the fairgrounds.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 893 square miles (2,310 km2), of which 743 square miles (1,920 km2) is land and 150 square miles (390 km2) (%) is water.[6]

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

A great egret in Myakka River State Park

Rivers

Lakes

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1860854—
18701,931126.1%
18803,54483.5%
18902,895−18.3%
19004,66361.1%
19109,550104.8%
192018,71295.9%
193022,50220.3%
194026,09816.0%
195034,70433.0%
196069,16899.3%
197097,11540.4%
1980148,44252.9%
1990211,70742.6%
2000264,00224.7%
2010322,83322.3%
Est. 2015363,369[7]12.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2015[1]

In 2015, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the county's population was 363,369. The racial makeup of the county was 86.6% White, 9.3% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 1.6% from two or more races. 15.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[12]

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 264,002 people, 112,460 households, and 73,773 families residing in the county. The population density was 356/sq mi (138/km2). There were 138,128 housing units at an average density of 186/sq mi (72/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.36% White, 8.19% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.90% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.84% from other races, and 1.39% from two or more races. 9.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In 2000 there were 112,460 households out of which 23.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% were married couples living together, 9.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.40% were non-families. 28.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the county the population was spread out with 20.70% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 24.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 93.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,673, and the median income for a family was $46,576. Males had a median income of $31,607 versus $25,007 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,388. About 7.10% of families and 10.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.30% of those under age 18 and 6.20% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Bealls of Florida has its headquarters and was founded 1915 in unincorporated Manatee County.[14][15]

Libraries

Manatee County Public Library System
Country USA
Established 1964
Location 1301 Barcarrota Blvd West
Bradenton, Florida 14203
Coordinates 27°29′55.2″N 82°34′29″W / 27.498667°N 82.57472°W / 27.498667; -82.57472
Website www.mymanatee.org/library

The Manatee County Public Library System offers a collection of adult, young adult, and children's materials, as well as a genealogy section and the Eaton Florida History Reading Room. Public computers for all to use are available at all library locations. The library's online resources include licensing to OverDrive, Inc., Hoopla (digital media service), and Freegal Music. The library also hosts an online digital collection featuring historic images and documents from Manatee County during the late nineteenth century to early 1980's. Additionally, Ask a Librarian, the on-line Florida librarian reference service is available through the Manatee County Public Library System.[16]The library system also offers E-Books, E-Audio, music, and movies through five databases located on their website .

The libraries also offer extensive programming that includes author luncheons, children's story-times, summer reading programs, job fairs, and book discussion groups. Special events held annually include Mana-con, a comic book convention, and the Teen Recycled Fashion Show.

Manatee County participates in the Little Free Library program. The Palmetto Branch will place their Little Free Library in 2015, and then all six Manatee County Libraries will have them. Several Manatee County Parks have Little Free Libraries including Emerson Point Preserve, Robinson Preserve, Greenbrook Park, Bennett Park, Jigg's Landing and Conservatory Park.[17][18]

The library system serves the residents of Manatee County with six locations:

Library cards are free to those who reside, own property, attend school, and/or work in Manatee County. Non-residents may obtain a temporary card upon payment of a $20.00 annual fee.[19][20]

History of libraries

Original Bradentown Library
Original Bradentown Library
Palmetto's Carnegie Library
Palmetto's Carnegie Library, built in 1914.
Bradenton's Carnegie Library
Bradenton's Carnegie Library, built in 1918.

Public libraries in Manatee County began in the year 1898 with a privately owned rental library created by Mrs. Julia Fuller in the Mrs. Bass Dry Goods store. The first independent library building in the county was opened in Bradenton in 1907, followed by Palmetto building a Carnegie Library in 1914 and Bradenton doing the same in 1918. For much of the 20th century, libraries in both cities were free to city residents while county residents had to pay a non-resident fee. In 1964, the city library associations in Bradenton and Palmetto merged with the Manatee County government to create what is now known as the Manatee County Public Library System. This was followed by the establishment of a bookmobile for rural areas in late 1964 and a Talking Books program for the blind in 1966.

As demands on the bookmobile grew and the library collection outstripped the existing buildings in Bradenton and Palmetto, the first branch of the Manatee County Public Library system was built in Bayshore in 1967, followed by a new branch on East Ninth Street in 1969 and an Island branch in 1971, the last of which later moved into a new building in 1983. A new building for the Palmetto Library was built in 1969, eventually followed by the modern Central Public Library in downtown Bradenton in 1978.

The 1990s saw a period of rapid growth for Manatee County, and the library system grew to accommodate, with the Braden River, Rocky Bluff, and South Manatee branches opening in 1991, 1994, and 1998, respectively, and the Braden River branch subsequently moved to a new building in 1997, bringing the Manatee County Library System to its modern state.

