St. Petersburg (often shortened to St. Pete) is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The city is known as a vacation destination for North American and European vacationers. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 248,232. As of 2006, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 248,098[1]. The 2007 Census stated that the population of St. Petersburg increased to 249,079[2]. That information made St. Petersburg the fourth largest city in the state of Florida and the largest city in Florida that is not a county seat. St. Petersburg is the second largest city in the Tampa Bay Area, which is composed of roughly 2.7 million residents,[3] making it the second largest Metropolitan Statistical Area in the state.
The city is commonly referred to by locals as "St. Pete" or "The Burg"; neighboring St. Pete Beach, Florida formally shortened its name in 1994 after a vote by its residents.
The city is located on a peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. It is connected to the mainland to the north, connected with the city of Tampa to the east by causeways and bridges across Tampa Bay, and to Bradenton in the south by the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (Interstate 275), which traverses the mouth of the bay. It is also served by Interstates 175 and 375, which branch off I-275 into the southern and northern areas of downtown respectively. The Gandy Bridge, conceived by George Gandy and opened in 1924, was the first causeway to be built across Tampa Bay, connecting St. Petersburg and Tampa cities without a circuitous 43-mile (69 km) trip around the Bay through Oldsmar.
With a purported average of some 360 days of sunshine each year, it is nicknamed "The Sunshine City."[3] For that reason, the city is a popular tourist and retirement destination, especially for those in the United States from colder Northern climates ¨C particularly New York City, Detroit, and Chicago. However, in recent years the population has shifted in a more youthful direction.
St. Petersburg is a city so confident of its good weather that one of the local papers had a long tradition of giving away that day's edition anytime the sun didn't shine. Surrounded by water and beaches on three sides, the city has drawn generations of winter sun seekersˇªmany of whom return permanently. St. Petersburg has a booming local economy, especially in tourism, health care, manufacturing, and high technology. And "St. Pete," as it is frequently referred to, was the birthplace of spring training for several major league baseball teams in 1914; today Tropicana Field is home to the region's own team, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Part of the larger Tampa Bay area that also includes the major cities of Tampa and Clearwater, St. Petersburg is connected directly to a string of small Gulf of Mexico beach communities across the Intracoastal Waterway.
The City in Brief
| Founded: |
1887 (incorporated 1893) |
| Head Official: |
Mayor Rick Baker (since 2001) |
| City Population |
|
| 1980: |
238,647 |
| 1990: |
240,318 |
| 2000: |
248,232 |
| 2003 estimate: |
247,610 |
| Percent change, 1990¨C2000: |
3.2% |
| U.S. rank in 1980: |
58th |
| U.S. rank in 1990: |
65th (State rank: 4th) |
| U.S. rank in 2000: |
79th (State rank: 4th) |
| Metropolitan Area Population |
|
| 1980: |
1,614,000 |
| 1990: |
2,067,959 |
| 2000: |
2,395,997 |
| Percent change, 1990¨C2000: |
15.8% |
| U.S. rank in 1980: |
22nd |
| U.S. rank in 1990: |
21st |
| U.S. rank in 2000: |
20th |
| Area: |
60 square miles (2000) |
| Elevation: |
Ranges from sea level to 60 feet above sea level |
| Average Annual Temperature: |
73.1° F |
| Average Annual Precipitation: |
44.77 inches |
| Major Economic Sectors: |
tourism, financial services, manufacturing, medical technology, information technology, marine sciences |
| Unemployment rate: |
3.5% (December 2004) |
| Per Capita Income: |
$21,107 (1999) |
| 2002 FBI Crime Index Total: |
20,914 |
| Major Colleges and Universities: |
University of South Florida, St. Petersburg College, Eckerd College, Stetson University College of Law |
| Daily Newspapers: |
St. Petersburg Times; Tampa Tribune, Pinellas Edition |
Some of Florida's Finest
Ft. DeSoto Beach
Ft. DeSoto Beach, located off of St. Petersburg's southern tip, has been named the number one beach in the United States. Named after the historic fort located on the 900-acre county park, visitors can tour the five interconnected islands that comprise the park. More than a beach, Ft. DeSoto includes a year-round county campground, miles of nature trails and paved fitness trails, 2.25 miles of canoe trails, an 800-foot boat launch with floating docks, fishing piers, picnic pavilions with grills, a concession stand and restroom and shower facilities. From the island's southern shores, visitors enjoy a sweeping panorama of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
St. Petersburg Municipal Beach
11260 Gulf Blvd. Treasure Island
St. Petersburg's Municipal Beach on the shores of a neighboring Gulf of Mexico community, Treasure Island, boasts 500 feet of sandy white shores. The St. Petersburg Recreation Department operates the beach, the beach concession stand and parking area. The beach includes full shower and changing facilities, a snack bar, beach volleyball courts, and a beach wheelchair for handicapped beach goers. The beach recently won a Blue Wave Award from the Clean Beaches Council for the second consecutive year. This distinction is a symbol of responsible beach management that encourages greater public awareness of environment, health, and safety conditions at beaches and indicates a healthy, safe, and environmentally sound shore to any sun worshipper.
