Palm Coast, Florida

Palm Coast is a city in Flagler County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 United State Census, the population was 89,258, an increase of almost 300%, since the 2000 count of 32,832. The population was estimated to be 98,411 as of July 1, 2022.[6] It is the most populous city in Flagler County. Palm Coast is part of the Deltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond Beach, FL metropolitan statistical area.

Palm Coast, Florida
Official seal of Palm Coast, Florida
Seal
Location in Flagler County and the state of Florida
Location in Flagler County and the state of Florida
Palm Coast, Florida is located in the United States
Palm Coast, Florida
Palm Coast, Florida
Coordinates: 29°32′17″N 81°13′24″W
CountryUnited States
StateFlorida
CountyFlagler
Developed1969
Incorporated (city)31 December 1999
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • MayorDavid Alfin [1]
 • City ManagerDenise Bevan
Area
[2]
 • City96.57 sq mi (250.12 km2)
 • Land95.37 sq mi (247.00 km2)
 • Water1.20 sq mi (3.12 km2)
Elevation
[3]
31 ft (9 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • City89,258
 • Density935.92/sq mi (361.36/km2)
 • Urban
349,064 (US: 109th)
 • Metro
99,956
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
32135, 32137, 32142, 32164
Area code386
FIPS code12-54200[4]
GNIS feature ID0295049[5]
Websitewww.palmcoast.gov

History

In the late 1950s, most of the land that would become Palm Coast consisted of swamp and pine forest, with only a few farms and beach houses as well as a turpentine distillery.[7] Business activity was concentrated along Florida State Road 100.[7] Tourists paid fees to hunt and fish in the area.[7]

Developed by ITT Community Development Corporation (Levitt) in 1969, the original development plan encompassed 48,000 home sites on approximately 42,000 acres (17,000 ha) of the 68,000 acres (28,000 ha) owned by ITT. Paved streets and central water and sewer served all lots developed within the plan. An extensive water management system was designed to replenish the area's water table, which includes 46 miles (74 km) of freshwater canals and 23 miles (37 km) of saltwater canals. On October 29, 1970, ITT built Palm Coast's welcome center. This date is now celebrated as Founder's Day.[8]

In 1975, the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners established Palm Coast Service District, which included almost 40,000 acres (16,000 ha). Funds for the district were derived primarily from ad valorem taxes and were used to provide fire services, fire hydrants, street lighting, animal control and emergency services.

Florida had its first serious "wildland urban interface" fire in 1985 with the Palm Coast Fire, which burned 131 homes.[9] Research on this fire indicated that the most important factor was the proximity of heavy ground vegetation to the structures. Thirteen years later, fires struck the same Palm Coast subdivision. The 1998 fires were national news because the whole county was ordered to evacuate, and 45,000 people were displaced. Fire suppression organizations responded from 44 states, and Florida hosted the largest aerial suppression operation ever conducted in the United States. Because of the massive effort, only 71 homes were destroyed.[10]

In September 1999, the citizenry of Palm Coast voted by a margin of two to one to incorporate as a council/manager form of government. On December 31, 1999, the City of Palm Coast was officially incorporated. On October 1, 2000, all services were officially transferred from the former Service District to the city of Palm Coast. The five-member City Council is elected at large and serves staggered four-year terms. One member is elected as mayor. The promulgation and adoption of policy are the responsibility of the council and the execution of such policy is the responsibility of the council-appointed city manager. The city hired its first city manager on April 17, 2000.

The city provides a wide range of services including development services, fire services, street construction and maintenance, parks and recreational activities. Palm Coast contracts with the Flagler County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services. As of 2012, the city has plans under way for a new city hall, a town center, new fire stations, and additional lands for parks. Preservation and protection of environmentally sensitive lands is a key goal of this city as it prepares for the future.

Geography

Palm Coast is located in northeastern Flagler County at 29°32′17″N 81°13′24″W.[11] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 90.8 square miles (235.3 km2), of which 89.9 square miles (232.8 km2) is land and 0.97 square miles (2.5 km2), or 1.06%, is water.[12] The city extends north to the Flagler County line, southwest to the Bunnell city limits, and southeast to touch the city of Flagler Beach.

Interstate 95 crosses Palm Coast from north to south, with access from Exit 293 (Matanzas Woods Parkway), Exit 289 (Palm Coast Parkway), and Exit 284 (Florida State Road 100). U.S. Route 1 runs parallel to I-95 through the western side of Palm Coast, leading into Bunnell.

The area around Palm Coast last saw a direct hit from a tropical cyclone in 2004 when Hurricane Charley passed directly over the area.[13] Since 1851 when hurricane tracking data began, 33 hurricanes and tropical storms have directly affected the area.

