Healthcare
Martin North and Martin South hospitals (Cleveland Clinic Martin Health) sit in Stuart. Martin North ranks #15 in Florida by U.S. News.
Stuart Real Estate
A small-town waterfront character, A-rated Martin County schools, and a price range from downtown cottages to gated golf and waterfront estates.
Schedule a ConsultationStuart is the Martin County seat on Florida's Treasure Coast, anchored by a walkable historic downtown and the Sailfish Capital of the World designation since 1957. The incorporated city covers approximately 6.25 sq mi with roughly 20,000 residents; the broader Stuart real estate market extends through ZIPs 34994, 34996, and 34997 into adjacent unincorporated Martin County and Hutchinson Island.
At a Glance
- County Martin County (Stuart is the county seat)
- ZIP codes 34994, 34996, 34997 (34995 is PO Box only)
- Population Incorporated city ~20,000 (2026); Stuart-area ZIPs extend through Martin County (~163,000 county total)
- Median home price $580,500 Stuart single-family YTD 2026 through March (BeachesMLS Local Market Update, Realtors of Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie)
- Median time to contract 84 days Stuart single-family YTD 2026 through March (BeachesMLS Local Market Update, Realtors of Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie)
- Master-planned communities ~8–10 (Willoughby Golf Club, Yacht & Country Club of Stuart, Tres Belle, Mariner Sands, Pinecrest Lakes, Salerno Reserve, plus others). Sewalls Point luxury enclave included via shared Stuart 34996 addresses; Hutchinson Island communities (Sailfish Point, etc.) treated under the Hutchinson Island hub.
- Active builders Predominantly resale market with selective new construction and custom builders (fewer than PSL)
- School district Martin County School District (ranked #4 in Florida by Niche)
- Distance to PBI airport ~38 miles / ~45–50 minutes south
- I-95 access Direct via Kanner Highway (SR-76)
- Major employers Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, Seacoast Bank (HQ Stuart), Martin County Government
- Anchor amenity Sailfishing / boating (Sailfish Capital of the World since 1957)
About Stuart
Stuart was first settled around 1870 and known briefly as Potsdam from 1893 to 1896, after German settler Otto Stypmann. The Florida East Coast Railway reached the community in 1892, and the town was soon renamed Stuart in honor of Homer Hine Stuart, Jr., an early settler and telegraph operator. The city formally incorporated in 1914. When Martin County was created from portions of Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties in 1925, Stuart became the county seat, a status it has held ever since.
The walkable historic downtown along the St. Lucie River is Stuart's defining feature today. Over 50 locally-owned shops, restaurants, and galleries cluster around the 1926 Lyric Theatre, the Stuart Heritage Museum, and the riverfront Riverwalk. Flagler Park sits at the base of the Roosevelt Bridge, and the Sunday Market on Main runs year-round.
Sailfishing built the city's modern identity. Florida's Secretary of State officially designated Stuart "Sailfish Capital of the World" in 1957, codifying decades of promotion led by the Stuart Sailfish Club (founded 1941). The Atlantic sailfish run through the St. Lucie Inlet still supports an active charter fleet operating from Manatee Pocket and downtown marinas, and the Stuart Boat Show draws 200+ exhibitors each January.
Stuart's greater-area real estate market extends well beyond the city's small land area: adjacent unincorporated Martin County, the separate incorporated municipality of Sewalls Point to the east, and portions of Hutchinson Island all share Stuart 34996 mailing addresses and are typically grouped with Stuart by buyers. The honest tradeoff: Stuart-area prices run materially higher than Port St. Lucie or Palm City, and as of early 2026 inventory has tightened sharply (Stuart single-family months supply 3.4, down from 7.3 a year prior).
Communities in Stuart
The Stuart-area community mix is predominantly resale, not new-construction master-planned. Inventory is anchored by established private golf clubs including Willoughby Golf Club (Arthur Hills design, ~375 homes), Yacht & Country Club of Stuart, and Mariner Sands (Tom Fazio course, ~771 homes). The Florida Club offers semi-private golf with public tee times. Downtown Stuart cottages and waterfront single-family neighborhoods cover entry through mid-tier price points. Sewalls Point (a separate incorporated municipality sharing Stuart 34996 mailing addresses) holds most of the ultra-luxury waterfront estate inventory and is grouped with Stuart by buyers. HOA and club dues vary widely, from non-equity HOAs at the low end to mandatory golf or country club memberships at the high end. Most communities are not age-restricted.
