St. Pete Beach, Florida

The town of St. Pete Beach was consolidated from the municipalities of Pass-a-Grille, Don CeSar Place, Belle Vista, and St. Petersburg Beach in a 1957 referendum, in which consolidation only won by a margin of 5 votes.{{cite web | url=https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/history/2020/07/09/today-in-history-the-city-of-st-pete-beach-was-formed/ | title=Today in history: The city of St. Pete Beach was formed }} At the time of its incorporation in 1957, its name was St. Petersburg Beach. On March 9, 1994, locals voted to officially change the name to the shorter version of St. Pete Beach, to distinguish it from the city of St. Petersburg a few miles to the east.

St. Pete Beach is located at {{Coord|27|43|29|N|82|44|31|W|type:city}} (27.724587, –82.741850).{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}} According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|19.9|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|2.2|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|17.6|sqmi|km2}} (88.68%) is water.

St. Pete Beach occupies the entire space of Long Key, a barrier island at the east central edge of the Gulf of Mexico. Three bridges lead into the city, connecting it to Treasure Island, South Pasadena and the Bayway Isles area of St. Petersburg. St. Pete Beach is located about {{convert|20|mi}} south of Clearwater Beach.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stpetebeach.org/|title=City of St Pete Beach - Official Government Website|website=www.stpetebeach.org|access-date=2019-02-22}}

{{US Census population

|1950= 722

|1960= 6268

|1970= 8024

|1980= 9354

|1990= 9200

|2000= 9929

|2010= 9346

|2020= 8879

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{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}}

}}

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 8,879 people, 4,933 households, and 2,938 families residing in the city.{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: St. Pete Beach city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=St.+Pete+Beach+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1101|website=United States Census Bureau}}

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 9,346 people, 4,844 households, and 2,512 families residing in the city.{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: St. Pete Beach city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=St.+Pete+Beach+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2010.S1101|website=United States Census Bureau}}

As of the census of 2000, there were 9,929 people, 5,294 households, and 2,726 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|4,417.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 7,817 housing units at an average density of {{convert|3,478.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.61% White, 0.66% African American, 0.55% Asian, 0.22% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.51% of the population. In the 2000 census, St. Pete Beach had the largest proportion of residents who were Lithuanian-American in Florida (3.3 percent).[http://www.epodunk.com/ancestry/Lithuanian.html Epodunk ancestry information]

In 2000, there were 5,294 households, out of which 10.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.5% were non-families. 40.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.82 and the average family size was 2.40.

In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 9.7% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 31.3% from 45 to 64, and 33.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $47,574, and the median income for a family was $61,434. Males had a median income of $40,938 versus $30,532 for females. The per capita income for the city was $35,514. About 3.7% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

Residents are zoned to Pinellas County Schools, specifically the schools of Azalea Elementary School,"[http://rezoning.pcsb.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=250&Itemid=79 Elementary Zones for 2012-13]." Pinellas County Schools. Retrieved on April 9, 2012. Madeira Beach Middle School,"[https://web.archive.org/web/20120710234717/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/sites/tampabay.com.blogs.gradebook/files/images/typepad-legacy-files/48647.089_stuasgntms.pdf 2008-2009 Student Assignment Plan (Middle School)]." Pinellas County Schools. Retrieved on April 9, 2012. and Boca Ciega High School."[https://web.archive.org/web/20140211150925/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/sites/tampabay.com.blogs.gradebook/files/images/typepad-legacy-files/48647.089_stuasgnths.pdf 2008-2009 Student Assignment Plan (High School)]." Pinellas County Schools. Retrieved on April 9, 2012.

In 1915 Sunshine Elementary School opened in Pass-a-Grille. Gulf Beaches Elementary opened in 1950. The Tampa Bay Times said that Gulf Beaches "quickly absorbed most of the kids from Sunshine"."[https://web.archive.org/web/20140222210252/http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/gulf-beaches-elementary-closes-chapter-for-st-pete-beach-community/1006689 Gulf Beaches Elementary closes chapter for St. Pete Beach community]." Tampa Bay Times. Tuesday June 2, 2009. Retrieved on April 28, 2013. Sunshine Elementary School closed on June 6, 1975.Cabana, Susi. "[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AV9QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=R1gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1671,1438104&dq=st+pete+beach+school+closing&hl=en School Closing Evokes Memories]." The St. Petersburg Independent. Saturday June 7, 1975. 1B. Retrieved from Google News (6 of 35) on April 8, 2012. The Gulf Beaches School absorbed the traditions of the Sunshine school, including the fish broil fundraiser.

