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Kensington Park, Florida

Kensington Park is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,697 at the 2020 census, down from 3,901 at the 2010 census. It is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
During the post-World War II economic boom a number of new subdivisions developed up in the area surrounding Sarasota. In 1955, the Paver Construction Company, purchased over 400 acres from Charles Schmid, a local dairy farmer. Previously, the company built the Paver Park Estates subdivision. Paver Construction was started when Martin Paver, a native of New York state, along with his wife, visited Sarasota in 1949 and liked it so much that he decided to move there and get into real estate development. He also got his two sons involved. Construction would begin in 1956 and had 1,400 homes in it when fully completed. The name of the subdivision comes from where the Pavers had lived at in Great Neck, New York.

By 1960, Kensington Park also had a 14 acre Swim & Country Club that included an Olympic swimming pool, shuffleboard courts, gardens, tennis courts, picnic areas and an 8,400 square foot main building with "air-conditioned clubrooms", an auditorium, and theatre stage with professional lighting/ sound equipment. By 1969, only 20% of the households in Kensington Park were paying the $100 per year membership fee, thus operating it at a loss. Even though a majority of residents presented a bill proposing a $50 per household annual fee for all Kensington Park residents to use the facilities, the Sarasota County Commission rejected the proposal. Two months later, Kensington Park offered the facility to the YMCA free of charge and it became the Kensington Park YMCA

Kensington Park was unique for being the first sustainable community to ever be built in Southwestern Florida. Another fact that would make the subdivision unique was how the utilities would work. The utilities would be in the hands of the subdivision but each person who owned property would have a share of ownership in it. Purchasing a home would help pay for its installation and maintenance. In 1958, Kensington Park started its own sewer and water system at rates lower than the City of Sarasota.

Geography
Kensington Park is located at 27.35694°N, -82.49528°W (27.356856, -82.495377).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.4 km2, of which 3.3 sqkm is land and 0.1 sqkm, or 3.76%, is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,720 people, 1,567 households, and 1,024 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,765.2 PD/sqmi. There were 1,669 housing units at an average density of 1,240.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.24% White, 5.77% African American, 0.15% Native American, 1.30% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.87% from other races, and 1.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.54% of the population.

There were 1,567 households, out of which 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 21.6% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 22.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $41,090, and the median income for a family was $48,981. Males had a median income of $29,235 versus $27,950 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,990. About 6.2% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

In 2010 Kensington Park had a population of 3,901. The racial and ethnic makeup of the population was 92.6% white, 7.1% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 5.4% some other race, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race made up 1.4% of the population. In 2020, Kensington Park had a population of 3,689. The racial and ethnic makeup of the residents was 51.2% White, 42% Hispanic, 4.4% African American, .5% Asian, 1.3% some other race/ethnicity and .5% from two or more races/ ethnicities.

title: Kensington Park, Florida


text:
Lake Sarasota, Florida

Lake Sarasota is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,979 at the 2020 census, down from 4,679 at the 2010 census. It is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.6 km2, of which 3.5 sqkm is land and 0.1 sqkm, or 2.63%, is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census, there were 3,979 people and 1,467 households residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,842.1 PD/sqmi. There were 1,519 housing units at an average density of 1,085 /mi2. The racial makeup of the CDP was 89.85% White, 2.94% African American, 0.43% Native American, 1.21% Asian, 4.12% from other races, and 10.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.7% of the population.

There were 1,467 households, of which 52.6% contained a married couple living together, 15.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 21.3% had a female householder with no husband present. 31.0% had children under the age of 18 and 33.1% had individuals over the age of 65.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 21.3% under the age of 18 and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.8 years. The population was 50.5% male and 49.5% female.

The 2010 Decennial Census did not report income data. The 2020 American Community Survey: 5-Yr Estimates Tables show the median income for a household in the CDP was $84,112, and the median income for a family was $89,276. Males had a median income of $47,122 versus $26,233 for females. About 4.90% of families and 5.67% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.77% of those under age 18 and 6.77% of those age 65 or over. 85.1% of individuals below the poverty line were female.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Lake Sarasota, Florida


text:
Laurel, Florida

Laurel is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 12,186 as of 2020 census, up from 8,171 at the 2010 census. Laurel is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 15.8 km2, of which 13.2 km2 is land and 2.5 km2, or 16.13%, is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, the population of Laurel was 12,186 with 5,572 households resulting in a persons per household rate of 2.02.

By age, the population was split with 2.8% under 5 years old, 12.5% under 18 years old, and 42.1% 65 years and older. 50.2% of the population were female persons. By race, the population was split with 88.9% white, 2.8% black, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5% Asian, 3.5% two or more races, and 2.3% Hispanic or Latino. There were 1,193 veterans and 10.6% of the population were foreign born persons.

The owner-occupied housing rate was 84.9%. The median value of owner-occupied housing units was $338,200. The median selected monthly owner costs with a mortgage was $2,051 and the median selected monthly owner costs without a mortgage was $590. The median gross rent was $1,569. 94.9% of households had a computer and 90.0% had a broadband internet subscription. The median household income was $69,850 and the per capita income for 12 months was $48,053. 6.3% of the population lived below the poverty threshold.

96.3% of the population 25 years and older were high school graduates or higher and 39.2% of that same population had a Bachelor's degree or higher.

Notable people

 * Vivian E. Browne, visual artist

title: Laurel, Florida


text:
Nokomis, Florida

Nokomis is an unincorporated town in Sarasota County and a census-designated place (CDP) along the Gulf Coast of Florida, United States, located south of Osprey and just north of Venice. The town has access to the coast through Nokomis Public Beach and Casey Key. The town's population was 3,217 at the 2020 census, up from 3,167 at the 2010 census. It is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The first white settlers in what is now known as Nokomis were the Knights and at least 3 other families who moved to the area in 1868. The Knights had initially raised cattle further inland during the American Civil War in an effort to avoid raids by the Union army. Following the end of hostilities, they moved closer to the shore, in the hopes that the climate of the coastal areas were better for their health. The area was initially called Horse and Chaise, which included modern day Venice. Knight donated the land for the first school and also helped build the first chapel.

In 1917, Alfred F. Wrede established the first post office with the name of Nokomis southwest of the original Venice post office. The same year, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Fred Albee purchased 112 acres from the Sarasota-Venice Company. With Ellis W. Nash, Albee created the Nokomis subdivision by subdividing the property into 130 lots, with streets radiating from two inner avenue circles and the new asphalt highway, which eventually became U.S. 41. On U.S. 41, Albee and investors built the Pollyanna Inn, a 35-room hotel.

The Florida guide, compiled in the late 1930s and first published in 1939, listed Nokomis's population as 79 and described it as "a suburb of Venice, […] separated from that town by Shackett Creek…"

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the Nokomis Census Designated Place (CDP) has a total area of 5.0 km2, of which 4.2 km2 is land and 0.8 km2, or 15.65%, is water.

Nokomis includes approximately 2.5 miles of the Legacy Trail, including a water crossing at the Shakett Creek (Dona Bay) bridge.

Casey Key is a barrier island to the northwest of the CDP along the Gulf of Mexico, where there are luxurious beachfront houses lining the key. Casey Key is not part of any CDP.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,334 people, 1,544 households, and 955 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,998.5 PD/sqmi. There were 1,820 housing units at an average density of 1,091.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.69% White, 0.60% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.27% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.86% of the population.

