Palmetto, Florida Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Palmetto, Florida is a small city located in Manatee County, on the Gulf Coast of the state. The city is situated just south of Bradenton, and is bordered by the Manatee River to the east and Terra Ceia Bay to the west. It covers an area of 8.2 square miles and has a population of 14,400 people according to the 2019 census.

The city was founded in 1856 by settlers from South Carolina who named it after their home state’s official tree, the palmetto palm. It was originally a fishing village that relied heavily on its location near Tampa Bay and access to fresh seafood. In 1890, Palmetto became an incorporated town with an elected mayor and council members. Since then it has grown steadily into a thriving community with numerous parks, schools, churches, businesses and recreational opportunities for its residents.

Palmetto’s economy is largely driven by manufacturing and tourism. The area has become increasingly popular for its beaches, marinas and golf courses that attract visitors from all over Florida as well as other states in the Southeast region of the U.S.. Fishing remains an important part of life in Palmetto with many local businesses operating charter services for both deep sea fishing trips as well as inland fishing adventures on rivers and lakes throughout Manatee County.

Residents enjoy shopping at local stores like Publix Supermarket or exploring nature at Emerson Point Preserve or Buffalo Creek Park which offer walking trails along the waterfront or through wooded areas respectively. For those looking for more active pursuits there are multiple public tennis courts throughout town as well as several nearby golf courses where visitors can take lessons or compete in tournaments hosted by various clubs around town such as Palmetto Golf Club or Stoneybrook Golf Course.

The city also offers many cultural attractions including historical sites like Gamble Plantation Historic State Park which was once owned by Major Robert Gamble who fought against Native Americans during Seminole Wars in 1835-1842; museums like Braden Castle Park which features a replica castle built in 1922; theaters like Manatee Performing Arts Center which hosts plays and concerts; art galleries such as Art Center Manatee; music venues like Fogartyville Community Media & Arts Center; festivals such as Stone Crab Festival held every October; plus much more!

In short, Palmetto offers something for everyone from outdoor activities to cultural attractions to shopping opportunities – making it an ideal place to live or visit.

Population: 12,571. Estimated population in July 2024: 13,510 (+7.5% change)
Males: 6,292 (50.1%), Females: 6,279 (49.9%)

Manatee County

Zip codes: 34221.

Demographics

Median resident age: 36.8 years
Median household income: $34,093
Median house value: $85,700

Population by Race

Races in Palmetto:

• White Non-Hispanic (59.3%)
• Hispanic (26.7%)
• Black (12.8%)
• Other race (8.8%)
• Two or more races (2.2%)
• American Indian (1.0%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: German (11.3%), English (11.1%), United States (9.9%), Irish (7.8%), Italian (2.5%), French (2.5%).

Elevation: 10 feet

Land area: 4.3 square miles

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Palmetto

• High school or higher: 66.2%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.6%
• Graduate or professional degree: 4.6%
• Unemployed: 3.5%
• Mean travel time to work: 22.7 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Palmetto city

• Never married: 22.0%
• Now married: 54.7%
• Separated: 2.3%
• Widowed: 9.5%
• Divorced: 11.6%

13.0% Foreign born (11.6% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: +2,837 (+29.1%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Palmetto:

• MANATEE GLEN HOSPITAL (about 4 miles; BRADENTON, FL)
• MANATEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 4 miles; BRADENTON, FL)
• BLAKE MEDICAL CENTER (about 5 miles; BRADENTON, FL)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Palmetto:

• SARASOTA/BRADENTON INTL (about 10 miles; SARASOTA/BRADENTON, FL; Abbreviation: SRQ)
• MAC DILL AFB (about 22 miles; TAMPA, FL; Abbreviation: MCF)
• ST PETERSBURG-CLEARWATER INTL (about 27 miles; ST PETERSBURG-CLEARWATER, FL; Abbreviation: PIE)

Other public-use airports nearest to Palmetto:

• AIRPORT MANATEE (about 9 miles; PALMETTO, FL; Abbreviation: 48X)
• ALBERT WHITTED (about 16 miles; ST PETERSBURG, FL; Abbreviation: SPG)
• PETER O KNIGHT (about 28 miles; TAMPA, FL; Abbreviation: TPF)

Amtrak stations near Palmetto:

• 8 miles: BRADENTON (I-75 & RTE. 64) – Bus Station. Services: public payphones, call for taxi service.
• 20 miles: SARASOTA (I-75 AT CLARK RD.) – Bus Station. Services: public payphones, snack bar, free short-term parking, paid long-term parking.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Palmetto:

• MANATEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 6 miles; BRADENTON, FL; Full-time enrollment: 4,539)
• HILLSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 30 miles; TAMPA, FL; Full-time enrollment: 9,630)
• UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA (about 30 miles; TAMPA, FL; Full-time enrollment: 2,963)
• UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA (about 39 miles; TAMPA, FL; Full-time enrollment: 26,221)
• PASCO-HERNANDO COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 54 miles; NEW PORT RICHEY, FL; Full-time enrollment: 2,868)
• TRAVIS TECHNICAL CENTER (about 55 miles; LAKELAND, FL; Full-time enrollment: 2,057)
• SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY (about 60 miles; ST LEO, FL; Full-time enrollment: 6,597)

Schools

Public high school in Palmetto:

• PALMETTO HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,581; Location: 1200 17TH STREET, W; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Palmetto:

• LINCOLN MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 1,116; Location: 305 17TH STREET, E; Grades: 06 – 08)
• BLACKBURN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 1,018; Location: 3904 17TH STREET, E; Grades: PK – 05)
• PALMETTO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 815; Location: 834 7TH STREET, W; Grades: KG – 05)
• MANATEE SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS (Students: 718; Location: 700 HABEN BOULEVARD; Grades: 06 – 11)
• JAMES TILLMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 684; Location: 1415 29TH STREET, E; Grades: PK – 05)
• PALM VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 604; Location: 6025 BAYSHORE ROAD; Grades: PK – 05)
• MANATEE CO. JUVENILE JUSTICE (Students: 94; Location: 14470 HARLLEE ROAD; Grades: 06 – 12)
• JUST FOR GIRLS (Students: 43; Location: 1500 – 10TH STREET, W; Grades: 06 – 12)

Private primary/middle school in Palmetto:

• PALMETTO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 191; Location: 1401 14 AVENUE WEST; Grades: PK – 8)