Editing Fort Pierce, Florida

{{About|the city in Florida|other uses|Fort Pierce (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->
| name                     = Fort Pierce, Florida
| settlement_type          = [[City (Florida)|City]]
| other_name               = 
| native_name              = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
| nickname                 = The Sunrise City
| motto                    = <!-- images and maps  ----------->
| image_skyline            = Fort Pierce Inlet State Park.jpg
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = Fort Pierce Inlet State Park
| image_flag               = 
| flag_size                = 
| image_seal               = Seal of Fort Pierce, Florida.png
| seal_size                = 
| image_shield             = 
| shield_size              = 
| image_blank_emblem       = 
| blank_emblem_type        = 
| blank_emblem_size        = 
| image_map                = St. Lucie County Florida Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Fort Pierce Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location in [[St. Lucie County, Florida|St. Lucie County]] and the state of [[Florida]]
| image_map1               = 
| mapsize1                 = 
| map_caption1             = 
| image_dot_map            = 
| pushpin_map              = 
| pushpin_label_position   = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| pushpin_map_caption      = 
| pushpin_mapsize          = 
<!-- Location ------------------>
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = {{flagdeco|USA}} [[United States]]
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = {{flagdeco|Florida}} [[Florida]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Florida|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[St. Lucie County, Florida|St. Lucie]]
| subdivision_type3        = 
| subdivision_name3        = 
| subdivision_type4        = 
| subdivision_name4        = 
<!-- Politics ----------------->
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = [[Council-manager government|Commission-Manager]]
| leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name              = Linda Hudson
| leader_title1            = [[City Council|Commissioners]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Mayor & City Commission | publisher = City of Fort Pierce | url = https://cityoffortpierce.com/182/Mayor-City-Commission | accessdate = March 31, 2024}}</ref>
| leader_name1             = {{Collapsible list
| title               = 
| title_style         =
| frame_style         = border:none; padding: 0;
| list_style          = text-align:left;display:none;
| 1 = Michael Broderick, District 2
| 2 = Curtis Johnson, Jr. District 1
| 3 = Jeremiah K. Johnson, District 2
| 4 =  Arnold S. Gaines, District 1
}}
| leader_title2            = [[City Manager]]
| leader_name2             = Nicholas C. Mimms
| leader_title3            = [[City Clerk]]
| leader_name3             = Linda Cox <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cityoffortpierce.com/140/City-Clerk|title=City Clerk|website=City of Fort Pierce}}</ref>
| leader_title4            = [[City Attorney]]
| leader_name4             = Andrea Duenas<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.floridabar.org/directories/find-mbr/profile/?num=617849|website=Florida Bar|title=Member Profile}}</ref>
| established_title        = Founded
| established_date         = 1838<ref name=FPEst>{{Cite web|title=Geography & Travel - Fort Pierce Florida, United States|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Fort-Pierce|website=[[Britannica]]}}</ref>
| established_title2       = Settled
| established_date2        = {{circa|1860s|lk=yes}}<ref name=FPEst/>
| established_title3       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated (city)]]
| established_date3        = 1901<ref name=FPInc>{{Cite web|title=ABOUT FORT PIERCE|url=https://www.cityoffortpierce.com/224/About-Fort-Pierce|website=cityoffortpierce.com}}</ref><ref name=FtPInc>{{Cite web|title=FLORIDA CITIES BY INCORPORATION YEAR WITH INCORPORATION & DISSOLUTION INFO|url=https://www.flcities.com/docs/default-source/research-institute-reports/2020citiesbyincorporationwithinfo.pdf?sfvrsn=5009d6d5_0|website=flcities.com}}</ref>
<!-- Area    --------------------->
| area_magnitude           = 
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_12.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 31, 2021}}</ref>
| area_total_km2           = 77.29
| area_land_km2            = 61.62
| area_water_km2           = 15.67
| area_total_sq_mi         = 29.84
| area_land_sq_mi          = 23.79
| area_water_sq_mi         = 6.05
| area_water_percent       = 
| area_urban_km2           = 
| area_urban_sq_mi         = 
| area_metro_km2           = 
| area_metro_sq_mi         = 
| area_blank1_title        = 
| area_blank1_km2          = 
| area_blank1_sq_mi        = 
<!-- Population   ----------------------->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est           = 
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| pop_est_footnotes        = 
| population_total         = 47297
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_density_km2   = 767.59
| population_density_sq_mi = 1988.02
| population_metro         = 
| population_density_metro_km2 = 
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = 
| population_urban         = 
| population_density_urban_km2 = 
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 
| population_blank1_title  = 
| population_blank1        = 
| population_density_blank1_km2 = 
| population_density_blank1_sq_mi = 
<!-- General information  --------------->
| timezone                 = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset               = &minus;5
| timezone_DST             = EDT
| utc_offset_DST           = &minus;4
| coordinates              = {{Coord|27|26|20|N|80|20|8|W|region:US-FL_type:city(47,000)|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes      = <!--for references: use <ref> tags-->
| elevation_m              = 5
| elevation_ft             = 16
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code              = 34945–34951, 34954, 34979, 34981-34982
| area_code                = 
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 12-24300
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 0307964<ref name="GR3">{{cite web |url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
| website                  = {{URL|cityoffortpierce.com}}
| footnotes                = 
}}