There were 1,544 households, out of which 19.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.64.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 17.1% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $34,699, and the median income for a family was $37,731. Males had a median income of $27,209 versus $21,563 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $22,077. About 8.6% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.4% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over.

title: Nokomis, Florida


text:
North Port, Florida

North Port is a city located in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 74,793 at the 2020 US Census, up from 57,357 at the 2010 US Census. It is a principal city in the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

It was originally developed by General Development Corporation (GDC) as the northern Sarasota County portion of its Port Charlotte development, the other portion located in the adjacent Charlotte County. GDC dubbed the city, "North Port Charlotte", and it was incorporated under that name through a special act of the Florida Legislature on June 18, 1959. By referendum in 1974, the city's residents approved a change to its name as "North Port", dropping "Charlotte" from its name to proclaim the city as a separate identity. It is home to the Little Salt Spring, an archaeological and paleontological site owned by the University of Miami.

History
Archaeological digs at the Little Salt Spring show that what is now North Port was inhabited by pre-Columbian Native Americans. Evidence of their existence includes projectile points, a carved oak mortar, and a piece of a nonreturnable wooden boomerang.

In 1954, the Mackle Brothers started the General Development Corporation with the intention of selling property in Florida to northerners. Not only would they plat and sell a majority of what is now North Port, the company's employees served on the city's first council. The city itself was incorporated in 1959.

On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian made direct landfall in Florida just south of Sarasota County. North Port, in particular, experienced excessive flooding and the Holiday Park mobile home community was almost completely destroyed.

Geography
The approximate coordinates for the City of North Port is located at 27.06611°N, -82.17194°W.

North Port is a municipality containing large-scale residential subdivisions along with an extensive network of streets. The municipality has annexed nearby locales, including the area known as Warm Mineral Springs, the location of a notable artesian spring, as well as its own significant residential subdivision.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 104.16 sqmi, of which 99.58 sqmi is land and 4.58 sqmi (4.40%) is water.

Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park is in North Port.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of North Port has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 74,793 people, 25,592 households, and 19,716 families residing in the city.

Of the 25,592 households in 2020, 4.8% of the population were under 5 years old, 18.6% were under 18 years old, and 26.7% were 65 years and older. 52.5% of the population was female.

In 2020, the median income for a household in the city was $64,543. The per capita income for the city was $34,514. About 7.0% of people were below the poverty line.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 57,357 people, 20,201 households, and 14,018 families residing in the city.

Economy
North Port is the Spring Training home for the Atlanta Braves, who hold extended spring training in North Port.

Arts and culture
In 1960, the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum was opened in North Port. The opening ceremony included remarks from the then Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy. The museum has since relocated, first to Miami, and then to the present location in Titusville, Florida.

In 2007, the North Port Art Guild leased a building from the city and established the North Port Art Center. The center hosts exhibits as well as classes.

Government
North Port has a city commission/city manager form of government.

The current city manager is Alfred Jerome Fletcher, II. The city commission has five members. The mayor/vice mayor roles are voted upon annually from the commission ranks.

As of 2024, the current commission includes:
 * Mayor Alice White (District 1)
 * Commissioner Barbara Langdon (District 2)
 * Commissioner Debbie McDowell (District 3)
 * Commissioner Pete Emrich (District 4)
 * Vice Mayor Phil Stokes (District 5)

The city of North Port has its own police force, fire department, and waste management. City Hall of North Port is located at 4970 City Hall Boulevard.

Education
North Port has five elementary schools, one public charter school, two middle schools, one high school, and one college operated by Sarasota County Public Schools.

Public elementary schools

 * Atwater Elementary School (K–5)
 * Cranberry Elementary School (K–5)
 * Glenallen Elementary School (K–5)
 * Lamarque Elementary School (K–5)
 * Toledo Blade Elementary School (K–5)

Public middle schools

 * Heron Creek Middle School (6–8)
 * Woodland Middle School (6–8)

Public high school

 * North Port High School (9–12)

Charter school

 * Imagine School at North Port (K–12)

Higher learning

 * Suncoast Technical College

title: North Port, Florida


text:
North Sarasota, Florida

North Sarasota is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,418 at the 2020 census, down from 6,982 at the 2010 census. It is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
North Sarasota is located at 27.36694°N, -82.51278°W (27.366855, -82.512903).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.8 km2, of which 9.5 sqkm is land and 0.3 sqkm, or 3.22%, is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,738 people, 2,770 households, and 1,792 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,781.2 PD/sqmi. There were 3,209 housing units at an average density of 848.3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the CDP was 63.86% White, 30.74% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.97% from other races, and 1.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.77% of the population.

There were 2,770 households, out of which 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 22.1% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $33,084, and the median income for a family was $36,629. Males had a median income of $26,383 versus $21,505 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $17,643. About 13.8% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.0% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.

title: North Sarasota, Florida


text:
Osprey, Florida

Osprey is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 6,690 at the 2020 census, up from 6,100 at the 2010 census. It is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.1 sqmi, of which 5.5 sqmi is land and 0.6 sqmi is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,143 people, 1,965 households, and 1,383 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 759.5 PD/sqmi. There were 2,267 housing units at an average density of 415.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.59% White, 0.19% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.40% of the population.

There were 1,965 households, out of which 16.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.7% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.47.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 14.0% under the age of 18, 3.2% from 18 to 24, 18.0% from 25 to 44, 33.3% from 45 to 64, and 31.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $55,761, and the median income for a family was $73,103. Males had a median income of $41,136 versus $25,909 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $49,862. About 3.1% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.1% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

Sites of interest
Osprey is home to Historic Spanish Point, a 30 acre museum and environmental complex that includes a prehistoric shell mound, a turn-of-the-century pioneer homestead museum, a citrus packing house, chapel, boatyard, gardens and nature trails. The Osprey Public Library is located at Historic Spanish Point and is part of the Sarasota County Public Library System.

Osprey is the mailing address for Oscar Scherer State Park and the new Scherer Thaxton Preserve, two of the few protected areas maintaining habitat for the threatened Florida scrub jay. Osprey is also the location of the Blackburn Point Bridge, a one-lane bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Osprey is also the site of an unsolved 1959 family massacre.

Osprey Public Library at Historic Spanish Point
The Osprey Public Library at Historic Spanish Point is the smallest in Sarasota County. The space is only 630 square feet and is a conversion of a schoolhouse full of rich history. The branch is the county’s first "connections" library, based on the King County, Washington, model, offering online access to the resources of the entire library system in a modest space (630 square feet) with sustainable operating costs.

The Osprey Library opened on November 10, 2011, and offers free Wi-Fi access, online availability of the entire library catalog, plus pick-up and drop-off service items from other libraries within the system. Some improvements were made to the original school building, such as an acoustical ceiling and panels for the wall, window treatments that buffer the sound, and carpeting. The branch is close to the main road, so these renovations offered an immediate improvement in noise reduction.

The Osprey School served the Osprey and Vamo communities from 1927 through June 1976. The land where the school resides is part of the 145-acre homestead of John and Eliza Webb, who settled in Spanish Point in 1867. When it became apparent that the community needed a new school, the land was sold to the school board for $10 on December 28, 1926, by Mabel Webb Johnson and her husband, Ernest. The school was designed by Tampa architect M. Leo Elliot. His plan for the Spanish Colonial Revival-style building recognized the importance of cross-ventilation in a hot and humid climate. The layout, with all the classrooms in a line, took advantage of cross breezes for cooling and an exterior hallway shaded classrooms from the afternoon sun. The one-story, six-classroom school initially served grades one through nine and was constructed by Becchetti and Romersa for $19,000.

