North Port, FL Air Conditioning Repair & Service
Although the North Port area was initially explored by Spanish "conquistadores" during the 16th century, it wasn't permanently settled until the early 20th century. The city began its life as an offshoot of the burgeoning town of Port Charlotte. Indeed, it was initially known as "North Port Charlotte" and was only able to change its name after a referendum in the mid-1970s. During the late 20th and early 21st centuries, North Port experienced rapid growth that spawned dozens of new residential subdivisions and boosted its population. Despite the city's relative youth, North Port residents remain deeply committed to celebrating the area's history. The city's government has even commissioned a comprehensive history book that sheds light on its past, present and future.
Geography
As its name suggests, North Port is located directly north of Port Charlotte. It occupies a broad, low swath of wetlands in the Myakka River Delta and is crisscrossed by a number of smaller waterways. Despite its impressive population growth, it remains surrounded by pristine wilderness on three sides and is bisected by just one major thoroughfare: Interstate 75. Nearby communities include Venice and Punta Gorda. The Gulf of Mexico lies about 10 miles to the west of central North Port.
Population and Demographics
Since the early 1990s, North Port has experienced a period of rapid growth. Although the most explosive phase of North Port's expansion appears to have ended with the late-2000s housing bust, the city's population now sits near 60,000 and continues to grow at an impressive clip. Most of its inhabitants are transplants from higher-cost parts of Florida like Miami or Tampa, but some arrive from as far away as New York, Chicago, and Seattle. In addition to retirees, empty-nesters, and snowbirds, North Port has a burgeoning community of young professionals.
Things to Do in North Port, Florida
North Port has a wealth of natural and man-made attractions. The area around the city has an abundance of sinkholes, and several of these are popular with researchers, divers, and swimmers. In particular, Big Salt Spring contains an important archaeological record and provides ample material for research on prehistoric wildlife. Meanwhile, the Warm Mineral Springs area contains a number of crystal-clear wells. For folks who prefer saltwater, boaters and fishermen love the shallow waters of Charlotte Harbor as well as the calm surf of the Gulf of Mexico. Campers, hikers, and wildlife enthusiasts can't get enough of beautiful Myakka State Forest, and golfers love Heron Creek Golf & Country Club.
Climate and Weather
North Port's climate exhibits tropical and subtropical characteristics. Although the city almost never experiences frost, winter mornings can be quite chilly. Fortunately, average winter highs approach the 70-degree mark. The transitional seasons tend to be long, moist and generally uneventful. However, the risk of tropical storm activity does peak during the month of September. Summers in North Port are characterized by hot, humid afternoons that frequently give rise to strong thunderstorms. While North Port doesn't experience an official "dry season," late fall and winter tend to be relatively calm.