Palm Coast has become a bedroom community for St. Augustine, 25 miles (40 km) to the north, and Daytona Beach, 30 miles (48 km) to the south, while some residents also work in Orlando and Jacksonville.

Climate
Climate data for Palm Coast, Florida, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1999–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 87
(31)		 89
(32)		 92
(33)		 94
(34)		 102
(39)		 100
(38)		 101
(38)		 99
(37)		 97
(36)		 92
(33)		 89
(32)		 87
(31)		 102
(39)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 79.9
(26.6)		 82.3
(27.9)		 85.7
(29.8)		 88.7
(31.5)		 91.9
(33.3)		 95.1
(35.1)		 95.5
(35.3)		 95.6
(35.3)		 92.2
(33.4)		 88.7
(31.5)		 83.9
(28.8)		 81.0
(27.2)		 97.1
(36.2)
Average high °F (°C) 65.2
(18.4)		 67.9
(19.9)		 72.4
(22.4)		 77.8
(25.4)		 82.8
(28.2)		 86.2
(30.1)		 87.8
(31.0)		 87.8
(31.0)		 86.0
(30.0)		 80.8
(27.1)		 73.7
(23.2)		 68.5
(20.3)		 78.1
(25.6)
Daily mean °F (°C) 57.2
(14.0)		 60.0
(15.6)		 64.2
(17.9)		 70.1
(21.2)		 76.2
(24.6)		 80.8
(27.1)		 82.2
(27.9)		 82.2
(27.9)		 80.8
(27.1)		 75.1
(23.9)		 67.1
(19.5)		 60.8
(16.0)		 71.4
(21.9)
Average low °F (°C) 49.2
(9.6)		 52.1
(11.2)		 56.0
(13.3)		 62.3
(16.8)		 69.5
(20.8)		 75.5
(24.2)		 76.5
(24.7)		 76.7
(24.8)		 75.6
(24.2)		 69.4
(20.8)		 60.4
(15.8)		 53.1
(11.7)		 64.7
(18.2)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 30.7
(−0.7)		 35.7
(2.1)		 40.5
(4.7)		 49.1
(9.5)		 57.4
(14.1)		 66.1
(18.9)		 70.1
(21.2)		 70.6
(21.4)		 67.0
(19.4)		 52.9
(11.6)		 42.4
(5.8)		 37.8
(3.2)		 28.9
(−1.7)
Record low °F (°C) 21
(−6)		 26
(−3)		 33
(1)		 39
(4)		 43
(6)		 54
(12)		 61
(16)		 64
(18)		 58
(14)		 41
(5)		 35
(2)		 23
(−5)		 21
(−6)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.34
(85)		 3.60
(91)		 3.09
(78)		 2.51
(64)		 2.79
(71)		 5.92
(150)		 6.27
(159)		 6.41
(163)		 7.67
(195)		 4.45
(113)		 2.46
(62)		 2.93
(74)		 51.44
(1,307)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 10.3 9.8 9.3 6.9 6.8 13.2 13.4 14.8 13.8 10.5 8.9 9.5 127.2
Source: NOAA (mean maxima/minima 2006–2020)[14][15]

Economy

As of 2012, industrial parks within the town house more than 30 mid-size businesses, with the largest one, the "Palm Coast Data" company, employing close to 1,000 people. Flagler County has had one of the highest rates of population growth in the United States since 1990, according to the U.S. Bureau of the Census. However, the area was hit extremely hard by the housing bust's recession. In December 2009, it had the worst unemployment rate of the state of Florida's largest metropolitan areas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate at that time was 16.9 percent.[16]

Local Government

Palm Coast is under a Council-Manager form of government, meaning its ordinances are considered by a City Council with the Mayor as the Chair. The Palm Coast City Council has five seats, four of which are for Council members elected to represent geographic districts, and one at-large seat for the Mayor. Registered voters from anywhere in the city can vote for each of the five Council seats. As of July 2023, the Palm Coast City Council is occupied by the following Council members:[17]

  • Mayor David Alfin
  • Vice Mayor Ed Danko (District 1)
  • Councilwoman Theresa Carli Pontieri (District 2)
  • Councilman Nicholas Klufas (District 3)
  • Councilwoman Cathy Heighter (District 4)

Klufas is the longest serving on the Council, having been elected in 2016.[18] Danko was elected in 2020,[19] Alfin was elected in 2021,[20] and Pontieri and Heighter were elected in 2022.[21] The Palm Coast City Council has a two-term limit instituted by the City Charter, with the exception of those members serving a partial term from a special election (as Alfin is). Those members may serve two four-year terms along with the duration of the partial term, as decided by the voters. Each current member of the Palm Coast City Council is a member of the Republican Party.