'''Fort Pierce''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[St. Lucie County, Florida]], United States. The city is part of the [[Treasure Coast]] region of Florida’s Atlantic Coast.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=2011-05-31 }}</ref> It is also known as the Sunrise City.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jernigan |first1=Meg |title=Things to Do in Fort Pierce, Florida |url=http://traveltips.usatoday.com/things-fort-pierce-florida-56625.html |newspaper=USA Today |access-date=12 February 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Per the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 47,297.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fort Pierce city, Florida |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US1224300 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=April 15, 2022}}</ref>

==History==
The city was named after the [[Old Fort Pierce Park|Fort Pierce]] army post which was built nearby in 1838 during the [[Second Seminole War]], and lasted until 1842.<ref name=FPEst/> The military post had been named for [[Benjamin Kendrick Pierce]], a career [[United States Army]] officer and the brother of President [[Franklin Pierce]].<ref name=FtPSet>{{cite book |last= Wilson |first= Jean Ellen |date= 2014 |title= Legendary Locals of Fort Pierce |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=PNzlAgAAQBAJ&q=%22fort+pierce%22+%22our+worthy+commander%22&pg=PA7 |publisher= Arcadia Publishing |page= 7 |isbn= 9781467101271 |access-date= September 17, 2014}}</ref>

The first permanent settlement of the current city was during the 1860s.<ref name=FPEst/> In 1901, the city was officially incorporated as a municipality.<ref name=FPInc/><ref name=FtPInc/> It was the largest city on Florida's Atlantic Coast between [[Daytona Beach, Florida|Daytona Beach]] and [[West Palm Beach, Florida|West Palm Beach]] until 1970, when it was surpassed by [[Melbourne, Florida|Melbourne]].

===Lincoln Park===
The neighborhood of Lincoln Park, the area north of Moore's Creek, originated as Edgartown. The renowned writer, [[Zora Neale Hurston]] lived in the neighborhood. In its heyday in the 1950s and 1960s, a thriving African-American community, centered along Avenue D. It was the county's center for African-American businesses and the Lincoln Theater on Avenue D. [[Lincoln Park Academy]] is situated in the neighborhood on Avenue I, west of North 17th Street.<ref>City of Fort Pierce, Florida, 'Historical Lincoln Park' https://www.cityoffortpierce.com/702/Lincoln-Park-Revitalization-Project</ref>

===The Florida Highwaymen===
{{Main|Florida Highwaymen}}
Lincoln Park each February hosts a celebration of the artwork of the African-American collective of [[landscape artists]] formed in the 1950s. Local artist [[A.E. Backus]] mentored many of the artists at his gallery. Several of the artists got their start at Lincoln Park Academy under the leadership of teacher Zanobia Jefferson. Art historian Jim Fitch in 1994 gave the group the name of 'the Highwaymen'. Over the course of 2001 to 2020, Gary Monroe wrote several books on the artwork of the 26 artists known as Highwaymen (including one woman).<ref>[https://www.cityoffortpierce.com/702/Lincoln-Park-Revitalization-Project Historical Lincoln Park], City of Fort Pierce, Florida</ref><ref>[https://cityoffortpierce.com/501/Highwaymen-Heritage-Trail The Florida Highwaymen Legacy], City of Fort Pierce, Florida</ref><ref>A.E. Bachus, [https://backusmuseum.org/highwaymen ''Blazing the Trail: The Story of the Florida Highwaymen'']</ref><ref>Judy Martel, [https://www.stuartmagazine.com/stuart-life/arts-culture/history-of-the-highwaymen/ History of the Highwaymen], ''Stuart Magazine'', February 5, 2021</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Fort Pierce beach looking north at Jetty Park.jpeg|thumb|right|Beach in Fort Pierce]]
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 29.84&nbsp;mi<sup>2</sup> (77.29&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), of which 23.79&nbsp;square miles (61.62&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) is land and 6.05&nbsp;square miles (15.67&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of it (20%) is water.<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 Gazetteer |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_12.txt |website=census.gov |access-date=6 February 2025 |date=2020}}</ref>

===Environment===
====Shore Protection project====
According to the [[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]], The Fort Pierce Beach Shore Protection project includes {{convert|1.3|mi}} of shore-line running from immediately south of the [[Fort Pierce Inlet]] southward to Surfside Park. The project is on a two-year renourishment cycle due to impacts to the beach from the federal navigation project at Fort Pierce Inlet. This two-year renourishment cycle is a much shorter renourishment interval than what is typical for other projects along the east coast of Florida.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=U.S. Army Corps of Engineers -- Congressional Fact Sheet -- Fort Pierce Beach FL, Shore Protection Project|url=https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Portals/44/docs/CongressionalFS/2015/Fort_Pierce_Beach_F_Shore_Protection_%28C%29_CFS15.pdf}}</ref>

