In Palmetto, Florida, a Gulf Coast city bounded by the Manatee River and Terra Ceia Bay, early 20th-century mom-and-pop shops still line 10th Avenue. “It’s not pretentious, but it has all the amenities,” says Greg Owens, who’s worked as a listing specialist with TeamWorks/Keller Williams on the Water since 2005. “You have some really nice homes, great parks, a bunch of marinas and restaurants along the river. Downtown is Old Town Florida, but it’s also a vibrant boating community.” Here, “Old Town Florida” means a free-standing post office dating back to 1880 and Colonial homes built as early as 1900. Visitors to Palmetto Historical Park will be reminded of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad railroad, the backbone of Palmetto’s agricultural industry in the early 20th-century. Just across the street is Sutton Park, a modern-day family gathering place home to the neighborhood’s Fourth of July festival and the DeSoto Children’s Parade.
Visitors of Palmetto Historical Park can view well-preserved structures and engaging exhibits.
Palmetto Historical Park invites visitors to explore the city's vibrant history.
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Historic homes and estates on the Manatee River
In Palmetto, buyers will find manufactured homes starting at $200,000, ranch-style houses hovering around $400,000 and 1930s-era traditional homes starting at $500,000 in the historic river district. The community’s largest homes, which list for as much as $3.5 million, are found on Snead Island and along the Manatee River. “You have some really unique homes and gorgeous estates on the water,” says Owens. “Some real gems on Snead Island.” Sharing the waterfront are high-rise condominiums listing from the low $300,000s to more than $1 million.
If high-rise living is your thing, you'll feel right at home with a few choices in Palmetto.
Florida Ranch-style homes are very common in Palmetto.
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Palmetto High School educates 1,984 students of Manatee County.
High school students create animatronic shows
Students can attend neighborhood institutions like Palmetto Elementary, which received a C from the educational review site, Niche, Lincoln Memorial Academy, a charter school that received a C-minus and Palmetto High, which was awarded a B. High school students have the option to enroll in the animatronics program where they can build independently controlled motors, write scripts, voice act and even learn how to design sets. An alternative option is the nearby Manatee School for the Arts, a B-plus-rated charter school that serves grades six through 12.
Blackstone Park has a new playground and several sports fields.
Annual fairs, fishing tournaments and jogging trails
In addition to the Palmetto Historical Park downtown, the neighborhood offers several other community activity centers. Blackstone Park’s athletic fields are home to organized baseball, softball and soccer competitions. The Manatee County Fair (known for its annual pageant, petting zoo and live music) takes place in January on Palmetto’s fairgrounds, and the Bradenton Area Convention Center is a modern venue for business events and trade shows. Anglers regularly pull snook and redfish from the waters surrounding Palmetto, and the Bradenton Yacht Club on Palmetto’s riverfront hosts the annual Crosthwait Memorial Fishing Tournament, one of the largest such events on the Gulf Coast. According to Owens, the paved pathways at Emerson Point Preserve on Snead Island are popular with bikers and joggers. Scan the Manatee River for dolphins while exercising.
Watch boat traffic from the Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant
Retail and dining are concentrated along the U.S. Route 41 business corridor, which leads directly to Safe Harbor Regatta Pointe, a busy marina on the river. The adjacent Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant is a popular dockside eatery. “It’s one of the few spots where you can watch sailboats come and go,” says Owens, adding, “It’s one of those really cool places to sit and hang out. Order oysters from their raw bar or sample the lobster mac n’ cheese.
D’s Breakfast & Burgers, located on 10th Avenue, is popular with locals on weekend mornings. Fill up on a signature skillet breakfast before exploring Palmetto’s historic district.
The Riverhouse Waterfront restaurant is a must on a list of places to eat in Palmetto.
Palmetto's historic downtown is a nice place to spend a day.
Enjoy the gorgeous views from dockside seating at Riverhouse in Palmetto.
Palmetto's riverfront border makes for great boating and sunsets.
With plenty of public access to Manatee River, enjoy an afternoon boat ride in Palmetto.
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Sarasota Bradenton International Airport serves as a gateway to Florida's Gulf Coast.
