Saint Petersburg

by The Linguist

Saint Petersburg, Florida

Saint Petersburg is a city located in Pinellas County, Florida. Known for its sunny weather, beaches, and lively downtown district, it is the fifth most populous city in Florida with a population of around 260,000 residents as of 2020 according to the US Census Bureau.

History

Saint Petersburg was founded in 1876 by John C. Williams who purchased 2,500 acres of land to establish the city. It was named after the Russian city Saint Petersburg. Tourism began to boom in the early 20th century. The city has since developed into a popular vacation and retirement destination.

For more on the history of Saint Petersburg, visit the Saint Petersburg Museum of History.

Population

As of the 2020 census, Saint Petersburg had a population of 260,964 residents, making it the fifth most populous city in the state of Florida after Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, and Orlando. The racial makeup of the city is approximately 66.3% White, 22.5% African American, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 4.9% Asian, 0.5% Native American, and 3.8% two or more races.

Saint Petersburg has seen steady population growth since the 1970s. Between 1970 to 2000, the population grew from 216,232 residents to 248,232 residents. Population growth has continued into the 21st century, rising from 244,769 in 2010 to 260,964 in 2020.

Economy

Some of the major industries and employers in Saint Petersburg include:

For more on the Saint Petersburg economy and employment, visit the St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation.

Transportation

Saint Petersburg is served by several major transportation services:

  • St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) – Provides domestic and international air service just minutes from downtown.
  • Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority – Operates public buses and trolleys throughout Pinellas County.
  • Amtrak – Train station located right in downtown Saint Petersburg.
  • Tampa International Airport – Major international airport located just over 20 miles from Saint Petersburg.
  • Interstate Highways – I-275 and I-175 provide access to Tampa and other cities.

Education

Public education in Saint Petersburg is overseen by the Pinellas County School District. There are over 20 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 5 high schools located within the city limits. Some of the top ranked schools include Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg Collegiate High School, and Palm Harbor University High School.

Saint Petersburg is also home to several institutions of higher education, including:

Major Landmarks and Attractions

Some of the top attractions and landmarks in Saint Petersburg include:

  • The Dali Museum – World renowned museum housing the largest collection of works by Salvador Dali.
    • Address: 1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
    • Phone: (727) 823-3767
    • Website: thedali.org
    • GPS Coordinates: 27.7701° N, 82.6703° W
  • St. Petersburg Pier – Iconic pier with shops, restaurants and parks extending into Tampa Bay.
    • Address: 600 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
    • Website: stpetepier.com
    • GPS Coordinates: 27.7686° N, 82.6267° W
  • Sunken Gardens – Beautiful 100-year old botanical garden with exotic plants and floral displays.
    • Address: 1825 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704
    • Phone: (727) 551-3102
    • Website: sunkengardens.org
    • GPS Coordinates: 27.7679° N, 82.6444° W

View an interactive map of Saint Petersburg landmarks and attractions here.

Sports

Popular professional sports teams based in Saint Petersburg include:

The Tampa Bay Rays play at Tropicana Field in downtown St. Petersburg. Many other amateur and recreational sports teams play throughout the city year round.

Government

Saint Petersburg has a Council-Manager form of government. The city council consists of a mayor and eight council members representing different districts. The current mayor is Ken Welch. The city council meets at Saint Petersburg City Hall:

  • Address: 175 5th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
  • Phone: (727) 893-7171
  • Website: stpete.org

Saint Petersburg is part of Pinellas County. The county government administers services related to infrastructure, health, public records, parks, utilities and more throughout the county. The main county government campus is located at:

  • Address: 315 Court St, Clearwater, FL 33756
  • Phone: (727) 464-3000

Facebook

Follow Saint Petersburg local news and events on the city’s official Facebook page:

facebook.com/CityofStPete

Additional Local Resources

Here are some other useful resources for residents and visitors to Saint Petersburg: