Bradenton is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's 2006 population at 53,986. Bradenton is the largest Principal City of the Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2006 estimated population of 682,833. It is the county seat of Manatee County.GR: 6 Bradenton is pronounced BRAY-din-tin.

History

Originally discovered by Hernando De Soto at Shaw's Point in 1539, the city took the name of Dr. Joseph Braden, whose nearby fortlike house was a refuge for early settlers during Indian attacks. The current city of Bradenton was formed in 1943, when the Florida legislature merged the cities of Manatee (incorporated in 1888) and Bradentown (incorporated in 1903).

Geography

Bradenton is located at (27.488217, -82.577743).GR: 1 According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of . of it is land and of it (16.14%) is water.

Bradenton is located on US 41 between Tampa and Sarasota. The area is surrounded by waterways, both fresh and saltwater. Along the Gulf of Mexico and into Tampa Bay are over 20 miles of Florida beaches - many which are shaded by Australian pines. Bordered on the north by the Manatee River, Bradenton is located on the mainland and is separated from the outer barrier islands of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key by the Intracoastal Waterway. Anna Maria Bayfront Park located on the north end of Anna Maria island is a park overlooking Tampa Bay. The business district and community of Bradenton Beach on the southern end of Anna Maria island is oriented toward vacationers who come to enjoy the surrounding beaches. Longboat Key, the next barrier island south, is popular with shell hunters along its beaches.Facts: date=August 2008

Downtown Bradenton is located on the west side of the city. Home to many of Bradenton's offices and government buildings, it is a lively place with new buildings currently under construction. The tallest is the Bradenton Financial Center, 12 stories high, with its trademark blue-green windows. It is currently owned by BFC Joint Ventures. Employee Leasing Solutions lease office space and the sign on top of the building. Next tallest is the brand new Manatee County Judicial Center with eight floors, located next to the historic courthouse.Facts: date=August 2008

The Eastern side of Bradenton is growing at a rapid rate. Initially starting as the popular subdivision Lakewood Ranch, it is now becoming a heavily populated part of town. Most of the buildings are newer than that of West Bradenton.Facts: date=December 2007

Demographics

As of the censusGR: 2 of 2000, there were 49,504 people, 21,379 households, and 12,720 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,578.3/km² (4,088.5/mi²). There were 24,887 housing units at an average density of 793.5/km² (2,055.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.14% White, 15.11% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.91% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.26% of the population. There were 21,379 households out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.5% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.85.