Palm Coast, Florida

Palm Coast
City
Princess Place Preserve Princess Place Preserve
Location in Flagler County and the state of Florida
Country	United States
State	Florida
County	Flagler
Developed	1969
Incorporated (city)	31 December 1999
Government
• Type	Council-Manager
• Mayor	Jon Netts
• Vice Mayor	Alan Peterson
• City Manager	Jim Landon
Area 1
• City	51.70 sq mi (133.9 km2)
• Land	50.72 sq mi (131.4 km2)
• Water	.98 sq mi (2.5 km2)
Elevation 3	3 ft (1 m)
Population  (1 July 2006) 2
• City	68,013
• Density	645.4/sq mi (249.2/km2)
• Metro	83,084
	2006 estimates
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	32135, 32137, 32142, 32164
Area code	386
FIPS code	12-54200Template:GR
GNIS feature ID	0295049Template:GR
Website	http://www.ci.palm-coast.fl.us/

Palm Coast a city in Flagler County, Florida, United States. As of 2006, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 68,013, making it the largest city in between Jacksonville and Melbourne. Palm Coast is the principal city of the Palm Coast, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, designated in 2007. Palm Coast and Flagler county are among the fastest growing locations in the country, having increased their populations from 32,732 and 49,832, respectively, in the 2000 census.

History

Industrial parks within the city currently house more than 30 mid to large size businesses with the largest corporation, Palm Coast Data, employing close to 1,000 people. Flagler County has had one of the highest rates of population growth in the United States since 1990, according to the U.S. Bureau of the Census. Further, the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research predicts Flagler County will experience one of the highest job growth rates in Florida between 1995 and 2010.

Developed by ITT Community Development Corporation (Levitt) in 1969, the original development plan encompasses 48,000 home sites on approximately 42,000 acres (170 km²) of the 68,000 acres (280 km²) owned by ITT. Paved street and central water and sewer serve all lots developed within the plan. An extensive water management system was designed to replenish the area's water table, which includes 46 miles of freshwater canals and 23 miles of saltwater canals.

In 1975, the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners established Palm Coast Service District, which included almost 40,000 acres (160 km²). Funds for the district were derived primarily from ad Valorem taxes and were utilized to provide fire services, fire hydrants, street lighting, animal control and emergency services.

Florida had its first serious "wildland urban interface" fire in 1985 with the Palm Coast Fire, which burned 131 homes. Research on this fire indicated that the most important factor was the proximity of heavy ground vegetation to the structure. Thirteen years later, fires struck the same Palm Coast subdivision. The 1998 fires were national news because the whole county was ordered to evacuate and 45,000 people were displaced. Fire suppression organizations responded from 44 states and Florida hosted the largest aerial suppression operation ever conducted in the United States. Because of the massive effort, only 71 homes were destroyed. It is interesting that the most important factor again was heavy ground vegetation. [1]

In September 1999, the citizenry of Palm Coast voted overwhelmingly by a margin of two to one to incorporate as a council/manager form of government. On December 31, 1999, the City of Palm Coast was officially incorporated. On October 1, 2000, all services were officially transferred from the former Service District to the City of Palm Coast. The five-member City Council is elected at large and serves staggered four-year terms. One member is elected as Mayor. The promulgation and adoption of policy are the responsibility of the Council and the execution of such policy is the responsibility of the council appointed city manager. The city hired its first city manager on April 17, 2000.

The city provides a wide range of services including development services, fire services, street construction and maintenance, parks and recreational activities. Palm Coast contracts with the Flagler County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services. The city currently has plans under way for a new City Hall, a town center, new fire stations, and additional lands for parks. Preservation and protection of environmentally sensitive lands is a key goal of this city as it prepares for the future.

Geography

Palm Coast is located at 29°32′17″N 81°13′24″W (29.538128, -81.223385).Template:GR According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 51.7 mi² (133.9 km²). 50.72 square miles (131 km²) of it is land and 0.98 square miles (3 km²) of it (1.90%) is water.

The area around Palm Coast has not seen a direct hit from a hurricane since well before 1950. A unique location on the eastern seaboard coupled with prevailing wind and ocean currents have so far managed to steer hurricanes away from the community.

Palm Coast has become a quiet bedroom community for St. Augustine and Daytona Beach workers, while many locals work in Orlando and Jacksonville and commute from Palm Coast.

