North Port began some 45 years ago as North Port Charlotte. Situated in southern Sarasota County, this once sleepy hamlet is now a waking giant as newcomers discover its bucolic pleasures. ... more.With 77 square miles of land and an 8,000-acre state forest, North Port is Florida's third-largest city in land area. It is also the state's 4th fastest-growing municipality and accounts for 80 percent of the growth in Sarasota County schools.
 Once a favorite among retirees, today's North Port is an attractive destination for anyone looking for newer housing in an area noted for its family-friendly, small-town ambiance. Homebuyers will find a variety of residential real estate opportunities in the area. Sabal Trace and Duck Key each offer high-end homes. North Port Estates, a paradise for horse-lovers, is rich in recreational opportunities.
North Port has two golf courses, and 144 miles of waterways for fishing and boating, some with direct access to the Myakka River—designated a Florida Wild and Scenic River by the state legislature in 1985. It is one of only two rivers in Florida to be recognized with this special status.