Stuart is a city located in Martin County, Florida, United States. It is situated on the east coast of Florida and is part of the Port St. Lucie Metropolitan Area. The city covers an area of approximately 8 square miles and has a population of around 16,000 people.

Stuart is known for its charming downtown area, which features historic buildings, art galleries, boutique shops, and a variety of restaurants and cafes. The city is also home to several parks, including the Halpatiokee Regional Park, which offers hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and a playground.

One of Stuart’s main attractions is its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the St. Lucie River. The city is located on the St. Lucie River and has a number of marinas and boating facilities, making it a popular destination for boaters and fishing enthusiasts.

Stuart is also home to several annual events and festivals, including the Stuart Airshow, the Stuart Boat Show, and the Pineapple Festival. Additionally, the city has a strong arts community and hosts several art shows and exhibitions throughout the year.

Overall, Stuart is a charming and vibrant city with a rich history and plenty of attractions and activities for visitors and residents alike.

Population:

• Population (2023): 19,430
• Median age (2022): 51.8
• Residents under 18 (2023): 15.7%
• Residents over 65 (2023): 28.4%
• Population by sex (2023): 50% male, 50% female
• Married population (2023): 43.6%
• Population change (2010-2020): 5% Increase
• Homeowners and renters (2022): 58.6% homeowners, 41.4% renters
• Poverty rate compared to the US national average (2022): 13.9% vs the average of 11.5%

Demographics (2022):

• White Non-Hispanic: 68.1%
• Black Non-Hispanic: 12.2%
• Multiracial Hispanic: 8.88%
• White Hispanic: 4.1%

*Prices shown are based only on activity for the dates specified

Cost of Living:

• Average cost of living compared to the US national average (2023): Appx 6% Higher
• Cost of housing compared to the Florida average (2023): Appx. same
• Cost of food compared to the US national average (2023): 4.4% Higher
• Cost of healthcare compared to the US national average (2023): 3.6% Higher
• Cost of utilities compared to the US national average (2023): 5% Lower
• Cost of transportation compared to the US national average (2023): 10% Lower

Income:

• Median household income (2022): $61,878
• Avg. per capita income (2022): $41,029

Tax:

• County property tax rate: .98% of a property’s assessed fair market value (2023)
• Combined state and county sales tax rate: 7% (2023)

Political Affiliation Based on 2024 Election Results – Martin County:

• Republican: 65.5%
• Democratic: 33.2%
• Other: 1.3%

Top 3 Highest Rated School Districts

• Martin County School District
• St. Lucie Public Schools
• Palm Beach County School District

Largest 3 Employers

• Martin Health System
• Martin County School District
• Publix Super Markets

Coastal

• Yes

Average Temperature

• Average Low Temperature: 19.75°C
• Average High Temperature: 27.8°C

Fun Facts:

Stuart is known as the “Sailfish Capital of the World.”

Location and Amenities:

• Palm Beach International Airport: 59 minutes (40.7 miles)
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL): Approximately 100 miles south of Stuart, with a travel time of around 1.5 to 2 hours by car.
• Miami International Airport (MIA): Approximately 120 miles south of Stuart, with a travel time of around 2 to 2.5 hours by car.
• West Palm Beach: Approximately 40 miles south of Stuart, with a travel time of about 45 minutes to an hour by car.
• Fort Lauderdale: About 90 miles south of Stuart, with a travel time of around 1.5 to 2 hours by car.
• Miami: Roughly 110 miles south of Stuart, taking around 2 to 2.5 hours by car.
• Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital: Recipient of the 2021 Coronary Intervention Excellence Award.
• Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton): 1 hour 24 minutes (60.8 miles)
• Indian River State College (Fort Pierce): 38 minutes (27.3 miles)
• Historic Downtown: A variety of restaurants and shops amid charming architecture.
• Terra Fermata (Downtown Stuart): Outdoor venue featuring 7 nights of live music.
• Florida Oceanographic Coastal Centre: A 57-acre marine life nature centre located on Hutchinson Island, Stuart.
• Medalist Golf Course: A world-class golf course owned by Tiger Woods.

Short Term Rental Regulations:

** All short term rental operations in Florida must obtain a business license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation ( DBPR ) and a Florida Department of Revenue Certificate of Sales and Use. ** Short term rental regulations can be subject to change and should always be confirmed with city / towns or county departments.

*Restrictions:

• At the time of this publication, there is no official information regarding short-term rentals in Stuart other than the county transient tax rate in Martin County. For information, visit  cityofstuart.us