Awards and Recognition

2016 Library of the Year- Florida Library Association
in recognition of the Manatee County Public Library System for the outstanding service it provides to the community[21]

2016 Betty Davis Miller Youth Services Award- Florida Library Association
in recognition of Teen Recycled Fashion Show[22]

2016 Lifetime Achievement Award- Florida Library Association
in recognition of Kevin Beach, for a long-standing, distinguished record of professional achievements and accomplishments.[23]

2016 Outstanding Friends Member- Florida Library Association
in recognition of the outstanding service of Doris Pope, president of the Friends of the Rocky Bluff Library[24]

2015 Keep Manatee Beautiful Recycling Award- Government Category
in recognition of the Recycled Dreams Teen Fashion Show of Recycled Materials[25]

2014 Libraries Change People's Lives Award- Florida Library Association
in recognition of expanded Hispanic Services [26]

2013 Library Innovation Award- Florida Library Association
in recognition of expanded services, programs, and activities focusing on community needs[27]

2013 Betty Davis Miller Youth Services Award- Florida Library Association
in recognition of Mana-Con Comics Convention[28]

Education

See Manatee County School District[29]

Communities

Map of Manatee County indicating incorporated municipalities. Number corresponds to list at left.

Cities

Town

Census-designated places

Unincorporated places

Transportation

Airports

Major Roads

Waterways

Government

Government Officials

United States Senate

Office Senator Party
Class 3 Senator Marco Rubio Republican
Class 1 Senator Bill Nelson Democratic

United States House of Representatives

District Representative Party
Florida's 16th Congressional District Vern Buchanan Republican
Florida's 17th Congressional District Tom Rooney Republican

Florida State Senate

District Senator Party
19 Arthenia Joyner Democratic
26 Bill Galvano Republican

Florida House of Representatives

District Representative Party
70 Darryl Rouson Democratic
71 Jim Boyd Republican
73 Greg Steube Republican

Manatee County Board of County Commissioners

District Commissioner Party
1 Larry Bustle Republican
2 Charles B. Smith Democratic
3 John R. Chappie Republican
4 Robin DiSabatino Republican
5 Vanessa Baugh Republican
6† Carol Whitmore Republican
7† Betsy Benac Republican

†District At-Large

Manatee County School Board

District Board Member Party
1 Bob Gause Unknown
2 Charlie Kennedy Unknown
3 David “Watchdog” Miner Unknown
4 Karen Carpenter Unknown
5 John Colon Unknown

Other Offices

Office Holder Party
Clerk of the Circuit Court Angelina M. Colonneso Republican
Property Appraiser Charles E. Hackney Republican
Sheriff W. Brad Steube Republican
Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett Republican
Tax Collector Ken Burton, Jr Republican

Voter Registration

Information As of 7/29/16[30]

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment
Party Number of Voters Percentage
Republican 97,263 43.9%
Democratic 68,534 31.0%
Unaffiliated 49,615 20.1%
Minor parties 5,547 5.0%
Total 220,959 100.00%

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Publications of the Florida Historical Society. Florida Historical Society. 1908. p. 33.
  4. ↑ "Office of Economic & and Demographical Research" (PDF). 2014.
  5. ↑ "Pioneer Life in Manatee County". www.mymanatee.org. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  6. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ↑ "County Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  8. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
  12. ↑ http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/12081.html
  13. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Contact Us." Bealls (Florida). Retrieved on December 14, 2009.
  15. ↑ "Samoset CDP, Florida." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on December 14, 2009.
  16. ↑ http://www.mymanatee.org/home/government/departments/neighborhood-services/library.html "Manatee County Public Library System" Retrieved March 15, 2015
  17. ↑ Palmetto Friends of the Library. (Spring 2015). Palmetto Friends of the Library Newsletter.
  18. ↑ Aronson, Claire. "Manatee County creates model for local Little Free Library program". bradenton.com. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  19. ↑ http://www.mymanatee.org/home/government/departments/neighborhood-services/library/library-cards.html "Library Card Policies" Retrieved March 15, 2015
  20. ↑ http://www.mymanatee.org/home/government/departments/neighborhood-services/library/locations-hours.html| "Locations and Hours: Manatee County Public Library System" Retrieved April 19, 2013
  21. ↑ "2016 Library of the Year". FLA. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
    Link found in "Awards History" for current winners.
  22. ↑ "2016 Betty Davis Miller Youth Services Award". FLA. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
    Link found in "Awards History" for current winners.
  23. ↑ "2016 Lifetime Achievement Award". FLA. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
    Link found in "Awards History" for current winners.
  24. ↑ "2016 Outstanding Friends Member". FLA. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
    Link found in "Awards History" for current winners.
  25. ↑ "2015 Keep Manatee Beautiful Recycling Award". FLA. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
    Listed under 2015 Awards Celebration Winners.
  26. ↑ "2014 Libraries Change People's Lives Award". FLA. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
    Link to 2014 award winners.
  27. ↑ "2013 Library Innovation Award". FLA. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
    Link to 2013 award winners.
  28. ↑ "2013 Betty Davis Miller Youth Services Award". FLA. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
    Link to 2013 award winners.
  29. ↑ http://www.manateeschools.net/pages/SDMC
  30. ↑ http://www.votemanatee.com

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Manatee County, Florida.
Wikisource has the text of an 1879 American Cyclopædia article about Manatee County, Florida.

Government links/Constitutional offices

Special districts

Judicial branch

Education and Cultural Resources

Tourism links

 Hillsborough County Polk County
Gulf of Mexico Hardee County
   Manatee County, Florida  
Sarasota County DeSoto County

Coordinates: 27°29′N 82°22′W / 27.48°N 82.36°W / 27.48; -82.36

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