The school opened in 1927 but, like most Sarasota County schools, had to close for several months in 1933 because of a lack of revenue. During difficult economic times, parental and teacher involvement sustained Osprey School. After World War II, when the county experience renewed economic growth, the school was rewired in 1959 to allow for air conditioning and heating units. Osprey School survived without further improvement until June 1976, when it closed. Students in the area transferred to schools north or south of the community. In 1994, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building was used as the School Board’s Teacher Education until 1989. The building remained empty until 1995 when it became the visitor center for Historic Spanish Point, and the Sarasota County library system turned a part of the schoolhouse into the Osprey Public Library in 2011.

title: Osprey, Florida


text:
Plantation, Sarasota County, Florida

Plantation is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,034 at the 2020 census, up from 4,919 at the 2010 census. It is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.5 km2, of which 5.7 sqkm is land and 0.8 sqkm, or 12.31%, is water.

Demographics
According to the 2020 U.S. census, there was a population of 5,034 and 2,596 households. 97.1% of the population was white, 0.8% black, .07% Asian, 1.2% two or more races, and 2.3% Hispanic or Latino. The median household income was $69,049.

98.7% of the population 25 years and older were high school graduates or higher and 51.1% of that same population had a Bachelor's degree or higher. 91.8% of households had a computer and 87.8% had a broadband internet subscription.

.1% of the population was under 5 years old, 4.7% under 18 years old, and 73.6% was 65 years or older. 55.2% of the population was female. 5.6% of the population were foreign born persons.

title: Plantation, Sarasota County, Florida


text:
Ridge Wood Heights, Florida

Ridge Wood Heights is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,064 at the 2020 census, up from 4,795 at the 2010 census. It is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.8 km2, of which 3.7 km2 is land and 0.1 km2, or 2.74%, is water.

Demographics
According to the 2020 United States census, Ridge Wood Heights had a population of 5,064. There were 2,370 households resulting in 2.03 persons per household.

Of the total population, the age was split with 5.5% under 5 years old, 15.5% under 18 years old, and 22.2% over 65 years old. 48.5% of the population were female persons.

By race, the population was split with 89.4% white, 2.3% black or African American, 2.4% Asian, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, 0.9% two or more races, and 8.5% Hispanic or Latino. There were 244 veterans living in the CDP and 12.3% of the population were foreign born persons.

There was an owner-occupied housing unit rate of 71.3% and a median value of owner-occupied housing units of $307,800. 95.6% of households had a computer and 87.6% of households had a broadband internet subscription.

91.1% of the population 25 years or older were high school graduates or higher and 31.8% of that same population had a Bachelor's degree or higher.

title: Ridge Wood Heights, Florida


text:
Sarasota, Florida

Sarasota is a city in and the county seat of Sarasota County, Florida, United States. It is located in Southwest Florida, the southern end of the Greater Tampa Bay Area, and north of Fort Myers and Punta Gorda. Its official limits include Sarasota Bay and several barrier islands between the bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Sarasota is a principal city of the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to the 2020 U.S. census, Sarasota had a population of 54,842, up from 51,917 at the 2010 census.

The Sarasota city limits contain several islands, called keys, including Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Otter Key, Coon Key, Bird Key, and the northern portion of Siesta Key as well as Bay Island. Longboat Key is the largest key separating Sarasota Bay from the Gulf of Mexico but is a separate municipality.

The city limits expanded significantly with the real estate rush of the early twentieth century, reaching almost 70 sqmi. The speculation boom began to crash in 1926 and the city limits began to contract, shrinking to less than a quarter of that area.

History
The area known today as Sarasota appeared on a sheepskin Spanish map from 1763 with the word Zarazote over present-day Sarasota and Bradenton. The origin's of the name is disputed, with some claiming that it is based on conquistador Hernando de Soto's daughter Sara, and others claiming that it comes from "sara-de-cota," meaning "an area of land easily observed" in the language of the Calusa indigenous tribe.

Around 1883 to 1885, The Florida Mortgage and Investment Company of Edinburgh bought 60,000 acres for development in what is now Sarasota. Many Scottish people began to arrive in Sarasota in December 1885. The municipal government of Sarasota was established when it was incorporated as a town on October 14, 1902. John Hamilton Gillespie was the first Mayor of the town government. When reincorporated with a city form of government on May 13, 1913, A. B. Edwards became the first mayor of the city government.

Geography and climate
Sarasota has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and cooler, milder winters. The high temperatures and high humidity in the summer regularly push the heat index over 100 F. There are distinct rainy and dry seasons, with the rainy season lasting from March to November and the dry season from December to February. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.08 sqmi, of which 38.07 km2 is land and 9.39 sqmi is water.

The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is the name given to the many natural deep water sections as well as humanmade channels, canals, and cuts that link the entire Sarasota Bay system.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 54,842 people, 25,209 households, and 12,474 families residing in the city. Of that population in 2020, 3.9% were under 5 years old, 14.6% were under 18 years old, and 28.0% were 65 years and older. 52.5% of the population were female persons.

As of 2020, 4,056 veterans lived in the city and 16.7% of the population were foreign born persons.

In 2020, the median gross rent was $1,177. 92.5% of the households had a computer and 84.2% of the households had a broadband internet subscription.

In 2020, 90.0% of the population over 25 years had completed a high school education, and 37.2% of the population over 25 years had a bachelor's degree or higher.

In 2020, the median household income was $56,093 with a per capita income of $43,387. 15.6% of the population lived below the poverty threshold.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 51,917 people, 22,775 households, and 11,603 families residing in the city.

Government
Sarasota municipal government was incorporated in 1913, changing from a town type to adopting the city type of local government found in the United States and the title of its government changed to "City of Sarasota". Sarasota later was designated as the county seat when Sarasota County was carved out of Manatee County in 1921 during the creation of several new counties. In 1945 the commission-manager government form was adopted for the city and it is governed by a five-person commission elected by popular vote, two members of which serve in the ceremonial positions of "mayor" and "vice-mayor", as chosen by the commission every April. Two at-large commissioners are elected by all voters and the city is divided into three districts for which the residents of each elect one district representative to the five member commission.

Many aspects of the city are overseen by the county government ranging from the schools, the libraries, the bay, major waterways, county-designated roads, the airport, fire departments, property and ad valorem taxes, voting, the health department, extension services, stormwater control, mosquito control, the courts, and the jail.

Performing arts
Sarasota has many musical, dance, theatre, circus and other performing arts venues, including the Sarasota Ballet, Sarasota Opera, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre, the Players Centre for Performing Arts, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Urbanite Theatre, Sarasota Contemporary Dance, Sarasota Orchestra, La Musica, Jazz Club of Sarasota, Sarasota Youth Opera, Circus Arts Conservatory and many others.

Theatrical venues include Florida Studio Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, The Players Theatre, Urbanite Theatre, and the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.

In 1925, A. B. Edwards built a theater that could be adapted for either vaudeville performances or movie screenings. Renowned stripper Sally Rand did her bubble bath and fan dance here. Tommy Dorsey, Will Rogers and Elvis Presley each performed at the Edward Theatre. It is now the Sarasota Opera House. It remains at the intersection of Pineapple Avenue and Second Street, having been restored and used for performances by the Sarasota Opera and others. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In the early 1950s, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art purchased a historic Italian theater, the "Asolo" (now called the Historic Asolo Theater). This theatre was originally built for Queen Caterina of Cyprus' palace in Asolo, Italy in 1798 but was dismantled in 1931. A. Everett "Chick" Austin, the museum's first director, arranged the purchase and reassembly of the theater for performances of plays and opera.

In the 1960s philanthropists Lewis and Eugenia Van Wezel enabled the city to build a performing arts hall on the bayfront. The auditorium, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright's successor firm, Taliesin Associated Architects team under the direction of William Wesley Peters. Wright's widow, Olgivanna Lloyd Wright, who participated in the project, selected its purple color.

