RANK #993 / 996 · POP 405,069 · FL
PROJECTED GROWTH: -5.8%
Manatee County, Florida, is known for its 27 miles of white sand beaches along Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, attracting millions of visitors annually. The Manatee River, a popular spot for fishing and water sports, flows into Tampa Bay. The county seat, Bradenton, offers a mix of urban and suburban living, while Lakewood Ranch is a rapidly growing master-planned community. Commuting within the county is primarily car-dependent, though Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) provides bus service, including a free trolley on Anna Maria Island. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with preserves like Robinson Preserve and Myakka River State Park offering hiking, biking, kayaking, and birdwatching opportunities.
Life in Manatee County offers a blend of coastal living and community spirit. The School District of Manatee County serves over 50,000 students and is considered above average. The area has seen a population surge, adding nearly 60,000 new residents in four years. The economy is driven by sectors such as manufacturing, energy production, and transportation infrastructure, with SeaPort Manatee playing a role as a deepwater seaport. Local governments and economic development agencies actively work to attract new businesses and support existing ones.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.4x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Community Solar Portfolio (7 projects)
Florida Power & Light Co. (FPL) and Duke Energy Florida
|
$522M | Operating |
|
Manatee Energy Storage Center
Florida Power & Light Co. (FPL)
|
$409M | Operating |
|
Manatee County School District IT Upgrades
Manatee County School District
|
$67M | Planned |
|
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Facility at Lena Road Landfill
Nopetro Energy and Johnson Controls
|
$50M | Planned |
|
SpaceX Satellite Communications Facility
SpaceX (Starlink)
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Valor Commons (Veterans Service and Memorial Campus)
Manatee County Government
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Manatee County has a Boom Town Index score of 0/100, ranking #993 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.3% and a median household income of $71,385, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Manatee County is $323,900 with median rent at $1,418/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2204, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +2.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.3%. Home values changed -7.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.15% of Manatee County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.