MANATEE COUNTY
Real Estate
|
2007 |
2008 |
4/2009 |
| Median Price* Single Family Home |
$286,300 |
$225,900 |
$164,300 |
| Median Price* Condominium |
$253,300 |
$213,600 |
$149,100 |
* Median Price of 101 homes sold would be that price which is lower than 50 of the prices and also higher
than 50 of the prices. In other words, there are homes and condominiums available in every price range in
Sarasota County. Median prices shown above are for the Sarasota/Bradenton MSA. The statistics are meant to
give you a feel for the area as compared to others you may be considering and to show the direction of the
market.
Taxes
Visit Buy a Home in Florida for comprehensive property tax information.
Weather
Average High/Low in January 73/50, in July 90/72
Part of Florida's lively Gulf Coast, Manatee County is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and beachgoers, drawing in millions of visitors from all over the world each year. Residents take pleasure in the county's easygoing outlook and excellent resources including high quality housing, education and healthcare. Manatee County has much to offer those looking to relocate permanently.
The county is comprised of six distinct cities:
The city of Anna Maria is nestled at the northernmost point of Anna Maria Island, at the mouth of Tampa Bay between the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay. Anna Maria stretches over 1.5 square miles and is home to 1,900 permanent year-round residents who take advantage of its charming, laid-back environment and beautiful beaches. The entire city of Anna Maria is a bird sanctuary, and many species of water and shore birds can be viewed here. The aquatic life is impressive as well, with bottlenose dolphins and manatees frequently making an appearance in its surrounding waters.
Bradenton is profiled below.
A small beach community, Bradenton Beach can be found at the southern tip of Anna Maria Island. More than 1,500 people call this area home throughout the year, with a wealth of visitors coming to take advantage of the community's outstanding recreational areas and activities. In fact, 35 percent of Bradenton Beach is reserved solely for public recreation. Two large public beaches are easily accessible at the southernmost part of town. Leffis Key is also a great site for leisure opportunities, with the historic Bridge Street open for dining and entertainment adventures.
Bounded by the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay, Holmes Beach stands as the largest of the three cities located on Anna Maria Island. With more than 5,000 permanent residents, Holmes Beach stretches just over three miles with white sandy beaches, making it a popular vacation destination.
Longboat Key can be found just south of Anna Maria Island across from Longboat Pass, and serves primarily as a luxury resort and retirement community in both Manatee and Sarasota Counties. Around 8,000 year-round residents are situated within the 12-mile barrier island of Longboat Key, which boasts 11 miles of sandy beaches mixed with upscale retreats, fine dining establishments, world-class shopping and two private golf courses.
The second largest city in the area, with a population of more than 14,000, Palmetto is situated just north of Bradenton, along the northern shore of the Manatee River. Top historical attractions in Palmetto include the Palmetto Historical Park, the Manatee County Agricultural Museum and the Madira Bickel Mound State Archaeological Site. Palmetto is also equipped with one of the state's most noteworthy collection of historic structures - approximately 160 buildings in Palmetto are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Ellenton, located in the north central part of Manatee County, is best known for its two major attractions,
the Gamble Plantation State Historical Site and the Prime Outlet Mall. Both can be found on U.S. 301. Parrish,
located in the northeast section of the county, is home to the Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum, which
operates a heritage railroad and tourist excursion along six miles of the former Seaboard Air Line railway
route.
Myakka City, located in the southeast corner of the county, offers the Crowley Museum and Nature Center.
Visitors can enjoy self-guided walking tours through the nature preserve and pioneer history area,
enjoying the sites and sounds of native Florida.
Lakewood Ranch, located south central of the county, is a nationally award-winning 8,500-acre master-planned community encompassing all aspects of residential and commercial development
Events
Festivals are a favorite pastime in the comfortable climate of the winter months when Manatee County enjoys a population boom. We look forward each year as the Manatee County Fair attracts visitors of all ages, and when Cortez, in its picturesque fishing town style, offers its annual Seafood Festival. We also wait anxiously for the Anna Maria Island Festival of Fine Arts, the Palmetto Winter Craft Fair, the Kayak & Outdoor Festival, and the yearly Antiques and Collectibles show that fills the Bradenton Municipal Auditorium.
