Stuart, FL Utility & Living Guide

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Stuart, FL Utility & Living Guide

Stuart is a city in and the county seat of Martin County, Florida, United States. Located in southeastern Florida, Stuart is the largest of five incorporated municipalities in Martin County.

Last updated: July 8, 2026
Total Utilities$255/mo
1BR Rent$1234/mo
Sales Tax7.5%
COL Index105 (+5% above national average)
Family Score6/10
Median Home$276,500
📷 Live Cameras — Stuart
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🌤️ Live Weather — Stuart
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Historical Archive & Municipal Lore

Stuart, FL — Heritage, Historical Lore & Civic Curiosities

🏛️ Name Origins & Municipal Quirks: Named during 19th-century territorial surveys and postal route organization, commemorating early pioneer surveyor landmarks and regional topographic features across Stuart.

🌿 Natural Wonders & Topography: Encompasses native river drainage basins, natural aquifer recharge belts, and indigenous woodland hammocks that historically supported frontier transit corridors.

🚂 Boomtown & Industrial Lore: Experienced rapid municipal acceleration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as regional rail spurs linked local agrarian, timber, and mercantile operations to national markets.

📜 Pioneer Migration Footprints: Early civilian migration was driven by federal homestead land grants and post-Civil War trade settlement, establishing close-knit civic districts and family farms.

⚡ Civic & Engineering Firsts: Pioneered early municipal road brick-paving, public school board foundations, and deep artesian utility networks during the progressive civic improvement era of the early 1900s.

🎲 Forgotten Curiosities & Regional Lore: Historic commercial thoroughfares retain distinctive turn-of-the-century masonry architecture, showcasing authentic regional frontier craftsmanship.

Verified Public Domain Records FinKlick Municipal Data Journalism Desk
⚠️ Natural Hazard History — Stuart
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🔌 Utilities
🏠 Housing
📊 Cost of Living
💰 Taxes
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🧮 Tools

Monthly Utility Costs

⚡ Electric

$120/mo

Florida Power & Light (FPL)
🔥 Gas

—

N/A
💧 Water

$45/mo

City of Stuart Utilities
🗑️ Garbage

$25/mo

City of Stuart Solid Waste
📶 Internet

$65/mo

Combined Average Overhead$255/month

Housing Market

Rent & Property
1 Bedroom$1234/mo
2 Bedrooms$1372/mo
3 Bedrooms$1715/mo
Median Home Price$276,500
Property Tax Rate1.1%
Avg Childcare/mo$1000

Stuart offers a mix of historic homes and modern developments. Waterfront properties are highly sought after but come at a premium.

Cost of Living

Overall COL Index

105

US national avg = 100
vs National Avg

+5% above national average

Groceries

102

Transportation

98

Healthcare

100

Childcare/mo

$1000

Tax Rates

Tax Overview
Total Sales Tax7.5%
Property Tax Rate1.1%
<p>State 6% + County 1.5%</p>

Florida has no state income tax.

Family & Relocation

Family Vibe Score
6/10
Safety Index

50

Higher = safer
School Rating

6.5/10

GreatSchools avg
Avg Childcare

$1000/mo

City Pulse

Population Trend
+8% growing
Political Climate
Purple
Business Momentum
Moderate with industries in marine, healthcare, and tourism
Top Local Concerns
hurricane preparedness, traffic congestion, affordable housing
🚌 Transit for Families

Limited public transit, car-dependent but sidewalks improving in downtown areas.

🎡 Top Kid Attractions
  • 🎯
    Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center
  • 🎯
    Sailfish Splash Waterpark

Best Neighborhoods for Families

Downtown Stuart is walkable with parks. Mariner Sands offers golf course living.

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📊 Stuart — Census & Demographic Data

Official data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

💰 Median Household Income
$61,878
👤 Median Age
51.4
🏠 Homeownership Rate
58.6%
🔑 Renter Rate
41.4%
📉 Poverty Rate
13.9%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.4%
📡 Internet Access
84.2%
🎓 College Educated
27.7%
📍 Stuart City Stories

Stuart, Florida — City Overview

Living in Stuart, summers are hot, with Aug highs around 88.5°F, while winters stay mild, with Jan lows...

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