View source for Stuart, Florida

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->| name               = Stuart, Florida
| official_name      = City of Stuart
| native_name        = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
| nickname           = Sailfish Capital of the World
| settlement_type    = City
| motto              = <!-- images and maps  ----------->
| image_skyline      = Stuart, FL. Downtown.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Downtown Stuart
| image_flag         = 
| flag_size          = 
| image_seal         = Seal of Stuart, Florida.png
| seal_size          = 
| image_shield       = 
| shield_size        = 
| image_blank_emblem = 
| blank_emblem_type  = 
| blank_emblem_size  = 
| image_map          = Martin_County_Florida_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Stuart_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250x200px
| map_caption        = Location in [[Martin County, Florida|Martin County]] and the state of Florida
| image_map1         = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=280|frame-height=200|frame-coord=SWITCH:{{coord|qid=Q988744}}###{{coord|qid=Q812}}###{{coord|27|11|32|N|80|14|35|W}} | zoom = SWITCH:10;5;3 | type = SWITCH:shape-inverse;point;point | marker = city | stroke-width = 2 | stroke-color = #000000 | id2 = SWITCH:Q988744;Q812;Q30 | type2 = shape | fill2 = #ffffff | fill-opacity2 = SWITCH:0;0.1;0.1 | stroke-width2 = 2 | stroke-color2 = #808080 | stroke-opacity2 = SWITCH:0;1;1 | switch = Stuart;Florida;the United States}}
| image_dot_map      = 
| dot_mapsize        = 
| dot_map_caption    = 
| dot_x              = 
| dot_y              = 
| pushpin_map        = 
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| pushpin_mapsize    = <!-- Location ------------------>
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = State
| subdivision_name1  = Florida
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Florida|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Martin County, Florida|Martin]]
| subdivision_type3  = 
| subdivision_name3  = 
| subdivision_type4  = 
| subdivision_name4  = <!-- Politics ----------------->
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Council-manager government|Commission-Manager]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Campbell Rich
| leader_title1      = [[Vice Mayor]]
| leader_name1       = Christopher Collins
| established_title  = <!-- Settled -->
| established_date   = 
| established_title2 = Town
| established_date2  = 
| established_title3 = City
| established_date3  = 1914
<!-- Area    --------------------->| area_magnitude     = 
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_12.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=December 2, 2021}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 24.67
| area_land_km2      = 18.25
| area_water_km2     = 6.42
| area_total_sq_mi   = 9.53
| area_land_sq_mi    = 7.05
| area_water_sq_mi   = 2.48
| area_water_percent = 
| area_urban_km2     = 
| area_urban_sq_mi   = 
| area_metro_km2     = 
| area_metro_sq_mi   = 
| area_blank1_title  = 
| area_blank1_km2    = 
| area_blank1_sq_mi  = <!-- Population   ----------------------->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_note    = 
| population_total   = 17425
| population_density_km2 = 955
| population_density_sq_mi = 2473
| population_metro   = 
| population_density_metro_km2 = 
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = 
| population_urban   = 
| population_density_urban_km2 = 
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 
| population_blank1_title = 
| population_blank1  = 
| population_density_blank1_km2 = 
| population_density_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- General information  --------------->
| timezone           = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset         = &minus;5
| timezone_DST       = EDT
| utc_offset_DST     = &minus;4
| coordinates        = {{coord|27|11|32|N|80|14|35|W|region:US-FL|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
| elevation_m        = 
| elevation_ft       = 10
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code        = 34994-34997
| area_code          = [[Area code 772|772]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 12-68875<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 0291756<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
| website            = [http://cityofstuart.us City of Stuart Website]
| footnotes          = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
}}

'''Stuart''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Martin County, Florida]], United States. Located in southeastern Florida, Stuart is the largest of five [[Municipal corporation|incorporated municipalities]] in Martin County. The population is 17,425 according to the [[2020 United States census|2020 U.S. census]]. Stuart is the 126th largest city in Florida based on official 2019 estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/stuart-fl-population/|title=Stuart, Florida Population 2018|publisher=World Population Review|access-date=2018-12-25}}</ref> It is part of the [[Treasure Coast|Port St. Lucie, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