The initial construction of the project occurred in 1971, and the ninth nourishment was completed in May 2013. Completion of plans and specifications, advertisement and award for the 10th renourishment contract were completed in FY 2014. The project was scheduled to start mid-February 2015. [[Sand]] for the project is dredged from an approved offshore borrow area known as the Capron Shoal and then pumped via a pipeline onto the {{convert|1.3|mi}} of beach south of the Fort Pierce Inlet. The sponsor, [[St. Lucie County]], is preparing a General Reevaluation Report (GRR) for the project at their own expense that will evaluate extending Federal participation for an additional 50 years. Current Federal participation expires in 2020.<ref name="auto"/>

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates the total cost of the project to be $75.9 million, with an estimated [[U.S. Federal Government]] share of $46.4 million. No funding for the project was requested by the [[U.S. President]] from the [[U.S. Congress]] in Fiscal Year 2016.<ref name="auto"/>

====Ecology====
The [[Experimental Oculina Research Reserve]] preserves the Oculina Banks, a reef of [[Ivory Bush Coral|ivory bush coral]] (''Oculina varicosa'') off the coast of Fort Pierce, Florida. In 1984, a 92 [[square nautical mile|square-nautical-mile]] (316&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) portion of these reefs was designated the "Oculina Habitat Area of Particular Concern". In 1994, the area was closed to all manner of bottom fishing and was redesignated as a research reserve. In 2000, the [[Marine Protected Area|marine protected area]] was expanded to 300 square nautical miles (1,030&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) and prohibited all gears that caused mechanical disruption to the habitat. The city is also known for its large manatee population.

====Marina====
{{unreferenced section|date=December 2024}}
[[File:Fort Pierce Marina.jpg|thumb|Fort Pierce Marina]]
Due to the devastation caused at the Fort Pierce City Marina by hurricanes [[Hurricane Frances|Frances]] and [[Hurricane Jeanne|Jeanne]] in 2004, FEMA mandated a plan to ensure that the rebuilt facility would be protected from future such events before FEMA would release funding for the repairs. Starting in 2012, construction began to create 12 artificial barrier islands including oyster beds, lime rock [[artificial reef]]s, mangrove fringes and coastal dune. The "core" of the islands was constructed of TITANTubes, sometimes referred to as [[geotextile tube]]s or geotubes, manufactured by Flint Industries and covered by a coastal marine mattress and then armor stone. The project was completed in 2013 after six years of planning, permitting and construction and a cost of $18 million.

===Climate===
Fort Pierce is located in the broad transition zone between a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Cfa]]), which dominates [[Central Florida]], and within the northern extent of the [[tropical climate]] typical of [[South Florida]].
{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = Fort Pierce, Florida ([[Treasure Coast International Airport]]), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1901–present
|single line = Y

|Jan avg record high F = 84.4
|Feb avg record high F = 86.4
|Mar avg record high F = 89.4
|Apr avg record high F = 91.0
|May avg record high F = 93.4
|Jun avg record high F = 94.9
|Jul avg record high F = 95.7
|Aug avg record high F = 95.0
|Sep avg record high F = 93.3
|Oct avg record high F = 90.9
|Nov avg record high F = 87.0
|Dec avg record high F = 84.7
|year avg record high F = 97.0

| Jan high F = 73.4
| Feb high F = 75.7
| Mar high F = 78.3
| Apr high F = 81.9
| May high F = 85.6
| Jun high F = 88.5
| Jul high F = 90.3
| Aug high F = 90.2
| Sep high F = 88.1
| Oct high F = 84.2
| Nov high F = 79.2
| Dec high F = 75.4
|year high F = 82.6
|Jan mean F = 62.3
|Feb mean F = 64.8
|Mar mean F = 67.4
|Apr mean F = 71.5
|May mean F = 76.2
|Jun mean F = 79.9
|Jul mean F = 81.4
|Aug mean F = 81.6
|Sep mean F = 80.3
|Oct mean F = 76.4
|Nov mean F = 69.9
|Dec mean F = 65.5
|year mean F = 73.1
| Jan low F = 51.2
| Feb low F = 53.9
| Mar low F = 56.5
| Apr low F = 61.1
| May low F = 66.8
| Jun low F = 71.3
| Jul low F = 72.6
| Aug low F = 72.9
| Sep low F = 72.6
| Oct low F = 68.5
| Nov low F = 60.6
| Dec low F = 55.7
|year low F = 63.6

|Jan avg record low F = 34.0
|Feb avg record low F = 37.0
|Mar avg record low F = 41.3
|Apr avg record low F = 47.6
|May avg record low F = 56.7
|Jun avg record low F = 66.5
|Jul avg record low F = 68.7
|Aug avg record low F = 69.2
|Sep avg record low F = 67.2
|Oct avg record low F = 53.9
|Nov avg record low F = 44.7
|Dec avg record low F = 38.1
|year avg record low F = 31.8

