Hobe Sound, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hobe Sound, Florida
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Banyan trees on Hobe Sound Beach in Jupiter Island
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Location in Martin County and the state of Florida
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| County | Martin |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.72 sq mi (20.00 km2) |
| • Land | 7.11 sq mi (18.41 km2) |
| • Water | 0.61 sq mi (1.59 km2) |
| Elevation | 20 ft (6 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 13,163 |
| • Density | 1,852.4/sq mi (715.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
33455, 33475
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| Area code(s) | 772 |
| FIPS code | 12-30975 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0284064 |
Hobe Sound is a community in Martin County, Florida, United States. It is located along Florida's Treasure Coast, an area known for shipwrecks and buried treasure. Hobe Sound is not a city with its own government. Instead, it is a "census-designated place" (CDP), which means it's an area defined by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes. In 2020, about 13,163 people lived there.
Contents
Exploring Hobe Sound's Location
Hobe Sound is found in the southeastern part of Martin County. It's a suburban area close to the Atlantic Ocean. The community is about 25 miles (40 km) north of West Palm Beach. It is also about 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Stuart.
Where is Hobe Sound Located?
Hobe Sound stretches along the coast. To its north is Port Salerno. To the south, you'll find Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Across the South Jupiter Narrows to the east is Jupiter Island. Hobe Sound Public Beach is on Jupiter Island. It is one of Martin County's four beaches with lifeguards.
A Look at Hobe Sound's Past
The name "Hobe Sound" comes from "Jobe" or "Jove." This was the name of a village of the Jaega people. They were a Native American group who lived here before Europeans arrived. In 1696, Jonathan Dickinson was shipwrecked nearby. He spelled the village name "Hoe-bey."
Early Beginnings and Land Grants
Some parts of Hobe Sound were once part of a large land grant. This grant was given by Spain to Don Eusebio in 1815. It covered about 12,000 acres (49 km²). In 1821, Joseph Delespine bought 8,000 acres (32 km²) of this land. This included Jupiter Island.
The Railroad and Growth
Around the early 1900s, Henry Flagler built his railroad along Florida's east coast. The railroad passed through Hobe Sound. This brought new chances for the area. It created jobs and helped tourism grow.
Picture City: A Brief Change
During the land boom of the 1920s, there were big plans for Hobe Sound. A company wanted to build a Greek-style town for making movies. For a short time, Hobe Sound was even called "Picture City." Streets were named after Greek gods like Zeus and Venus. However, the boom ended after a big hurricane in 1928. The town went back to its original name, Hobe Sound. But the street names and some old streetlights remained.
Schools and Old Landmarks
In 1924, a new school building was built in Hobe Sound. It opened in 1925 as the "Picture City School." This school was used until 1962. Many other old buildings are now gone. These include the old ice plant and the train station. The train station is now an office building.
Hobe Sound's Unique Location
Hobe Sound is at the southern end of Martin County. This county is known for its important natural areas. Hobe Sound is close to both the "Gold Coast" and the "Treasure Coast." This means it has access to the Atlantic Ocean. It also has the Intracoastal Waterway, a long water route for boats.
Famous Visitors and Residents
Hobe Sound has been a home or winter home for many famous people. These include wealthy business owners, politicians, and sports and entertainment stars. Some well-known people who have lived here are golfer Tiger Woods, singer Celine Dion, and actress Marion Margery Scranton. In 1949, former Defense Secretary James Forrestal stayed here briefly. In 1997, President Bill Clinton visited the home of golfer Greg Norman in Hobe Sound.
Understanding Hobe Sound's Population
Hobe Sound has grown over the years. The U.S. Census Bureau counts the population every ten years.
Population Changes Over Time
| Year | Population |
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| 2000 | 11,376 |
| 2010 | 11,521 |
| 2020 | 13,163 |
Who Lives in Hobe Sound?
The 2020 U.S. census showed that 13,163 people lived in Hobe Sound. There were 6,079 households and 3,397 families.
| Group | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (not Hispanic) | 10,387 | 78.91% |
| Black or African American (not Hispanic) | 744 | 5.65% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (not Hispanic) | 19 | 0.14% |
| Asian (not Hispanic) | 126 | 0.96% |
| Pacific Islander (not Hispanic) | 7 | 0.05% |
| Some Other Race (not Hispanic) | 34 | 0.26% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (not Hispanic) | 458 | 3.48% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,388 | 10.54% |
| Total | 13,163 |
Getting Around Hobe Sound
Most people in Hobe Sound travel by car. There are no major interstate highways directly in Hobe Sound. The closest one, Interstate 95, is about 7 miles (11 km) to the west.
Main Roads and Highways
US 1 is a very important road in Hobe Sound. It has four to six lanes and runs north to south. Other key roads include Florida State Road A1A (also known as 'Dixie Highway'), Bridge Road, Gomez Avenue, and Osprey Street. US 1 is considered the main business area.
Public Transportation Options
Martin County Public Transit (MARTY) offers bus service in Hobe Sound. Hobe Sound is on MARTY bus routes 4 and 20x. Route 20x connects to Palm Beach County and the Palm Tran bus service. The Community Coach also provides transportation for Martin County. It offers a ride service where you can book in advance.
Railroad Connections
The Florida East Coast Railway runs through Hobe Sound. It is parallel to A1A. You can find train crossings at several streets. In the past, long-distance trains like the East Coast Champion and City of Miami used to stop at Hobe Sound's station until the 1960s.
Future Train Service
A new Brightline station is planned to open in 2026. It will be a few miles north of Hobe Sound in Stuart. Currently, the West Palm Beach Brightline station is the closest stop. The historic West Palm Beach station also has Amtrak service.
Airports Near Hobe Sound
The closest airport to Hobe Sound is Witham Field in Stuart. This airport is mainly for private planes. For commercial flights, the closest airport is Palm Beach International Airport.
Learning and Education in Hobe Sound
Hobe Sound has several schools for different age groups.
Colleges and Private Schools
Hobe Sound Bible College is the only college in Hobe Sound. For private education, there is the Hobe Sound Christian Academy. The Pine School (formerly St. Michael's Independent) is also in Hobe Sound. It is a private school that helps students prepare for college. It offers programs for students from Kindergarten through 12th grade.
Public Schools in Hobe Sound
Public elementary schools include Hobe Sound Elementary and Seawind Elementary Schools. Older students from Hobe Sound attend Murray Middle School and South Fork High School.
Notable People from Hobe Sound
Many interesting people have connections to Hobe Sound.
- Ted Cabot, a lawyer, politician, and judge.
- Greg Norman, a famous golfer who was ranked number one in the 1980s and 90s.
- Mary Oliver, a well-known poet.
- Nathaniel Reed, who worked as an Assistant Director for the Department of the Interior.
- Vanessa Rousso, a professional poker player and a contestant on Big Brother 17.
- Marion Margery Scranton, an activist for women's voting rights and a leader in the Republican Party.
- Worthington Scranton, a businessman, lawyer, and generous giver, also part of the important Scranton family.
Images for kids
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Sunset from the Intracoastal Waterway in Hobe Sound
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A unique "Bubble House" in Hobe Sound
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Residence of Worthington and Marion Margery Scranton, Hobe Sound (1942)