Spring rings in with the Manatee Heritage Days, as annual walking tours take in some of the area's more historic sites and waterfront areas, as well as some of the area's highly acclaimed neighborhoods. There are also concerts, craft shows and a parade embraced in this celebration. Another favorite seasonal tradition is SpringFest on Anna Maria Island.
In summer months, tourists and residents alike turn their attention to celebrations such as the star-spangled Independence Day bash held in historic Palmetto and the Wildlife Awareness Festival held to commemorate the birthday of the county's manatee mascot, Snooty, as well as a host of fishing tournaments.
The fall months experience no shortage of festivals either. Going to the Pumpkin Festival provides a day in the country as you visit a real working farm, taste homemade apple cider, and go on a hayride. The area's largest cash crop, the tomato, is commemorated just before Thanksgiving with a cook-off, antique farm equipment demonstration, entertainment and crafts. Plus, arts and crafts just seem to abound during this season. The Manatee Festival of the Arts is in November and features 3 stages of entertainment along with over 50 artists in tents, artist demo's and children activities. Art at the Ranch is a fall festival with over 90 artists hosting demonstrations, food and music at the Lakewood Ranch "New" Main Street.
Arts & Culture
Manatee County boasts a superb offering of visual and performing arts. Through support and promotion of The Manatee County Cultural Alliance, ArtCenter Manatee, the Artists Guild of Manatee County, and many others, residents and visitors are afforded access to several galleries, classroom space, and numerous learning opportunities. A host of privately owned galleries and independent groups operating on both the mainland and its neighboring islands top off the county's cultural calendar with exhibitions, courses, and special events.
The cultural calendar is also loaded with performances of theater, ballet, and concerts. The renowned Manatee Players perform at Riverfront Theatre and the Island Players on nearby Anna Maria Island. For those who appreciate ballet, the Manatee Ballet enjoys a solid base of community support for their repertoire of programs.
The Florida West Coast Symphony boasts over 50 years of concerts for area music lovers. A broad range of musical appetites are satisfied through the six-concert Masterworks Series presented by Manatee Community College, in addition to the many concerts and other musical events produced by its theater and music departments. The Manatee Convention Center in Palmetto and the Municipal Auditorium in Bradenton furnish a variety of musical performances, giving the area true bragging rights to a top quality community of the arts. Also look for music/jazz on the islands in August.
Parks & Recreation
The Manatee County area is home to a virtual wonderland of parks, recreation areas and public beaches offering everything from swimming to fishing to surfing! Some of the favorite spots include:
- Anna Maria Bayfront Park – Situated along the shallow waters of Anna Maria Sound, this park is ideal for those who want to fish, swim, shell, picnic or explore by boat.
- Beer Can Island – This remote island, inhabited only by native vegetation and located in Longboat Pass, is solely reachable by boat – making it the perfect spot for peaceful picnics or sun- drenched naps!
- Cortez Beach on Anna Maria Island – The many jetties located just offshore this wide expanse of beach draw more than their share of fishermen.
- Coquina Beach – A multitude of recreational and picnic facilities are located within this 96-acre park, which is situated on Anna Maria Island’s southernmost point.
- G.T. Bray Park – One of the county’s largest public properties, this 140-acre sporting complex features jogging and bike paths, a tennis complex, various athletic fields and a swimming pool. There’s also a gymnasium complete with programs for all ages, two full-size golf courses and two gulf-side beaches staffed with lifeguards.
- Happy Trails Canine Park – 3-acre fenced-in dog part at G.T. Bray Park. Amenities include doggie drinking fountain and free waste bags. Enclosed area for small, fragile and young dogs. Dogs must have current license tag and have current rabies vaccination.
- Lake Manatee State Recreation Area – A 2,400-acre lake complete with a swimming beach lies at the center of this 556-acre park, which offers its visitors the convenience of its picnic, boating, camping and fishing facilities.
- Manatee Public Beach – One of the county’s favorite spots for sun-worshipping, this stretch of shoreline, which is located along Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach, has even been known to draw surfers from time to time!
- Myakka River State Park – With the distinction of serving as Florida’s largest state park, this natural treasure invites its visitors to stroll along nature trails, experience airboat rides and take advantage of tram tours. There’s also camping, biking and canoeing.
- Palma Sola Causeway/Palma Sola Bay – Swimming, boating, dog-walking and water skiing are favorite pastimes along these sandy stretches of beach, located on Manatee Avenue West.
