A blend of contemporary amenities and natural attractions
North Port is a forward-thinking city that has become a growth and development center along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Located between Sarasota and Fort Myers, this city of more than 93,000 saw its population increase almost 24 percent between 2020 and 2024. Wellen Park, a contemporary mixed-use development that spans more than 10,000 acres, is at the center of its rapid expansion. “The careful planning and collaboration between the developer and the city over the years have resulted in a nationally renowned master-planned community we can all be proud of,” says Alaina Ray, the city’s Development Services Director. Yet despite its growth, the city maintains a strong connection to the natural landscape, offering residents 80 miles of freshwater canals and creeks as well as access to the Myakka River. The city has something for everyone. “North Port is home to an incredible mix of Old Florida natural settings for outdoor recreation and exciting shopping, dining and family-friendly entertainment,” Ray says.
Wellen Park is the city's main attraction
The centerpiece of Wellen Park is its buzzy downtown, which features an array of retail, dining and entertainment around the 80-acre Grand Lake. Boutique stores offer everything from spa treatments to home furnishings. Upscale waterfront eateries such as The Banyan House mingle with the quirky fare of The Yard, a collection of eateries housed in repurposed shipping containers.
Visitors can rent kayaks and paddleboards, fish from the pier, take relaxing strolls around a 3-mile paved trail that circles the lake and enjoy fitness classes on the Great Lawn. Tamiami Trail, the Gulf Coast’s premier retail and dining corridor, offers additional options. Cocoplum Village is a shopping center known for its Cocoplum Cars and Coffee event on the first Sunday of every month. Restaurants along the Myakka River offer the opportunity to dine in the Florida sunshine, while seeing a manatee or two.
The Fresh Harvest Farmers Market attracts local vendors and visitors.
Birdwatchers kayak along Myakka River in search of rare species in Myakka City.
Cocoplum Village shopping center has retail and restaurants for residents in North Port.
Tarpon Point Grill & Marina is a local favorite on the Myakka River in North Port.
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Residential growth for the foreseeable future
Though North Port is about 10 miles from the coast, the water is ever-present. The majority of homes are built along canals that dot the city. Traditional ranch-style and contemporary custom homes in subdivisions are prominent and typically range from $350,000 to $850,000. Other options include estates that offer the seclusion of more rural areas and list for as much as $2 million.
New homes are constructed daily in North Port, with residential development concentrated in Wellen Park. Single-family homes include dozens of plans and range in price from under $400,000 to more than $1.5 million. Contemporary townhouses are featured among multi-family options that range from the high $300,000s to the high $500,000s. Wellen Park is expected to be developed through 2030. Rays says city services such as water and sewer are being extended to outlying areas as well amid the city’s continued growth. “Our team is also working on an extensive update to our Unified Land Development Code that will help position North Port for that growth,” Ray says. “The update will create a better mix of diverse housing types and opportunities for the kinds of commercial development the city needs to balance its tax base.”
The city’s inland location protects it from flooding, but wind damage is a major risk during hurricane season. Insurance rates are likely to reflect that.
Many North Port communities are built around the city's waterways.
Mediterranean-inspired homes are common in North Port neighborhoods.
North Port Estates is quickly developing new homes amongst the lush landscape of Sarasota.
Wellen Park is North Port's newest master planned community, spanning 11,000 acres.
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Myakka State Park highlights an array of outdoor options
Myakka State Park offers more than 37,000 acres of outdoor adventure highlighted by the river that flows through it. Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park is a popular destination where hiking, camping and horseback riding are part of the Old Florida experience. Deer Prairie Creek Preserve offers easy access to fishing, kayaking and nature-watching along more than 70 miles of trails.
Warm Mineral Springs draws a crowd year-round to bathe in its soothing waters. Residents also enjoy the modern amenities and classes at the North Port Aquatic Center, a seasonal staple. CoolToday Park hosts Atlanta Braves spring games from late February through late March, but the stadium stays busy year-round with live music and other events.
It wouldn’t be Florida without a golf course. Golfers can hone their game at Heron Creek Golf & Country Club, a semi-private facility that features an 18-hole, 6,825-yard course. And the coastal beaches in neighboring Venice are within 10 miles for most residents.
Visitors of Myakka River State Park enjoy the newly reopened board walk in Myakka City.
The North Port Aquatic Center offers seasonal fun for all ages.
CoolToday Park is the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves.
North Port has some of the most picturesque golf courses in the area.
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North Port High anchors the state's second-best district
Students are served by Sarasota County Schools, the second-best district in the state according to Niche, which gives it an A. Cranberry Elementary, Heron Creek Middle and North Port High schools are all rated between A-minus and B-plus. The high school offers career and technical education courses in areas, such as engineering, culinary arts and web development. Sarasota County offers school choice. Eligible students can attend schools outside of their geographic zones. The city is also home to Imagine Schools’ lower and upper campuses. The tuition-free charter institutions serve students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Cranberry Elementary School is a part of the Sarasota County School District.
Heron Creek Middle School serves students in grades 6-8 in Sarasota County.
The North Port High is the home of the Tigers.
North Port High is the anchor school for the city.
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Access to I-75 among growth factors
Bus routes along Tamiami Trail provide convenient transportation to local points of interest, including neighboring Venice and Sarasota Memorial Health Care Center & ER, the city’s top medical facility. Tamiami Trail and Interstate 75, located on the city’s north side, provide direct access to metropolitan areas throughout the region. Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is about a 40-mile drive. The city’s centralized location is among several factors that have it poised to continue its impressive growth. “With a median age of just 48, we are one of the youngest communities in the region, and at 104 square miles we’re one of the largest cities in Florida,” Ray says.
Crime
Crime is typically concentrated in areas with heavy foot traffic, but that is not the case in North Port. On the west side of the city in buzzy Wellen Park, the CAP Index score is 1-out-of-10, signifying the lowest possible crime rate. Even in the central and eastern sections of the city, the CAP Index score is 3-out-of-10. Much of eastern North Port has yet to be developed. Property-related offenses such as theft make up the great majority of the city's crime. FBI numbers show that the rate of property crime rose 11% between 2022 and 2023. The rate of violent crime fell by 7% during that period.
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