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport 12 miles south
Whether Palmetto residents use the Manatee County Area Transit system (also known as MCAT) or make the 12-mile drive south, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is easily accessible down Route 41. From here, they can fly nonstop to nearly 50 unique U.S. cities.
Manatee Memorial Hospital provides compassionate care and medical services to the community.
Important to know: nearby medical care and hurricane season
Palmetto residents can access medical care at Manatee Memorial Hospital, located 3 miles down Route 41. The facility has been nationally recognized for providing high-quality stroke care.
Hurricanes are a concern on Florida’s Gulf Coast, especially during the summer months. The city of Palmetto has planned evacuation maps and shelters, and residents are encouraged to install permanent storm shutters on their windows.
Written By
Kevin Haswell
Photography Contributed By
Clint Bliss
Video By
Nathan Allen
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Nanci Gilbert,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Palmetto, FL sell after 83 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Palmetto, FL over the last 12 months is $365,000, down 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
$10,000 PRICE IMPROVEMENT! LUXURY WATERFRONT LIVING – FULLY FURNISHED & MOVE-IN READY!Now offered with a $10,000 price reduction, this exceptional property is an incredible value in the prestigious Bel Mare at Riviera Dunes community. Where elegance meets convenience, this 2-bedroom, 2-bath CORNER UNIT has been lightly used as a second home and is in pristine, move-in ready condition. It
PRICE IMPROVEMENT! LUXURY WATERFRONT LIVING at its FINEST! Welcome to Unit 1203 at Bel Mare, a 12th-floor stunner offering 2,930 sq ft of beautifully updated living space and breathtaking WATER VIEWS FROM EVERY WINDOW Overlooking the Manatee River, Riviera Dunes Marina, and beyond to the Gulf, this spacious 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath residence also features a DEN/OFFICE and an additional POWDER ROOM—
Experience stunning LUXURY WATERFRONT living in this beautifully designed 2-bedroom + den, 2.5-bath residence offering 2,167 sq. ft. of interior space and a gorgeous 349 sq. ft. balcony overlooking the MARINA. The heart of the home is a remodeled, chef-inspired kitchen featuring quartz countertops, solid wood cabinetry, upgraded appliances, and a spacious walk-in pantry—perfect for both everyday
NEW PRICE. STUNNING, FULLY FURNISHED 2023 Jacobsen manufactured home in TROPIC ISLES, a premier RESIDENT-OWNED 55+ WATERFRONT COMMUNITY on Terra Ceia Bay with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico! This IMMACULATE home is a TRUE MASTERPIECE, featuring unique ARTISTIC DECOR that adds character and charm throughout. Designed with 9-foot ceilings, elegant crown molding, transom windows and luxury
OH, THE VIEW!This is the Florida WATERFRONT DREAM you've been waiting for! Perfectly positioned between Terra Ceia Bay in the back and a private basin in the front, this immaculate raised home offers direct access to your own dock with a 12,000 lb. BOAT LIFT—just steps from your door. No bridges stand between you and the Gulf of Mexico, Anna Maria Island, or the sparkling open waters of
Welcome to this LAID-BACK COASTAL GEM in TROPIC ISLES, a vibrant 55+ RESIDENT-OWNED waterfront haven – Where Every Sunset Whispers Home. This property awaits for you! A sanctuary kissed by water views and cradled by comfort. This enchanting 2-bedroom, 2-bath treasure invites you to wake with the sun and unwind as the water dances beneath the twilight.From the glimmering NEW WINDOWS (2013)
Welcome to the Fairways at Imperial Lakewoods, where luxury meets comfort in this 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home. The perfect blend of a thoughtful floor plan, numerous upgrades, and golf course views. Dive into paradise! Relax on the expansive screened-in patio and take a refreshing dip in the inviting pool—a perfect retreat for warm, sunny days. Convenient Location: Proximity to I-75, restaurants,
One or more photo(s) has been virtually staged. Welcome to your new sanctuary! Located in the quiet, gated community of Oak Mill Preserve, this charming home is now available for an annual rental beginning 11/1/25. With its blend of warmth and spacious design, this property offers a peaceful retreat for you and your family.Step inside to a bright, open-concept floor plan that seamlessly
COMPLETELY RENOVATED. NON-DEED RESTRICTED 4 Bedroom 2 bath house near Emerson Point Preserve, Palmetto Public Boat Ramp, Marsh Harbour Marina and the Bradenton Yacht Club. Owners will be fencing in super-size back yard. Owners extended the driveway just for your convenience. No carpet, brand new stainless appliances. West Palmetto location is ideal. Easy access to Upper Manatee River, Terra Ceia
Intro 100
Set within the interior of a peninsula bordered by the Terra Ceia Bay and the Manatee River, West Ellenton is a vestige of the Old Florida way of life "That's filling up fast, homes are being built at a record rate," says Scott Nivens, a local real estate agent with Exit King Realty. "When I first moved to Manatee County in 1982, none of these subdivisions were here." Despite this new construction, West Ellenton is one of the few remaining neighborhoods in the area where residents can find open, natural space and undisturbed habitats. But today, as popular areas like St. Petersburg and Sarasota expand, "More and more locals are heading to Manatee County to get away from the city," says Nivens. This "mixture of residential and Old Florida area" remains highly desirable for its unique combination of convenience paired with generous amounts of space.
Housing 150
With an average sales price of $360,000, homes in West Ellenton are about $50,000 less than those in nearby Palmetto. Offering both manufactured homes and traditionally built, single-family houses, this area is particularly popular with both working families and retirees. Manufactured homes here usually sell for $50,000 to $150,000 and often don pastel colors siding with wide windows and attached carports. Single-family homes in West Ellenton usually sell for around $350,000-$600,000 and feature more modern stylings, like wood-paneled siding or stucco exteriors. In addition to homes clustered within subdivisions, somewhat unique to this area is its abundance of private properties sitting on single-acre lots beside woods and cattle farms.
Schools 100
Students in West Ellenton are served by the Manatee County School District which is ranked 25th out of the 67 school districts in Florida according to Niche. Students here can attend schools such as James Tillman Elementary, Lincoln Memorial Middle and Palmetto High, all of which received a B-minus from Niche. Middle and high school students can also attend the Manatee School for the Arts. With the motto "Live the arts," this charter school boasts a 97% graduation rate and offers programs in music, dance, the digital arts and more.
Transportation 50
West Ellenton is a car-dependent community. United States Highway 41 as well as Interstates 75 and 275 provide residents with quick access access to Sarasota, St. Petersburg, Tampa and the rest of the surrounding area. Locally, West Ellenton is only 4 miles from the town of Palmetto and 16 miles from the beaches of Bradenton. For those commuting to St. Pete, the Skyway Bridge provides easy access, but as the area continues to be developed, expect traffic to be common during rush hour.
Shopping and Dining 75
With a central location, West Ellenton isn't far from shopping and dining options like those found in nearby Bradenton, St. Pete or Tampa. Locally, the Ellenton Premium Outlets offers brand name stores at discount prices as well as several restaurants and eateries.
For a quick bite, head to TK Grill & Barbeque for some grilled meats like their signature slow-smoked pork with black beans and rice. When in the mood for a drink, Corporate Ladder Brewing Company offers beers and lagers on tap.
For groceries, Detwiler’s Farm Market features farm-fresh produce and local seafood options. This market with a hometown feel also has a deli, bakery and meat department.
Parks 50
For those wanting to find some undisturbed Florida nature, the Felts Audobon Preserve is popular with birders and those wanting to take a casual stroll. With more than a mile of footpaths, this 28-acre preserve is home to pine flatwoods, ponds, wetlands and meadows that have attracted a documented 194 avian species and 33 butterfly species.
Situated on the West end of Snead Island, Emerson Point Preserve is another popular spot, especially for people who want to enjoy the balmy waters of the Tampa Bay. This preserve has beaches, wildlife, boardwalks, walking trails and even a Native American historic site.
Another Old Florida spot is the Palmetto Estuary Preserve. This protected piece of coastal habitat is a great place to admire the waters of the Manatee River and spot wildlife like dolphins and even manatees.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Weather
Annual Precipitation
56''
Average Winter Low Temperature
53°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®®
52/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®®
44/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