In 1989, Stuart Barger, a local architect, designed and oversaw the construction of another Asolo Theater, housed in the Florida State University Center for the Performing Arts. It is a multi-theater complex, located farther east on the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art property, being placed between Bay Shore Road and Tamiami Trail, and facing south toward Ringling Plaza. It was built around a rococo, historic Scottish theater previously called the Dunfermline Opera House, which had been shipped to Florida. The complex provides venues and facilities for students of Florida State University's MFA Acting program, the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. This was the administrative home of the Sarasota French Film Festival for several years.

Florida Studio Theatre's Keating Theatre, formerly the Sarasota Woman's Club, is amongst the oldest surviving buildings in Sarasota. Founded in 1903, the Sarasota Woman's Club eventually set out to create a meeting place to house social events, activities, and forums. On January 1, 1915, the cornerstone was laid at the corner of Palm Avenue and Park Street (now Cocoanut). It served as the town's first library and hosted numerous clubs and public committee gatherings. The Woman's Club also maintained a census and birth registration, an area PTA, and a Red Cross Auxiliary.

The Sarasota Woman's Club relocated in 1976 and the building became slated for demolition. Marian McKenna, a patron, and supporter of the arts, did not want to see the building and her memories destroyed. She purchased the building and later sold it to Florida Studio Theatre.

In 1985, the Sarasota Woman's Club building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. After completing more renovations to the historic building in 2003, the theatre was renamed the Keating Theatre in honor of Ed and Elaine Keating, and in 2004, additional lobby space was built in the theatre - the Bea Friedman Room. FST's Keating Theatre now seats 173 and remains a cultural center of Sarasota.

In 2003, FST purchased the Gompertz Theatre. The building was originally the Park-Seventh Movie House in the 1920s. Due to the Depression, the movie house shut its doors and became an empty venue. During its predominantly vacant period in the 1940s, the theatre hosted a variety of roadshows and performers, including Tom Mix and his Wonder Horse and the All Girls' Orchestra. During this time it was known as the Garden Theater, and later the Art Theater, before becoming known as the Palm Tree Playhouse in 1951. The Playhouse closed again in the 1960s. In the mid-1970s, Asolo Theatre purchased the space for production purposes and their Stage Two Theatre program. It was subsequently sold to Anita Katzman and reoccupied by Siesta Key Actors Theatre and Theatre Works in the 1980s. The building was acquired by Florida Studio Theatre and renamed the Gompertz Theatre in honor of Mrs. Leila Gompertz, who made the lead gift enabling the purchase.

Music
Sarasota is the home of the Sarasota Orchestra, which was founded by Ruth Cotton Butler in 1949 and known for years as the Florida West Coast Symphony. It holds a three-week Sarasota Music Festival that is recognized internationally and boasts it attracts renowned teachers and the finest students of chamber music. Sarasota also boasts a symphonic chorus, Key Chorale, and professional vocal ensemble, Choral Artists of Sarasota. The Jazz Club of Sarasota is one of the largest and most active jazz clubs in the United States and has promoted jazz events in Sarasota for 39 years. Elvis Presley, Tommy Dorsey and Gregg Allman each played concerts in Sarasota.

Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Brian Johnson of AC/DC, Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers Band, Donald Dunn of the Blues Brothers and Graeme Edge of the Moody Blues have all settled in Sarasota.

Visual arts
Sarasota and the Cultural Coast are home to fine art, film-making, circus history and performance, and decorative arts. The Sarasota Art Museum and the Ringling Museum are both in Sarasota.

Circus
One of Sarasota's nicknames is "Circus City", or alternatively "The Circus Capital of the World", owing in part to John Ringling's decision to move the winter quarters of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to Sarasota in 1927. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art houses the Circus Museum and the Tibbals Learning Center, established in 1948.

Sarasota is also home to The Circus Arts Conservatory, which is responsible for the tent show Circus Sarasota and the "oldest youth circus", Sailor Circus. In 2017, The Circus Arts Conservatory took part in the Smithsonian Folk Festival.

The Showfolks Club, a social organization that also puts on an annual circus performance billed as "Sarasota’s longest running circus event", is located in Sarasota.

The Circus Ring of Fame is a series of commemorative plaques in St. Armand's Circle, honoring prominent figures in circus history, similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Honorees include Paul Binder, Nik Wallenda, and the King Charles Troupe, among over 150 others.

Residents of Sarasota that have been associated with the circus include daredevil and Guinness World Record holder Bello Nock, himself an honoree of the Circus Ring of Fame, as well as aerialist and circus proprietor Dolly Jacobs, who cofounded The Circus Arts Conservatory.

Film
In 1952, Cecil B. DeMille filmed and premiered The Greatest Show on Earth (with James Stewart, Charlton Heston, Betty Hutton) in Sarasota.

In 1998, two studio films were filmed in Sarasota: Alfonso Cuaron's Great Expectations, with Ethan Hawke, Gwyneth Paltrow, Hank Azaria, Anne Bancroft and Robert De Niro; and Volker Schlondorff's Palmetto, starring Woody Harrelson, Elisabeth Shue, and Gina Gershon.

Out of Time (2003), a crime drama starring Denzel Washington and Eva Mendes used the Blackburn Point Bridge, Boca Grande and Cortez. In 2013, Taylor Hackford's action movie Parker, with Jason Statham, Jennifer Lopez, Nick Nolte had scenes filmed at Ca' d'Zan in Sarasota.

In June 2017, director Kevin Smith shot his 2022 film, KillRoy Was Here, in Sarasota.

Aquarium, zoos and botanical gardens

Sarasota is home to Mote Marine Laboratory, a marine rescue, research facility, an aquarium, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, the Sarasota Jungle Gardens and the Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary.

Festivals
Since 1998, the city has hosted the Sarasota Film Festival annually. The festival attracts independent films from around the world. It claims to be one of Florida's largest film festivals. In 2009 the annual Ringling International Arts Festival, held its premier and held its closing event in the historic Asolo theater, which had been moved and rebuilt again. The historic Venetian theater now is housed in the reception building for the museum where it is used for special events as well as performances, informative purposes, and another seasonal film series hosted by the museum.

Florida Studio Theatre produces the annual Sarasota Improv Festival. Founded in 2009 by Rebecca Hopkins, FST's annual Sarasota Improv Festival brings together the best improvisers from across the country and around the world for a whirlwind weekend of spontaneous creativity. The Festival has become a destination event, drawing thousands of people from across the state of Florida and beyond. Past performers have come from as far as Mexico, Canada, Spain, France, and the United Kingdom to perform on Florida's Gulf Coast.

In 2010, the Sarasota Chalk Festival that is held yearly in the historic area of Burns Square became the first international street painting festival in the United States of America. Celebrating the sixteenth century performance art of Italian street painting, the festival hosted Maestro Madonnaro Edgar Mueller from Germany, who created the first street painting that changed images from day to night. The festival has a different theme each year and has introduced new techniques in street art. Other applications of street art such as murals and "cellograff graffiti" have become companion events also produced by Avenida de Colores, Inc. The murals are part of the "Going Vertical" project and although it sometimes coincides with the chalk festival, it is distinct from it and often continues throughout the year. Except for a few commissioned on public property in the Palm Avenue Parking Garage, the murals are on private property and they are in many sections of Sarasota and in Manatee County as well. the Sarasota Chalk festival has relocated to Venice, FL, a small town just South of Sarasota. The name Sarasota Chalk Festival remains the same.

It is also home to the Harvey Milk Festival, an independent music festival in support of civil rights, focusing on the LGBTQ community. It has been celebrated in May annually since 2010 on the weekend closest to Harvey Milk's birthday, and is currently the largest independent music festival in Sarasota, with thousands of attendees throughout the free, public, multi-day event, that also includes gallery showings, film, and other live performances.

