Palmetto is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was listed as 12,606 It is part of the Bradenton - Sarasota - Venice Metropolitan Statistical Area.HistoryA post office called Palmetto has been in operation since 1868. Samuel Sparks Lamb is considered the "Father of Palmetto," having surveyed and plotted the city at its outset and donated several plots of land. He owned a general merchandise store in town. The city received its name from the palmetto trees near the original town site.GeographyAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.4sqmi, of which 4.3sqmi is land and 0.1sqmi (2.92%) is water.DemographicsAs of the census of 2010, there were 12,606 people, 4,891 households, and 3,192 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,865.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,096.2/km²). There were 6,729 housing units at an average density of 1,529.4 per square mile (585.13/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.10% White, 10.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 14.2% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28.3% of the population.