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Bradenton, Florida

Bradenton, Florida

Bradenton (/ˈbreɪdəntən/ BRAY-dən-tən) is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's 2018 population to be 57,644.[5][6] Bradenton is a principal city of the North Port–Sarasota–Bradenton metropolitan statistical area, which had a 2018 estimated population of 821,573.[9] It is the county seat.[10]

Bradenton, Florida
City
Official seal of Bradenton, Florida
Seal
Official logo of Bradenton, Florida
Wordmark
Nickname(s): 
The Friendly City[1]
Location in Manatee County and the U.S. state of Florida
Location in Manatee County and the U.S. state of Florida
Coordinates:27°29′N 82°35′W [30]
CountryUnited States
StateFlorida
CountyManatee
Settled1842[2]
Incorporated (city)1903
Former names
Government
 • TypeMayor-council
 • MayorWayne H. Poston[3]
 • CouncilmanGene Gallo
 • City AdministratorCarl Callahan
Area
 • City17.16 sq mi (44.43 km2)
 • Land14.37 sq mi (37.23 km2)
 • Water2.78 sq mi (7.20 km2)  16.14%
Elevation
6 ft (1.83 m)
Population
 • City49,546
 • Estimate 
(2018)[6]
57,644
 • Density4,010.30/sq mi (1,548.36/km2)
 • Metro
702,281
Time zoneUTC−5:00 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4:00 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
34201–34212, 34280–34282
Area code(s)941
FIPS code12-07950[7]
GNIS feature ID0279311[8]
Websitewww.cityofbradenton.com [31]

History

Old Main Street circa 1910

Old Main Street circa 1910

Bradenton (originally spelled "Braidentown" and then amended to "Bradentown") was established in 1842.[2] The original town of Bradentown was incorporated in 1903.[11] The city took the name of Dr. Joseph Braden, whose nearby fort-like house was a refuge for early settlers during Seminole Indian attacks. The current city of Bradenton was formed in 1943, when the Florida legislature merged the cities of Manatee (incorporated in 1888) and Bradentown.[2][12]

Historic properties

Historic properties in Bradenton include:

  • Braden Castle Park Historic District, off Manatee Avenue and 27th St East

  • Bradenton Bank and Trust Company Building, 1925, now the Professional Building, 1023 Manatee Avenue, West,

  • Bradenton Carnegie Library, 1405 Fourth Avenue West

  • Iron Block Building, 1896, 530 12th Street West (Old Main Street)

  • Manatee County Courthouse, 1913, 1115 Manatee Avenue, West

  • Old Manatee County Courthouse, 1860, 1404 Manatee Avenue, East

  • Peninsular Telephone Company Building, 1925, 1009 4th Avenue, West

Geography and climate

According to the United States Census Bureau, Bradenton has a total area of 14.44 square miles (37.4 km2), of which 12.11 square miles (31.4 km2) is land and 2.33 square miles (6.0 km2) (16.14%) is water. Bradenton is located on US 41 between Tampa and Sarasota. The area is surrounded by waterways, both fresh and saltwater. Along the Gulf of Mexico and into Tampa Bay are over 20 miles (32 km) of Florida beaches, many of which are shaded by Australian pines. Bordered on the north by the Manatee River, Bradenton is located on the mainland and is separated from the outer barrier islands of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key by the Intracoastal Waterway.

Downtown Bradenton is located in the northwest area of the city. Home to many of Bradenton's offices and government buildings, the tallest is the Bradenton Financial Center, 12 stories high, with its blue-green windows. The next tallest is the brand new Manatee County Judicial Center with nine floors, located next to the historic courthouse. Other major downtown buildings include the Manatee County Government building and the headquarters of the School Board of Manatee County.

The eastern side of Bradenton is growing at a rapid rate. Starting as the popular subdivision Lakewood Ranch, it is now becoming a heavily populated part of town. Most of the communities are newer than in West Bradenton. However the majority of foreclosures in Manatee County have taken place in that area because a much higher loss in value happened compared to the areas of West Bradenton which is located nearer to the beaches.

