North Port, Florida Facts for Kids

North Port is a city located in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. It's a growing city, with its population reaching 74,793 people in the 2020 US Census. This was a big jump from 57,357 people in 2010. North Port is a main city in the larger metropolitan area that includes nearby cities like Bradenton and Sarasota.

The city was first developed by a company called General Development Corporation (GDC). It was planned as the northern part of their Port Charlotte development. Because of this, it was first called "North Port Charlotte" when it officially became a city on June 18, 1959. However, in 1974, the people living there voted to change the name to "North Port". They wanted the city to have its own unique identity. North Port is also home to the Little Salt Spring, an important archaeological site owned by the University of Miami.

History of North Port
North Port Geography
North Port Climate
North Port Population and People
North Port Economy
Arts and Culture in North Port
Education in North Port
See also

History of North Port

Archaeologists have found amazing things at the Little Salt Spring in North Port. These discoveries show that Native Americans lived here long before Christopher Columbus arrived. They found ancient tools like arrowheads, a carved wooden mortar, and even a piece of a wooden boomerang.

In 1954, the Mackle Brothers started the General Development Corporation. Their goal was to sell land in Florida to people moving from northern states. This company not only planned and sold most of the land that is now North Port, but its employees also served on the city's very first council. The city officially became a city in 1959.

On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian hit Florida just south of Sarasota County. North Port experienced a lot of flooding. Some areas, like the Holiday Park mobile home community, were heavily damaged.

North Port Geography

North Port is located at about 27 degrees North latitude and 82 degrees West longitude (27°3′58″N 82°10′19″W / 27.06611°N 82.17194°W / 27.06611; -82.17194).

The city has many large neighborhoods and a wide network of streets. North Port has also added nearby areas, including Warm Mineral Springs. This area is famous for its special artesian spring and its own residential areas.

The United States Census Bureau says that North Port covers a total area of about 104.16 square miles (269.91 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 99.58 square miles (257.39 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 4.58 square miles (12.52 square kilometers), is water.

You can also find Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park within North Port.

North Port Climate

The weather in North Port is known for its hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) by scientists who study climates.

North Port Population and People

North Port has grown a lot over the years.

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1960	178	—
1970	2,244	1,160.7%
1980	6,205	176.5%
1990	11,973	93.0%
2000	22,797	90.4%
2010	57,357	151.6%
2020	74,793	30.4%
U.S. Decennial Census 2020

In 2020, there were 74,793 people living in North Port. There were 25,592 households and 19,716 families.

About 4.8% of the population was under 5 years old. About 18.6% of the people were under 18 years old. Also, 26.7% of the population was 65 years or older. Slightly more than half of the population, 52.5%, was female.

In 2020, the average income for a household in North Port was $64,543. The average income per person was $34,514. About 7.0% of the people in North Port lived below the poverty line.

North Port Economy

North Port is the Spring Training home for the Atlanta Braves baseball team. They also hold their extended spring training here.

Arts and Culture in North Port

In 1960, the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum first opened its doors in North Port. A very important person, John F. Kennedy, who was running for president at the time, spoke at the opening ceremony. The museum later moved to Miami and then to its current location in Titusville, Florida.

In 2007, the North Port Art Guild rented a building from the city. They created the North Port Art Center. This center now holds art shows and offers art classes for the community.

Education in North Port

Entrance to North Port High School

North Port has several schools that are part of Sarasota County Public Schools. These include five elementary schools, one public charter school, two middle schools, and one high school. There is also one college.

Public Elementary Schools

Atwater Elementary School (Kindergarten to 5th grade)
Cranberry Elementary School (Kindergarten to 5th grade)
Glenallen Elementary School (Kindergarten to 5th grade)
Lamarque Elementary School (Kindergarten to 5th grade)
Toledo Blade Elementary School (Kindergarten to 5th grade)

Public Middle Schools

Heron Creek Middle School (6th to 8th grade)
Woodland Middle School (6th to 8th grade)

Public High School

North Port High School (9th to 12th grade)

Charter School

Imagine School at North Port (Kindergarten to 12th grade)

Higher Learning

Suncoast Technical College

North Port, Florida facts for kids

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