The City of Port St. Lucie

The City of Port St. Lucie is located on the eastern coast of Florida in the heart of the Treasure Coast, a diverse coastal area centrally located between Miami and Orlando. The City of Port St. Lucie was incorporated in 1961 with only 250 homes, now with over 70,000 homes it has become one of the largest cities in Florida at 116-square miles.

The City has been actively pursuing development and assisting businesses that offer residents economic opportunities to coincide with its natural beauty. The City has constructed transportation corridors and has allowed several different development plans based upon land use areas. The residents of Port St. Lucie have seen an exciting growth in structure and business opportunities and enjoying the small town feel with local tourist destinations.

There are a variety of housing types like traditional suburban neighborhoods that are constantly revitalizing themselves, new urban neighborhoods and master planned village developments with shopping and commercial uses. With the job rate increasing and the low cost of living, Port St. Lucie appeals to many residents who are taking advantage of the affordable home sales to start and build a life, to retire and relax, or to invest and enjoy.

Port St. Lucie Demographics

Current Real Estate Market

The real estate market in the State of Florida has rebounded and realtors are seeing a boom in property sales once again. Investors from around North America are investing in Florida’s rental market, more first time homeowners are being approved and people who once lost their homes are now eligible again for mortgages.

Studies are finding that Americans top investment choice is property ownership and view the residential housing market as their retirement plan. More people are investing in property compared to investing in certificates of deposit, the stock market and even precious metals.

Source: "Survey Reveals Americans’ Top Investment Choice: Real Estate," Bankrate.com (July 2015)

Florida taxes

Florida has no personal income tax, no tax on intangible goods, one of the lowest tax burdens in the country, the 5th-lowest tax liability for residents and businesses, nor estate tax or an inheritance tax. Florida is rank 37 out of 50 states, with a tax burden 87% of the national average. Taxes collected by the State are from sales and use tax, intangible tax and corporate income taxes.

The State of Florida's Constitution prohibits the state from levying ad valorem taxes on real property and tangible personal property, but does regulate them. Each county, school district, municipality, and special taxing districts have the exclusive right to levy ad valorem taxes on real property and tangible personal property.

Property Tax

St Lucie County and the City of Port St Lucie calculate the property taxes and for the year based upon the assed value. The property taxes for unincorporated St. Lucie County are approximately $20 per thousand in assessed value. The taxes for the City of Port St. Lucie are approximately $23 per thousand in assessed value. A $50,000 Homestead Exemption is available for only the primary residences in Florida. Other exceptions can include Widow(er) Exemptions, Senior Citizen Exemptions, Blind Person Exemptions, Total and Permanent Disability Exemptions, and Veterans Exemptions.

Sales Tax

Sales tax is collected for the sale or rental of goods, not including foods or medicines. The sales tax rate for the State of Florida is 6.000%, St. Lucie County adds another 0.500%, for a total tax rate of 6.5%. The City of Port St. Lucie does not collect any sales tax.

Traveling Around

Roadways

The City of Port St. Lucie has utilized all the major roads and highways along the coast of Florida. Access to the City can be reached north and south on U.S. Federal Highway 1, Florida State Road A1A, Interstate 95, and the Florida Turnpike. The City offers several east and west roadways to connect the residents.

Public transportation
Treasure Coast Connector
(772) 345-8229

Airports
Treasure Coast International Airport and Business Park
(772) 462-1732

Healthcare Facilities

In the City of Port St. Lucie there are several different health facilities to choose from, ranging from small clinics and doctor's offices to urgent care centers and large hospitals.

Education

Primary Education

The school district for the City of Port St. Lucie is the St. Lucie County School District. The District offers traditional, non-traditional, charter, magnet, and also private schools are available.

College and Continuing Education

Public Library Facilities

The City of Port St. Lucie has several libraries that made accessible to the public.

Houses of Worship

Throughout the City of Port St. Lucie, there is an abundant amount of congregations that individuals may assemble and practice their own faiths.

Weather

There are two seasons in the City of Port St. Lucie; the first, hot and humid from June to October and drier and cooler from November to May.

Points of Interest

Within the City of Port St. Lucie, there are countless activities designed for all lifestyles and age groups. The City of Port St. Lucie Parks and Recreation Department offer the residents:

City of Port St. Lucie Parks

Family Fun Centers

• Tradition Field
• Superplay USA
• Invincibles Paintball Park

Annual Festivals

Protected Animals

The State of Florida has identified animals are threatened and likely to be on the brink of extinction in the near future and animals endangered and on the brink of extinction now.

Conservation Groups

Fishing Seasons

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regulates what residents and visitors are allowed to take from the waters in and around the State. Numerous charter boat captains have found that the island of Islamorada is the "Sport fishing capital of the world" with more sport fishing records than any other destination in the world.

Snook fishing has two seasons, however the east and west coast of Florida each have their own season as well. The east coast season is from February 1 – May 31 and September 1 - December 14. The west coast is season from March 1 – April 30 and September 1 – November 30. Either the season or location the size limit for Snook is between 28 and 33-inches and only one per day.

Florida Spiny Lobsters have two seasons, the 2-day ‘mini’ season and the 8-month regular season. The mini lobster season is always the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July. It begins at 12:01 am on Wednesday and ends at 12:00 midnight on Thursday. The regular lobster season is always August 6 thru March 31. Lobsters caught must have a minimum carapace (body) length greater than 3-inches. The waters around Port St. Lucie have a limit of 12 per day.

Florida Stone Crab is a delicacy and are harvested for its claws. The season runs from October 15 through May 15 each year. Stone Crab claws must measure at least 2 3/4-inches.

Mentionable Notables

In the City of Port St. Lucie’s short history, several well-known and famed individuals are natives or have made the City their home. The Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA) has made Port St. Lucie its home and the New York Met’s make Port St. Lucie their home for spring training.

Fun Facts

• The City of Port St. Lucie is one of the largest boom towns in Florida.
• The City of Port St. Lucie residents refer to the City as PSL.
• Just to the north in the City of Fort Pierce is the Underwater Demolition Team – SEAL Museum, an elite Special Forces unit established for amphibious warfare. The Frogmen are todays United States Navy SEALs.
• Hallstrom Planetarium at the Indian River State College offers a state of the art shows about astronomy and the night sky.