Climate data for Bradenton, Florida (1981–2010 normals)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Average high °F (°C)71.2
(21.8)
73.8
(23.2)
76.9
(24.9)
81.4
(27.4)
87.1
(30.6)
90.0
(32.2)
90.9
(32.7)
90.9
(32.7)
89.0
(31.7)
84.5
(29.2)
78.2
(25.7)
73.0
(22.8)
82.2
(27.9)
Average low °F (°C)51.8
(11.0)
54.5
(12.5)
58.3
(14.6)
61.6
(16.4)
67.8
(19.9)
73.3
(22.9)
74.8
(23.8)
75.2
(24.0)
73.7
(23.2)
67.3
(19.6)
60.2
(15.7)
54.1
(12.3)
64.4
(18.0)
Average precipitation inches (mm)2.83
(72)
2.55
(65)
3.99
(101)
2.15
(55)
2.50
(64)
8.24
(209)
9.21
(234)
9.81
(249)
7.35
(187)
2.83
(72)
2.22
(56)
2.50
(64)
56.18
(1,428)
Average precipitation days7.26.06.55.05.612.915.816.913.26.85.56.1107.4
Source: NOAA[13]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.
19101,886
19203,868105.1%
19305,98654.8%
19407,44424.4%
195013,60482.8%
196019,38042.5%
197021,0408.6%
198030,22843.7%
199043,77944.8%
200049,50413.1%
201049,5460.1%
Est. 201857,644[6]16.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 49,504 people, 21,379 households, and 12,720 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,088.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,578.3/km2). There were 24,887 housing units at an average density of 2,055.4 per square mile (793.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 78.14% White, 15.11% African American, 0.79% Asian, 0.29% Native American, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.91% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.26% of the population. There were 21,379 households out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.5% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city, the population was spread out with 21.6% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 25.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,902, and the median income for a family was $42,366. Males had a median income of $28,262 versus $23,292 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,133. About 9.7% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Tropicana Products is one of the world's largest producers and marketers of orange juice. Founded in 1947 by Anthony T. Rossi, an Italian immigrant, it had over 8,000 employees in 2004, and marketed its products throughout the United States. It has been owned by PepsiCo, Inc. since 1998. Tropicana's juice trains have been running to northern markets via CSX and predecessor railroads since 1971. In 2003, Tropicana's corporate headquarters were relocated to Chicago when PepsiCo consolidated their beverage business after the acquisition of Gatorade, but their juice production facilities remain in Bradenton.

Champs Sports, a nationwide sports-apparel chain, is headquartered in Bradenton, as is department store chain Bealls.

Bradenton was significantly affected by the United States housing market correction, as reported by CNN, projecting a 24.8% loss in median home values by the third quarter of 2008.[15] Real estate has shown a recovery since 2012, as home prices stabilize and inventory subsides.

Transportation

Bradenton is served by Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and is connected to St. Petersburg by the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The Sunshine Skyway is a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) cross-bay bridge that rises 250 feet (76 m) above the bay at its highest point. Remnants of the old Skyway bridge have been converted into a fishing pier extending into Tampa Bay from both sides of the bay.

Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) buses serve Bradenton along with the cities/communities of Palmetto, Ellenton, Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, Longboat Key, Tallevast and Samoset, with transfers to Sarasota and St.Petersburg. Free trolleys run north-south on Anna Maria Island, as well as to/from various points on the mainland. Amtrak charter buses run through downtown Bradenton outside the courthouse to Tampa Union Station and Venice.

Government

The City is governed by a City Council with five members, from which is selected the City's Vice Mayor. The Mayor is elected at-large, as are all five council members.

Media

Newspapers

  • The Bradenton Herald is Manatee County's local newspaper, published daily.

  • The Bradenton Times is Manatee County's local online-only newspaper.

  • Bradenton Patch is Bradenton's local online-only paper.

  • Daily editions of the Sarasota Herald Tribune and the Tampa Bay Times are also available throughout the area.

Radio stations

Bradenton is located in the Sarasota-Bradenton radio market. It also receives many stations from the nearby Tampa-St. Petersburg market.

The stations listed below are located and/or licensed in Bradenton or Manatee County:

  • WWPR – 1490 AM – studio and transmitter in Bradenton

  • WBRD – 1420 AM – licensed to Palmetto

  • WJIS – 88.1 FM

  • WPBB – 98.7 FM (studios and transmitter in Pinellas County)

  • WHPT – 102.5 FM (Sarasota; transmitter in northeastern corner of Sarasota County; studios in St. Petersburg)

  • WRUB – 106.5 FM

Television stations

WSNN-LD is based in Sarasota but transmits from Manatee County. WWSB channel 40, the local ABC affiliate, is based in Sarasota, but has a transmitter in Parrish, northeast of Bradenton; it is seen on cable channel 7 on most cable systems in the area. WXPX-TV channel 66, the local Ion Television affiliate, is licensed in Bradenton, with its transmitter in Riverview, in Hillsborough County.