Stuart is frequently cited as one of the best small towns to visit in the U.S., in large part because of its proximity to the [[St. Lucie River]], [[Indian River Lagoon]], and the Atlantic Ocean.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/best-small-towns-2015-180954993/?no-ist|title=The 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2015|first1=Smithsonian|last1=Magazine|first2=Bess|last2=Lovejoy|website=Smithsonian Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mom.me/entertainment/22240-20-amazing-small-towns-america/item/stuart-florida/|title=20 Amazing Small Towns in America}}</ref>

==History==
In the 18th century, several Spanish galleons were shipwrecked in the [[Martin County, Florida|Martin County]] area of Florida's [[Treasure Coast]]. The multiple wrecks were reportedly the result of a hurricane, and the ships were carrying unknown quantities of gold and silver. Some of this treasure has since been recovered, and its presence resulted in the region's name. [[File:Dudley - Bessey House, Stuart, Florida 002.JPG|thumb|left|The historic [[Dudley-Bessey House]] on SW Atlanta Avenue is now a yacht brokerage office|216x216px]]In 1832, pirate [[Pedro Gilbert]], who often used a sandbar off the coast as a lure to unsuspecting prey, chased and caught the ''Mexican'', a U.S. merchant ship. Although he attempted to burn the ship and kill the crew, they survived to report the incident, ultimately resulting in the capture and execution of Gilbert and his crew. The bar from which he lured his intended booty is named "Gilbert's Bar" on nautical charts.<ref name="Flto20090513">{{cite news | first=Larry | last=Johnson | title=column:Always Learning| publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 1D | date=May 13, 2009 }}</ref><ref name="1991 Survey"/>{{rp|1}}

[[File:OldMartinCountyFlaCourthouse 012.JPG|thumb|left|The [[Old Martin County Courthouse]], built in 1937, now the Courthouse Cultural Center|214x214px]]

The Treasure Coast area that became Stuart was first settled by non-Native Americans in 1870. In 1875, a [[United States Life-Saving Service|United States Lifesaving Station]] was established on [[Hutchinson Island, Florida|Hutchinson Island]], near Stuart. Today, the station is known as [[House of Refuge at Gilbert's Bar|Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge]] and is on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].

From 1893 to 1895, the area was called Potsdam. This name was chosen by Otto Stypmann, a local landowner originally 
from [[Potsdam]], Germany. Stypmann, with his brother Ernest, owned the land that would become downtown Stuart. [[Henry Flagler]]'s [[Florida East Coast Railway]] connected the area to [[Daytona Beach]] in 1892 and Miami in 1896.

Potsdam was renamed Stuart in 1895, in honor of Homer Hine (Jack) Stuart Jr., a local landowner who owned 160 acres around the railway station.<ref name="1991 Survey">{{cite report |title=Historic Properties Survey of the City of Stuart Florida |url=https://cityofstuart.us/DocumentCenter/View/1330/1991-Survey-of-Historic-Properties-PDF |access-date=January 15, 2021 |publisher=Historic Property Associates Inc. |date=April 1991 |page= |format=PDF |location=Stuart, Florida}}</ref>{{rp|7}} Rue, Luckhardt, Krueger, Crary, and Armellinis were some of the prominent settler families.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Early Pioneers |magazine=Historical Society of Martin County |url=https://hsmc-fl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Early-Pioneers.pdf |page= |date=March 2020 |access-date=January 13, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Fontenay |first1=Blake |title=Stuart's Christian Science church has survived hardships in its first 100 years {{!}} Opinion |url=https://www.tcpalm.com/story/opinion/2022/11/07/christian-scientists-plan-celebrate-100-years-stuart-opinion/8265924001/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |work=[[TC Palm]] |date=November 7, 2022}}</ref>

