Area Overview

Indiantown

is located in western Martin county. Buildable property in Broward County is virtually non-existent and growth in Palm Beach and Martin Counties is projected to continue at increasing rates for many years to come.

Martin County, grew at a rate of 26% to over 126,000 residents from 1990 to 2000. During the 70’s the county started to feel the pinch of Florida’s sprawling development with an outpouring of the many south Florida residents exiting Miami and Ft. Lauderdale to find a more tranquil setting. That migration continues today as the county grows in leaps and bounds, making it one of the fastest growing areas in the state. The county is 556 square miles with 189 people per square mile permanent and 233 people per square mile during our winter season [based on 1992 estimates, with a seasonal population of 129,188 [1992]. The City of Stuart has the largest concentration of growth in the county, with an estimated population of 16,900, about 14 percent of the total county population.

The City of Stuart is both the County Seat and a growing commercial center. Stuart is also known as the “Sailfish Capital of the World” and has revitalized its downtown with the renovation of many buildings. This 5.5-mile city was first settled in the early 1800’s and became a major pineapple and citrus producing area as the railroad was completed to the area.

Martin County was founded on May 30, 1925. Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to Lake Okeechobee, Martin County has an abundance of waterways for every recreational pursuit.
These waterways have also fostered one of the strongest marine industries in the Country. Once considered primarily a haven for seasonal residents and retirees, the area is experiencing rapid population growth especially in working, well – educated and professional adults, which has resulted in a significant increase in income levels.

The major industries in the area are agriculture, tourism, service business and light manufacturing. Area companies include: Northrop Grumman Aircraft Systems, Louis Dreyfus Citrus processing, Consolidated Citrus, Armallini Express Lines, Turbo Combuster Technology, Indian River Plantation Resort & Marina, Ebasco Services, and Dickerson Inc., just to name a few. Interest in the area is growing on the part of developers who were not successful at obtaining land in northern Palm Beach County in the large – scale sale of the McArthur Foundation property.  

Palm Beach County, to our south is the sixth fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States. The population was 863,518 in 1990. In 2000, the US Census Bureau reported that Palm Beach County grew at a rate of 31% and has over 1,100,000 residents. The vast majority of the growth has been a result of an in-migration from the North as well as from Dade and Broward Counties.

The County has the highest total effective buying power in the state. Wealthy individuals and families are attracted by the climate and recreational opportunities. The county boasts forty-seven miles of attractions, events, and festivals. With over 140 golf courses, the county is considered the “golf capital of the world“.

The Town of Palm Beach is one of the wealthiest communities in the U.S. The appeal, which has led people to relocate here, has reached the corporate community W.R. Grace, Sunbeam, Motorola, MBNA, and Wackenhut have located national or regional headquarter facilities in the county. Major industrial employers such as United Technologies, IBM, and FPL are also located within the County.

Palm Beach County remains one of the hottest housing markets in the nation. Development along State Road 7 is exploding, and a surge of development is getting under way in northern Palm Beach County. Total annual starts volume in Palm Beach is now holding steady near eight thousand. Boynton/Delray is slowly running out of land, and more and more of activity is shifting to Wellington, Lake Worth, and Lantana. North County is becoming extremely pricey, but buyers are turning up and paying those numbers.