Demographics

STATE OF FLORIDA LOCAL AREA UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS BY COUNTY: Flagler

DECEMBER 2008

LABORFORCE- 31599 EMPLYOMENT- 27902 UNEMPLOYMENT LEVEL- 3697 RATE(%)- 11.7

NOVEMBER 2008

LABORFORCE- 31832 EMPLYOMENT- 28239 UNEMPLOYMENT LEVEL- 3593 RATE(%)- 11.3

DECEMBER 2007

LABORFORCE- 30685 EMPLYOMENT- 28417 UNEMPLOYMENT LEVEL- 2268 RATE(%)- 7.4

SOURCE: Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, Labor Market Statistics Center, Local Area Unemployment Statistics Program, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

---

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 32,732 people, 13,628 households, and 10,534 families residing in the city. The population density was 645.4/mi² (249.2/km²). There were 14,929 housing units at an average density of 294.4/mi² (113.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.04% White, 10.27% African American, 0.24% Native American, 1.52% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.23% from other races, and 1.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.71% of the population.

There were 13,628 households out of which 22.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.6% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.68.

In the city the population was spread out with 18.5% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 19.7% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 30.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,570, and the median income for a family was $45,818. Males had a median income of $31,976 versus $24,637 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,490. About 5.6% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.

Neighborhoods of Palm Coast, Florida

The city of Palm Coast, Florida consists of many separate neighborhoods.

Matanzas Woods

• The L Section

The neighborhood north of Matanzas Woods Parkway, its major roads being Lakeview Boulevard and London Drive. It is home to the Grand Club Matanzas Golf Course, or “Matanzas Woods Course,” which was established in 1985 by Arnold Palmer.[2]

Indian Trails

• New B Section [B East]

Bordered to the north by Matanzas Woods, west by Belle Terre Parkway, and south by Palm Coast Parkway. The streets to the north begin with the letters “Bu” or “Bi.” Streets to the south begin with “Ba” or “Be.”

• Old B Section [B West]

The area to the west of Belle Terre Parkway and bordered further on the west by Pine Lakes Parkway, while to the south runs Palm Coast Parkway. The streets here begin with “Br.”

• The Little B Section

Small in size and separated from the rest of the B section. Can be found on the north side of Palm Coast Parkway, before interstate 95. Roads in this section begin with “Bo.”

• The Woodlands

To the south of Palm Coast Parkway, after interstate 95, and can be entered along Old Kings or Colbert. Sometimes called “the Other B Section.” Roads here begin with “Bl.”

Palm Harbor

• The C Section

An area consisting of residential roads intertwined along the canals which lead to Palm Harbor. In the southern C section is the Palm Harbor Golf Club, which opened in 1973.[3]

• The F Section

Begins running south from Forest Grove Drive, and from there on bordered by Old Kings Road to the west and Palm Harbor Parkway and later Florida Park Drive to the east.

Pine Lakes

• The W Section

The main area considered the W section is enclosed in the northern loop of Pine Lakes Parkway and holds the Grand Club Pine Golf Course, or “Pine Course.” This course was also designed by Arnold Palmer and was opened in 2006.[4] Streets here begin with the letters “We.”

• W West

The area to the west of Pine Lakes Parkway, runs south and ends at White View Parkway. Also bordered on the west by Route 1. The streets within this section begin with “Wo.”

• W East

The area to the east and southeast of Pine Lakes Parkway, runs south and ends at White View Parkway. Also bordered on the west by White Mill Drive. The streets within this section begin with either “Wa” “Wy” “Wi” or “Wh.”

Belle Terre

• P North

The north P section consists of roads extending from Parkview Drive. Here the roads begin with either "Pa" "Pe" or "Pl."

Pine Grove

• P South

The central P section extends from Pritchard Drive and White View Parkway. The streets here begin with "Pr" or "Pi." The south P section extends from Ponce DeLeon and Point Pleasant Drives, and Royal Palms Parkway. Here roads begin with "Ph" or "Po."

Lehigh Woods

• The R Section

Bordered to the north by White View Parkway, west by Route 1, south by Royal Palms Parkway, and east by Belle Terre. The major road of the R section is Rymfire Drive.

Cypress Knoll

• The E Section

Home to the Grand Club Cypress Course, or “Cypress Knoll Course.” It opened in 2005.[5] It is excessable to the west of Belle Terre, through Easthampton Blvd. or Eastwood Drive. It is close to the future Town Center at Palm Coast.

Seminole Woods

• The S Section

South of Route 100 and west of Interstate 95 exit 284. The main road of the S section is Seminole Woods Boulevard.

• The U Section

Quail Hollow

• The Z Section

South of Route 100 on the west side of Belle Terre.

• The Little L Section

On the east side of Belle Terre, further south than the Z section.

• The K Section

Found on both west and east sides of Belle Terre when it ends at Route 1.

External links

• City of Palm Coast
• Flagler County Sheriff's Office
• Flagler County Public Schools
• Palm Coast Florida Portal