Maximo Beach & Park
34th Street & Pinellas Point Drive S.
Maximo Park, located in South St. Petersburg, provides visitors with three boat ramps, a nature boardwalk, two beach-side playgrounds, miles of bike and nature trails, and plenty of shade trees on a 70-acre archaeological site. The Australian pines provide the perfect setting for a sunset picnic or a lazy day on the beach soaking up St. Petersburg's famous sunshine rays. From its 10-foot observation tower, beach goers enjoy a breathtaking view of Florida's famous Sunshine Skyway Bridge, the Gulf of Mexico and Boca Ciega Bay. A recently created feature, the park also includes the "Tocobaga Disc Golf Course", a championship 18 hole course for Frisbee and other disc enthusiasts that winds through 47 wooded acres.
Downtown St. Petersburg's Spa and North Shore Beaches
2nd Avenue NE & Tampa Bay (at the Pier)
In the heart of the bustling downtown of Florida's fourth largest city, St. Petersburg has two public beaches along its breathtaking waterfront. Spa Beach and North Shore Beach offer white sandy beaches on the shores of Tampa Bay. Spa Beach, located at the base of the St. Petersburg Pier, once housed a toboggan slide and solarium for early tourists and residents. Today, beach visitors can relax in the sun or rent paddleboats, jet skis and other watercrafts. It's also home to special events, such as the annual St. Anthony's Triathlon. Nearby, North Shore Beach includes a playground, an Olympic-caliber year round swimming pool, tennis courts, ample parking, and a beautiful palm arboretum for beachside picnics and afternoon strolls.
Egmont Key
Egmont Key, a state preserve and island off the coast of St. Petersburg, is accessible by boat from one of the city's nine public boat ramps. Wanderers wishing to explore the island will enjoy a magnificent view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge that spans the mouth of Tampa Bay. The island features an 87-foot lighthouse, a 440-acre wildlife refuge, miles of magnificent beaches, and remnants of the 1906 Fort Dade from the Spanish American War.
City of St. Petersburg Municipal Marina 
Our Location
Latitude 27N 46' 12.36" Longitude 82W 37' 47.38"
*2009 Rates Now Posted*
When cruising the warm blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico be sure to chart your course into Tampa Bay and our beautiful Municipal Marina!!
Located on the western side of Tampa Bay, you will dock in the heart of St. Petersburg's beautiful downtown waterfront district.
Within steps of the marina, you'll explore the landmark Pier, a collection of unique waterfront shops, quaint restaurants, beautiful Mediterranean-style architecture, world-class hotels, and the locals' favorite Baywalk Entertainment Complex. Enjoy a picnic beneath swaying palm trees or take a stroll through a string of beautifully manicured parks that line one of the nation's prettiest downtown waterfronts.
Along the way, you'll discover a quartet of fine museums, including the world famous Salvador Dali Museum. Enjoy a thriving arts climate year round, or come for one of St. Petersburg's dazzling celebrations.
St. Petersburg invites you to stay a day...a month...a season...or even a lifetime!
The Port of St. Petersburg
As you travel through Tampa Bay you will find that the Port of St. Petersburg is located in one of the most beautiful downtown waterfronts in Florida. Surrounded by swaying palm trees, Mediterranean style architecture, and sunny beaches, the City of St. Petersburg is an ideal location for any port-of-call activity.
Come visit our world famous Salvador Dali Museum, catch a Broadway show at the Mahaffey Theater or canoe through our scenic waterways. Stroll through our historic streets, catch a view of Tampa Bay from our landmark Pier, and stay at the elegant Renaissance Vinoy Resort. Whatever time of year you visit, there will be a special event or exciting new attraction to enjoy.
St. Petersburg is also the gateway to the Florida High Tech Corridor, the fifth largest high tech labor force in the United States. Sixty percent of Florida's high tech companies and a third of the state's manufacturing companies are located in St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay.
The Port St. Petersburg is strategically located near Tampa International Airport, the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport and Albert Whitted Municipal Airport, ideal for all travel needs. The Port also has excellent, uncongested road network and public transportation system, which connects its cruise passenger terminal and other facilities to nearby markets, tourist destinations and airports.
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