Clearwater, Florida, which was first settled in the mid-1830s, was originally named Clear Water Harbor. In the Seminole Indian Wars of 1835, Fort Harrison was built near the city, and the city still displays a commemorative plaque dedicated to it. In the early years of Clearwater, the city was used for farming cotton and vegetables, and up through 1888 the community only had 18 families living in the area. Henry Plant was a prominent developer at the time, and decided to help boost business in the area by building hotels and resorts. The city saw its first real estate boom and growth in the early 1900s.

Image via Flickr by Carol VanHook
Today, Clearwater is a completely urban area. The population is approximately 109,703, and had stayed fairly consistent over the last two decades. The city offers a number of beaches, entertainment options, and activities for residents and visitors. Whether you're interested in water activities or culture, there is always something interesting to do in Clearwater.
Sources: http://www.clearwaterflorida.org/Relocation/history.aspx http://www.city-data.com/city/Clearwater-Florida.html http://www.visitclearwaterflorida.com/
Relocation
Clearwater is a great destination for families, retirees, and working professionals. The median resident age in the city is 43 years old. When considering places to live in Florida, Clearwater offers a low cost of living, at 94.8, where the national average cost of living index is 100. However, the crime rate is slightly higher than the national average of 294.7, at 344.7. Clearwater offers three hospitals, as well as a number of dialysis facilities, home health care centers, and primary care centers. In addition, there are seven colleges and universities located within the city, and seven more within a 25-mile radius.
Sources: http://www.city-data.com/city/Clearwater-Florida.html
School District Information
The schools in Clearwater are part of Pinellas County School District. The district offers 74 elementary schools, 21 middle schools, 12 high schools, 22 charter schools, and more. It serves 104,104 students throughout the area. In addition to more traditional schools, Pinellas County School District offers a virtual education school that allows students to take classes online with district-employed teachers.
Sources: http://www.pcsb.org/Page/650
School Information Resources
As you're considering schools for your children, check out the ratings for the education facilities you're sending your child to. The schools in the city have received a 5 out of 10 rating from GreatSchools due to their test scores. There are many schools in the city that rate significantly higher than this, however, with many getting anywhere between an eight out of 10 and a 10 out of 10. Find this information and more with these links:
http://www.greatschools.org/florida/clearwater/
http://www.zillow.com/clearwater-fl/schools/
http://www.schooldigger.com/go/FL/city/Clearwater/search.aspx
City Resources
Making the move to a new city can be stressful if you don't have the right resources at hand. Clearwater offers a number of services and resources for new residents. Check out the links below for help with your move and settling into the area.
Fire and Rescue
Human Resources
Public Library
Parks and Recreation
Police Department
Utilities
Arts and Culture
Beach Information
Neighborhoods Information
Road Closures
Transportation
Visitor's Guide
Citizen's Guide
Housing Information
The average home value in Clearwater is approximately $152,800. This is in line with the values for the rest of the state. Property taxes will run you about $1,638 per year. If you would rather rent a home, the median gross rent is about $883 per month.
Sources: http://www.city-data.com/city/Clearwater-Florida.html
Check out a variety of homes with these resources:
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Clearwater_FL
http://www.homes.com/for-sale/clearwater-fl/
http://www.zillow.com/clearwater-fl/
http://www.trulia.com/FL/Clearwater/
http://www.century21.com/real-estate/clearwater-fl/LCFLCLEARWATER/
Employment Resources
With a median estimated household income of $44,768, families in Clearwater make close to the average in the rest of the state. The city has about a 4.1 percent unemployment rate. The average commute is 22.2 minutes.
Sources: http://www.city-data.com/city/Clearwater-Florida.html
Find a job in Clearwater:
http://jobs.monster.com/l-clearwater,-fl.aspx
http://www.indeed.com/l-Clearwater,-FL-jobs.html
http://www.snagajob.com/job-search/w-clearwater,+fl/q-
http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/clearwater,fl
City News
Get the most current news and information in Clearwater and the surrounding area:
http://www.baynews9.com/news/pinellas.html
http://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/clearwater/
http://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/
http://www.wtsp.com/local/
http://www.tbnweekly.com/pubs/clearwater_beacon/