St. Pete Beach, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
St. Pete Beach, Florida
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| City of St. Pete Beach | |
St. Pete Beach city hall in 2022
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| Motto(s):
The Sunset Capital of Florida
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Location in Pinellas County and the state of Florida
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| County | Pinellas |
| Incorporated (City of St. Petersburg Beach) |
1957 |
| Incorporated (City of St. Pete Beach) |
March 9, 1994 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Commission–Manager |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.96 sq mi (18.04 km2) |
| • Land | 2.13 sq mi (5.51 km2) |
| • Water | 4.84 sq mi (12.53 km2) |
| Elevation | 6 ft (2 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 8,879 |
| • Density | 4,176.39/sq mi (1,612.32/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
33706
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| Area code(s) | 727 |
| Sales Tax | 7% |
| Property Tax | 3.1500 City (17.0318 Total) |
St. Pete Beach is a sunny city right on the coast in Pinellas County, Florida. It's a very popular spot for tourists. This city was created by joining together smaller towns like Pass-a-Grille, Belle Vista, and St. Petersburg Beach. It's part of the bigger Tampa Bay area. In 2020, about 8,879 people lived there.
The main part of St. Pete Beach is around Corey Avenue. Here you can find fun places like restaurants, shops, and stores. The historic Pass-a-Grille Historic District and the famous Don CeSar beach resort are at the south end of the beach. In 2021, the travel website TripAdvisor said St. Pete Beach was the best beach in the US. It was also ranked the fifth best beach in the whole world!
Contents
History of St. Pete Beach
The city of St. Pete Beach was formed in 1957. It brought together several smaller towns: Pass-a-Grille, Don CeSar Place, Belle Vista, and St. Petersburg Beach. The decision to join these towns was made by a vote, and it passed by only 5 votes!
When it first became a city in 1957, its name was St. Petersburg Beach. But on March 9, 1994, local people voted to change the name. They wanted a shorter name, St. Pete Beach. This also helped to tell it apart from the larger city of St. Petersburg nearby.
Geography and Location
St. Pete Beach is located at 27°43′29″N 82°44′31″W / 27.72472°N 82.74194°W. The city covers a total area of about 19.9 square miles (51.5 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 17.6 square miles (45.6 square kilometers), is water. Only 2.2 square miles (5.7 square kilometers) is land.
The city is on a long, thin island called Long Key. This island is a barrier island, which means it protects the mainland from the Gulf of Mexico. Three bridges connect St. Pete Beach to other areas. These include Treasure Island, South Pasadena, and the Bayway Isles area of St. Petersburg. St. Pete Beach is about 20 miles (32 km) south of Clearwater Beach.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1950 | 722 | — | |
| 1960 | 6,268 | 768.1% | |
| 1970 | 8,024 | 28.0% | |
| 1980 | 9,354 | 16.6% | |
| 1990 | 9,200 | −1.6% | |
| 2000 | 9,929 | 7.9% | |
| 2010 | 9,346 | −5.9% | |
| 2020 | 8,879 | −5.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population Changes (2010 and 2020)
The population of St. Pete Beach was 8,879 people in 2020. This is a bit less than the 9,346 people who lived there in 2010.
Here's a look at the different groups of people living in St. Pete Beach:
| Race | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 8,643 | 7,958 | 92.48% | 89.63% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 64 | 55 | 0.68% | 0.62% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 23 | 13 | 0.25% | 0.15% |
| Asian (NH) | 106 | 118 | 1.13% | 1.33% |
| Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) | 3 | 6 | 0.03% | 0.07% |
| Some other race (NH) | 14 | 21 | 0.15% | 0.24% |
| Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) | 81 | 266 | 0.87% | 3.00% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 412 | 442 | 4.41% | 4.98% |
| Total | 9,346 | 8,879 |
In 2020, there were 8,879 people living in the city. They lived in 4,933 households, and 2,938 of these were families.
Education in St. Pete Beach
Children living in St. Pete Beach go to schools in the Pinellas County Schools district. These schools include Azalea Elementary School, Madeira Beach Middle School, and Boca Ciega High School.
Sunshine Elementary School opened in Pass-a-Grille in 1915. Later, Gulf Beaches Elementary opened in 1950. The Tampa Bay Times newspaper said that Gulf Beaches quickly became the main school for most kids. Sunshine Elementary School closed on June 6, 1975. Gulf Beaches School then took on many of Sunshine's traditions, like its popular fish broil fundraiser.
In 2009, the Pinellas County school board decided to close several schools, including Gulf Beaches Elementary. The school had to close because of budget cuts and fewer children living in the area year-round. In 2014, the school board announced that Gulf Beaches would reopen. It became a special technology magnet school for the 2014–2015 school year.
St. Pete Beach Public Library
The St. Pete Beach Public Library serves the city and the wider Pinellas area. It started in 1951 with just 450 books on two shelves inside the St. Petersburg Beach Community Club. It quickly grew, adding more books from the Florida State Library Extension Service.
When St. Pete Beach became a city in 1957, the library became a city library. This meant the city took over running it. In 1968, a group called the Friends of the St. Pete Beach Public Library was formed. They raised over $26,000 to build a new library.
On July 7, 1969, the new library building opened. It was 8,200 square feet and designed by architect Glenn Q. Johnson. The building was updated in 1995 and had a big renovation in 2020–2021. During the renovation, the library moved to a temporary location. On March 26, 2021, the St. Pete Beach Library reopened after a $2.6 million restoration.
Tourism and Attractions
St. Pete Beach is a well-known place for tourists to visit. People come from all over to enjoy its beautiful beaches and attractions.
The Don CeSar is a very famous and historic hotel. It opened in 1928 and is located right on the Gulf shore in St. Pete Beach. It's known for its unique pink color and grand style.
Notable People
- Chuck Hiller, a baseball player, lived in St. Pete Beach.
See also
In Spanish: St. Pete Beach para niños