When Stuart was incorporated as a town in 1914, it was located in [[Palm Beach County, Florida|Palm Beach County]]. In 1925, Stuart was chartered as a city and named the county seat of the newly created Martin County.<ref name='smchistory'>{{cite web |url=http://www.stuartmartinchamber.org/our_areas_history.asp |title=Our Area's History |access-date=2009-11-11 |publisher=Stuary/Martin County Chamber of Commerce |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091209040823/http://www.stuartmartinchamber.org/our_areas_history.asp |archive-date=2009-12-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The City of Stuart formally adopted the slogan ''Sailfish Capital of the World'' in 1957, following pressure from the Stuart Chamber of Commerce,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Vignettes tells the story of how Stuart became 'The Sailfish Capital of the World' |url=http://www.tcpalm.com/yournews/martin-county/historical-vignettes-tells-the-story-of-how-stuart-became-the-sailfish-capital-of-the-world-ep-38305-343445792.html |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=www.tcpalm.com |language=en}}</ref> owing to the many [[sailfish]] found in the ocean off Martin County. The slogan is still used by the city.

From 1871 to 2005, 19 hurricanes passed through Stuart, including [[Hurricane Isbell (1964)|Isbell]] (1964), [[Hurricane Frances|Frances]] (2004), [[Hurricane Jeanne|Jeanne]] (2004), and [[Hurricane Wilma|Wilma]] (2005).<ref name='hurricanecity'>{{cite web|url=http://www.hurricanecity.com/city/stuart.htm |title=Stuart,Florida's history with tropical systems |access-date=2009-11-11 |publisher=Hurricane City }}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:St Lucie River from Stuart Riverwalk in Stuart FL.jpeg|thumb|right|St. Lucie River in Stuart]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|8.5|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|6.3|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|2.2|sqmi|km2}} is water.

===Climate===

According to the [[Köppen climate classification]], Stuart has a [[tropical rainforest climate]] (Af), with hot, humid summers and warm, drier winters. Stuart has a noticeably seasonal precipitation pattern, with summer being the wettest season and winter being the driest.

Summers feature hot temperatures and frequent thunderstorms. Average highs during summer range from {{convert|88|to|91|F|C}}. On average, there are 81 days of 90+ °F highs annually, with an average annual mean maximum of {{convert|96.4|F|C}}. Late summer brings an increased threat of tropical storms and hurricanes, though landfalls are rare. Several major hurricanes have impacted Stuart since 1900, with [[Hurricane David]] in 1979 and hurricanes [[Hurricane Frances|Frances]] and [[Hurricane Jeanne|Jeanne]] causing moderate damage to the area in 2004.

Winter brings much cooler and drier air. Average highs during winter range from {{convert|74|to|78|F|C}}, though occasional strong [[cold front]]s bring brief rainfall followed by cooler temperatures, with highs in the 50s °F for a few days each winter. Most winters are frost-free, with an annual mean minimum temperature of {{convert|37.6|F|C}}.

