Martin County neighborhoods, Stuart to Hobe Sound. Know what matters before you buy.

Martin County is the managed-growth coast directly north of Palm Beach, and it deliberately did not become Port St. Lucie. A long-standing four-story building height limit and a strict urban-services boundary kept density and high-rises out, which is exactly why the county trades at a premium over its faster-building neighbor to the north. Stuart is the walkable county seat on the St. Lucie River; Palm City is the gated-and-golf suburb across the river; Sewall's Point and Jupiter Island hold the old-money waterfront, with Jupiter Island consistently among the wealthiest addresses in the country; and Indiantown out west is the agricultural value frontier.

What decides a Martin County purchase is the wind and flood posture east versus west of US-1, the HOA and golf-membership stack in the Palm City and Hobe Sound gated communities, the well-and-septic versus utility line in the western acreage, and how the county's growth limits keep newer product scarce. CDD assessments are far less common here than in the Treasure Coast plats to the north. The guides state the fee stack, the flood line, and the honest commute rather than the brochure.

53 community guides below, organized by town. Start with the interactive Neighborhood Finder if you'd rather browse the whole map.

Stuart (30)

Banyan BayStuart's newer gated preserve community, 187 Ryan Homes single-family homes on 250 preserve acres near the St. Lucie River with impact glass and tile…CamelliaA new Pulte townhome community in Stuart at the crossroads of I-95 and Kanner.DuckwoodA small 55-plus community of detached homes in south Stuart, set against wetlands and preserves with a lakeside clubhouse.Edgewater PointeA newer gated townhome community in Stuart, recently built Meritage homes with a pool and a lake, near A-rated schools.Emerald LakesA large, affordable, non-gated community of townhomes, villas, and homes around lakes in Stuart.Golden GateStuart's 1920s waterfront-adjacent neighborhood, ranch homes and a community on the rise.Hibiscus ParkAn established, no-HOA Stuart neighborhood where RVs and boats are permitted, near I-95.HighpointeA gated, new-construction DiVosta and Pulte community with no CDD in central Martin County.Indian GrovesAn established, value-oriented residential pocket in Stuart, modest homes a short distance from the St. Lucie River in Martin County.Kanner LakeA small, newer gated single-family community off Kanner Highway in Stuart, built by D.R. Horton with a pool, tennis, and trails.Lake TuscanyA small gated lakefront community of mid-2000s pool homes in Stuart, west of I-95 in Martin County.Lexington LakesA gated Stuart townhome and condo community with a roof-and-exterior HOA.Manatee IslesA small luxury waterfront townhome enclave on the Manatee Pocket in Stuart, with boat lifts.Mariner SandsA gated, member-owned country club of estate homes around two championship courses.Martins CrossingAn established Stuart community of homes and townhomes near Kanner Highway.North River ShoresStuart's historic riverfront community, single-family homes on canals and the St. Lucie River with a neighborhood boat ramp and waterfront parks.Port SewallAn established waterfront-area neighborhood in Stuart near the St. Lucie River and Inlet, with waterfront homes and quiet inland streets.River MarinaA Stuart community with a day dock and river access to the South Fork of the St. Lucie.River PinesAn early-1980s Intracoastal townhome community on Cove Road, next to Seabranch Preserve.Sailfish PointA triple-waterfront private club community at the tip of Hutchinson Island.St Lucie EstatesA historic 1920s neighborhood near the St Lucie River and downtown Stuart, established homes with period character on a desirable in-town footprint.Stuart Yacht and Country ClubA gated waterfront golf community in Stuart with deep-water access and an 18-hole course.SummerfieldA gated Stuart community by a public Tom Fazio course, with a low HOA.The Florida ClubA public-golf Stuart community with no mandatory membership and bundled HOA.The Yacht & CountryStuart's original golf and boating community, gated with deep-water canal access.TrilliumStuart's gated contemporary townhomes by Meritage, a small lakeside community with a pool and energy-efficient homes.Waco Field PlaceA small, established single-family community in Stuart, a lower-key, non-gated pocket in a convenient Martin County location.Whitemarsh ReserveA boutique gated townhome community on the St. Lucie River in Stuart.WilloughbyA gated golf club community of custom homes near downtown Stuart.Willoughby Golf ClubStuart's member-owned golf community, 375 single-family homes on a 403-acre Arthur Hills course with mandatory membership and 24-hour security.

