Palm Harbor, Florida is located in Pinellas County, 20 miles north-west of Tampa, Florida. It is part of the Tampa-Saint Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan area. Palm Harbor is one of the most beautiful communities in Florida. The town is home to 58,637 people and has a very high standard of living. The residential areas are very comfortable with excellent facilities. The transport network is very efficient and provides an easy commute to the nearby cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater. Many people prefer moving to Palm Harbor because of its more peaceful residential neighbourhoods. It is also preferred by people moving after retirement.
Economy:
Being primarily a residential neighbourhood, the main economic activity inside the city is in the healthcare, education and retail sectors. Retail employs 14 percent of the male workforce and 13 percent of the female workforce. Healthcare providers are the second largest employers in the city. The manufacturing industry also has a fair share in the economics of Palm Harbor. According to 2009 estimates, the median household income of Palm Harbour is $52,275 per annum. This is higher than the state's average median. The Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce has played an important role in the economic development of the city since it was established in 1977. The nearby cities of Tampa, St Petersburg and Clearwater also play an important role in Palm Harbor's economy. Many people work outstation in these cities. Over the last few years, the housing prices in Palm Harbor have shown a downward trend. This is one of the main reasons why people living in surrounding cities prefer moving intrastate to Palm Harbor.
History:
The original settlement began in 1878 as Bay St. Joseph. The initial settlement was due to J.C. Craver who came to the region in a year earlier, in the winter of 1877, on the advice of his physician. The name was soon changed to Yellow Bluff. Sometime later, a yellow fever epidemic broke out in the town and the name was changed again to avoid negative associations with Yellow Bluff. The railroad arrived in 1888. At that time the town was known as Sutherland after the Southern Land and Development Company which operated here. During the 1880s the town had two beautiful hotels, one of which later became a college. The current name "Palm Harbor" was chosen in 1925. The city is still unincorporated and is governed by the Pinellas County Commission.
Tourism:
The city is home to the North Pinellas Historical Museum, originally built in 1915 by Judge Thomas William Hartley. The museum has numerous exhibits on the history of Palm Harbor and its surrounding areas. It includes information on the early settlements from the 1800s, all the way to the present day. There are also numerous outdoor activities in Palm Harbor including fishing, boating, diving and numerous water sports. Tourists can also visit Adventure Island, Busch Gardens, The Florida Aquarium, Lowry Park Zoo and the Florida International Museum.