"Sailfish Capital of the World" offers more than just fishing
The city of Stuart is known for its fishing. It earned the nickname of the “Sailfish Capital of the World” because of how many of the impressive, long-billed fish are found in the St. Lucie River, which runs through the city. Stuart can also boast the monikers “Snook City” and “Kingfish Kountry,” for the same reason, to the delight of local anglers. Fishing and boating are big in this Treasure Coast city of almost 19,500. However, year-round access to the water isn’t the only reason people flock to Stuart. Balmy winters draw newcomers from the northeast, and transplants from Miami and Ft. Lauderdale arrive regularly, looking for a slower pace. Stuart’s slow, steady expansion over the last 10 years is evident from another notable newcomer arriving in 2025. “Costco. That’s how you know we’re growing,” says Linda Fritts, a real estate agent with A&A International Realty Group who sells throughout the Treasure Coast. “For a long time, there was slow growth or no growth. Now there are more roads, more businesses and more people.” Despite the growth, Stuart has retained its small-town charm, with its many ways for residents to gather, including its walkable, historic downtown and its many events.
The Stuart water tower can be found in Downtown Stuart.
Downtown Stuart offers many single family and multi family housing options.
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Single-family homes, 55-plus communities, condos and townhouses available
Home styles in Stuart include ranch-style, bungalows, and New Traditional style. Houses near the St. Lucie River often boast enviable backyard views of the water, and range between $1 million and $5 million. However, the median price for single-family homes is $610,000. Many condo complexes, including 55-plus communities like the Windjammer Condo Association, sit along the water, too. Townhouses are primarily found on the city’s west side, with a median price of around $400,000.
Row of riverfront homes with private pools and boat docks.
Some Martin County Golf and Country Club homes have terracotta roofs with a Spanish style.
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Fishing, boating and parks offer outdoor recreation
Fishing and boating are the leading outdoor activities in Stuart, thanks to the city’s proximity to the St. Lucie River. Anglers can choose from offshore saltwater, inshore saltwater and freshwater fishing and often reel in yellowfin tuna, swordfish and blue marlin. Annual fishing tournaments draw local and out-of-town participants, including the Pirate’s Cove Sailfish Classic and the Stuart Sailfish Light Tackle Tournament. Parks are plentiful in Stuart and popular when residents want green space. Nearby Hutchinson Island has multiple sandy beaches. Sailfish Sands Golf Course is a public, 18-hole course on the city’s southeast side; golfers can tee off there or at the half dozen private and public courses in neighboring cities.
Golfers enjoy public access to the 18-holes at Shores of North River Golf Club.
Many riverfront homes have docks to store their boats.
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Waterfront restaurants and boutiques in historic Downtown Stuart
Downtown Stuart offers locally owned restaurants and boutiques, live entertainment at historic theaters and views of the St. Lucie River. Residents head to The Lyric Theater for music, movies and live theater. Near Stuart Beach, the Elliott Museum has rotating exhibits, including some that celebrate the history of the Treasure Coast, and the Florida Oceanographic Society Coastal Center visitors learn about sharks, sea turtles and local gamefish. Shopping centers throughout the city offer big box retailers, a mix of popular chain and locally owned restaurants, banks and gas stations. The Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital sits along the banks of the St. Lucie River, with additional medical centers nearby.
Downtown Stuart has great places for brunch.
Downtown Stuart has plenty of places to shop.
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The Annual Stuart Boat Show and Rock'n Riverwalk bring residents together
Residents gather at Downtown Stuart’s waterfront for Rock’n Riverwalk, a popular weekly concert series. The Annual Stuart Boat Show has been a city staple since 1974 and features over 200 local, national and international exhibitors showing dozens of boat brands. “It’s a big deal. We get a lot of people coming in from out of town for that,” Fritts says. Additional annual events include the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Celebration in January, the Downtown Stuart Craft Festival in October and Fireworks on the 4th Fire & Ice Show at Flagler Park.
The Stuart Boat Show is a popular annual event that draws large crowds.
You can join the yoga class by the Riverwalk in Downtown Stuart.
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Martin County School District offers Controlled Open Enrollment
Martin County School District, rated A-minus by Niche, includes 20 schools, as well as three special centers, four preschool centers and two adult education campuses. The district offers Controlled Open Enrollment (COE), meaning families can enroll their children in several schools within the county that aren’t at capacity.
Welcome to Jensen Beach High School.
Exterior of JD Park school of technology.
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Community outreach programs from the police department; hurricanes and flooding are possible
In 2022, Stuart Police Department reported that the violent crime rate was slightly below Florida’s overall violent crime rate. The city’s property crime rate is higher than the statewide rate. The police department’s Youth Intervention Program provides grant-funded after-school programs to local at-risk kids to help prevent criminal activity later in life.
Hurricanes can hit Stuart, and the city urges residents to prepare before “hurricane season” starts each June. The city’s website provides information on how best to prepare. Wind damage, flooding, and even tornadoes are possible, like when Hurricane Milton hit Florida in 2024.
Residents travel by car, bus, and in 2026, the Brightline
U.S. Route 1 travels through town to Fort Pierce and Jupiter Island. Martin County's bus system, MARTY, has several routes serving the Stuart area. The Martin County Airport sits on the city’s east side and though the county institutes noise abatement programs, those living to the immediate east or west of the airport report some noise throughout the day. In 2024, the city announced that Brightline, a high-speed inter-city railway from Miami to Orlando, would expand to the Treasure Coast and place the new station in Stuart. The station is expected to open in the second half of 2026. City officials expressed excitement over the news and stated that this expansion will bring additional exposure and support to the local economy.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
