Clearwater, Florida

Clearwater is a city located in Pinellas County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 108,787. It is the county seat of Pinellas County⁶.

Geography

Clearwater is located at 27°58'25" North, 82°45'51" West (27.973644, -82.764271)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 97.7 km² (37.7 mi²). 65.5 km² (25.3 mi²) of it is land and 32.2 km² (12.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 32.98% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 108,787 people, 48,449 households, and 27,422 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,660.8/km² (4,302.1/mi²). There are 56,802 housing units at an average density of 867.2/km² (2,246.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 83.85% White, 9.79% African American, 0.32% Native American, 1.64% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 2.48% from other races, and 1.85% from two or more races. 8.97% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 48,449 households out of which 21.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% are married couples living together, 11.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 43.4% are non-families. 35.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 15.4% 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 2.79.

In the city the population is spread out with 19.1% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $36,494, and the median income for a family is $46,228. Males have a median income of $31,067 versus $25,066 for females. The per capita income for the city is $22,786. 12.3% of the population and 8.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 18.8% of those under the age of 18 and 7.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Government

The City of Clearwater is administered by a Council-Manager form of government, and the City Manager serves as the Chief Executive and Administrative Officer of the City.

The Clearwater City Council is comprised of the Mayor and four Councilmembers who each serve three year terms. The Council is responsible for setting policies and making decisions on local government issues including tax rates, annexations, property code variances, and large contract awards. The Council strives to maintain Clearwater's reputation as an innovative leader in the delivery of municipal services while developing programs, practices, policies and procedures that work within a conservative budget and strive to achieve a high level of citizen satisfaction.

The City Manager and City Council are supported by the various City Departments, each of which provides valuable public services to the successful operation and improvement of the City of Clearwater, its residents, businesses, and visitors.

[Mayors of Clearwater]

Colleges

• Clearwater Christian College
• St. Petersburg College
• Florida Metropolitan University
• Pinellas Technical Education Center

Scientology

The worldwide "spiritual headquarters" of the Church of Scientology is located in the city of Clearwater, Florida[1]. Officially known in Scientology as Flag Land Base, this international headquarters was founded in the late 1970s when an anonymous Scientology-founded group called "United Council of Churches" purchased the Fort Harrison Hotel for $3 million. The citizens and City Council of Clearwater did not realize that the building's owners were actually the Church of Scientology until after the building's purchase. Clearwater citizens groups, headed by Mayor Gabe Cazares, rallied against Scientology establishing a base in the city (repeatedly referring to the organization as a cult), but Flag Land Base was established nonetheless. In the years since its foundation, Flag Land Base has expanded as the church has gradually purchased additional property in the downtown Clearwater area. Its relationship with the city has repeatedly moved between "friendly" and "hostile," as the church has worked with the city to establish better relations; while at the same time actively opposing the local St. Petersburg Times newspaper and even protesting the Clearwater police department. Scientology's largest project in Clearwater has been the construction of a huge high-rise complex called the "Super Power Building," an enormous structure whose highest point, when completed, will be a huge Scientology cross that will tower over the city.