|Jan record high F = 89
|Feb record high F = 90
|Mar record high F = 93
|Apr record high F = 97
|May record high F = 98
|Jun record high F = 101
|Jul record high F = 101
|Aug record high F = 101
|Sep record high F = 99
|Oct record high F = 98
|Nov record high F = 92
|Dec record high F = 89
|year record high F =
|Jan record low F = 19
|Feb record low F = 25
|Mar record low F = 26
|Apr record low F = 33
|May record low F = 45
|Jun record low F = 56
|Jul record low F = 61
|Aug record low F = 61
|Sep record low F = 59
|Oct record low F = 42
|Nov record low F = 31
|Dec record low F = 19
|year record low F =
|precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 2.82
| Feb precipitation inch = 2.17
| Mar precipitation inch = 2.88
| Apr precipitation inch = 3.03
| May precipitation inch = 3.93
| Jun precipitation inch = 6.69
| Jul precipitation inch = 5.85
| Aug precipitation inch = 6.94
| Sep precipitation inch = 6.27
| Oct precipitation inch = 5.25
| Nov precipitation inch = 3.01
| Dec precipitation inch = 2.33
|year precipitation inch = 51.17
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 8.7
| Feb precipitation days = 7.7
| Mar precipitation days = 8.1
| Apr precipitation days = 7.2
| May precipitation days = 9.0
| Jun precipitation days = 14.2
| Jul precipitation days = 15.3
| Aug precipitation days = 15.4
| Sep precipitation days = 15.4
| Oct precipitation days = 12.2
| Nov precipitation days = 10.4
| Dec precipitation days = 9.3
| year precipitation days = 132.9
|Jan snow inch =
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|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days =
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|source 1 = NOAA<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=mlb
| title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| accessdate = January 10, 2025
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00012895&format=pdf
| title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991&ndash;2020
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| accessdate = January 10, 2025
}}</ref> }}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1910= 1333
|1920= 2115
|1930= 4803
|1940= 8040
|1950= 13502
|1960= 25256
|1970= 29721
|1980= 33802
|1990= 36830
|2000= 37516
|2010= 41910
|2020= 47297
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades|publisher=[[US Census Bureau]]|access-date=}}</ref><br> 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2/> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/>
}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+Fort Pierce racial composition<br> (Hispanics excluded from racial categories)<br> (NH = Non-Hispanic)<br>
!Race
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Fort Pierce city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US1224300&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Fort Pierce city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US1224300&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2010
!% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|14,639
|15,465
|35.20%
|32.70%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|16,787
|17,936
|40.36%
|37.92%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|107
|86
|0.26%
|0.18%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|337
|472
|0.81%
|1.00%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]] (NH)
|20
|15
|0.05%
|0.03%
|-
|[[Other races (U.S. Census)|Some other race]] (NH)
|83
|273
|0.20%
|0.58%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races/Multiracial]] (NH)
|613
|1,450
|1.47%
|3.07%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|9,004
|11,600
|21.65%
|24.53%
|-
|Total
|41,590
|47,297
|100.00%
|100.00%
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 47,297 people, 16,687 households, and 10,005 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Fort Pierce city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Fort+Pierce+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1101|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 41,590 people, 15,207 households, and 9,515 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Fort Pierce city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Fort+Pierce+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2010.S1101|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

As of the [[census]] of 2010, the population density was {{convert|2,021.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.<ref name="quickfacts.census.gov">{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/1224300.html|title=Fort Pierce (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau|work=census.gov|access-date=16 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118190823/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/1224300.html|archive-date=18 November 2015}}</ref> There were 17,170 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,164.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.

In 2010, there were 15,207 households, out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 19.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.50.<ref name="factfinder2.census.gov">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |title=U.S. Census website |author=Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS) |work=census.gov |access-date=16 November 2015 }}</ref>

In 2010, in the city, the population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 20 to 24, 13.3% from 25 to 34, 13.0% from 45 to 54, 9.8% from 55 to 64 and 6.8% who were 65 years of age or older.<ref name="factfinder2.census.gov"/> The median age was 35.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.

