The city's first budget was just $7,000. Today, the annual budget has grown to over $400 million.

In 1959, GDC donated land for Port St. Lucie Methodist Church (now First United Methodist Church of Port St. Lucie). The church was founded at a meeting with 49 members on May 29, 1960, and the first pastor, Rev. James Baugher, was appointed on June 6, 1960.