{{Weather box
|location = Stuart, Florida, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1936–present
|single line = Y
| Jan high F = 74.2
| Feb high F = 76.2
| Mar high F = 78.4
| Apr high F = 82.3
| May high F = 85.7
| Jun high F = 89.2
| Jul high F = 90.9
| Aug high F = 90.6
| Sep high F = 88.8
| Oct high F = 85.1
| Nov high F = 79.7
| Dec high F = 76.1
|year high F = 
|Jan mean F = 64.9
|Feb mean F = 67.4
|Mar mean F = 69.9
|Apr mean F = 74.4
|May mean F = 78.2
|Jun mean F = 81.8
|Jul mean F = 83.2
|Aug mean F = 83.2
|Sep mean F = 82.0
|Oct mean F = 78.4
|Nov mean F = 72.4
|Dec mean F = 68.1
|year mean F = 
| Jan low F = 55.7
| Feb low F = 58.6
| Mar low F = 61.4
| Apr low F = 66.5
| May low F = 70.8
| Jun low F = 74.4
| Jul low F = 75.5
| Aug low F = 75.8
| Sep low F = 75.2
| Oct low F = 71.8
| Nov low F = 65.1
| Dec low F = 60.1
|year low F =
|Jan avg record high F = 84.1
|Feb avg record high F = 85.7
|Mar avg record high F = 87.7
|Apr avg record high F = 89.8
|May avg record high F = 91.7
|Jun avg record high F = 94.4
|Jul avg record high F = 94.8
|Aug avg record high F = 94.3
|Sep avg record high F = 93.6
|Oct avg record high F = 90.3
|Nov avg record high F = 86.7
|Dec avg record high F = 85.3
|year avg record high F = 96.4
|Jan avg record low F = 39.6
|Feb avg record low F = 42.0
|Mar avg record low F = 47.1
|Apr avg record low F = 54.3
|May avg record low F = 63.4
|Jun avg record low F = 69.8
|Jul avg record low F = 71.0
|Aug avg record low F = 71.4
|Sep avg record low F = 70.9
|Oct avg record low F = 60.5
|Nov avg record low F = 50.4
|Dec avg record low F = 44.0
|year avg record low F = 37.6
|Jan record high F = 89
|Feb record high F = 98
|Mar record high F = 93
|Apr record high F = 98
|May record high F = 98
|Jun record high F = 102
|Jul record high F = 105
|Aug record high F = 99
|Sep record high F = 102
|Oct record high F = 97
|Nov record high F = 100
|Dec record high F = 99
|year record high F = 
|Jan record low F = 23
|Feb record low F = 28
|Mar record low F = 27
|Apr record low F = 37
|May record low F = 45
|Jun record low F = 55
|Jul record low F = 59
|Aug record low F = 59
|Sep record low F = 58
|Oct record low F = 42
|Nov record low F = 31
|Dec record low F = 26
|year record low F= 
| Jan precipitation inch = 3.01
| Feb precipitation inch = 2.61
| Mar precipitation inch = 3.76
| Apr precipitation inch = 3.56
| May precipitation inch = 5.66
| Jun precipitation inch = 7.44
| Jul precipitation inch = 6.08
| Aug precipitation inch = 8.49
| Sep precipitation inch = 8.28
| Oct precipitation inch = 6.46
| Nov precipitation inch = 4.16
| Dec precipitation inch = 3.21
|year precipitation inch = 
|precipitation colour = green
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 8.7
| Feb precipitation days = 7.7
| Mar precipitation days = 7.9
| Apr precipitation days = 8.7
| May precipitation days = 10.2
| Jun precipitation days = 14.1
| Jul precipitation days = 14.4
| Aug precipitation days = 16.2
| Sep precipitation days = 15.9
| Oct precipitation days = 13.5
| Nov precipitation days = 10.2
| Dec precipitation days = 10.2
| year precipitation days = 
|source 1 = NOAA<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=mlb
| title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| accessdate = May 4, 2021
| archive-date = September 5, 2015
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150905111301/http://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=mlb
| url-status = dead
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00088620&format=pdf
| title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| accessdate = May 4, 2021
}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1920= 778
|1930= 1924
|1940= 2438
|1950= 2912
|1960= 4791
|1970= 4820
|1980= 9467
|1990= 11936
|2000= 14633
|2010= 15593
|2020= 17425
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2010 and 2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Stuart racial composition'''<br /> (Hispanics excluded from racial categories)<br /> (''NH = Non-Hispanic'')<br />
!Race
!Pop 2010<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Stuart city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Stuart+city;+Florida+&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!Pop 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Stuart city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Stuart+city;+Florida+&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2010
!% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|11,392
|11,905
|73.06%
|68.32%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|1,815
|1,945
|11.64%
|11.16%
|-
|Native American or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|28
|23
|0.18%
|0.13%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|171
|277
|1.10%
|1.59%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]] (NH)
|10
|2
|0.06%
|0.01%
|-
|[[Other races (U.S. Census)|Some other race]] (NH)
|31
|81
|0.20%
|0.46%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races/Multiracial]] (NH)
|223
|570
|1.43%
|3.27%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|1,923
|2,622
|12.33%
|15.05%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''15,593'''
|'''17,425'''
|
|
|-
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 17,425 people, 7,286 households, and 3,776 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES – 2020: Stuart city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Stuart+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1101|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 15,593 people, 7,182 households, and 3,470 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES – 2010: Stuart city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Stuart+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2010.S1101|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

