Clearwater Area Communities

Beachside Residential Communities

Along the Tampa Bay Beaches, Clearwater Beach is the northernmost barrier island, but is a part of the city of Clearwater.  As the line stretches to the north and south of Clearwater, there are several other beaches like Belleair Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Madeira Beach, Treasure Island, Saint Pete Beach, and Tierra Verde, each of which have developed as residential communities.

The long stretches of Clearwater beaches have gained importance on two fronts as perfect tourist destinations and most admired residential communities.  With Tourism being Clearwater's number one industry, the beaches of Clearwater are at the center of tourism.  Launching a "Beach by Design" plan as a part of the revitalization of Clearwater Beach program, the City government has taken concrete steps to improve the area to move ahead towards a promising future in the tourism industry.

Bordered by Tampa Bay on the east and Gulf of Mexico on the west, Pinellas County spreads over 280 square miles.  Pinellas County is the second smallest county among the 67 Counties of Florida State.  The County name Pinellas is derived from Punta Pinal, Spanish words meaning point of spines.  In terms of its population, Pinellas County is ranked as the fifth in the State (2002, with a population density of around 3,339 people per square mile. 

The county has 35 miles of sparkling white sand beaches, inviting several thousands of visitors to its world famous beaches like Clearwater beach, Caladesi Island State Park and Fort De Soto Park.  Although among the smallest, Pinellas County has more municipalities than any other county in Florida.   The largest municipality is St.  Petersburg with 240,196 people, while Belleair Shore is the smallest with just 78 people. 

Belleair is a premier beach harbor side community with stately mansions, quaint cottages, and elegant tropical style homes all of which are beautifully nestled below the shades of grand oaks.  Belleair boasts of Belleview Biltmore Hotel, the historic hotel considered among one of the largest wooden structures in the world.  Predominantly of a residential nature, the community also hosts seasonal residents in vacation homes and condos with a population of 4,114 in a 2 square mile area. 

Belleair Beach is a beach residential community of 2 square miles with a population of 1,628.  This area does not have any motels or hotels.  The community features antique neighborhood charm and a silent atmosphere with two waterfronts of Intracoastal Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico.  This strictly residential community does not have seasonal visitors occupying condos and vacation homes. 

Belleair Bluffs is spread in 0.75 square mile area with a population of 2,221.  This is a small business and residential community. 

Belleair Shore has a population of just 78 with a total area of 0.043 square miles.  This is a beautiful beachside residential community. 

Clearwater is about 25.8 miles with 101,830 residents.  This is the second largest city in the County and is the County seat of Pinellas.  The city has evolved as one of the most pleasant residential communities apart from a prominent tourist destination with numerous attractions, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, boutiques, parks, waterways, and silent neighborhoods. 

Dunedin is one of the oldest towns.  This residential and business community occupies 9.65 square miles with a population of 35,234. 

This waterfront community features a people friendly atmosphere full of recreation, parks, and beach sands apart from a lot of outdoor excitement and fun.  The downtown Main Street is one of the most popular places to shop and take a walk. 

Gulfport is a small business, residential and beach community with an area of 2.8 square miles and a population of 12,500.  This town is heralded as the Gulf's gateway.  The community is famous for free Gulfport trolley tours, Stetson University College of Law, and the Gulfport Casino Ballroom apart from fun activities, restaurants, shopping, and accommodations.  

Indian Rocks Beach is spread across 0.75 square miles with a population of 5,200.  This tourist and residential community offers fish boat, swimming, and sunset watching activities and is reputed for its three mile long Barrier Island, nature trails, picnic areas, and fishing piers. 

Indian Shores is a 2.65 miles long beach with a population of 1,756.  This is one of the quietest beach residential and tourist community presenting a homely ambience to the visitors.  The community boasts of a volunteer organization called Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary dedicated to the care and release of injured birds.  The two mile long beautiful beach enables a variety of activities like shelling, swimming, fishing and sunbathing.  An array of wonderful shops, restaurants, and beachside facilities are a real feast to the visitors. 

