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Bradenton, FL

Bradenton, FL

Bradenton is a city in and the county seat of Manatee County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city's population is 55,698, up from 49,546 at the 2010 census. It is a principal city in the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. Downtown Bradenton is along the Manatee River and includes the Bradenton Riverwalk. Downtown Bradenton is also home to the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature.

To the south of Bradenton is Sarasota, beach communities on Anna Maria Island are to its west, and the Manatee River and Palmetto on the other side of it are to its north.

A settlement established by Maroons or escaped slaves named Angola existed in Bradenton's present area starting in the late 1700s and ending in 1821. It is believed to have been spread out between the Manatee River (then known as Oyster River) to Sarasota Bay. The community is estimated to have had 600–750 residents in it. Angola was a rather large maroon settlement as the Manatee River at that time was too shallow for US Navy vessels to navigate. The settlement was abandoned after the Creeks who were aligned with Andrew Jackson attacked Angola.

When the United States annexed Florida in 1821, there were two known claimants of land in the vicinity of Bradenton but neither of them was confirmed by the US federal government.

Bradenton is named after Dr. Joseph Braden, whose nearby fort-like house was a refuge for early settlers during the Seminole Wars. Braden owned a sugar plantation in the area, covering 1,100 acres (450 ha) and being worked by slave labor. Dr. Joseph Braden was originally from Virginia and relocated to Leon County in Florida shortly after its annexation by the United States in 1821 where he established a cotton plantation bringing his preexisting Virginia slaves along with him. After having financial difficulties from the Panic of 1837, he tried to reestablish himself financially in Manatee County in 1843 moving to the area along with his slaves. To help with the shipment of sugar grown at the plantation, he constructed a pier in present-day Downtown Bradenton where ships could dock and pick up sugar. Where the pier met the land he constructed a stockade getting the name of Fort Braden. During the Third Seminole War, on April 6, 1856, Braden's fortified home was attacked by several Seminole Indians, one of the few, albeit small, direct engagements of the war. Braden was financially successful with his plantation but ended up moving back to Leon County in 1857 because of a financial panic that occurred that year.

The town was originally spelled "Braidentown," as a spelling error was made when it applied for a post office on May 9, 1878. The first bridge across Wares Creek was built in 1886. The following year, Bradenton was designated the county seat after DeSoto County was formed from eastern Manatee County, as the then county seat, Pine Level, was in the new county. A county courthouse was built in 1890 at Courthouse Square.

The approximate coordinates for the City of Bradenton is located at 27°29′N 82°35′W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Bradenton has a total area of 14.44 square miles (37.4 km²), of which 12.11 square miles (31.4 km²) is land and 2.33 square miles (6.0 km²) (16.14%) is water.

Bradenton is located on US 41 between Tampa and Sarasota. The area is surrounded by waterways, both fresh and saltwater. Along the Gulf of Mexico and into Tampa Bay are over 20 miles (32 km) of Florida beaches, many of which are shaded by Australian pines. Bordered on the north by the Manatee River, Bradenton is located on the mainland and is separated from the outer barrier islands of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key by the Intracoastal Waterway.

Downtown Bradenton is located in the northwest area of the city. Home to many of Bradenton's offices and government buildings, the tallest is the Bradenton Financial Center, 12 stories high, with its blue-green windows. The next tallest is the brand new Manatee County Judicial Center with nine floors, located next to the historic courthouse. Other major downtown buildings include the Manatee County Government building and the headquarters of the School Board of Manatee County.

Health and wellness are integral aspects of life in Bradenton. The city is home to several healthcare facilities, including the Blake Medical Center, providing comprehensive medical services to residents. Elements Massage specializes in custom massages tailored to individual needs, focusing on therapeutic techniques to address specific issues like pain relief or stress reduction. Bliss Spa offers a range of massages including Swedish, deep tissue, and prenatal massages, as well as specialty treatments like their "Blissage" and "Betweeny" waxing services. The Salt Room offers unique salt therapy sessions along with massage services, combining the benefits of massage with halotherapy for respiratory and skin health. The Spa at PGA National Resort offers a variety of massages including Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, and aromatherapy massages, in addition to other spa treatments. Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island provides a range of massage therapies including their signature "Heaven in a Hammock" massage, deep tissue massage, and reflexology.

Top sites in Bradenton, FL are The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, Riverwalk, LECOM Park, and Manatee Village Historical Park.

Population: 57,076 (2023). ZIP codes: 34201–34212, 34280–34282. Area code: 941. Elevation: 6 ft (1.83 m). Area: 17.50 sq mi (45.32 km²).

FAQs

Is Bradenton, FL a good place to live?

Bradenton is in Manatee County. Living in Bradenton offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents own their homes. In Bradenton, there are a lot of bars, restaurants, and parks. Many young professionals and retirees live in Bradenton and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Bradenton are above average.

Is it expensive to live in Bradenton, FL?

Bradenton's housing expenses are 7% lower than the national average and the utility prices are 12% lower than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 5% higher than the national average. Bradenton has grocery prices that are 1% higher than the national average.

Is Bradenton, FL wealthy?

Bradenton has an unemployment rate of 3.4%, which is slightly lower than the national average of 3.9%. While there has been steady job growth year after year, it has been slower than many other major cities in the United States. Residents in Bradenton can expect to make an average income of over $22,000, which is lower than the national average of $28,000. Median household incomes for families are an average of just over $40,000 — almost $13,000 below the U.S. average.

Sources

City of Bradenton

Wikipedia

Blake Medical Center

Elements Massage

Bliss Spa

The Salt Room

The Spa at PGA National Resort

Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

Riverwalk

LECOM Park

Manatee Village Historical Park

Niche

Payscale

North American

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