In 2010, the median income for a household in the city was $30,869, and the median income for a family was $36,337. Males had a median income of $32,412 versus $26,349 for females.<ref name="factfinder2.census.gov"/> The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,782. 30.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]].<ref name="quickfacts.census.gov"/>

==Economy==
[[File:Farmers Market in Fort Pierce Florida 5.jpg|thumb|Fort Pierce Farmers Market]]

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Largest employers<ref>[https://youredc.com/site_selection/major_employers Major Employers], St. Lucie EDC.</ref>
|-
! No. !! Employer !! Employees
|-
| align=center | 1 || HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital || align=center | 1,847
|-
| align=center | 2 || Walmart Distribution Center || align=center | 1,273 
|-
| align=center | 3 || Pursuit Boats || align=center | 684
|-
| align=center | 4 || Maverick Boat Group || align=center | 580
|-
| align=center | 5 || City of Fort Pierce || align=center | 358
|}

===Port of Fort Pierce===
According to the [[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]], an average of 350,000 tons of waterborne commerce moves through the Port of Fort Pierce annually. Major commodities which are dependent on the port include [[citrus]] exports, [[cement]] and [[aragonite]] imports. The last navigation improvements at [[Fort Pierce]] were authorized by the [[U.S. Congress]] in the [[Water Resources Development Act of 1988]], and construction was completed in August 1996. The existing entrance channel is {{convert|400|ft|abbr=on}} wide and {{convert|30|ft|abbr=on}} deep, the interior channel is {{convert|250|ft|abbr=on}} wide and {{convert|28|ft|abbr=on}} deep, the existing turning basin is {{convert|1100|ft|abbr=on}} square and {{convert|28|ft|abbr=on}} deep, and the north access channel is located immediately north of the main turning basin is {{convert|1250|ft|abbr=on}} feet long, {{convert|250|ft|abbr=on}} wide and {{convert|28|ft|abbr=on}} deep.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|title=U.S. Army Corps of Engineers -- Congressional Fact Sheet -- Fort Pierce Harbor|url=https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Portals/44/docs/CongressionalFS/2015/CSF_West_Palm_Beach_Canal_%28C51%29_%28C%29_CFS15.pdf}}</ref>

In late 2014, dredging efforts were completed in the port. The dredging effort included placement of beach quality sand on the beach immediately south of the Inlet and placement of non-beach quality sand in the approved offshore disposal area.<ref name="auto1"/>

==Arts and culture==
===Tourist attractions===
[[File:Ft Pierce FL Backus Gallery-Museum01.jpg|thumb|[[A. E. Backus Gallery & Museum|A.E. Backus Museum and Gallery]]]]
* [[A. E. Backus Gallery & Museum|A.E. Backus Museum and Gallery]]
* [[Arcade Building (Fort Pierce, Florida)|Arcade Building]]
* Art Mundo at the Art Bank<ref>{{cite web|title=Art Mundo|url=http://www.artmundo.org/}}</ref> 
* [[Boston House]]
* Dust Tracks of Zora Neale Hurston<ref name="lincolnparkmainstreet.org">[http://www.lincolnparkmainstreet.org]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801191315/http://www.lincolnparkmainstreet.org/|date=August 1, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=St. Lucie County|url=http://www.stlucieco.gov/zora/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004225737/http://www.stlucieco.gov/zora/|archive-date=2013-10-04}}</ref>
* [[Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute]]
* [[Heathcote Botanical Gardens]]
* Historic Main Street<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mainstreetfortpierce.org |title=Main Street Fort Pierce |access-date=2013-08-08}}</ref>
* Florida Power and Light Energy Encounter<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.planetware.com/fort-pierce/fpls-energy-encounter-us-fl-ee.htm |title=Fort Pierce Tourist Attractions |publisher=PlanetWare |access-date=2013-08-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216012311/http://www.planetware.com/fort-pierce/fpls-energy-encounter-us-fl-ee.htm |archive-date=2011-02-16 }}</ref>
* Lincoln Park Main Street<ref name="lincolnparkmainstreet.org"/>
* [[Old Fort Pierce City Hall]]
* [[Old Fort Pierce Park|Old Fort Park]]
* Manatee Center<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manateecenter.com |title=Manatee Observation and Education Center |publisher=Manateecenter.com |access-date=2013-08-08}}</ref>
* [[National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum|Navy UDT-SEAL Museum]] (Fort Pierce was the original home of the [[United States Navy SEALs]])
* Smithsonian Marine Ecosystem Exhibit<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sms.si.edu/smee/index.htm |title=Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit: Smithsonian Marine Station (SMS) at Fort Pierce |publisher=Sms.si.edu |date=2007-02-06 |access-date=2013-08-08}}</ref>
* St. Lucie County Marine Center<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stlucieco.gov/marine_center.htm |title=St Lucie County Florida Online &#124;&#124; St. Lucie County Marine Center |publisher=Stlucieco.gov |access-date=2013-08-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809202016/http://stlucieco.gov/marine_center.htm |archive-date=2013-08-09 }}</ref>
* St. Lucie County Regional History Center<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stlucieco.gov/history |title=St Lucie County Florida Online &#124;&#124; Regional History Center |publisher=Stlucieco.gov |access-date=2013-08-08}}</ref>
* [[Sunrise Theatre]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Sunrise Theatre|url=http://www.sunrisetheatre.com/}}</ref>

==Government==
{{unreferenced section|date=December 2024}}
[[File:City Hall (Fort Pierce, Florida).jpg|thumb|Fort Pierce City Hall]]

The city of Fort Pierce has a [[council–manager government]] form of local government. The offices of commissioner and mayor are nonpartisan, and have a term of four years.

==Education==
===Colleges and universities===
[[File:Kight Center at IRSC Fort Pierce, Fl.jpg|thumb|Kight Center for Emerging Technologies at the Fort Pierce campus of [[Indian River State College]]]]
*[[Florida Atlantic University]] [[Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute]]
*[[Florida State University]] Medical School Regional Campus
*[[Indian River State College]]
*[[University of Florida]] Indian River Research and Education Center

===High schools===
*Faith Baptist School
*[[Fort Pierce Central High School]]
*Fort Pierce Westwood Academy
*[[John Carroll Catholic High School (Fort Pierce, Florida)|John Carroll Catholic High School]]
*[[Lincoln Park Academy]]

===Middle schools===
*Creative Arts Academy of Saint Lucie<ref name="CAA">[https://schools.stlucie.k12.fl.us/cast/ Creative Arts Academy of Saint Lucie]</ref>
*Dan McCarty Middle School
*Forest Grove Middle School
*[[Lincoln Park Academy]]
*Saint Anastasia Middle School
*Saint Andrew's Academy
*Samuel S. Gaines Academy K–8

===Elementary schools===
*Chester A. Moore Elementary School
*Creative Arts Academy of Saint Lucie<ref name="CAA" />
*Fairlawn Elementary School
*Francis K. Sweet Elementary School
*Lakewood Park Elementary School
*Lawnwood Elementary School
*Samuel S. Gaines Academy K–8
*Weatherbee Elementary School
*White City Elementary School

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
[[File:Florida East Coast Railway station- Fort Pierce (5526146982).jpg|thumb|The Fort Pierce Railroad Station in the early 20th Century]]

Fort Pierce is located on [[U.S. Route 1 in Florida|US 1]], near its intersection of [[Florida State Road 70|SR 70]]. [[Interstate 95 in Florida|I-95]] and [[Florida's Turnpike]] are nearby, at the west edge of town. The [[Intracoastal Waterway]] passes through the city. The nearest airport with scheduled passenger service is in [[Melbourne Orlando International Airport|Melbourne]]; the closest major airport is in [[Palm Beach International Airport|West Palm Beach]].<ref>''Rand McNally Road Atlas, 2016''.</ref> The city itself has a general aviation airport, [[Treasure Coast International Airport]].

Fort Pierce is served by the St. Lucie Transportation Planning Organization (TPO).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stlucietpo.org/ |title=Transportation Planning Organization - Homepage |publisher=Stlucietpo.org |date=2011-02-02 |access-date=2013-08-08}}</ref> The TPO is a [[Metropolitan planning organization|Metropolitan Planning Organization]] (MPO), a federally mandated and federally funded transportation policy-making organization responsible for transportation planning, programming, and financing of State and Federal transportation funds for the City of Fort Pierce. The TPO is governed by a TPO Board, which is composed of elected officials, representatives from the St. Lucie County School Board, and representatives from Community Transit, a division of The Council on Aging of St. Lucie, Inc.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.coasl.com/svc_transportation.html |title=Our Services > Transportation |publisher=COASL |access-date=2013-08-08 |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708171600/http://www.coasl.com/svc_transportation.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The original bus system started as a demand response service bus in the 1990s; it only served St. Lucie County. Soon it expanded to a fixed route system, going to predetermined locations along a route. On June 3, 2002, the [[Florida Department of Transportation]] (FDOT) approved funding, expanding the bus service to Martin County, and it became the Treasure Coast Connector.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://treasurecoastconnector.com/ |title=Home |publisher=Treasure Coast Connector |access-date=2013-08-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://treasurecoastconnector.com/services/|title=Treasure Coast Connector: Services|work=treasurecoastconnector.com|access-date=16 November 2015}}</ref>

From 1894 to 1968, the [[Florida East Coast Railway]] served the city as a passenger railroad. Until a strike beginning in 1963, several long-distance passenger trains from Chicago, Cincinnati and New York City made stops there, en route to [[Miami]]. These long distances trains included the [[Illinois Central Railroad]]'s ''[[City of Miami (train)|City of Miami]]'' and the [[Louisville & Nashville Railroad]]'s ''[[South Wind (train)|South Wind]]'', both heading from Chicago; and the [[Atlantic Coast Line Railroad]]'s ''[[Champion (train)|East Coast Champion]]'', the ''Havana Special'', and the winter-only ''[[Florida Special (train)|Florida Special]]'' originating from New York.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Florida East Coast Railway |journal=Official Guide of the Railways |publisher=National Railway Publication Company |volume=90 |issue=7 |date=December 1957}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Florida East Coast Railway |journal=Official Guide of the Railways |publisher=National Railway Publication Company |volume=91 |issue=3 |date=January 1962}}</ref><ref>Bramson, Seth H. ''Speedway to Sunshine: the story of the Florida East Coast Railway'', Boston Mills Press, 2010, p. 227. {{ISBN|9781554077533}}.</ref> Into the latter 1950s, passengers could take the ''[[Dixie Flagler]]'' to Chicago via [[Atlanta]] from the station.<ref>Herr, Kincaid A. ''University Press of Kentucky,'' 1964, p. 273.</ref> The FEC continued a six day a week Jacksonville-Miami train from 1965 to 1968, per court order.<ref>Bramson, Seth H. ''Speedway to Sunshine: the story of the Florida East Coast Railway'', Boston Mills Press, 2010, pp. 151, 153. {{ISBN|9781554077533}}.</ref>

