The City of North Port occupies 103 square miles of southeast Sarasota County midway between the cities of Sarasota and Fort Myers, near the Gulf of Mexico. North Port is one of the largest Florida cities in land area but is only 10 percent populated - plenty of room for growth!

Although, North Port is inland, our weather is influenced by the Gulf of Mexico. The average annual temperature of 76 degrees makes year-round living a pleasure, and the City is host to many seasonal residents as well.

North Port encompasses fourteen miles of Interstate I-75 within its boundaries. It has two international airports within 45 minutes making, the City accessible to most major markets.

The City of North Port's population for 2006, as estimated by the Bureau of Economic and Business Research, University of Florida, was 47,770. By 2008, the City projects North Port's population will range from 48,556 to 51,738.

Since 1980, North Port's population has grown 120%, making it one of the fastest growing cities in Florida and insuring businesses plenty of workers and consumers, now and in the future. The following is the history of population growth in North Port:

*Estimates provided by the University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR)
NOTE:  The figures above represent the City's estimated residential population.  Seasonal population can represent up to 30% increase over resident population numbers.

North Port has an unspoiled natural environment where wildlife flourishes among 95 miles of freshwater canals.  North Port is also the only city in Florida that contains a state forest (Myakka State Forest) within its corporate boundaries.

North Port owns its water and wastewater utilities, providing reliable, low-cost services.

North Port is served by a top-notch public school system, a community college less than 5 miles away and three four-year institutions with a 60-mile radius.

North Port offers some of the lowest development fees in the state and some of the lowest property taxes in the Southwest Florida region.

Over the years North Port has consistently had a healthy and growing economy with the unemployment rate remaining below 5% annually.

Residential building permits increased from an average 30 per month in 1993 to 36 per month in 1994, a 20% increase and a sure sign of continued growth and prosperity.

North Port is a fiscally conservative city dedicated to providing excellent services at a low cost.