Stuart Market
The Stuart-area single-family market tightened sharply in early 2026. Months supply dropped from 7.3 to 3.4 over the past year, a 53% reduction that puts Stuart firmly in seller's-market territory. Active inventory fell 41.8% year-over-year. March 2026 closed sales nearly doubled the prior March (70 vs 37), and pending sales rose 53.8%.
Pricing reflects mix and segment more than a single trend. The YTD 2026 median is $580,500 (down 1.1% from the prior YTD, essentially flat). But the YTD average climbed to $869,694, up 17.3%, indicating upper price tiers (waterfront estates, Sewalls Point, larger acreage) are pulling more volume than last year. Sale-to-list in March 2026 reached 94.0%, and median time to contract for closed March sales dropped to 71 days from 87.
Buyer behavior to expect: tight inventory in the mid-price single-family bracket (roughly $500K–$900K) means well-priced homes move in weeks. The $1M+ waterfront and golf-equity tiers continue to operate on their own pace, with longer marketing timelines and selective buyer pools.
| Single-Family Metric (YTD 2026 through March) | Palm City | Stuart | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Sale Price | $747,500 | $580,500 | $420,851 |
| Median Time to Contract | 106 days | 84 days | 74 days |
| Sale-to-List % | 91.7% | 93.6% | 94.4% |
| Months Supply (March 2026) | 4.1 | 3.4 | 4.6 |
| Closed Sales YoY % | +13.7% | +30.8% | -4.0% |
Source: BeachesMLS Local Market Update March 2026 (Realtors of Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie). Current as of April 12, 2026. Refreshed monthly.
Schools in Stuart
Stuart is served by Martin County School District (MCSD), one of Florida's highest-ranked public school systems. Niche's 2026 rankings place MCSD #4 statewide, and the district maintains a notable record of no D- or F-rated schools, with every Martin County public school earning a C or higher in the 2024-25 state grades. MCSD serves approximately 18,347 students across 36 public schools and is headquartered at 500 E. Ocean Blvd in downtown Stuart.
Three traditional public high schools serve the Stuart greater area: Martin County High School (Stuart), Jensen Beach High School (north Stuart / Jensen Beach), and South Fork High School (south Stuart / Hobe Sound). Clark Advanced Learning Center, a magnet program for college-prep students, has earned an A grade for 15 consecutive years and ranks as the top public school in Martin County overall.
For families relocating, school district ranking is consistently among the top decision factors driving choices between Treasure Coast communities. Attendance boundaries are determined by address and should be verified individually before committing to a specific home.
Lifestyle in Stuart
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Recreation
Stuart Boat Show (January, 205+ exhibitors) and Sailfish Club tournaments since 1941 anchor the calendar. Indian Riverside Park sits on the lagoon.
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Dining and Shopping
Stuart has the Treasure Coast's most established walkable historic downtown. Independent restaurants, galleries, and shops cluster around Flagler Park.
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Beaches and Waterways
Stuart Beach and Bathtub Beach (natural reef pool) sit on Hutchinson Island. The 1876 House of Refuge is Martin County's oldest surviving structure.
Getting Around Stuart
Stuart sits roughly an hour north of West Palm Beach. I-95 is reached directly via Kanner Highway (SR-76) running west from downtown. Florida's Turnpike does not have a Stuart-proper exit; the nearest Turnpike access points are in adjacent Palm City to the west or Hobe Sound to the south. Most adjacent Treasure Coast destinations are inside 20 minutes, and Palm Beach County destinations are under an hour.
| Destination | Distance | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Port St. Lucie | ~10 miles | ~15–20 min |
| Jensen Beach | ~5 miles | ~10 min |
| Hobe Sound | ~12 miles | ~17 min |
| Jupiter | ~15 miles | ~20 min |
| West Palm Beach | ~45 miles | ~1 hour |
| Vero Beach | ~42 miles | ~58 min |
| Palm Beach International (PBI) | ~38 miles | ~45–50 min |
| Witham Field (SUA) | Within Stuart | — |
| Vero Beach Regional (VRB) | ~42 miles | ~58 min |
| Miami International (MIA) | ~107 miles | ~2 hours |
| Orlando International (MCO) | ~132 miles | ~2h 15m–2h 37m |
Palm Beach International (PBI) is the practical primary airport, with daily nonstops to the Northeast corridor that drives most Stuart-area buyer demand. Stuart's own general aviation airport, Witham Field (SUA), supports private and charter traffic within city limits. Treasure Coast International Airport (FPR) in Fort Pierce obtained FAA Part 139 commercial certification in October 2024; as of early 2026, no scheduled commercial passenger service operates from FPR.
