A few spots in Manatee County are part of the National Register of Historic Places, and the Palmetto Historic District happens to be the largest. Since 1986, the section west of the 8th Avenue Bridge and north of the Manatee Riverfront has been jealously maintained and cared for by the City Council as well as local residents; it is not by accident that this is one of the most cinematic places in Florida that routinely attracts Hollywood film crews, and it is also highly sought-after by home buyers looking for something different.

The historic importance of Palmetto cannot be understated. Years before Bradenton and Sarasota were chartered as Florida cities, Palmetto was already a busy center of maritime trade. Over the decades, Palmetto became a sleepy town, but its designation by the NRHP has brought it back to life.

Many of the more than 200 historic buildings in this district are homes that routinely come on the market. Prospective buyers are aware of the intrinsic value of acquiring historic real estate, but this section of Palmetto has a lot more to offer than just quaint cottages, bungalows, Florida ranch-style homes, and handsome Spanish Colonial houses. Even if you acquire one of the new construction riverfront properties, which provide gorgeous water views, you will still get to enjoy numerous parks, public art installations, docks, fishing piers, museums, and galleries.

Depending on the listing you are interested in, you can expect to find properties priced as low as $279K in late 2024 for a two-bedroom Florida ranch with two bathrooms. Pricing will largely depend on the level of historic restoration completed on the home; some have been lovingly remodeled with luxurious upgrades to boost their value. Latest pricing at Palmetto Historic District will be found below if there is inventory.

Similar to Downtown Bradenton across the river, the Palmetto Historic District has been revitalized and made friendlier to pedestrians, so you do not have to walk far to find supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, banks, or clinics. Living in the heart of Palmetto has other advantages such as being close to the beaches of Anna Maria Island, the Ellenton Premium Outlets, the Terra Ceia nature preserve, and the spring training home of the Pittsburgh Pirates.