Kenneth City is another residential and small business community with 2 square mile area and 4,494 people offering a range of attractions like shopping, restaurants, entertainment venues and shopping providing a close to home experience. 

Largo is the third largest City in the County with an area of 14.94 square miles and 68,500 residents.  The city is famous for free ride Largo Trolleys, Taylor park, natural beauties and a wonderful residential community with all facilities nearby. 

Madeira Beach houses 4,5289 people within one square mile area and features a famous marina, waterfront boardwalk and a lot of seaside activities, delicacies and funs.

North Redington Beach located in just one square mile area is a home to about 1,555 people.  This tourist and beach residential community with wonderful beaches, shops, motels and restaurants attract several visitors and is quickly accessible from all attractions and cities of Tampa bay.  The perfect blend of apartments, condominiums, dining venues and hotels offer something to everyone. 

Oldsmar is chiefly a business, industry and residential community with 8.01 square miles of area and a population of 12,701.  Located at the north tail end of old Tampa Bay, the town connects Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.  A major part of the shore is undeveloped parkland featuring amazing natural beauty and a perfect spot for a vocational retreat. 

Pinellas Park is chiefly a residential and business community spread over 15.7 square miles housing 46,642 people.  This is one of the popular hometown communities of the county centrally located to the attractions on Florida's beach.  The beautiful landscape features abundant crape myrtles.  The park offers a range of scheduled events for residents and visitors. 

Redington Beach is spread over 0.5 square mile with a population of 1,609.  This beach residential and tourist community is located on a barrier Island between Gulf of Mexico and Intracoastal Waterway, presenting more of a residential ambience to any visitor.  The beach trolleys, boating, fishing, restaurants and shopping are added attraction of the community. 

Redington Shores features its one-mile long Gulf Boulevard, and is a beach residential and tourist community with a population of 2,435.

Safety Harbor has a population of 17,479 and spread over 4.9 square miles.  This wonderful residential and business community is the home to the ancient springs of Espiritu Santo, believed to possess great curing powers.  The world famous Safety Harbor Resort and Spa are among the principal attractions of the area apart from the bayside linear park.  

St.  Petersburg spread over 59.25 square miles with a population of 249,068 is the largest city in the County. 

This residential and business community is among the principal attractions of the Tampa Bay tourism with its incomparable million-dollar pier, number of museums, playfields, restaurants and several other places of great importance.  The adorable waterfront, downtown, dining, entertainments, culture and history welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to St.  Petersburg.

St.  Pete Beach is a 2.25 square mile beach residential, tourist, and business community with 9,960 residents.  This community is famous for the pink palace of Don Cesar, Old Florida inns and motels, and long stretch of undeveloped public beach area called Pass-a-Grille.  The Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, variety of specialty shops, restaurants, galleries, and the ancient beach theater attract several visitors. 

Seminole is a residential and small business community with a 4 square mile area housing 18,500 residents.  This wonderful hometown community is adjacent to Lake Seminole offering a range of activities to the visitors like shopping, dining, picnic, water skiing, boating and fishing. 

South Pasadena is a small residential and small business community in a 0.64 square mile area with a population of 5,969.  This quiet and small beach community features Boca Ciega Bay lying between St.  Petersburg and Pinellas County's Southern beaches.  This community is famous for its annual cultural and community events and spring festival of art. 

Tarpon Springs is a historic Greek cityfeaturing several antique elements of Greekculture known for its Anclote River, Sponge docks, antique shops, and a variety of eateries and entertainment spots. The community spreads on a 9 square mile area with a population of 23,493. 

Treasure Island is a 2.3 square mile residential and tourist community with 7,369 residents, heralded as the jewel of the Gulf beaches with a lot of adventure and fun activities in some of its world class theme parks and amusement centers.