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About Fort Pierce, FL

About Fort Pierce, FL

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.

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Fishing along the calm waters is a common pastime for many Indian River Estates residents.
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Paddle Boarding and boating are popular activites in Indian River Estates.
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The Lisa Jill Allison Art Gallery showcases love in color in Fort Pierce.
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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.

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Fort Pierce has a variety of Single Family Homes within its neighborhoods.
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Many single family homes in Outer Fort Pierce offer manicured lawns and lush landscaping.
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Fort Pierce offers uniquely designed townhomes at affordable prices.
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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.

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Young baseball players gather eagerly, ready to hit the field in Fort Pierce.
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A young Fort Pierce athlete in ful sprint embodying determination on the track at Lanwood park.
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Downtown Fort Pierce locals enjoying the basketball courts at Lincoln park.
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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.

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St. Lucie Elementary School, where the children of Fort Pierce learn and thrive.
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McCarty Middle School serves students in the Fort Pierce community.
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Ft Pierce Westwood Academy is committed to the education of its students.
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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.

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Fort Pierce residents prefer to shop at Publix for their grocery needs.
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Sugar & Spice restaurant serves up soul food with a Bahamian twist in Fort Pierce.
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The Sunrise Theatre's mission is to entertain, educate, and inspire all in Fort Pierce.
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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.

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The Downtown Fort Pierce Farmer's Market opens Saturday mornings.
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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.

Sara Huffman
Written By
Sara Huffman
Phara Laplante
Photography Contributed By
Phara Laplante
Sara Warthen
Video By
Sara Warthen

Neighborhood Map

Fort Pierce by the Numbers

$366K
Average Housing Value
92
Average Days on Market

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Top Schools in Fort Pierce, FL

Source:

Best Public Elementary Schools

Fairlawn Elementary School
#1 Fairlawn Elementary School
A-
Niche
8
GreatSchools
Morningside Elementary School
#2 Morningside Elementary School
B+
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Rivers Edge Elementary School
#3 Rivers Edge Elementary School
B-
Niche
8
GreatSchools
Samuel S. Gaines Academy
#4 Samuel S. Gaines Academy
B-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Frances K. Sweet Elementary School
#5 Frances K. Sweet Elementary School
C+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Savanna Ridge Elementary School
#6 Savanna Ridge Elementary School
C+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Parkway Elementary School
#7 Parkway Elementary School
C
Niche
6
GreatSchools
White City Elementary School
#8 White City Elementary School
C
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Creative Arts Academy of St. Lucie
#9 Creative Arts Academy of St. Lucie
C+
Niche
5
GreatSchools

Best Public Middle Schools

Lincoln Park Academy
#1 Lincoln Park Academy
A-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Samuel S. Gaines Academy
#2 Samuel S. Gaines Academy
B-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Southport Middle School
#3 Southport Middle School
B-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Creative Arts Academy of St. Lucie
#4 Creative Arts Academy of St. Lucie
C+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Northport K-8 School
#5 Northport K-8 School
C+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Southern Oaks Middle School
#6 Southern Oaks Middle School
C+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Forest Grove Middle School
#7 Forest Grove Middle School
C+
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Dan McCarty Middle School
#8 Dan McCarty Middle School
C
Niche
3
GreatSchools
St. Lucie Detention Center
#9 St. Lucie Detention Center

Best Public High Schools

Lincoln Park Academy
#1 Lincoln Park Academy
A-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Fort Pierce Central High School
#2 Fort Pierce Central High School
B
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Port St. Lucie High School
#3 Port St. Lucie High School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Fort Pierce Westwood High School
#4 Fort Pierce Westwood High School
C+
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Performance Based Preparatory Academy
#5 Performance Based Preparatory Academy
C-
Niche
2
GreatSchools
St. Lucie Detention Center
#6 St. Lucie Detention Center

Best Private Schools

John Carroll High School
#1 John Carroll High School
A+
Niche
Liberty Baptist Academy
#2 Liberty Baptist Academy
A-
Niche
St. Andrew's Episcopal Academy
#3 St. Andrew's Episcopal Academy
B
Niche
Destined For Greatness Christian Academy
#4 Destined For Greatness Christian Academy
Faith United School of Excellence
#5 Faith United School of Excellence
Florida State Christian Academy
#6 Florida State Christian Academy
Jes Memorial Sda School
#7 Jes Memorial Sda School
Orange Avenue Baptist School
#8 Orange Avenue Baptist School
Sun Grove Montessori School
#9 Sun Grove Montessori School

Agents Specializing in this Area

Agent Spotlight

Bill Burdette
(321) 635-0461
Providing the most professional, informative, loyal, and dedicated service as a Blue Marlin Realtor.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico Bill is fully bilingual (English and Spanish). He has a bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering and worked in the industry for 32 years. His passion now is Real Estate. Bill has lived in the Space Coast Area the past 17 years and has a vast knowledge of the market.

Being a Multi-Million-dollar producer, when you are ready to list your home, he will help you with an accurate market analysis that will sell your home fast in the least amount of time. Let them get started today!

Will provide 3D Matterport Tours & Floorplans for my sellers' listings.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.