City of Bradenton, Florida General Info (Statistics, Demographics, etc)

Incorporated in 1903, Bradenton is a city located in Manatee County, Florida, USA.

Area

Bradenton has a land area of 12.11 sq mi (31.4 km²) and a water area of 2.33 sq mi (6.0 km²) 16.14%. Its total area is 14.44 sq mi (37.4 km²).

Location

Specifically, Bradenton is located at 27°29′18″N 82°34′40″W. It is situated between Tampa and Sarasota. To the north of it is the Manatee River. Waterways, both fresh and saltwater, surround the place. Facing the Gulf of Mexico, and into Tampa Bay, the city has over 20 miles of Florida’s famous beaches which are mostly shaded by Australian pines. Also, Bradenton Beach’s business district and communities on the southern end of Anna Maria Island is a favorite hub for tourists and residents. On the other hand, Downtown Bradenton is located on the west side of the city.

Demographics

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the Bradenton's 2007 population to be 53 471. In fact, the city is the largest Principal City of the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area (population: 682,833). But formally, as of the census of 2000, there were 49,504 people, 21,379 households, and 12,720 families residing in the city. Bradenton’s population density was 1,578.3/km² (4,088.5/mi²). The number of housing units were up to 24 887 at an average density of 793.5/km² (2,055.4/mi²). The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.85. The place consists of different racial groups like 78.14% Whites, 15.11% African Americans, 0.29% Native Americans, 0.79%Asians, 0.05% Pacific Islanders and 3.91 % others. The population was spread out with 21.6% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 25.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. Its median age is 42 years.

Economy

There are several great and world-class industries in Bradenton, Florida. One of these is the Tropicana Products, which is of the world's largest producers and marketers of orange juice. Founded by Anthony T. Rossi, an Italian immigrant, in 1947, by  it has grown to over 8,000 employees in 2004, and markets its products throughout the United States. Another is the Champs Sports, also a nationwide sports-apparel chain  headquartered in Bradenton. Unfortunately, Bradenton has been hit considerably hard by the United States housing market correction, as reported by CNN, projecting a 24.8% loss in median home values by the third quarter of 2008. 

Tourism

Aside from its pristine and beautiful beaches, there are many places that one should visit in Bradenton. It has the Art Center Manatee, Cortez Fishing Village, De Soto National Park, Gamble Mansion, Myakka River State Park, South Florida Museum, Palma Sola Botanical Park, and so on.  Bradenton is also home to the Village of the Arts, a renovated neighborhood immediately south of downtown where special zoning laws allow residents to live and work in their homes. The Village of the Arts remains the largest arts district on the Gulf Coast.