At the county level, Palm Coast is served by the Flagler Board of County Commissioners, Flagler School Board, and East Flagler Mosquito Control District.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19802,837—
199014,287403.6%
200032,732129.1%
201075,180129.7%
202089,25818.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[22]

2010 and 2020 census
Palm Coast racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race Pop 2010[23] Pop 2020[24] % 2010 % 2020
White (NH) 54,762 62,158 72.84% 69.64%
Black or African American (NH) 9,191 9,249 12.23% 10.36%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 155 223 0.21% 0.25%
Asian (NH) 1,878 2,161 2.50% 2.42%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) 44 55 0.06% 0.06%
Some other race (NH) 270 614 0.36% 0.69%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) 1,328 3,852 1.77% 4.32%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7,552 10,946 10.05% 12.26%
Total 75,180 89,258

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 89,258 people, 33,264 households, and 24,478 families residing in the city.[25]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 75,180 people, 27,184 households, and 19,862 families residing in the city.[26]

2000 census

As of 2000, 22.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.6% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.68.

In 2000, the city's population was spread out, with 18.5% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 19.7% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 30.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $41,570, and the median income for a family was $45,818. Males had a median income of $31,976 versus $24,637 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,490. About 5.6% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.

Languages

As of 2000, English spoken as a first language accounted for 87.66% of all residents, while 12.33% spoke other languages as their mother tongue. The most significant was Spanish speakers who made up 6.48% of the population, while German came up as the third most spoken language, which made up 1.18%, Italian was spoken by 1.02%, and Portuguese at 1.00% of the population.[27]

Noted issues

Pedestrian fatalities

On March 2, 2017, Michelle Taylor, a 16-year-old student of Matanzas High School was struck and killed by a car while walking home from school in an area with no sidewalks and few street lights.[28] In the following months, the people of the city petitioned to have more street lights and sidewalks installed throughout the entire city to reduce the number of pedestrian injuries and deaths. Students of Matanzas High School took charge of these efforts by creating committees and petitions to generate attention and pressure the local city council. Towards the end of 2016, Kevin Smith Jr, also a student of Matanzas, was injured in a hit and run under the same conditions.[29]

Healthcare

Hospitals include AdventHealth Palm Coast, and AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway.[30][31]

Notable people

References
  1. "David Alfin Elected Next Mayor Of Palm Coast". July 27, 2021.
  2. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  3. Elevation at coordinates given in "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001), Palm Coast city, Florida". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  6. "QuickFacts: Palm Coast". Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  7. Dycke, Arthur E. (2015). "Through the years in Palm Coast 1968-2014" (PDF). The Palm Coast Historian. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  8. Observer Staff (October 29, 2020). "Palm Coast marks its 50th anniversary". Pal Coast Observer. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  9. "FEMA PDF" (PDF).
  10. "History". Florida Division of Emergency Management. Archived from the original on February 17, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2009.
  11. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  12. "QuickFacts: Palm Coast". U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  13. http://celebrating200years.noaa.gov/magazine/devast_hurricane/image2_full.jpg
  14. "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  15. "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  16. "Table 1. Civilian labor force and unemployment by state and metropolitan area - 2022 M06 Results". www.bls.gov.
  17. "Elected Officials". Official Website for the City of Palm Coast. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  18. "Summary Results - Election Night Reporting". enr.electionsfl.org. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  19. Gollon, Chris (November 5, 2020). "2020 General Election: Full Local Results". AskFlagler. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  20. Gollon, Chris (July 27, 2021). "David Alfin Elected Next Mayor of Palm Coast". AskFlagler. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  21. Gollon, Chris (December 7, 2022). "Heighter and Pontieri In, Fanelli Out at Palm Coast City Council; Danko Appointed Vice Mayor". AskFlagler. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  22. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  23. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Palm Coast city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  24. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Palm Coast city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  25. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Palm Coast city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  26. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Palm Coast city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  27. Modern Language Association Data Center Results of Palm Coast, Florida.
  28. "Palm Coast resident Michelle Taylor, 16, killed in car crash; 21-year-old injured | Palm Coast". March 3, 2017.
  29. "Kelvin Smith, 16, Killed in Hit-and-Run as He Was Cycling on Old Kings Road in F-Section". January 2017.
  30. Ross, Nikki (April 24, 2022). "AdventHealth Palm Coast opens news training simulation center for nurses, college students". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  31. "Birmingham's Robins & Morton completes $167 million Florida hospital". AL.com. July 31, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
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