Manatee County, Florida
Manatee County, Florida | ||
---|---|---|
County | ||
County of Manatee | ||
The Manatee County Courthouse in 2010 | ||
| ||
Location in the U.S. state of 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 |
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
- Hillsborough County – north
- Polk County – northeast
- Hardee County – east
- DeSoto County – southeast
- Sarasota County – south
National protected areas
- De Soto National Memorial
- Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge
- Lake Manatee State Park
- Myakka River State Park
Rivers
Lakes
Demographics
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1860 | 854 | — | |
1870 | 1,931 | 126.1% | |
1880 | 3,544 | 83.5% | |
1890 | 2,895 | −18.3% | |
1900 | 4,663 | 61.1% | |
1910 | 9,550 | 104.8% | |
1920 | 18,712 | 95.9% | |
1930 | 22,502 | 20.3% | |
1940 | 26,098 | 16.0% | |
1950 | 34,704 | 33.0% | |
1960 | 69,168 | 99.3% | |
1970 | 97,115 | 40.4% | |
1980 | 148,442 | 52.9% | |
1990 | 211,707 | 42.6% | |
2000 | 264,002 | 24.7% | |
2010 | 322,833 | 22.3% | |
Est. 2015 | 363,369 | [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
Country | USA |
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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 |
Website |
www |
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:
- Central - Bradenton
- Palmetto - Palmetto
- Braden River - Bradenton
- Island - Holmes Beach
- South Manatee - Bradenton
- Rocky Bluff - Ellenton
- Talking Book Library is administered through the Bureau of Braille and Talking Books Library, Daytona
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
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
Cities
Town
Census-designated places
Unincorporated places
- Duette
- Village of the Arts
- Myakka City
- Oneco
- Parrish
- Terra Ceia
- Rubonia
- Gillette
- Palm View
- Memphis Heights
- Palma Sola
- Manavista
- Fort Hamer
- Manhattan
- Oak Knoll
- Waterbury
- Verna
- Marsh Island
- Snead Island
- Rattlesnake Key
- Rye
- Elwood Park
- Ward Lake
- Cedar Hammock
- Willow
- Foxleigh
- Lake Manatee
- Tara
- Lakewood Ranch
Transportation
Airports
Major Roads
- Tamiami Trail
- I-75
- State Road 70
- U.S. Route 301
- Manatee Ave
- Cortez Road
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
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Manatee County, Florida
- Dakin Dairy Farms
- O'Brien Family Farms
References
- 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ↑ Publications of the Florida Historical Society. Florida Historical Society. 1908. p. 33.
- ↑ "Office of Economic & and Demographical Research" (PDF). 2014.
- ↑ "Pioneer Life in Manatee County". www.mymanatee.org. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ↑ "County Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
- ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
- ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
- ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
- ↑ http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/12081.html
- ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
- ↑ "Contact Us." Bealls (Florida). Retrieved on December 14, 2009.
- ↑ "Samoset CDP, Florida." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on December 14, 2009.
- ↑ http://www.mymanatee.org/home/government/departments/neighborhood-services/library.html "Manatee County Public Library System" Retrieved March 15, 2015
- ↑ Palmetto Friends of the Library. (Spring 2015). Palmetto Friends of the Library Newsletter.
- ↑ Aronson, Claire. "Manatee County creates model for local Little Free Library program". bradenton.com. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
- ↑ http://www.mymanatee.org/home/government/departments/neighborhood-services/library/library-cards.html "Library Card Policies" Retrieved March 15, 2015
- ↑ 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
- ↑ "2016 Library of the Year". FLA. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
Link found in "Awards History" for current winners. - ↑ "2016 Betty Davis Miller Youth Services Award". FLA. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
Link found in "Awards History" for current winners. - ↑ "2016 Lifetime Achievement Award". FLA. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
Link found in "Awards History" for current winners. - ↑ "2016 Outstanding Friends Member". FLA. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
Link found in "Awards History" for current winners. - ↑ "2015 Keep Manatee Beautiful Recycling Award". FLA. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
Listed under 2015 Awards Celebration Winners. - ↑ "2014 Libraries Change People's Lives Award". FLA. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
Link to 2014 award winners. - ↑ "2013 Library Innovation Award". FLA. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
Link to 2013 award winners. - ↑ "2013 Betty Davis Miller Youth Services Award". FLA. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
Link to 2013 award winners. - ↑ http://www.manateeschools.net/pages/SDMC
- ↑ 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
- Manatee County Board of County Commissioners official website
- Manatee County Supervisor of Elections
- Manatee County Property Appraiser
- Manatee County Sheriff's Office
- Manatee County Tax Collector
- Manatee County Search & Rescue
Special districts
- Manatee County Public Schools
- Southwest Florida Water Management District
- Port Authority of Manatee County, Florida
Judicial branch
- Manatee County Clerk of Courts
- Office of the State Attorney, 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida serving DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties
- Circuit and County Court for the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida
Education and Cultural Resources
Tourism links
- Manatee Chamber of Commerce
- Florida Gulf Islands Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Village of the Arts
Hillsborough County | Polk County | |||
Gulf of Mexico | Hardee County | |||
| ||||
Sarasota County | DeSoto County |
Coordinates: 27°29′N 82°22′W / 27.48°N 82.36°W