In 2010, the median income for a household in the city was $35,954, and the median income for a family was $47,736. Males had a median income of $29,151 versus $23,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,020.<ref name="GR2" />

As of 2010, the cost of living in Stuart is 88, on a relative scale where the U.S. average is represented by 100.<ref name="col">{{cite web|url=http://www.bestplaces.net/cost-of-living/ |title=Compare Cost of Living |access-date=2014-06-17 |publisher=Sperling's Best Places }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Cost of Living
! Stuart
! U.S.
|-
| Overall
| 88
| 100
|-
| Food
| 105
| 100
|-
| Utilities
| 97
| 100
|-
| Housing
| 55
| 100
|}

===2000 census===
As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 14,633 people, 7,220 households, and 3,422 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2320|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 8,777 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1392|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 83.30% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 12.33% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.26% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.66% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.97% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.46% from two or more races. 6.29% of the population were [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race.

In 2000, there were 7,220 households out of which 15.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.7% are married couples living together, 9.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 52.6% are non-families. 46.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 26.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.88 and the average family size was 2.60.

In 2000, in the city the population was spread out with 14.5% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 32.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $30,574, and the median income for a family was $40,701. Males had a median income of $29,151 versus $23,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,139. About 7.8% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

===2020 census===
As of the census of 2020, there were 17,434 people, 7,852 households, with 2.18 persons per household. The median household income was $61,878. The per capita household income was $41,029. 13.9% of the population was reported to have been living below the poverty line.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/stuartcityflorida | title=QuickFacts - Stuart city, Florida | website=www.census.gov}}</ref>

==Economy==
Stuart hosts one of the two Florida Department of Health offices in Martin County, the other being in [[Indiantown, Florida|Indiantown]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://martin.floridahealth.gov/index.html|title=Florida Department of Health in Martin|website=martin.floridahealth.gov}}</ref>

Various businesses cater to tourists, such as fishing charters, boating charters, sailing, cruises<!---to where? from where?-->, [[Scuba diving|SCUBA]] and snorkeling, and nature tours.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}} Stuart contends for the title of “The [[Sailfish]] Capital of the World” with many local [[fishing guide]]s specializing in that species.<ref>{{cite web |last1=DeMartini |first1=Marilyn |title=The Stuff of Legend |url=https://soundingsonline.com/features/the-stuff-of-legend/ |website=soundingsonline.com |publisher=Soundings |access-date=24 October 2025}}</ref>


===Top employers===
According to the city's 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cityofstuart.us/images/stories/Finance/CAFR/2011_CAFR.pdf|title=City of StuartCAFR|access-date=2012-11-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202152027/http://www.cityofstuart.us/images/stories/Finance/CAFR/2011_CAFR.pdf|archive-date=2015-02-02}}</ref> the top employers in the Stuart area are:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
| #
! Employer
! # of Employees
|-
|1
|Martin Health System
|2,825
|-
|2
|[[Martin County School District]]
|2,566
|-
|3
|[[Martin County, Florida|Martin County]]
|1,566
|-
|4
|[[Publix]]
|1,276
|-
|5
|[[Florida|State of Florida]]
|637
|-
|6
|iVox Solutions
|532
|-
|7
|TurboCombustor Technology 
|420
|-
|8
|[[Winn-Dixie]]
|329
|-
|9
|Liberator Medical Supply
|319
|-
|10
|[[Florida Power & Light]]
|303
|}

