St. Petersburg
Our vision states that “St. Petersburg will be a city of opportunity where the sun shines on all who come to live, work and play. We will be an innovative, creative and competitive community that honors our past while pursuing our future.”
St. Petersburg believes in accountable servant leadership that puts people and their well-being first. We aim to empower and foster ownership, realizing the potential in every opportunity, and to provide transparent access to information that forms decisions. We celebrate diversity and show respect for the value that it brings. St. Petersburg utilizes inclusive practices that promote equality and justice, and we implement responsive processes that produce sustainable outcomes to build a seamless city.
Our greatest asset is our people, in that we are a progressive and welcoming community. For more than thirty years, our city has hosted the Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Justice Parade, known throughout the nation as the longest-standing and largest parade of its kind. We also fly the LGBT Pride flag over City Hall each June. And, our St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society (SPIFFS) calls itself “TampaBay’s own United Nations” with representation from more than 40 countries and ethnicities. Our residents are accepting of each other and our differences serve to unite us more than divide us.
Despite our vision, values, and assets, challenges remain. There is still much work to do.
Though we are a safe city and crime is trending down, gun violence persists. The violence is typically within or near our high poverty area in south St.Petersburg, which was recently designated a Community Redevelopment Area. This area also encompasses five challenged elementary schools. In 1996, this area was home to rioting as a result of a police shooting. Twenty years later, a return to community policing, and other inclusive community-building practices are credited with restoring relationships between residents and the government that serves them.
The Kriseman Administration is committed to leading St. Petersburg forward with a dignity and dedication that differentiates us as one of our nation's most progressive cities.
Rick Kriseman, Mayor of St. Petersburg
Mayor
Keys facts
St. Petersburg’s population is approximately 256,000, including nearly 24 percent of residents identify as Black and nearly 7 percent Hispanic or Latino.
St. Petersburg is growing younger every day: from a median age of 48.1 in 1970, 2010 census figures show St. Petersburg’s median age as 42.1.
St. Petersburg is a city of neighborhoods, with more than 100 active associations and civic groups.