Pinellas County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of the 2000 census, the population is 921,482. Its county seat is Clearwater, Florida⁶, and its largest city is St. Petersburg. The county has its own area code (727), and along with Hillsborough County, Florida comprises the Tampa-St.Pete metro area, often called the Tampa Bay area.

History

Pinellas County was created in 1911, and was named for the Spanish Punta Piñal ("Point of Pines" or "Piney Point"). The Pinellas Peninsula (which divides Tampa Bay from the Gulf of Mexico) and a small part of the mainland was incorporated into the county.

Map of Pinellas County
(click for full image)

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,574 km² (608 mi²). 725 km² (280 mi²) of it is land and 849 km² (328 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 53.94% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 921,482 people, 414,968 households, and 243,171 families residing in the county. The population density is 1,271/km² (3,292/mi²). There are 481,573 housing units at an average density of 664/km² (1,720/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 85.85% White, 8.96% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 2.06% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 1.64% from two or more races. 4.64% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 414,968 households out of which 22.10% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.80% are married couples living together, 10.50% have a female householder with no husband present, and 41.40% are non-families. 34.10% of all households are made up of individuals and 15.50% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.17 and the average family size is 2.77.

In the county the population is spread out with 19.30% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 22.50% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 43 years. For every 100 females there are 91.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $37,111, and the median income for a family is $46,925. Males have a median income of $32,264 versus $26,281 for females. The per capita income for the county is $23,497. 10.00% of the population and 6.70% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.90% of those under the age of 18 and 8.20% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities and towns

Incorporated

• Belleair
• Belleair Beach
• Belleair Bluffs
• Belleair Shore
• Clearwater
• Dunedin
• Gulfport
• Indian Rocks Beach
• Indian Shores
• Kenneth City
• Largo
• Madeira Beach
• North Redington Beach
• Oldsmar
• Palm Harbor
• Pinellas Park
• Redington Beach
• Redington Shores
• Safety Harbor
• Seminole
• South Pasadena
• St. Pete Beach
• St. Petersburg
• Tarpon Springs
• Treasure Island

Unincorporated

• Bay Pines
• Clearwater Beach
• East Lake
• Feather Sound
• Gandy
• Harbor Bluffs
• Ridgecrest
• South Highpoint
• Tierra Verde
• West and East Lealman

External links

Government Links

• Pinellas County Government / Board of County Commissioners (http://www.pinellascounty.org)
• Pinellas County Property Appraiser (http://pao.co.pinellas.fl.us)
• Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (http://www.co.pinellas.fl.us/sheriff/default.htm)
• Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections (http://www.votepinellas.com)
• Pinellas County Tax Collector (http://www.taxcollect.com)

Special Districts

• Pinellas County Public Schools (http://www.pinellas.k12.fl.us)
• Southwest Florida Water Management District (http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/)

Judicial branch

• Clerk of the Circuit Court, Pinellas County (http://www.pinellasclerk.org)
• Public Defender for the 6th Judicial Circuit (http://www.wearethehope.org/) serving Pinellas and Pasco Counties
• Office of the State Attorney, 6th Judicial Circuit (http://statty.co.pinellas.fl.us/)
• Circuit and County Court for the 6th Judicial Circuit of Florida (http://www.jud6.org/)

Tourism links

• St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention and Visitors' Bureau (http://www.floridasbeach.com)