It is part of the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Palmer Ranch encompasses approximately 6,733 acres (2,725 ha), bounded by Clark Road to the north, U.S. Route 41 to the west, Interstate 75 to the east, and approximately where State Road 681 and the Legacy Trail meet to the south.

After her death, Bertha Palmer gave the land to her sons Potter Jr. and Honore, who continued developing the property as a ranch.

Hugh Culverhouse, founder of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, bought 12,000 acres (4,900 ha) of the remaining land in 1972.

[2] Palmer Ranch was established in December 1984 as a Development of Regional Impact (DRI) under Section 380.06 of the Florida Statutes.