Palmetto, Florida facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Palmetto, Florida
City
Palmetto, Florida c. 1960
Seal
Location in Manatee County and the state of Florida
Palmetto, Florida Location in the United States
Country	United States
State	Florida
County	Manatee
Incorporated (city)	1897
Government
• Type	Strong Mayor-Commission
Area
• Total	5.83 sq mi (15.11 km2)
• Land	5.35 sq mi (13.86 km2)
• Water	0.48 sq mi (1.25 km2)
Elevation	12 ft (4 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	13,323
• Density	2,490.28/sq mi (961.42/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes	34220–34221
Area code(s)	941
FIPS code	12-54250
GNIS feature ID	0288429

Palmetto is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was listed as 13,323. This was an increase from 12,606 people counted in the 2010 census. Palmetto is part of the larger North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Discovering Palmetto's Past

A post office has been open in Palmetto since 1868. The town was first officially recognized as a village in May 1893. Its first mayor was P.S. Harlee. Palmetto became a city in 1897 and continued to grow.

How Railroads Shaped Palmetto

In 1902, the arrival of the railroad changed the city. The main part of town moved from the waterfront to the Seaboard Air Line train station. This station was on the Sarasota Branch line. It connected Palmetto to places like Turkey Creek and Sarasota. By 1921, another railroad, the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, also had a branch line connecting Tampa to Palmetto.

Palmetto's Population Growth

In the late 1930s, a book called the Florida guide was published. It listed Palmetto's population as 3,043 people. This book was part of a project that helped writers during the Great Depression.

The Dolomite Mine and Riveria Dunes

From the 1950s to 1974, a mine for a mineral called dolomite operated in Palmetto. It was located along the Manatee River. Later, in 1998, the land where the mine used to be was redeveloped. It became a community called Riveria Dunes. This new area includes a marina, townhouses, and homes.

Where is Palmetto Located?

Palmetto is in the central part of Manatee County. It sits on the north side of the Manatee River. The city is directly across the river from Bradenton, which is the main city of the county.

Palmetto's Growing Population

Palmetto has seen its population grow steadily over the years. Here's a look at how many people have lived in the city:

Who Lives in Palmetto?

The 2020 United States census showed that 13,323 people lived in Palmetto. These people made up 4,715 households and 3,043 families. The table below shows the different racial groups in Palmetto, not including people of Hispanic or Latino background.

Learning in Palmetto

Palmetto has many schools for students of all ages.

Elementary Schools

• Blackburn Elementary
• Palmetto Elementary
• James Tillman Elementary
• Virgil Mills Elementary
• Palmview Elementary

Middle Schools

• Lincoln Middle School
• Buffalo Creek Middle School

High Schools

• Palmetto High School

Charter Schools

• Manatee School for the Arts (grades 6–12)
• Imagine School of North Manatee (grades K–8)
• Palmetto Charter School (grades K–8)

Getting Around Palmetto

Two major U.S. highways, US Route 41 and US Route 301, meet in Palmetto. This makes it easy to travel to and from the city.

Past Train Travel

In the past, a passenger train called the West Coast Champion used to stop in Palmetto. This train traveled from New York to Sarasota. However, after 1967, when two railroad companies merged, Palmetto was no longer a stop on this route.

Famous People from Palmetto

Many interesting people have connections to Palmetto. Here are a few:

• George Dickie, a philosopher
• Eric Engberg, a former news reporter for CBS
• Winfield R. Gaylord, a politician and minister from Wisconsin
• Ralph Haben, who used to be the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives
• Tom Hume, a former baseball pitcher and coach for the Cincinnati Reds
• Curtis Johnson, a sprinter who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics
• Nick Neri, a race car driver
• Mistral Raymond, a former professional football player for the Minnesota Vikings
• Willie Taggart, a college football coach for teams like the Florida Atlantic Owls and Florida State Seminoles

Places to Visit in Palmetto

Palmetto has several interesting spots to explore:

• Palmetto Estuary Preserve: A natural area where you can learn about local wildlife.
• Palmetto Historic District: A part of the city with old buildings and a rich history.
• Palmetto Historical Park: A park where you can discover more about Palmetto's past.

Fun Facts About Palmetto, Florida

• Samuel Sparks Lamb is known as the "Father of Palmetto." He helped plan the city and gave land for its development.
• The city got its name from the palmetto trees that grew near the original town site.
• The mayor of Palmetto is the city's main leader. They are elected every four years.
• The city commission is like the city's law-making group. It has five members who can choose a vice-mayor for a one-year term.
• Palmetto covers about 5.8 square miles (15.11 square kilometers) in total. Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

See also

In Spanish: Palmetto (Florida) para niños