Education

Manatee County Public Schools operates area public schools. Schools in the city limits include:

  • Manatee High School

The State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota's (SCF) main campus is located in Bayshore Gardens, and State College of Florida Collegiate School has a campus on the SCF Bradenton campus.[16][17]

Culture

Some of the restored homes

Some of the restored homes

Bradenton is home to the Village of the Arts, a renovated neighborhood immediately south of downtown where special zoning laws allow residents to live and work in their homes. Many of these once dilapidated houses have been converted into studios, galleries, small restaurants and other small businesses. The Village of the Arts promotes its 'First Fridays' activities celebrating the seasons and different holidays. The Village of the Arts remains the largest arts district on the Gulf Coast.

The Manatee Players, who reside at the Manatee Performing Arts Center, have a three-year record of first-place wins within the Florida Theatre Conference and the Southeastern Theatre Conference competitions. In addition, the theatre currently holds the first place title from the American Association of Community Theatre competition.

Located on the Manatee River in downtown Bradenton is the South Florida Museum, Bishop Planetarium and Parker Manatee Aquarium. This one-stop museum-planetarium-aquarium offers a glimpse of Florida history, a star and multimedia show, and ongoing lecture and film series. The Parker Manatee Aquarium was the permanent home to Manatee County's most famous resident and official mascot, Snooty, the manatee. Born at the Miami Aquarium and Tackle Company on July 21, 1948, Snooty was one of the first recorded captive manatee births. He was the oldest manatee in captivity, and likely the oldest manatee in the world.[18] On July 23, 2017, two days after his 69th birthday, Snooty died as the result of drowning.[19]

ArtCenter Manatee is the center for art and art education in Manatee County. The nearly 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) building in downtown Bradenton features three galleries, five classrooms, an Artists' Market gift shop and an art library featuring over 3,000 art volumes.

The nonprofit organization Realize Bradenton works with the above-listed cultural partners to promote Downtown Bradenton as a destination for the arts. It also produces events in the downtown area with a focus on arts & culture like the annual Bradenton Blues Festival, ArtSlam public art festival as well as several smaller public art and music events throughout the year.[20]

Additionally, the town is the subject of the We The Kings song "This Is Our Town"; they, as well as the band Have Gun, Will Travel originate from Bradenton.

Sports

Bradenton is the spring training home of Major League Baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates who play their home games at downtown's LECOM Park. During the regular baseball season, the stadium is home to the minor league Bradenton Marauders who play in the Florida State League in Class A-Advanced.

The city is home to the State College of Florida, Manatee–Sarasota Manatees sports teams.

Manatee County high schools produce several teams including Manatee High School whose football team was nationally ranked in the 1950s, 1980s, and 1990s and regained their national status in 2009. Manatee High School has won five football state championships. Bradenton is also home to the IMG Academy, the home of the U.S U-17 residential soccer program.

The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton was home of the 2015 NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championship.

Notable people

  • Freddy Adu – soccer player[21]

  • Paul Azinger – golfer – 1993 PGA Championship winner

  • Freddie Bartholomew - child actor

  • DaMarcus Beasley – soccer player

  • Ričardas Berankis – tennis player

  • Chris Berry - broadcaster iHeartMedia

  • Dickey Betts – guitarist for The Allman Brothers Band

  • Nick Bollettieri - tennis coach

  • John Brandon - author and educator

  • Myron Butler – gospel musician

  • Bobby Convey – soccer player

  • Paula Creamer – LPGA golfer, 2010 US Women's Open champion

  • Ed Culpepper – football player

  • Taylor Dent – tennis player

  • Tim Donaghy – NBA referee

  • Landon Donovan – soccer player, 6-time Major League Soccer champion

  • Graeme Edge - Moody Blues drummer

  • James Ehnes - violinist

  • Pee Wee Ellis – saxophonist

  • Mark G. Flanagan - politician

  • Carlton Fisk – Baseball Hall of Fame catcher

  • Tommie Frazier – football player,[22] College Football Hall of Fame

  • Arthur H. Greenwood – US Representative from Indiana and House Majority Whip

  • William Remsburg Grove – Medal of Honor recipient

  • Tommy Haas – tennis player

  • Leo Hershfield - NBC courtroom artist

  • Tony Jacklin – golfer, 2-time major winner

  • Eddie Johnson – soccer player

  • Hank Johnson - MLB pitcher

  • Jessica Korda - LPGA golfer

  • Michaëlla Krajicek – tennis player[23]

  • Rick Lamb - PGA golfer[24]

  • Sabine Lisicki – tennis player

  • Iva Majoli – tennis player

  • Rob McKittrick – writer and director of Waiting...