[[Amtrak]] and the Florida East Coast Railway had been planning to make stations along Florida's East Coast. The cities cited by Amtrak and the Florida Department of Transportation included: [[Stuart, Florida|Stuart]], Fort Pierce, [[Vero Beach]], [[Melbourne, Florida|Melbourne]], [[Titusville, Florida|Titusville]], [[Cocoa, Florida|Cocoa]], [[Daytona Beach]] and [[St. Augustine, Florida|St. Augustine]].<ref>"Orlando Sun-Sentinel," Feb 22, 2013, Angel Streeter, "Amtrak still hopeful for service on FEC tracks" http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-02-22/news/fl-amtrak-florida-east-coast-railroad-20130215_1_amtrak-service-fec-passenger-service {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129140701/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-02-22/news/fl-amtrak-florida-east-coast-railroad-20130215_1_amtrak-service-fec-passenger-service |date=2018-01-29 }}</ref>

In 2023, [[Brightline]], an [[inter-city rail]] route that currently runs between [[MiamiCentral|Miami]] and [[Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal|Orlando]], announced that it was looking for sites for a new station on the [[Treasure Coast]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 26, 2023 |title=BRIGHTLINE ANNOUNCES PROCESS TO SELECT A TREASURE COAST STATION |url=https://www.gobrightline.com/press-room/2023/brightline-announces-process-to-select-a-treasure-coast-station |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=www.gobrightline.com |language=en}}</ref> As of 2024, there are currently no plans to add a station in Fort Pierce.

==Notable people==<!--consensus reached to standardize this heading per WP:WikiProject Cities/US Guideline -->
[[File:ZoraNealeHurstonHouse.jpg|thumb|Zora Neale Hurston's house]]

===Actors===
*[[Ricou Browning]], director, actor, producer, screenwriter, underwater cinematographer and stuntman best known for portraying Gill-Man underwater in Universal's ''[[Creature from the Black Lagoon]]'' (1954) and its two sequels ''[[Revenge of the Creature]]'' (1955), and ''[[The Creature Walks Among Us]]'' (1956)
*[[Michael P. Nash]], Filmmaker
*[[Lisa Janti]], actress, ''The Lone Ranger and the City of Gold''; ''Pearl of the South Pacific''

===Businesspeople===
*[[Edwin Binney]], co-founder of [[Crayola|Crayola Crayons]]<ref>[http://www.rootsweb.com/~flslchs/EdwinBinney.htm "Edwin Binney"] Retrieved on 2009-03-12</ref>

=== Writers and artists ===
*[[A.E. "Beanie" Backus]], artist and painter<ref>{{cite web|title=A.E. Backus Museum|url=http://www.backusmuseum.com/About-Backus.html|access-date=October 2, 2013|archive-date=February 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214150720/http://www.backusmuseum.com/About-Backus.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Zora Neale Hurston]], author best known for the novel ''[[Their Eyes Were Watching God]]''<ref>{{cite web|title=Zora Neale Hurston|url=http://zoranealehurston.com/about/}}</ref>
*[[Lori McNamara]], painter<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baita |first=Samantha |date=2022-01-27 |title='Outside' influences inspire this quartet of plein air artists |url=https://veronews.com/2022/01/27/outside-influences-inspire-this-quartet-of-plein-air-artists/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Vero News |language=en-CA}}</ref>

===Musicians===
*[[Ted Hewitt]], country music producer
*[[Gary Stewart (singer)|Gary Stewart]], country singer

===Politicians===
*[[Alto L. Adams]], Chief Justice of the [[Supreme Court of Florida]]
*[[James E. Alderman]], Chief Justice, Florida Supreme Court
*[[Daniel T. McCarty]], 31st Governor of Florida<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nga.org/cms/home/governors/past-governors-bios/page_florida/col2-content/main-content-list/title_mccarty_daniel.html|title = Florida Governor Daniel Thomas McCarty
| publisher= National Governors Association|access-date= December 10, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Allen R. Sturtevant]], Associate Justice of the [[Vermont Supreme Court]]<ref>{{cite news |date=September 17, 1966 |title=Judge Sturtevant Dies in Florida |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/199421023/ |work=Burlington Free Press |location=Burlington, VT |url-access=subscription  |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |page=7 |ref={{sfnRef|"Judge Sturtevant Dies in Florida"}}}}</ref>