==Arts and culture==
===Points of interest===
Notable historic properties in downtown in range from the early 1880s to 1940s, representing a mix of [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux-Arts]], [[Colonial Revival architecture|colonial revival]], Spanish mediterranean, [[Art Deco]], frame vernacular, masonry vernacular architecture styles.<ref name="ArcGIS">{{cite web |last1=Jett |first1=Michele |title=City of Stuart Florida's Historical Buildings Tour |url=https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/b96898614a3c4e149b2e4ef968966614 |website=[[ArcGIS]] |publisher=ArcGIS StoryMaps |access-date=January 15, 2021 |language=en |date=April 3, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |title=1991 Survey of Notable Historic Properties |url=https://www.cityofstuart.us/DocumentCenter/View/1332/1991-Survey-of-Notable-Historic-Properties-PDF |access-date=January 15, 2021 |publisher=City of Stuart |date=1991 |page=2 |format=PDF |location=Stuart, Florida}}</ref>

[[File:Stuart Heritage 002.JPG|thumb|right|[[Stuart Heritage Museum]]]]
[[File:Stuart FL Riverwalk03.jpg|right|thumb|Stuart Riverwalk, 2018]]
* Audubon of Martin County<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gtarestoration.com/blog/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009231706/http://audubonmartincounty.org/directions.html|url-status=dead|title=Restoration Blog &#124; 24-Hours Emergency Cleanup Service.|date=January 2, 2023|archivedate=October 9, 2008}}</ref>
* [[Lyric Theatre (Stuart, Florida)|Lyric Theatre]]
* [[Stuart Heritage Museum]]
* [[Elliott Museum]]
* [[Krueger House]], a historic house on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Swartz |first1=Sally D. |title=1880s Plantation House Gets New Life |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67652241/ |access-date=January 15, 2021 |work=[[The Palm Beach Post]] |date=January 26, 1997 |pages=611, 615 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Pat |title=Stuart Mansion Declared Historic Treasure |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67649873/ |access-date=January 15, 2021 |work=[[The Palm Beach Post]] |date=February 27, 2002 |pages=B5, 374 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}}}}</ref>
* The Barn Theatre
* [[Geoffrey C. Smith (sculptor)|Geoffrey C. Smith Galleries]]
* [[Tropical Ranch Botanical Garden]]
* [[Florida Oceanographic Society|Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center]]
*Environmental Studies Council
*Sailfish Splash Waterpark

==Education==
Public education in Stuart is administered by the [[Martin County School District]].

==Infrastructure==
[[File:Roosevelt Bridge and Stuart City.jpg|left|thumb|Roosevelt Bridge and Stuart City Downtown]]

===Transportation===
[[Witham Field]] is a public-use airport located one mile southeast of the central business district owned by Martin County.

[[U.S. Route 1 in Florida|US 1]] passes northwest–southeast through Stuart. The coastal route [[Florida State Road A1A|A1A]] heads east from Stuart towards [[Hutchinson Island (Florida)|Hutchinson Island]], and the road heads southeast out of Stuart. [[Florida State Road 76|SR 76]] heads south from the city, and [[Florida State Road 714|SR 714]] heads west from the city.

Local bus service is provided by [[Martin County Public Transit]] (MARTY).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.martin.fl.us/transit|title=Public Transit Information|date=2019|website=Martin County Florida|access-date=May 15, 2019}}</ref> Stuart also operates a free courtesy tram throughout downtown.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityofstuart.us/213/TRAM-Routes-Information|title=Tram Routes & Information|date=2024|website=City of Stuart, FL|access-date=September 9, 2024}}</ref>

Stuart has a yacht club and several marinas serving private crafts of various sizes.