Architecture
A large number of homes and buildings are designed in the Italian style. Italian architecture and culture are present in the area including at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Ringling's home, Cà d'Zan, was mostly modeled on the Venetian. Examples of those more typically seen in the same style are the residences of Edith Ringling and of Hester Ringling Lancaster Sanford, that also are among the structures in the Caples–Ringling Estates Historic District. Italian inspired statues are also common and the copy of Michelangelo's David at the museum is used as the symbol of Sarasota.

Sarasota School of Architecture
The Sarasota School of Architecture developed as a variant of mid-century modernist architecture. It incorporates elements of both the Bauhaus and Frank Lloyd Wright's "organic" architecture. The style developed as an adaptation to the area's sub-tropical climate and used newly emerging materials that were manufactured or implemented following World War II.

Historic buildings and sites
By the end of the twentieth century, many of Sarasota's more modest historical structures were demolished. Recently, two historic buildings, the Crocker Church and the Bidwell-Wood House (the oldest remaining structure in the city), first restored by Veronica Morgan and members of the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation that she founded, became city property. These structures were relocated to this park, despite protests from residents who objected to the loss of park area.

In the late 1970s, Sarasota County purchased the Terrace Hotel that Charles Ringling built and renovated it for use as a county government office building. The adjacent courthouse that he donated to the new county in 1921 has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The courthouse complex was designed by Dwight James Baum.

In the next decade, the landmark hotel built by Owen Burns, the El Vernona, which had been turned into apartments, became endangered. By then, it was called the John Ringling Towers and was purchased by a phosphate miner, Gardinier, who wanted to turn it into his corporate headquarters. Plans were made to restore the building. The city commissioners initially supported the plan, but lobbying to undermine the project began, and one of the commissioners changed her vote. The project was denied at the final hearing.

Remarkable preservation success occurred during the 1990s when the community exhibition hall, the Municipal Auditorium, designed by Thomas Reed Martin and Clarence A. Martin, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and meticulously restored to its depression recovery era, 1937 WPA community project, completion status, and its architectural glory—both inside and out. The city boasts that 100,000 people use it every year and it is a boon to the community for recreation, lawn sports, as well as being heavily attended for auctions, concerts, conventions, flea markets, galas, graduations, lectures, orchid and flower shows, and a full range of trade shows of interest to the community. Later the Federal Building, designed by George Albee Freeman (the designer of Seagate for industrialist Powell Crosley Jr.) and Louis A. Simon, which initially had served as the post office was restored as well.

Most of the luxurious historic residences from the 1920s boom period along the northern shore of Sarasota Bay also have survived. This string of homes, built on large parcels of elevated land along the widest point of the bay, is anchored by the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art at its center.

Many significant structures from the comparatively recent "Sarasota School of Architecture" period of the mid-twentieth century, however, have not survived. Since they do not qualify under the age criteria set for historic preservation nominations, their historical aspect often escapes public recognition. Others frequently are threatened by demolition plans for new development without consideration of their cultural and historical importance to the community instead of motivating the implementation of plans to retain the buildings and integrate them into new plans.

In 2006, the Sarasota County School Board slated one of Paul Rudolph's largest Sarasota projects, Riverview High School, for demolition. The board decided despite protests by many community members, including architects, historic preservationists, and urban planners. Others supported the demolition as they believed the structure was no longer functional. The issue was divisive. The World Monuments Fund included the school on its 2008 Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites in the category Main Street Modern.

Following a March 2007 charrette led by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a proposal was advanced to renovate and preserve Rudolph's buildings. The school board decided to allow a year to consider implementing the innovative plan proposed to preserve the buildings, which would include building a parking garage with playing fields above it rather than demolishing the structures. In early June 2008, the school board voted in a 3–2 decision to allow the demolition; School board members Shirley Brown, Caroline Zucker and Frank Kovatch voted against preserving the historic high school. This decision was that school would be demolished and that a parking lot would replace it. One year later, in June 2009, Riverview High School was demolished.

In December 2019, a former Sarasota High School facility was transformed into the Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College. The 93-year-old building was renovated to include 80,000 square feet for the museum's campus with about 15,000 square feet for exhibitions, costing about $30 million according to the president of Ringling College, Larry Thompson.

Other notable cultural features
The Sarasota neighborhood of Pinecraft is home to a relatively liberal Amish-Mennonite community which is unusual compared to other Amish communities as it consists mainly of elderly who moved to Florida because of its mild climate, of Amish people who are on holiday and of Amish who do not fit in easily in other communities. Breaking Amish: Brave New World, a television series of scripted reality is set in Pinecraft. It is a spin-off of Breaking Amish.

The Rosemary District was an African American community and is home to the Boulevard of the Arts. Newtown is predominantly and historically African American.

Public education
Public education is provided and managed by the Sarasota County Public Schools school district.

Elementary schools in Sarasota include the following:

 * Alta Vista Elementary School
 * Ashton Elementary School
 * Bay Haven School of Basics Plus
 * Brentwood Elementary School
 * Emma E. Booker Elementary
 * Fruitville Elementary School
 * Gocio Elementary School
 * Gulf Gate Elementary School
 * Lakeview Elementary School
 * Laurel Nokomis School
 * Phillippi Shores Elementary School
 * Southside Elementary School
 * Tatum Ridge Elementary School
 * Tuttle Elementary School
 * Wilkinson Elementary School

Middle schools include Booker Middle School, Brookside Middle School, Laurel Nokomis School, McIntosh Middle School, and Sarasota Middle School.

High schools include Booker High School, Pine View School for the Gifted, Riverview High School, Sarasota High School, Suncoast Polytechnical High School, Sarasota Military Academy, and Oak Park School.

Sarasota was also home to the Flint School, a preparatory school for boating.

Private education

 * Ascension Lutheran School
 * The Classical Academy of Sarasota
 * Sarasota Christian School
 * Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School
 * Out-of-Door Academy

Higher education
Sarasota is home to New College of Florida, a public liberal arts college and the honors college for the State University System of Florida.

Additional colleges in Sarasota include Keiser University of Sarasota (a private, not for profit university); FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training (Florida State University's MFA Acting Conservatory in conjunction with the Asolo Repertory Theatre); Ringling College of Art and Design, a school of visual arts and design; and satellite campuses of Eckerd College, based in St. Petersburg, Florida; and Florida State University College of Medicine, based in Tallahassee, Florida. Other colleges in the city include East West College of Natural Medicine, an accredited college of acupuncture and Chinese medicine.

Nearby educational institutions with regional draw include State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, and a commuter branch of the University of South Florida, with the main campus located in Tampa.

Television
Sarasota is part of the Nielsen-designated Tampa-Saint Petersburg-Sarasota television market. The local television stations are ABC-affiliate WWSB and the SNN: Suncoast News Network, a continuous local cable news operation run by Comcast, Frontier FiOS and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. WWSB is the only network station with studios in Sarasota. Other network and public television programming serving the community is offered by Fort Myers and Tampa television stations. Comcast provides cable television service. DirecTV and Dish Network direct broadcast satellite television including Tampa Bay Area local and national channels to Sarasota residents.

Sarasota made national headlines in July of 1974 when WWSB (then called WXLT) news anchor Christine Chubbuck shot herself live on-air.