On January 14, 2009, the Pinellas County school board voted 7–0 to close several schools, including Gulf Beaches Elementary School. When the school was in operation, it had annual fish broils. Linda Chaney, the commissioner of St. Pete Beach, and Mary Maloof, the mayor of Treasure Island, had asked the school board not to close Gulf Beaches.Caldwell, Alexandra. "[http://www.tbnweekly.com/pinellas_county/content_articles/011409_pco-01.txt School board votes to close schools]." TBN Weekly (Tampa Bay Newspapers). Wednesday January 14, 2009. Retrieved on April 8, 2012. The Gulf Beaches campus, which is located on {{convert|4.7|acre|ha|adj=on}} of land in St. Pete Beach, had been closed after the school board faced budget cuts.Matus, Ron. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20110526171857/http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/some-calling-for-selloff-of-pinellas-schools-land-holdings/1171258 Some calling for selloff of Pinellas schools' land holdings]." Tampa Bay Times. Monday May 23, 2011. Retrieved on April 8, 2012. In addition the year-round population of children had decreased.{{cite news|author=Dawson, Anastasia|url=http://www.tbo.com/pinellas-county/montessori-charter-school-okd-in-st-pete-beach-20131112/|title=Montessori charter school OK'd in St. Pete Beach|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|date=2013-11-12|access-date=2017-02-03}} In 2014, the Pinellas County School Board announced Gulf Beaches would be reopened for the 2014–2015 school year as a technology magnet school.

File:St. Pete Beach, Florida, library.jpg

The St. Pete Beach Public Library[https://www.spblibrary.com/484/Public-Library St. Pete Beach Public Library] St.Pete Beach, FL. is the public library that serves the city of St. Pete Beach and the greater Pinellas area. The library was founded in 1951 by the St. Petersburg Beach Community Club inside their clubhouse with “450 books on two shelves”.{{cite news |last1=Sturges |first1=Virginia |title="Library to Celebrate 30th Anniversary This Month" |url=https://digital.lib.usf.edu/SFS0000165/00001 |access-date=2 May 2021 |agency=Suncoast Sun |date=April 30, 1981}} The library grew to include “200 adult and 200 children’s books” from the Florida State Library Extension Service.

In 1957 it became a municipal library when the city of St. Pete Beach was incorporated allowing the St. Petersburg Beach Community Club to turn operations over to the city. In 1968 the Friends of the St. Pete Beach Public Library was formed raising over $26,000 for a new library building.{{cite web |last1=St. Pete Beach Public Library |title=Friends of the Library |url=https://www.spblibrary.com/359/Supporters |website=St. Pete Beach Public Library |access-date=30 April 2021}}

On July 7, 1969 the St. Pete Beach Library opened an 8,200 square foot building by architect Glenn Q. Johnson at 365 73rd Avenue. The building was partially refurbished in 1995, and underwent a major renovation in 2020–2021. A member of the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative since 1989, the library was temporarily relocated to 7470 Gulf Boulevard during the renovation.{{cite web |last1=St. Pete Beach Public Library |title=About |url=https://www.spblibrary.com/353/About |website=St. Pete Beach Public Library |access-date=30 April 2021}} On March 26, 2021 the St. Pete Beach Library reopened after a $2.6 million restoration and renovation.{{cite news |last1=Schantz |first1=Mark |title=Retro-colorful St. Pete Beach Library reopens with $2.6 million facelift |url=https://www.tbnweekly.com/beach_beacon/article_d6ad8a6e-8cdb-11eb-b007-8b81c4230876.html |access-date=24 April 2021 |work=Tampa Bay Newspapers |date=March 26, 2021}}

St. Pete Beach is a seaside tourist destination.{{cite web |title=St. Pete Beach, Florida |url=https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g34606-St_Pete_Beach_Florida-Vacations.html?fid=3a9ba882-45b6-4006-ae6e-9f51976c3674 |website=Tripadvisor |publisher=Tripadvisor |access-date=6 March 2020}}{{cite web |title=2017/2018 Visitor Profile |url=https://partners.visitstpeteclearwater.com/sites/default/files/St.%20Pete%20Clearwater%20Visitor%20Profile%20-%20Interim%20Monthly%20Report%20of%20Findings%20%28November%202017%29%20%281%29_2.pdf |website=Visit St. Pete/Clearwater |publisher=Destination Analysts |access-date=6 July 2020}}

The Don CeSar is a renowned historical hotel, opened in 1928, located on the Gulf shore in St. Pete Beach.

• Chuck Hiller, baseball player[https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/23/sports/baseball/chuck-hiller-70-first-in-nl-to-hit-series-grand-slam-dies.html Chuck Hiller, 70, First in N.L. to Hit Series Grand Slam, Dies]

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{{Portal|Florida}}

• {{wikivoyage inline|St. Pete Beach}}
• [http://www.stpetebeach.org/ City of St. Pete Beach official website]
• {{cite web|url=http://www.beaches-es.pinellas.k12.fl.us/|title=Gulf Beaches Elementary School}}

{{Pinellas County, Florida}}

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Category:1957 establishments in Florida

Category:Cities in Pinellas County, Florida

Category:Populated places established in 1957

Category:Cities in Florida

Category:Populated coastal places in Florida on the Gulf of Mexico

Category:Beaches of Pinellas County, Florida

Category:Beaches of Florida