===Activists===
*[[Roslyn M. Brock]], Chairman of the [[National Association for the Advancement of Colored People]]

===Sports===
*[[Jeff Blackshear]], NFL guard for the Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BlacJe20.htm/|title =Jeffrey Leon Blackshear| publisher= Pro-Football-Reference.Com|access-date= December 10, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Jamar Chaney]], NFL linebacker<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ChanJa98.htm|title =Jeffrey Leon Blackshear| publisher= Pro-Football-Reference.Com|access-date= December 10, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Yamon Figurs]], NFL and CFL wide receiver<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FiguYa00.htm|title =Yamon Figurs| publisher= Pro-Football-Reference.Com|access-date= December 10, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Charles Johnson (catcher)|Charles Johnson]], Former MLB catcher for the [[Miami Marlins|Florida Marlins]], [[Los Angeles Dodgers]], [[Baltimore Orioles]], [[Chicago White Sox]], [[Colorado Rockies]] and [[Tampa Bay Devil Rays|Tampa Bay Rays]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=johnsch04/|
title =   Charles Johnson Stats| publisher= Baseball Almanac|access-date= December 10, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Ladislav Karabin]], retired [[Czechoslovakia]]n hockey player, who played for the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]]
*[[Khalil Mack]], NFL linebacker for the [[Los Angeles Chargers]]
*[[Terry McGriff]], MLB catcher for the Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=mcgrite01|title = Terry McGriff Stats
| publisher= Baseball Almanac|access-date= December 10, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Ryan McNeil (American football)|Ryan McNeil]], NFL defensive back<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McNeRy20.htm|title =Ryan Darrell McNeil| publisher= Pro-Football-Reference.Com|access-date= December 10, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Wonder Monds]], NFL defensive back<ref name="A">{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MondWo20.htm | title=Wonder Monds | publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.Com | access-date=14 April 2014}}</ref>
*[[Luther Robinson]], NFL defensive end<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hurricanesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205558765 | title=Luther Robinson | publisher=hurricanesports.com | access-date=October 2, 2014 | archive-date=October 6, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006091635/http://www.hurricanesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205558765 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Larry Sanders (basketball)|Larry Sanders]], Former NBA player for the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] and [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sandela01.html|title =Larry Sandersl| publisher= Basketball-Reference.Com|access-date= December 10, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Jeff Schwarz]], Former MLB pitcher for the [[Chicago White Sox]] and [[Los Angeles Angels|California Angels]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=schwaje01|title =   Jeff Schwarz Stats| publisher= Baseball Almanac|access-date= December 10, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Herbert Strong (golfer)|Herbert Strong]], professional golfer and golf course architect<ref name=death>{{cite journal |url=http://archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/golfd/article/1944oct3.pdf |title=Making The Swing |journal=Golfdom |first=Herb |last=Graffis |author-link=Herb Graffis |date=October 1944 |pages=5–6}}</ref>
*[[LaDaris Vann]], Former [[Canadian Football League|CFL]] player for the [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers]]

===Other===
*[[Kimberly Bergalis]], victim of first known case of clinical transmission of HIV
*[[Louise Gopher]], the first [[Seminole Tribe of Florida|Seminole]] woman to earn a bachelor's degree<ref name="SemTribHonDegree">{{cite news|last1=Bidney|first1=Beverly|title=Louise Gopher bestowed with FSU honorary degree|url=http://www.semtribe.com/SeminoleTribune/Archive/2014/SeminoleTribune_December%2031_2014v2.pdf|access-date=23 May 2016|publisher=Seminole Tribune|date=31 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317012934/http://www.semtribe.com/SeminoleTribune/Archive/2014/SeminoleTribune_December%2031_2014v2.pdf|archive-date=17 March 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[John Houghtaling]], creator of the Magic Fingers Vibrating Bed<ref>Fox, Margalit. [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/20/business/20houghtaling.html "John Houghtaling, Inventor of Magic Fingers Vibrating Bed, Dies at 92"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', June 19, 2009. Accessed June 20, 2009.</ref>
*[[CeeCee Lyles]], Flight attendant on [[United Airlines Flight 93]]<ref>{{cite web|url= https://unitedheroes.com/CeeCee-Ross-Lyles.html|title= United Hero: CeeCee Ross-Lyles}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Fort Pierce}}
*[http://cityoffortpierce.com Official City of Fort Pierce website]
*[http://fpvt.net/ Virtual view of the City of Fort Pierce] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308032249/http://fpvt.net/ |date=March 8, 2014 }}

{{St. Lucie County, Florida}}
{{Port St. Lucie Metropolitan Area}}
{{Florida}}
{{Florida county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Fort Pierce, Florida| ]]
[[Category:County seats in Florida]]
[[Category:Cities in St. Lucie County, Florida]]
[[Category:Port St. Lucie metropolitan area|Fort P]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Florida on the Atlantic Ocean]]
[[Category:Cities in Florida]]