Radio
Arbitron has identified the Sarasota-Bradenton radio market as the seventy-third largest market in the country, and the sixth largest in the state of Florida. There are eight radio stations in the city: WSMR (89.1FM, classical music), WSLR-LP (96.5FM, variety-talk and community issues), WKZM (104.3FM, religious; repeating WKES Lakeland), WSRZ (107.9FM, oldies), WLSS (930AM, talk), WSRQ (1220AM, 98.9FM, 106.9FM, talk), WTMY (1280AM, talk), WTZB (105.9FM, rock music; commonly known as The Buzz) and WSDV (1450AM, adult standards). WHPT (102.5 FM, Hot Talk) and WRUB (106.5FM, Spanish) are licensed to Sarasota and have broadcasting facilities in the Sarasota / Bradenton area, but have studios in the Tampa Bay area and are focused on that region.

The community also is served by most radio stations from the Tampa Bay radio market, as well as some stations from the nearby Fort Myers radio market.

Newspaper
The Sarasota Herald-Tribune is the daily newspaper published in the city and the weekly newspaper is the Sarasota Observer. From neighboring Manatee County, the Bradenton Herald also is distributed daily in the area and The Bradenton Times is an electronic weekly newspaper that covers Sarasota topics as well. Sarasota Magazine also served the community.

Stadiums
In 1937 the Municipal Auditorium-Recreation Club was built with funds provided by the Works Progress Administration, the municipal government, and local residents and business owners. It became a center for sports, entertainment, and recreation. The sports activities have ranged from badminton, basketball, boating, lawn bowling, and shuffleboard, to tennis. The auditorium hosts clubs for cards, dancing, games, gardening, and numerous hobbies as well as having become the community meeting place for commercial and educational shows and the venue for local schools and charities to hold events and dances. Tourists are attracted to exhibitions provided by local businesses as well as vendors from national circuits. This building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places because of its architecture and for providing the enormous range of community activities that are scheduled at it every week.

Sarasota is home to Ed Smith Stadium where the Baltimore Orioles have held spring training since 2010. The Orioles also have minor league facilities at the Buck O'Neil Baseball Complex at Twin Lakes Park. Previously, Ed Smith Stadium was the spring training home of the Cincinnati Reds and the minor league Sarasota Reds.

Golf
The warm climate helped the Sarasota area become a popular golf destination. John Hamilton Gillespie was an early pioneer of the game in Sarasota. The Sara Bay course in the Whitfield area was designed by golf architect Donald Ross. Bobby Jones was associated with the community course in Sarasota. Many courses dot the area, including the one originally laid out for the hotel John Ringling planned on the southern tip of Longboat Key.

Fishing
Sport fishing attracts enthusiasts to Sarasota as a result of the action that the bay offers. Tarpon was the biggest draw, but gigantic gar as well as many other species abounded to attract the notable Owen Burns and Powel Crosley.

Marathon
The Sarasota Marathon started in 2005. In 2010, declining sponsorship and marathon registration led organizers to change the event to a half marathon. The race begins and ends near the John and Mable Ringling Museum.

Swimming
Sarasota is home to two swim teams. The Sarasota Sharks have won national championships. A newer team, the Sarasota Tsunami, was founded by the former Sharks head coach and is also nationally competitive. The teams maintain a rivalry.

Sailing
The Sarasota Sailing Squadron is a highly active facility that has hosted many nationally renowned regattas for both dinghies and larger vessels.

Football
In 2013, Sarasota became the home of the Sarasota Thunder, which was to play in the Ultimate Indoor Football League, but the team folded.

2014 Pentathlon World Cup Final
In 2014, Sarasota hosted the modern pentathlon World Cup Final.

Rowing
Nathan Benderson Park contains a lake with a specialized 2,000 meter eight-lane rowing course. It was the venue for the World Rowing Championships in 2017, held on September 23 – October 1, 2017. The park has been the site of USRowing's Youth National Championship Regatta in June 2015, 2017, 2021, 2022 and 2023 and has hosted the NCAA women's rowing national championship (Division I, Division II and Division III) in 2018, 2021 and 2022. The park has also hosted trials of the men's and women's U.S. teams for the Summer Olympic Games of 2016 and 2020.

2021 U-18 Baseball World Cup
Sarasota and Bradenton together held the 2021 U-18 Baseball World Cup.

Other recreational activities
Sarasota is home of the Whiskey Obsession Festival, the largest whiskey festival in Florida. Established in 2013, the festival features several hundred whiskies from around the world. Dozens of professional brand ambassadors and distillers participate in the festival by engaging in panel discussions, leading classes, and tastings.

Water Skiing
Sarasota is home to the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees, an amateur water ski show team. They began in 1957. Present day, they perform weekly free water ski shows (seasonally) for the public on Ken Thompson Park. The team competes in regional tournaments annually and won the National Show Ski Championships in 2017.

Airports
The major airport in the area is Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) which is shared by Sarasota and Manatee counties. Since being opened in 1941, it has been the area's major airport. Before this, Lowe's Field functioned as the main airport for the Sarasota Area from 1929 to 1941.

Five airlines offer service out of the airport to locations primarily in the United States and Canada. The airport serves more than 1,300,000 passengers per year. The airport holds full port of entry status providing U.S. Customs inspections for international travelers. St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport and Tampa International Airport are located about an hour north from Sarasota, and Southwest Florida International Airport in Ft. Myers an hour and 45 min south of Sarasota. All 3 offer a wider range of national and international flights.

Public transit
Sarasota County Area Transit has a bus service called Breeze which offers service throughout the county and also offers limited connections with Manatee County Area Transit. Sarasota County has joined the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority to plan and build future transportation infrastructure including light rail, commuter rail and longer range bus service.

Rail
A key issue is providing Sarasota with access to the Florida High Speed Rail. The Seaboard Coast Line ran intercity train service to the city until 1971. There is no Amtrak train which stops in Sarasota, but Amtrak provides Amtrak Thruway at Sarasota Station, located approximately 2 miles from the city limits of Sarasota, to the nearest Amtrak terminal in Tampa. A freight-only rail line operated by Seminole Gulf Railway does serve industries in Sarasota. The Seaboard Coast Line ran the last passenger train, the West Coast Champion, to the company's depot on 1971.

Water
As a city located on the Gulf of Mexico, water transportation is a key consideration. The Intracoastal Waterway is a 3000 mi waterway providing water access to and from the Atlantic coast for tugs, barges, and leisure boats. Port Manatee and the Port of Tampa both provide nearby deep water ports. Port Manatee provides cargo service primarily while the Port of Tampa is more diverse. Port Manatee formerly even had a cruise line, Regal Cruise Line from 1993–2003. It was seized by U.S Marshals on April 18, 2003, for not being maintained. The waterway enters Sarasota Bay which provides access to downtown Sarasota at the city pier.

Roads
Because of its location on the Gulf of Mexico and its proximity to several other large metropolitan areas, road transportation is critical to the Sarasota area. The major roads in the area include:
 * I-75.svg I-75 – the only freeway in the area, I-75 is located 5 miles east from the center of Sarasota and is a major interstate leading south to Miami and north to Tampa
 * US 41.svg U.S. 41 Tamiami Trail – a major north-south route through Sarasota enters the city from the south before heading west at the south end of U.S. 301; after briefly following Bayfront Drive the Trail heads north again paralleling the coast
 * US 301.svg U.S. 301 – heading north from its intersection with U.S. 41, U.S. 301 follows Washington Boulevard running parallel to U.S. 41 until the two roads merge again in Manatee County
 * Florida 780.svg SR 780 – Fruitville Road (Third Street) – a main east-west thoroughfare linking U.S. 41, U.S. 301, and Interstate 75
 * Florida 789.svg SR 789 – starts out as John Ringling Causeway before heading to Bird Key and Lido Key, SR 789 turns north and becomes Gulf of Mexico Drive, a major road on the islands between Sarasota and Bradenton

Sister cities
The U.S. sister city program began in 1956 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed a people-to-people, citizen diplomacy initiative. The Sarasota chapter was established in 1963. A sister city, county, or state relationship is a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two countries. A relationship is officially recognized after the highest elected or appointed official from both communities sign off on an agreement to become sister cities.

