Port St. Lucie
RANK #640 / 996 NAT · #6 / 41 FL · POP 334,682
1YR FORECAST: -1.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +20%
St. Lucie County, situated on Florida's Treasure Coast, is known for its extensive natural amenities, including 21 miles of Atlantic coastline and over 20,000 acres of public parks and preserves. Fort Pierce, the county seat, offers a historic downtown with cultural attractions like the Sunrise Theatre, while Port St. Lucie is recognized for its golf courses, including the PGA Village. The county is located about 60 miles north of West Palm Beach, with commutes to larger cities possible via I-95 and the Florida Turnpike. The community maintains a relaxed atmosphere, with opportunities for boating, fishing, kayaking, and exploring diverse ecosystems like the Savannas Preserve State Park.
Life in St. Lucie County appeals to families, retirees, and remote workers seeking a balance of outdoor activity and community. The public school system serves over 45,000 students across more than 50 schools, with a high school graduation rate of 91.5 percent in recent years. The local economy is diversifying, with growth in sectors such as manufacturing, distribution, and logistics. The county also offers public transportation through Area Regional Transit, including fixed bus routes and a micro-transit program for areas not on main routes, aiming to connect residents to employment and services.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Prices declining
Housing looks overvalued at 7.2x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Sentinel Grove Technology Park (Proposed Data Center)
Timberline Real Estate Partners
|
$13,500M | Proposed |
|
FPL Solar Energy Center Portfolio (8 projects)
Florida Power & Light (FPL)
|
$745M | Operating/Planned |
|
Amazon Fulfillment Center (Port St. Lucie)
Amazon
|
$100M | Operating |
|
Amazon Delivery Station (Tradition)
Amazon
|
$50M | Completed |
|
Accel International Manufacturing Facility
Accel International
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Meyer Utility Structures Spun Concrete Plant
Meyer Utility Structures (subsidiary of Arcosa)
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 35/100, St. Lucie County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $66,154 combined with job growth of +1.8% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
St. Lucie County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $275,900 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.24 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,363/month on average.
St. Lucie County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +3.1% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.8% clip. Home values shifted -3.9% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.77% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests St. Lucie County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.