Clearwater is a city located in Pinellas County, nearly due west of Tampa and northwest of St. Petersburg. It is the County seat of Pinellas County. Clearwater is the smallest of the three principal cities in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan area, most commonly referred to as the Tampa Bay Area.

Clearwater and its island beaches are one of Florida's most popular vacation spots. Because of our world-reknown beaches, our extensive recreational opportunities, including the largest recreational fishing fleet on the West Coast of Florida, walking distance to restaurants and attractions, and all types of accommodations designed to fit every budget and taste, and nature-based attractions, we are the place to play in Tampa Bay!

Clearwater is very proud to be designated a Blue Wave Beach. This certification program, overseen by the Clean Beaches Council, promotes beaches which are managed to protect their natural assets. This designation assists the public in identifying the nation's cleanest and safest beaches. Caladesi Island, Honeymoon Island and Sand Key Park beaches also received the Blue Wave Designation.

Home to the largest fishing fleet on the West Coast of Florida, the Clearwater Marina is a major component of the recreational core. Berthed in the marina are boats that offer a myriad of activities: fishing, sightseeing, sailing, speed, "hands on" marine life adventure, dining and dancing, parasailing and more. Dolphin watching is very popular.

Pier 60, Clearwater's famed 1050 ft. sightseeing and fishing pier, complete with bait house, is the focal point of the beach. Pier 60 Park, with the only covered children's playground directly on the sand, has two play areas with age appropriate equipment-one for preschoolers and the other for 8-12 years olds. Pier 60 Park is also home to Sunsets at Pier 60, our nightly "street" festival celebrating the setting of the sun.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is one of eight facilities in the United States, and the only one on the west coast of Florida, authorized to rescue and rehabilitate marine mammals. This "hands on" attraction offers personal encounters with bottlenose dolphins, loggerhead sea turtles, Kemp's Ridley sea turtles, river otters, sting rays, local fish and coral reefs. Sick and injured marine mammals recover here until they can be returned to their homes. The aquarium is home to Sunset Sam, a dolphin, world renowned for his painting.

Clearwater's special events offer every visitor a special reason to come, whether to hear the best in jazz at the Clearwater Jazz Holiday or to enjoy the spring at our Fun 'N Sun Festival or to experience Kid's Week showcasing family activities or to participate in the Florida Birding Festival or to watch the pros at the various beach volleyball tournaments. Our sunsets are so incredible they have inspired local artists and performers to celebrate the setting of the sun into the Gulf of Mexico. Sunsets at Pier 60 features music, street performers and hand crafted arts and crafts sold by artists themselves; it's not to be missed.

Clearwater's special events offer every visitor a special reason to come, whether to hear the best in jazz at the Clearwater Jazz Holiday or to enjoy the spring at our Fun 'N Sun Festival or to experience Kid's Week showcasing family activities or to participate in the Florida Birding Festival or to watch the pros at the various beach volleyball tournaments. Our sunsets are so incredible they have inspired local artists and performers to celebrate the setting of the sun into the Gulf of Mexico. Sunsets at Pier 60 features music, street performers and hand crafted arts and crafts sold by artists themselves; it's not to be missed.

Housing

Estimated median house or condo value in 2009: $174,000

Mean prices in 2009: All housing units: $252,161; Detached houses: $285,367; Townhouses or other attached units: $202,826; In 2-unit structures: $249,945; In 3-to-4-unit structures: $161,046; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $250,081; Mobile homes: $53,727; Occupied boats, RVs, vans, etc.: $104,647

Demographics

Population in July 2009: 106,081. Clearwater covers 25.3 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 25 feet above sea level. Area code: 727

Weather

Clearwater, FL climate is hot during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 80's and mild during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 60's.

The warmest month of the year is August with an average maximum temperature of 91.50 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 50.20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperature variations between night and day tend to be fairly limited during summer with a difference that can reach 18 degrees Fahrenheit, and moderate during winter with an average difference of 21 degrees Fahrenheit.

The annual average precipitation at Clearwater is 52.42 Inches. Summer months tend to be wetter than winter months. The wettest month of the year is August with an average rainfall of 8.47 Inches.

Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com