Sarasota's sister cities are:

 * 🇫🇷 Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales, France (1994)
 * 🇷🇺 Vladimir, Vladimir Oblast, Russia (1994) (suspended)
 * 🇮🇱 Tel Mond, Central District, Israel (1999)
 * Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, UK (2001)
 * 🇨🇳 Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian, China (2007)
 * 🇲🇽 Mérida, Yucatán, México (2010)

Friendship cities

 * Rapperswil-Jona, Kanton St. Gallen, Switzerland (2017)
 * 🇮🇹 Busseto, Emilia-Romagna, Italy (2020)

title: Sarasota, Florida


text:
Sarasota Springs, Florida

Sarasota Springs is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 12,521 at the 2020 census, down from 14,395 at the 2010 census. It is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Sarasota Springs is located at 27.31°N, -82.47833°W (27.309924, -82.478383).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.4 km2, of which 9.1 sqkm is land and 0.3 sqkm, or 3.33%, is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,875 people, 6,611 households, and 4,469 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4,389.6 PD/sqmi. There were 7,101 housing units at an average density of 1,963.5 /mi2. The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.65% White, 0.73% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.28% from other races, and 1.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.78% of the population.

There were 6,611 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $41,981, and the median income for a family was $50,131. Males had a median income of $31,418 versus $25,227 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $22,427. About 5.2% of families and 6.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.

title: Sarasota Springs, Florida


text:
Siesta Key, Florida

Siesta Key is a barrier island off the southwest coast of the U.S. state of Florida, located between Roberts Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. A portion of it lies within the city boundary of Sarasota, but the majority of the key is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County. Siesta Key is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
From the 19th century to the early 20th century, Siesta Key was known by a variety of names, including Little Sarasota Key and Sarasota Key. The first attempts to develop the key were by the Siesta Land Company in 1907, consisting of Harry Higel, Captain Louis Roberts, and E. M. Arbogast. The company platted the northern end of the key as Siesta on the Gulf of Mexico as well as dredged bayous and built docks.

Access to Siesta Key was by boat or ferry until the first bridge connecting it to the mainland was completed in 1917. The bridge was replaced in 1927 with the addition of a second bridge located on the southern end of the key. The entire key officially was recognized as Siesta Key by 1952.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.0 km2, of which 6.1 km2 is land and 2.9 km2, or 32.08%, is water.

Siesta Key is made up of four main districts: Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach, Turtle Beach, and Siesta Key Village. It contains a suburban residential area located on the Siesta Key barrier island on the West coast of Florida, just west of the town of Sarasota. The community on Siesta Key consists of single-family homes, condominiums, retail shops, and art galleries.

Beaches
Beaches on Siesta Key include Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach, and Turtle Beach. Siesta Beach was named #1 in the U.S. in 2024 in U.S. News and World Report

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, Siesta Key CDP had a population of 5,454 with 2,948 households.

The population was split by age, with 1.0% under 5 years old, 6.5% under 18, and 54.9% were 65 years and older. 51.2% were female persons.

By race, the population was split with 93.6% white, 0.4% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1.8% were Asian, 3.6% were two or more races, and 2.7% were Hispanic or Latino.

The median household income was $108,527. 3.3% of the population lived below the poverty threshold. 98.7% of households had a computer, and 91.3% of households had a broadband internet subscription.

11.8% of the population were foreign-born persons. There were 483 veterans living in the CDP.

Famous Residents
Frederick Fennell (1914-2004), noted band conductor and musical educator.

title: Siesta Key, Florida


text:
South Gate Ridge, Florida

South Gate Ridge is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 6,024 at the 2020 census, up from 5,688 at the 2010 census. It is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
South Gate Ridge is located at 27.28639°N, -82.49667°W (27.286358, -82.496636).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 4.7 sqkm, of which 4.5 sqkm is land and 0.2 sqkm, or 3.54%, is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, South Gate Ridge had a population of 6,024 with 2,438 households.

The population was split by age, with 3.3% under 5 years old, 19.3% under 18, and 21.3% were 65 years and older. 49.3% were female persons. There were 327 veterans living in the CDP and 17.3% of the population were foreign born persons.

By race, the population was split with 81.5% white, 4.1% black or African American, 1.4% were Asian, 9.9% were two or more races, and 17.0% were Hispanic or Latino.

The median household income was $66,910. 10.7% of the population lived below the poverty threshold. 95.4% of households had a computer, and 92.7% of households had a broadband internet subscription.

title: South Gate Ridge, Florida


text:
South Sarasota, Florida

South Sarasota is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,133 at the 2020 census, up from 4,950 at the 2010 census. It is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.0 km2, of which 5.0 km2 is land and 1.1 km2, or 17.41%, is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,314 people, 2,509 households, and 1,487 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,724.2 PD/sqmi. There were 2,719 housing units at an average density of 1,393.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.97% White, 0.40% African American, 0.21% Native American, 1.17% Asian, 1.34% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.03% of the population.

There were 2,509 households, out of which 20.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.7% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.68.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 18.1% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 25.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $53,125, and the median income for a family was $74,907. Males had a median income of $48,409 versus $23,031 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $45,217. About 3.9% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.9% of those under age 18 and 0.6% of those age 65 or over.

title: South Sarasota, Florida


text:
South Venice, Florida

South Venice is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 15,619 at the 2020 census, up from 13,949 at the 2010 census. It is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 16.6 sqkm, of which 15.6 sqkm is land and 1.0 sqkm, or 6.17%, is water.

South Venice is west of North Port, south of Venice, and north of Englewood. In 2014, a land partnership with Mattamy Homes was created to develop the West Villages, a large community of subdivisions.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, South Venice had a population of 15,619 with 7,113 households. The population density was 2,622.8 PD/sqmi.

The racial makeup of the CDP was 88.8% White, 0.2% African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.7% Asian, and 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.8% of the population.

In the CDP, the population was spread out by age, with 4.0% under 5 years old, 15.1% under 18 years old, and 27.8% 65 years and older. 50.2% of the population were female persons.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $64,445. 6.5% of the population lived below the poverty threshold. 93.3% of the population 25 years and older were high school graduates or higher and 22.6% of that same population had a Bachelor's degree or higher. 95.1% of households had a computer and 90.8% had a broadband internet subscription.

title: South Venice, Florida


text:
Southgate, Florida

Southgate is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 6,287 at the 2020 census, down from 7,173 at the 2010 census. It is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Southgate is located at 27.30889°N, -82.51056°W (27.308974, -82.510577).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 5.4 sqkm, of which 5.2 sqkm is land and 0.2 sqkm, or 3.58%, is water.

Southgate is an older suburb of Sarasota, built in the early 1960s. Many homes in Southgate feature more "retro" styling, and almost all are one story. The neighborhood is well kept-up, however, and is quickly becoming a place where more wealthy families reside. Property values in Southgate have skyrocketed in the last few years, and its close proximity to downtown Sarasota, beaches, and shopping makes it a very desirable place to live.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,455 people, 3,629 households, and 2,072 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 3,647.9 PD/sqmi. There were 4,013 housing units at an average density of 1,963.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.16% White, 0.80% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.97% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.74% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.71% of the population.