  • Lastings Milledge – baseball player

  • Max Mirnyi – tennis player

  • Jamie Moyer – baseball player[25]

  • John Ryan Murphy - baseball player

  • Pat Neal - real estate developer[26]

  • Kei Nishikori – tennis player

  • Michael Ohlman - baseball player

  • Ed Price - legislator

  • Billy Purtell – MLB infielder

  • Mike Rotunda - former professional wrestler

  • Edd Roush - MLB center fielder and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee.

  • Harold Schrier – one of six flag raisers for the original flag on Iwo Jima

  • Maria Sharapova – tennis player, 5-time Grand Slam singles champion

  • DJ Sharaz – Techno disc jockey and Billboard (magazine)-charted dance artist

  • Chris Smith – football player

  • Myles Straw - baseball player

  • Cyril Suk - tennis player, 5-time Grand Slam doubles champion

  • Since October – Christian rock band

  • Spoken Reasons - comedian

  • Willie Taggart - Florida State University head football coach

  • Birdie Tebbetts – baseball player and manager

  • Peter Warrick – football player[27]

  • Fabian Washington – football player, first-round pick of Oakland Raiders

  • We The Kings – pop punk band

  • Danielle White – winner of American Juniors

  • Sam Woolf - contestant on American Idol

  • Liz Wilde - radio personality

Points of interest

South Florida Museum

South Florida Museum

  • Bradenton Marauders, minor league baseball team

  • Bradenton Riverwalk

  • Cortez Fishing Village

  • DeSoto Square

  • De Soto National Memorial

  • Gamble Plantation Historic State Park

  • Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton (LECOM)

  • Manatee Village Historical Park

  • Neal Preserve

  • Myakka River State Park

  • Palma Sola Botanical Park

  • Palmetto Historical Park

  • Pittsburgh Pirates spring training at LECOM Park

  • Robinson Preserve[28]

  • Saint Stephen's Episcopal School

  • South Florida Museum, home of the late manatee, Snooty.

  • Village of the Arts

See also

  • List of tallest buildings in Bradenton, Florida

  • Manatee County, Florida

References

[1]
Citation Linkweb.archive.org"City of Bradenton website". Cityofbradenton.com. Archived from the original on February 23, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
Sep 30, 2019, 1:58 AM
[2]
Citation Linkbooks.google.comFavorite, Merab-Michal (2013). Bradenton. Arcadia Publishing. p. 129. ISBN 978-0-7385-9078-3. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
Sep 30, 2019, 1:58 AM
[3]
Citation Linkweb.archive.org"Mayor Wayne Poston". Manatee County Government. Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
Sep 30, 2019, 1:58 AM
[4]
Citation Linkwww2.census.gov"2018 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
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[5]
Citation Linkwww.census.gov"Annual Estimates of the population for the Incorporated Places of Florida". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original (XLS) on May 8, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
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[6]
Citation Linkwww.census.gov"Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 4, 2019.
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[7]
Citation Linkfactfinder2.census.gov"American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 11, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
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[8]
Citation Linkweb.archive.org"US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
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[9]
Citation Linkfactfinder.census.gov"Cumulative Estimates of Resident Population Change and Rankings: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2018". U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division. March 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
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[10]
Citation Linkwww.naco.org"Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
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[11]
Citation Linkweb.archive.orgGrimes, David (November 23, 1979). "The Legends Behind Manatee Names". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. pp. 1B. Archived from the original on September 4, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
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[12]
Citation Linkwww.bradenton.comMannix, Vin (June 17, 2007). "The founding of the Manatee settlement". Bradenton Herald. Archived from the original on October 9, 2007. Retrieved August 15, 2007.
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[13]
Citation Linkweb.archive.org"NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on September 17, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
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[14]
Citation Linkwww.census.gov"Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
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[15]
Citation Linkweb.archive.orgChristie, Les (May 6, 2011). "Double-digit home price drops coming". CNN. Archived from the original on May 15, 2011. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
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[16]
Citation Linkwww.scf.edu"Locations". State College of Florida, Manatee–Sarasota. Retrieved July 9, 2019. SCF Bradenton 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34207 - Campus map here, which indicates the exact location of SCFCS.
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[17]
Citation Linkwww2.census.gov"2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Bayshore Gardens CDP, FL" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
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[18]
Citation Linkopenlibrary.orgSnooty the Manatee. South Florida Museum. ISBN 978-1-56944-441-2.
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[19]
Citation Linkweb.archive.orgMettler, Katie (July 24, 2017). "Snooty the famous manatee dies in 'heartbreaking accident' days after his 69th birthday". Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018 – via www.WashingtonPost.com.
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[20]
Citation Linkopenlibrary.orgJanuary Holmes and Carl Mario Nudi, "Realizing Bradenton's culture potential", Bradenton Herald, May 14, 2010
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