Until 1968 the [[Florida East Coast Railway]] operated Jacksonville to Miami service, with a station stop in Stuart. Until 1963 long-distance passenger trains included the [[Illinois Central Railroad]]'s ''[[City of Miami (train)|City of Miami]]'' and the [[Louisville & Nashville Railroad]]'s ''[[South Wind (train)|South Wind]]'' both heading from Chicago; and they included the [[Atlantic Coast Line Railroad]]'s ''[[Champion (train)|East Coast Champion]],'' the ''Havana Special,'' and the winter-only ''[[Florida Special (train)|Florida Special]]'' originating from New York.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Florida East Coast Railway |journal=Official Guide of the Railways |publisher=National Railway Publication Company |volume=90 |issue=7 |date=December 1957}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Florida East Coast Railway |journal=Official Guide of the Railways |publisher=National Railway Publication Company |volume=91 |issue=3 |date=January 1962}}</ref><ref>Bramson, Seth H. ''Speedway to Sunshine: the story of the Florida East Coast Railway'', Boston Mills Press, 2010, p. 227. {{ISBN|9781554077533}}.</ref>

In 2023, [[Brightline]], an [[inter-city rail]] route that currently runs between [[MiamiCentral|Miami]] and [[Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal|Orlando]], announced that it was looking for sites for a new station on the [[Treasure Coast]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 26, 2023 |title=BRIGHTLINE ANNOUNCES PROCESS TO SELECT A TREASURE COAST STATION |url=https://www.gobrightline.com/press-room/2023/brightline-announces-process-to-select-a-treasure-coast-station |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=www.gobrightline.com |language=en}}</ref> On March 4, 2024, Brightline officially announced that an [[infill station]] on the Treasure Coast would be built in [[Stuart station (Brightline)|Stuart]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=BRIGHTLINE ANNOUNCES STATION EXPANSION FOR DOWNTOWN STUART & MARTIN COUNTY |url=https://www.gobrightline.com/press-room/2024/brightline-announces-station-expansion-for-downtown-stuart-and-martin-county |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=www.gobrightline.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Scruggs |first=Danielle |date=March 4, 2024 |title=Brightline makes official announcement on Treasure Coast location |url=https://www.wpbf.com/article/florida-brightline-new-treasure-coast-station-stuart/60072416 |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=WPBF |language=en}}</ref> The current plan sees the station beginning service by 2028.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-18 |title=Florida county applies for federal funds for Brightline station |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/florida-county-applies-for-federal-funds-for-brightline-station/ |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=Trains |language=en-US}}</ref>

Brightline trains cross the [[St. Lucie River]] on the Florida East Coast Railroad Bridge.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.waterwayguide.com/bridge/3-161/florida-east-coast-railroad-bridge-stuart|title=Florida East Coast Railroad Bridge, Stuart|publisher=Waterway Guide|access-date=February 16, 2024}}</ref> Close coordination between rail and water traffic is necessary at this [[bascule bridge]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Johnston|first=Bob|title=Brightline's milestone moment: THE CHOKE POINT|page=18|issue=January 2024|volume=84|url=https://www.trains.com/trn/magazine/archive-access/trains-january-2024/|magazine=[[Trains (magazine)|Trains]]|publisher=[[Kalmbach Media]]}}</ref>

==Notable people==
<!---these need footnotes to tie them to Stuart. usually bio does not have that footnote--->