Palm City (23)

Berry GroveA gated D.R. Horton single-family community with a low HOA near I-95 in Palm City.Canopy CreekA gated Kolter community in Palm City of half-acre homesites amid 300 preserve acres.CobblestonePalm City's private gated golf community, half-acre-plus homesites around the Fox Club with a low HOA.Crane Creek Country ClubA gated golf community within Martin Downs in Palm City, with a low HOA and an optional country club.DanforthA gated single-family community in Palm City, established 1990s homes on lake and greenery lots beside A-rated schools.Four RiversA waterfront boating community of 102 single-family homes on deep-water canals with no fixed bridges, with direct access to the St. Lucie River and…Fox GroveAn equestrian acreage enclave in western Palm City, custom homes on multi-acre parcels off Citrus Boulevard.Hammock CreekA gated Jack Nicklaus golf community in Palm City of about 567 Lennar homes.HeronwoodA gated single-family enclave inside Martin Downs in Palm City, large lake and golf-view lots behind a guarded gate.Highlands ReserveA gated Palm City community of half-acre lots amid 200 acres of preserve.IslesworthA non-gated single-family community of 113 homes in Palm City, 1990s-built homes with lake lots and a walkable location near schools.NewfieldA conservation-first master-planned new town in Palm City by Mattamy.Osprey CreekA small golf-course enclave of single-family homes in Palm City's guard-gated Martin Downs Country Club, with a maintenance-inclusive HOA and a…Palm City FarmsPalm City's acreage and equestrian ranchettes, an old-Florida country setting with riding trails.Palm CovePalm City's gated golf and yacht club on the St. Lucie River, with a private marina and a Chi Chi Rodriguez course.Pelican CovePalm City's deep-water boating enclave, 57 single-family homes on a protected lagoon with docks and lifts and ocean access off the St. Lucie River.Piper's LandingA guard-gated yacht and golf club on the St. Lucie River in Palm City.Rustic HillsA non-gated waterfront boating enclave of 178 home sites with a covered-bridge entry in Palm City.Seagate HarborA boater's Palm City waterfront neighborhood with deep-water canals and a voluntary HOA.Stuart WestA gated equestrian acreage community in western Palm City, multi-acre homesites with a manned gate, an equestrian center, and a boat ramp.Sunset TraceA guard-gated townhome and villa community in Palm City's Martin Downs area, with a maintenance-inclusive HOA and a central Martin County location.The MeadowsPalm City's guard-gated, maintenance-included golf community of 832 homes in six villages.Whispering SoundA 55-plus villa community in Palm City, single-level attached villas with low-maintenance living and a full clubhouse, in a quiet Martin County…

Straight answers

Why is Martin County more expensive than Port St. Lucie next door?

Martin capped building height and growth decades ago, so it has far less new construction and lower density, which keeps inventory scarce and prices firmer. You are paying for the managed-growth ethos and the environment, not square footage. The guides separate genuine value from the premium.

Do Martin County communities carry CDD fees?

Much less often than the Tradition-area plans in St. Lucie County. Most Martin product predates the CDD era; the exceptions are specific newer plats and are called out in their guides. The Palm City and Hobe Sound gated communities more often carry an HOA plus optional or bundled golf membership, which the guides quantify where it is published.

How is flood and insurance risk in Stuart and on the islands?

Real and parcel-specific along the St. Lucie River, the Indian River Lagoon, and on Hutchinson and Jupiter islands, where surge and wind reprice insurance hard; the inland and west-of-US-1 neighborhoods rate differently. Confirm the flood zone and roof age before offering rather than trusting a quoted premium.