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in Fort Pierce, FL

Fort Pierce is a city in St. Lucie County, Florida, known as the Sunrise City, located on the Treasure Coast about an hour north of West Palm Beach. As of the 2020 census, it has a population of 47,297 and serves as the county seat. The city is named after a nearby army post from the Second Seminole War, built in 1838 and named for Benjamin Kendrick Pierce. Fort Pierce was first settled in the 1860s and incorporated as a city in 1901. The Lincoln Park neighborhood has a rich African-American history and is linked to notable figures like Zora Neale Hurston. It is also famous for the Florida Highwaymen, an African-American group of landscape artists from the 1950s, celebrated locally each February. Geographically, Fort Pierce covers nearly 30 square miles, with about 20% water. The city features the Fort Pierce Beach Shore Protection project, ongoing since 1971, and the Experimental Oculina Research Reserve, which protects coral reefs and marine habitats. The Fort Pierce Marina was rebuilt with artificial barrier islands after hurricane damage in 2004. The climate is a transition between humid subtropical and tropical. Demographically, the city is diverse: 32.7% White, 37.9% Black, and 24.5% Hispanic or Latino as of 2020, with 16,687 households and 10,005 families. The median household income in 2010 was $30,869, and about 30% of the population lived below the poverty line. The economy includes healthcare, boat manufacturing, and port activity. The Port of Fort Pierce handles significant cargo, including citrus exports. Cultural attractions include the A.E. Backus Museum, Zora Neale Hurston’s home, the Sunrise Theatre, and several marine and botanical centers. Fort Pierce operates under a council–manager government. Education is served by public and private schools, Indian River State College, and regional campuses of Florida Atlantic University and Florida State University. Transportation infrastructure includes US 1, SR 70, I-95, the Intracoastal Waterway, Treasure Coast International Airport, and local bus services. Historically, the Florida East Coast Railway and long-distance trains connected Fort Pierce to major cities, and Brightline has considered the area for future stations. Notable people from Fort Pierce include writer Zora Neale Hurston, painter A.E. Backus, NFL linebacker Khalil Mack, MLB and NFL players, and political figures such as Governor Daniel T. McCarty. Overall, Fort Pierce is a historically rich, culturally vibrant coastal city with significant natural resources, a diverse population, and active port, arts, and educational communities.