Learn More About Longboat Key, Florida
Longboat Key, Florida
Shared between Sarasota and Manatee counties, Longboat Key is a beautiful coastal town along the central west coast of Florida. It is coterminous with a barrier island of similar name. The community sits south of Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach, and north of St. Armands Key in the proximity of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Numerous pure beaches lie along the Gulf rim of Longboat Key, which falls into the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice Metropolitan Statistical Area.
This area was originally inhabited by Native Americans for many years. The first white man to explore the area was Juan Anasco. But the location was snubbed for more than three centuries as a result of perceived hostility of the locals. The town was first settled by Thomas Mann, alongside his sons, in 1884. Longboat Key was named Longbeach around the time. It was popular as a fruit and tomato growing area in its earlier years. With just over 200 people as residents, the town was incorporated in 1955 and the name was changed to the present one.
The population of this attractive coastal town stood at 6,888 as of 2010 census, down by more than 700 people from the level in 2000. However, total number of residents has rebounded - an estimate indicated there were 7,266 people as of 2015. The education level among residents of this town is staggering, with the number of those with a college degree at almost three times higher than the national average. This makes Longboat Key a great place for families that value education. With such a high level of education among residents, it should not come as a surprise that many people are professionals and office workers.
Longboat Key has been described as a "town of artists." Why? It is said to be home to more artists, designers and media people than majority of the other communities in the United States. Also, a very high proportion of workers here are telecommuters, who are often people in knowledge-based professions, such as Silicon Valley professionals. The town boasts of many well-educated and wealthy older individuals who value the small-town flavor of the area. It is a great place for families as significantly more than half of the population is married.
Homes in Longboat Key are among the most-desired in the state of Florida. The whole land area of the community has been occupied by structures. In recent years, some home owners have had to buy older homes and then demolish them to erect highly embellished and more expensive housing units. There is a nice mix of owner-occupied, single-family homes and condominium apartments here. Many condominium associations share facilities.
With its Gulf border lined with beautiful beaches, Longboat Key is a very popular tourist destination and many people have vacation homes there. The number of inhabitants jumps during vacation periods and reduces afterwards. Some of the residents have been termed "snowbirds" due to their habit of being present only during winters. As a result, tourism plays a considerable role in the local economy. The environment is perfect for enjoying waterfront activities.
Longboat Key is a community for the well-educated and those who seek to encourage academic values. It offers a serene setting and opportunities for thrilling water-based activities with its proximity to water bodies. The town has numerous restaurants and full-service grocery stores.
