North Port is Sarasota County’s smallest municipality with a population of a little more than 41,000 with a median age of 40. Plenty of young people here keeps the pace a little higher than Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda to the south. North Port has the distinction of being the smallest big city in the state of Florida. It is the fifth largest city in the state in land area but it is only 15 percent populated. North Port boasts 77 square miles of land and an 8,000-acre state forest within its boundaries.
Believe it or not, home prices start at around $75,000 and go up from there. There are estate homes in country settings such as North Port Estates where horses are found grazing in the pastures. More expensive homes can be found in Sabel Trace, Heron’s Creek and Bobcat Trail which are gated golf course communities. There are waterfront homes with saltwater access to the gulf of mexico and plenty of freshwater lake homes.
North Port is close to the beaches and the “big city life” of Sarasota and Bradenton. Pastoral, serene rural areas and beautiful blue skies are here as well with plenty of homes located on small parcels in quiet locations.
One of the world’s best-known heath spas, Warm Mineral Springs, is located just north of the North Port city limits. Thousand of guests who are seeking relief from arthritis, rheumatism and muscular problems visit annually. Bathers relate that they experience a healing effect from the 87 degree Fahrenheit water temperature and the heavily mineralized, warm spring waters.
On a larger scale North Port is located between Port Charlotte/ Punta Gorda to the south and Venice/Sarasota to the North. Englewood lies on the Coast to the Southwest. North Port has a new state of the art high school. Many fine hospitals are close by in Englewood, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Venice and Sarasota with a new facility under construction right in town.
Popular local boating and fishing destinations include the Myakka River and Charlotte Harbor, Boca Grande Pass and the Gulf of Mexico, Cayo Costa, Punta Gorda’s Fisherman’s village, the Intracoastal Waterway, Captiva, Sanibel Island, Englewood Beach, Venice Beach and Cabbage Key.
Established in 1959, the City of North Port celebrated it’s 50th birthday in August 2009. North Port is one of the fastest growing cities in Florida. From the original population of 178 North Port grew to a whopping 53,732 residents in 2007. Long considered a bedroom community of Sarasota, it has come into its own as an area of highly rated golf course communities, affordable housing, and an city wide beautification projects.
North Port is a progressive city attracting more than its share of young people and is a splendid place to retire.