Visit Your Florida Lifestyle for more information on fishing and our Guide to Establishing Florida Residency for Florida fishing license information.
For comprehensive information on Manatee County and all Florida beaches and gift certificates to the best Florida restaurants on or near them, check out The Florida Beach Book!
Golf
There are more than two dozen public and private golf courses within the immediate area from which to choose, and over 200 more just a short drive away.
The County operates two courses:
Visit Your Florida Lifestyle for additional golf information.
Sports
The crack of the bat continues to call many to award-winning McKechnie Field to take in spring training games. Manatee County is proud to be the spring home of the Major League Baseball Pittsburgh Pirates as well as Gulf Coast and South Coast League Baseball games. It's also easy to take in a baseball game with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, who are a mere thirty minute drive to the north at Tropicana Field. Or if you are a Red Sox fan, their farm team trains in nearby Sarasota.
See the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominate the football field at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, or join fellow arena football fans as they cheer on the Tampa Bay Storm. Hockey fans have the opportunity to see a great NHL hockey game with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Hospitals
Manatee County residents have access to three major hospitals as well as a wide range of public health-care services and privately operated walk-in clinics.
Visit Florida Medical Resources for comprehensive information including Florida hospital ratings.
Colleges
Argosy University
Eckerd College
IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center
International College
Keiser University
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)
Manatee Community College
National Louis University
New College of Florida
University of Phoenix
Ringling School of Art & Design
University of Miami at IMG Academies
University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee
Webster University
For comprehensive information on Lifelong Learning, visit Your Florida Lifestyle.
Airports
Sarasota Bradenton International http://www.srq-airport.com/ serves over one million passengers a year as a gateway to the southwest Gulf coast of Florida. Major domestic and commuter airlines provide daily scheduled service, as do seasonal international and domestic charter carriers.
Manatee County, Florida, Cities & Towns
- City of Anna Maria
- City of Bradenton
- City of Bradenton Beach
- City of Holmes Beach
- Town of Longboat Key
- City of Palmetto
Unincorporated
Census Designated Places
Additional Resources
Manatee County Government: www.mymanatee.org
Manatee County Chamber: www.manateechamber.com
Featured Towns/Cities
Bradenton
Bradenton is hailed as the largest city in the area, boasting a population of 53,662. The city is also the county seat for Manatee County and stands as a hub for commerce, healthcare, government services, education and culture. Its downtown is the place to go for a historic stroll on the Riverwalk, enjoying restaurants as well as artistic ventures. With Sarasota Bradenton International Airport nearby, Bradenton is home to a host of popular attractions, including the South Florida Museum, Village of the Arts and the Pittsburgh Pirates' spring training facility.
Bradenton has a quaintness about it that is appealing. It’s located in a part of Manatee County that is surrounded by water on three sides, The Manatee River, Palm Sola Bay and Sarasota Bay. It also has the Braden River and Terra Ciera Bay, so many residents live in homes and condos on or near a body of water!
Bradenton is just south of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and St. Pete and Tampa and just north of Sarasota, making commutes to any of those locations a breeze. One benefit is lower housing costs.
The neighborhoods of this county offer a wide variety of home styles. Whether your taste is early era or modern, traditional or contemporary, you are certain to be delighted with the vast selection. Some of the more popular features that attract homeowners to Manatee County's casual Florida lifestyle are the cathedral ceilings, large-scale windows, shaded courtyards, screened porches and below ground pools. The majority of new communities have also incorporated recreational and leisure opportunities within the neighborhood. Such opportunities include community swimming pools, tennis courts, walking paths, bike trails, and stocked lakes for a little fishing. Many communities also boast their own golf courses and/or waterway access.
Placing emphasis on maintaining the land's environmental beauty during development, Manatee County's ecological efforts are also seen throughout its neighborhoods and encouraged by the Yards & Neighborhoods Program, which is designed to assist homeowners in preserving the environment and revitalizing natural habitats through effective landscape design and plant selection.
If you would like to get a feel for home prices in Bradenton and Manatee County, visit www.zillow.com and search for recent homes sold.
If you would prefer to save precious time and would like personalized assistance, call or email us today to take advantage of our free Florida Relocation Services. We’ll answer all of your questions and if the timing is right for you, we’ll introduce you to one of the best real estate agents in Bradenton/Manatee County who can provide detailed information and professional assistance.