Frequently asked questions
What new construction is available in Stuart?
Stuart's greater-area market is predominantly resale, with limited new construction compared to Port St. Lucie or Palm City. Most current new-construction inventory comes from custom builders and smaller-scale infill projects in adjacent unincorporated Martin County. Buyers seeking large master-planned new-construction communities typically look westward to Palm City (Newfield is in active expansion by Mattamy Homes) or northward to Port St. Lucie (Tradition, Riverland, Wylder).
What's the difference between Stuart and Sewalls Point?
Sewalls Point is a separate incorporated Town in Martin County, chartered in 1957, with its own municipal government. It sits on a peninsula east of Stuart and shares the 34996 ZIP code, which is why properties there are often described as 'Stuart' in listings. Sewalls Point is predominantly luxury waterfront estates; Stuart proper offers a wider price range from downtown cottages to waterfront homes.
How does Stuart compare to Port St. Lucie?
Stuart and Port St. Lucie are 10 miles apart but very different markets. Stuart's single-family YTD median is $580,500 versus PSL at $420,851. Stuart inventory is predominantly resale; PSL is the Treasure Coast's largest new-construction master-planned market. Schools differ: Martin County ranks #4 in Florida, while SLPS earned its first A grade in 2025. Stuart offers a walkable historic downtown; PSL emphasizes master-planned amenities and golf.
What's the walkable downtown like?
Downtown Stuart covers a compact riverfront historic district anchored by SW Osceola Street and Flagler Park along the St. Lucie River. Over 50 locally-owned shops, restaurants, galleries, and waterfront dining venues cluster within walking distance. The 1926 Lyric Theatre hosts year-round concerts and theater; the Stuart Heritage Museum operates nearby. The Riverwalk and Roosevelt Bridge bookend the district, and Sunday Market on Main runs year-round in Flagler Park.
What property taxes apply in Stuart?
Stuart's municipal millage rate is approximately 17.39 mills (City of Stuart properties), versus 15.58 mills in unincorporated Martin County and 15.63 mills in Sewalls Point. All three are materially lower than Port St. Lucie's 22.36 mills, the highest in Florida. On a $500,000 taxable value, expect roughly $8,695 annually in Stuart proper versus $7,790 in unincorporated Martin County. Homestead exemption and Save Our Homes cap reduce actual liability for primary residences.
What is property insurance like in Stuart?
Martin County's average homeowners premium is $5,993/year including wind (the fifth-highest county average in Florida per the OIR January 2026 report), with the wind component alone at $3,486 (58% of the total). Actual quotes vary materially by property: $3,000–$5,500 for a $400K inland Stuart home, $4,000–$8,000+ for barrier island condos, and $8,000–$15,000+ for $1M+ oceanfront single-family homes. Flood insurance is separate and required by lenders in AE/VE zones. Wind mitigation inspections can reduce premiums 30–50%.
How are Martin County schools compared to nearby districts?
Martin County School District (MCSD) ranks #4 in Florida by Niche and is one of few districts statewide with no D- or F-rated schools. Comparing nearby districts: St. Lucie Public Schools earned its first A grade in 2025, an improvement but not yet matching Martin's multi-year consistency. Indian River County is also a top-5 Florida district. Palm Beach County is larger and more variable by individual school. Buyers focused on schools typically prefer Martin County for district-level consistency.
Is Stuart a good place to retire?
Stuart consistently draws retirees seeking a small-town waterfront character, walkable downtown, Martin County healthcare access, and proximity to boating and golf. Florida's no state income tax and homestead protections add financial appeal. Tradeoffs: Stuart-area prices run higher than PSL or Vero Beach, and the city has fewer dedicated 55+ master-planned communities than PSL. Retirees seeking active-adult amenities at lower price points often look westward to PSL; those prioritizing established small-town character and waterfront proximity choose Stuart.
Considering Stuart? Let's Get Clarity Together
A 20-minute call covers Stuart-area neighborhoods, current market dynamics, and the full cost-of-ownership math for your specific situation. No pressure, no urgency.
Schedule a ConsultationOr call 772-349-2030
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