* [[Jason Aldean]], musician<ref>{{Cite web | title=Jason Aldean's New House in Stuart, Florida -  $10.2 Million Oceanfront Mansion | url=https://www.treasurecoastmlssearch.com/blog/jason-aldeans-new-house-stuart-florida-102-million-oceanfront-mansion/ | access-date=2025-08-08 | website=www.treasurecoastmlssearch.com}}</ref>
* [[Dan Bakkedahl]], correspondent on ''[[The Daily Show]]''
* [[Paul Bley]], jazz pianist
* [[Cynthia S. Burnett|Cynthia S. Burnett-Haney]] (1840–1932), educator, lecturer, temperance reformer, newspaper editor; Haney Circle in Stuart was named after her
* [[Nelson Burton Jr.]], professional bowler and longtime TV analyst
* [[Kelly Carrington]], Playboy Playmate October 2008
* [[James Gould Cozzens]], Pulitzer Prize-winning author
* [[Derrill M. Daniel]], US Army major general<ref>{{cite news |date=3 January 1968 |title=Retired General Heads Martin Red Cross Drive |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-cross/167545092/ |work=[[The Palm Beach Post]] |location=Palm Beach, Florida |page=21 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref name="Obituary">{{cite news |date=26 July 1986 |title=Obituary, Major General Derrill M. Daniel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/pensacola-news-journal-obituary/167545388/ |work=[[Pensacola News Journal]] |location=Pensacola, Florida |page=3C |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
* [[James Davis (linebacker)|James Davis]], professional football player
* [[Ralph Evinrude]], CEO of Outboard Motor Company with a test facility in Stuart, married [[Frances Langford]] and retired to Jensen Beach
* [[Derek Fathauer]], professional golfer who currently plays on the [[PGA Tour]]
* [[Cleveland Gary]], professional football player
* [[Whitney Gaskell]], novelist
* [[Ed Hearn (catcher)|Ed Hearn]], Major League Baseball player and motivational speaker
* [[Davy Jones (musician)|Davy Jones]], musician with [[The Monkees]]
* [[Chris Marquette]], actor
* [[John McHale (baseball)|John McHale]], player and executive in [[Major League Baseball]]
* [[Corey McIntyre]], professional football player
* [[Rusty Meacham]], former Major League Baseball player
* [[Nicole Melichar]], professional tennis player 
* [[Vaughn Monroe]], big band singer
* [[Zack Mosley]], cartoonist and creator of ''[[The Adventures of Smilin' Jack]]''
* [[Tori Penso]], [[Referee (association football)|soccer referee]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bernadeau |first=Patrick |date=June 20, 2025 |title=Stuart native Tori Penso officiates the 'pinnacle' of her career in FIFA Club World Cup |url=https://www.tcpalm.com/story/sports/2025/06/20/tori-penso-referee-fifa-club-world-cup-soccer/84192026007/ |access-date=November 13, 2025 |work=[[Treasure Coast Newspapers]]}}</ref>
* [[Scott Proctor]], former Major League Baseball player
* [[Judge Reinhold]], actor
* [[Kathy Rinaldi]], professional tennis player
* [[Lee Rinker]], PGA Tour golfer
* [[Roger Schank]], leading visionary in artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and learning theory
* [[Will Sheehey]], professional basketball player
* [[Bryan Silas]], racing driver

== Stuart in popular culture ==
In 1973, the movie ''[[Little Laura and Big John]]'', a highly fictionalized version of the true story of [[John Ashley (bandit)|John Ashley]] and [[Laura Upthegrove]], was filmed in Stuart.<ref name="Ashley and Upthegrove">{{cite web|last1=Luckhardt|first1=Alice|last2=Luckhardt|first2=Greg|title=Ashley Gang: Notorious outlaws struck fear in Stuart residents|url=http://www.tcpalm.com/news/ashley-gang-notorious-outlaws-struck-fear-in-stuart-residents-ep-306366647-342310451.html|website=TCPalm|access-date=May 23, 2016|date=October 27, 2013}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Stuart}}
{{Commons category|Stuart, Florida}}
* [http://cityofstuart.us City of Stuart Website]

{{Martin County, Florida}}
{{Port St. Lucie Metropolitan Area}}
{{Florida}}
{{Florida county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Stuart, Florida]]
[[Category:Cities in Martin County, Florida]]
[[Category:Populated places on the Intracoastal Waterway in Florida]]
[[Category:County seats in Florida]]
[[Category:Port St. Lucie metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Cities in Florida]]