Fort Pierce is historic, artistic and suburban, all in one Treasure Coast city
Fort Pierce was named for the Army post built on the banks of the Indian River during the Second Seminole War. The city of about 50,000 residents is one of the oldest communities on Florida’s east coast. Its history is especially evident in its downtown district, where hundred-year-old buildings house local shops, restaurants and art galleries. According to Annette Robbins, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Paradise and longtime resident, Downtown Fort Pierce’s funky, arty vibe is a major draw to the city. However, it wasn’t always that way. “I used to co-own a restaurant in the 90s, and no one used to go downtown at night back then. That’s totally changed,” Robbins says. Another draw, Robbins says, is the water. Fort Pierce sits along the Indian River, and residents can easily access the Indian River Lagoon and its clear blue water. “People drive in from miles away for the fishing,” she says.
Fishing along the calm waters is a common pastime for many Indian River Estates residents.
Paddle Boarding and boating are popular activites in Indian River Estates.
The Lisa Jill Allison Art Gallery showcases love in color in Fort Pierce.
Fort Pierce residents enjoying a stroll along the boardwalk marina downtown.
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Ranch-style homes and bungalows are common
Homes in Fort Pierce are mostly ranch-style bungalows with three and four bedrooms, built between 1960 and 2000. There are also some historic homes from the early 20th century and others built in the 2020s. Closer to the city’s west side, homes are more spread out, lending a more rural feel to the area. Townhouses are clustered in complexes near the city’s center, built between the 1980s and the 2010s. Condo complexes are closer to the shore, built between the 1970s and the 2010s. The median price for single-family homes is $345,000, and for townhouses, it’s around $308,000.
Fort Pierce has a variety of Single Family Homes within its neighborhoods.
Many single family homes in Outer Fort Pierce offer manicured lawns and lush landscaping.
Fort Pierce offers uniquely designed townhomes at affordable prices.
Waveland-Hutchinson Island has many high rise beachfront condos.
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Lawnwood Sports Complex and The Cove nearby are popular for outdoor recreation
On weekends, boaters head to "The Cove," a nickname for the sandbar found at Boot Toe Point, to enjoy sun and surf. “Everyone with boats piles in,” says Jason Coley, the team lead at Atlantic Shores Realty who lives nearby and sells throughout the Treasure Coast. “When the tide changes, you have all this beautiful blue water coming in. Everyone just loves it.” Traditional green spaces include Lawnwood Sports Complex, which offers six baseball and two softball fields, a track for walking and running, and a soccer field. Other smaller parks scattered throughout the city offer similar amenities.
Young baseball players gather eagerly, ready to hit the field in Fort Pierce.
A young Fort Pierce athlete in ful sprint embodying determination on the track at Lanwood park.
Downtown Fort Pierce locals enjoying the basketball courts at Lincoln park.
The Dreamland Martin Luther Memorial fountain is often enjoyed by the kids in Fort Pierce.
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Kids attend St. Lucie Public Schools
St. Lucie Public Schools serves Fort Pierce and rates a B on Niche. The district offers school choice, and there traditional elementary, middle and high schools, plus mixed-grade, magnet, non-traditional and charter schools. There are also private and faith-based schools.
St. Lucie Elementary School, where the children of Fort Pierce learn and thrive.
McCarty Middle School serves students in the Fort Pierce community.
Ft Pierce Westwood Academy is committed to the education of its students.
Calvary Christian School incorporates faith based studies in Indian River Estates.
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Shopping, dining, culture and services throughout the city
Fort Pierce’s historic downtown is popular for its locally owned restaurants, boutiques, galleries and breweries. Route 1 is lined with shopping centers, big-box retailers and grocery stores. Additional shopping centers are scattered throughout the city. Locals head to the Sunrise Theatre downtown for national touring Broadway shows, big-name music acts, comedy, ballet, and opera. HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital is in the heart of the city and is surrounded by other medical offices and a St. Lucie County fire station.
Fort Pierce residents prefer to shop at Publix for their grocery needs.
Sugar & Spice restaurant serves up soul food with a Bahamian twist in Fort Pierce.
The Sunrise Theatre's mission is to entertain, educate, and inspire all in Fort Pierce.
HCA Lawnwood Hospital offers advanced healthcare services to the residents of Fort Pierce.
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Downtown Fort Pierce brims with weekly, monthly and annual events
Residents head to Downtown Fort Pierce for many events, including the Fort Pierce Farmer’s Market on Saturdays. Art-themed events are popular, including the monthly Art Walk and Friday Fest, both featuring work by local artisans and live music. The annual Highwaymen Heritage Trail Festival celebrates the local Black landscape artists who supported themselves by selling their work during the segregated 1950s. Each December, Sounds of the Season preps for Christmas with caroling by local kids.
The Downtown Fort Pierce Farmer's Market opens Saturday mornings.
The Farmers Market welcomes area residents every Saturday morning.
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Crime rates are declining; hurricane damage is possible
According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, incidents of violent crime declined from 560 in 2022 to 460 in 2023, and property crime rates fell from 224 in 2022 to 142 in 2023. Still, the crime rate is higher in Fort Pierce than in surrounding areas. The Fort Pierce Police Department has programs to combat crime, like neighborhood watch and activities to engage local kids.
Like other cities in South Florida, Fort Pierce is susceptible to high winds and flooding during hurricanes. In 2024, Hurricane Milton also caused a major tornado, damaging over 100 homes. The city’s website offers resources to keep residents updated on extreme weather.
Interstate 95, ART buses and City Tram help residents get around
Orange Avenue divides the city and leads to Interstate 95, giving residents access to the rest of the state. The Area Regional Transit (ART) bus travels throughout the city, Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie Village and unincorporated parts of St. Lucie County. The City Tram travels throughout downtown. West Palm Beach International Airport is about 70 miles away and offers flights throughout the United States and Canada.
On average, homes in Fort Pierce, FL sell after 117 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Fort Pierce, FL over the last 12 months is $340,000, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
People are my business! It's all about the relationship you form with your customers, clients and fellow business associates. The Golden Rule should always apply- "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". I believe that if I take care of the people in my life they will take care of me. I love my real estate career and was led to it by having to move 5 times in 10 years due to my husbands job. I enjoyed the process so much I made a career out of it. Happily I am settled in my dream state of Florida, near Melbourne where I took my first trip to Florida as a teenager and vowed I would live someday. All that buying and selling of homes taught me a great deal. I understand the needs of both buyers and sellers. I have a lot of empathy for my clients and what they go through to achieve their real estate goals. I am here to make the transitions as smooth and stress free as possible. I will always look out for your best interests with the utmost care and concern, I promise. Please let me help you find your dream home or the home you need at the moment. I'm proud to work for Dale Sorensen Real Estate which has been family owned and managed since 1978. Dale Sorensen Real Estate is a full service brokerage dedicated to a long standing tradition of excellence. Recognized as the top luxury real estate firm on the East Coast, the award winning company commits exclusive resources to ensure leadership and it's a preferred choice for individuals selling and buying properties. Through the use of their global network, comprehensive marketing strategies, strategic social marketing tools and innovative search engine optimization techniques, Dale Sorensen Real Estate provides its agents with the tools they need and its customers with maximum worldwide exposure. With over 250 agents and twelve locations in Florida, Dale Sorensen Real Estate, Inc. reported 2019 sales of over 1 billion in the markets they serve, which includes Indian River County, Brevard County, St. Lucie County and surrounding areas.
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