There were 3,629 households, out of which 18.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.9% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.62.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 15.7% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 27.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $41,762, and the median income for a family was $50,335. Males had a median income of $33,109 versus $26,955 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $24,148. About 5.1% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

title: Southgate, Florida


text:
The Meadows, Florida

The Meadows is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,037 at the 2020 census, up from 3,994 at the 2010 census. The CDP is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.0 km2, of which 5.6 sqkm is land and 0.4 sqkm, or 6.18%, is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, the Meadows had a population of 5,037 with 3,211 households.

The population was split by age, with 1.4% under 5 years old, 4.7% under 18, and 68.3% were 65 years and older. 52.8% were female persons.

By race, the population was split with 97.5% white, 0.2% American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.1% were Asian, 1.6% were two or more races, and 2.0% were Hispanic or Latino.

The median household income was $59,293. 7.8% of the population lived below the poverty threshold. 95.5% of households had a computer, and 91.7% of households had a broadband internet subscription.

19.0% of the population were foreign-born persons. There were 877 veterans living in the CDP.

title: The Meadows, Florida


text:
Vamo, Florida

Vamo is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,822 at the 2020 census, down from 4,727 at the 2010 census. It is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP in 2010 had a total area of 4.9 km2, of which 3.8 km2 is land and 1.0 km2, or 21.09%, is water. The area of the CDP was changed in the 2020 census, its total area was decreased to 2.84 km2, of which 2.02 km2 is land and 0.83 km2, or 29%, is water.

History
Vamo was founded by the Webb family in 1928. They established the first home in the neighborhood on the Sarasota Bay Inlet off what is now known as Vamo Drive. This area is famous for its historic Spanish-style homes. The name "Vamo" originated from the home states of Mr. and Mrs. Webb: Mrs. Webb was born in Virginia (VA), and Mr. Webb was born in Missouri (MO). There is also a street in the neighborhood named Mova Street.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,285 people, 2,516 households, and 1,335 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,981.3 PD/sqmi. There were 3,063 housing units at an average density of 1,727.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.90% White, 0.72% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.10% Asian, 0.42% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.56% of the population.

There were 2,516 households, out of which 16.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.9% were non-families. 38.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.92 and the average family size was 2.52.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 13.4% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 34.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $45,945, and the median income for a family was $53,041. Males had a median income of $39,030 versus $27,800 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $32,068. About 4.1% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over.

title: Vamo, Florida


text:
Venice, Florida

Venice is a city in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The city includes what locals call "Venice Island", a portion of the mainland that is accessed via bridges over the artificially created Intracoastal Waterway. The city is located in Southwest Florida. As of the 2020 Census, the city had a population of 25,463, up from 20,748 at the 2010 Census. Venice is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The area that is now Venice was originally the home of Paleo-Indians, with evidence of their presence dating back to 8200 BCE. As thousands of years passed, and the climate changed and some of the Pleistocene animals that the Indians hunted became extinct, the descendants of the Paleo-Indians found new ways to create stone and bone weapons to cope with their changing environment. These descendants became known as the Archaic peoples. Evidence of their camps along with their stone tools were discovered in parts of Venice. Over several millennia the culture and people who lived in the area changed. The peoples who the Spanish encountered when they arrived in 1500s were mound-builders. Venice lay in a boundary area between two cultures, the Tocobaga and the Calusa, and so you can find evidence of each in the area.

The 1870s is when the area saw the first wave of white settlers. Venice was first known as "Horse and Chaise" because of a carriage-like tree formation that marked the spot for fishermen. During the 1870s, Robert Rickford Roberts established a homestead near a bay that bears his name today, Roberts Bay. Francis H. "Frank" Higel, originally from France, arrived in Venice in 1883 with his wife and six sons. He purchased land in the Roberts' homestead for $2,500,, to set up his own homestead. Higel established a citrus operation involving the production of several lines of canned citrus items, such as jams, pickled orange peel, lemon juice, and orange wine. Higel established a post office in 1885 with the name Eyry as a service for the community's thirty residents. In February he was appointed as postmaster but the office was shut down months later, in November 1885, with services moving back to Osprey. In 1888, another post office was established, this time with the name "Venice", a name Higel himself suggested because of its likeness to the canal city in Italy.

During the Florida land boom of the 1920s, Fred H. Albee, an orthopedic surgeon renowned for his bone-grafting operations, bought 112 acres from Bertha Palmer to develop Venice. He hired John Nolen to plan the city and create a master plan for the streets. Albee sold the land to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and retained Nolen as city planner. The first portions of the city and infrastructure were constructed in 1925–1926.

In 1926, a fire department was formed with thirty-two volunteers. In that same year, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers purchased a new American LaFrance fire engine from Moore Haven that had been damaged in the Great Miami Hurricane.

The first library was also founded in 1926 by the Venice-Nokomis Women's Club. This "library" was a few books on a shelf in a local store. The library had several temporary homes until 1965 when the Venice Area Public Library was built. This building remained in use until it was demolished in 2017 due to mold. A new library was constructed in 2018 called the William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library, named after a benefactor of the new building.

On July 1, 1926, it was officially incorporated as the "Town of Venice", and soon after, on May 9, 1927, it officially became the "City of Venice".

Geography
The approximate coordinates for the City of Venice is located at 27.1°N, -82.43333°W. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 43.1 km2, of which 39.5 km2 is land and 3.5 km2, or 8.19%, is water. The climate of Venice is humid subtropical, bordering very closely on a tropical savanna climate, thus featuring pronounced wet and dry seasons.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of Venice has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 25,463 people, 12,521 households, and 6,810 families residing in the city.

In 2020, there was a population of 25,41.2% of the population were under 5 years old, 6.4% were under 18 years old, and 61.9% was 65 years and older. 3,204 veterans lived in the city and 9.5% of the population were foreign born persons. 54.6% of the population were female persons.

In 2020, the median household income was $61,953 with a per capita income of $60,284. 6.8% of the population lived below the poverty threshold. 90.9% of the households had a computer and 81.3% had a broadband internet subscription.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 20,748 people, 11,143 households, and 5,926 families residing in the city.

Annual cultural events

Venice has been listed in several publications as being the "Shark's Tooth Capital of the World". It hosts the Shark's Tooth Festival every year to celebrate the abundance of fossilized shark's teeth that can be found on its coastal shores.

Museums and other points of interest
The following structures and areas are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:
 * Armada Road Multi-Family District
 * Blalock House
 * Eagle Point Historic District
 * Edgewood Historic District
 * Hotel Venice
 * House at 710 Armada Road South
 * Johnson-Schoolcraft Building
 * Levillain-Letton House
 * Triangle Inn
 * Valencia Hotel and Arcade
 * Venezia Park Historic District
 * Venice Depot

Theatre and music

 * Venice Theatre is the largest per-capita community theater in the United States with an operating budget of almost three million dollars.

Media
Venice's newspaper is the Venice Gondolier Sun. It is published twice each week and has a circulation of 13,500 copies.

Tampa Bay's Univision affiliate WVEA-TV is licensed to Venice, though it is based in Tampa and broadcasts from Riverview.

Roads

 * I-75.svg I-75 – the only freeway in the area, I-75 runs through the mainly inland areas of the City of Venice.
 * US_41.svg U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) – The Major North-South Route through the city.
 * US_41.svg U.S. 41 Bypass (Venice Bypass) – Forms a Bypass Loop of Venice Island, and the City of Venice.
 * Florida_681.svg State Road 681 – Venice Connector, this road was formerly the southern terminus of Interstate 75 in the early 1980s.
 * Sarasota County 762.svg County Road 762 (Laurel Road) – Runs East-West and connects US-41 to I-75 in the Northern Sections of the city.
 * CR 765 jct.svg County Road 765 (Jacaranda Boulevard) - Runs North-South, skirting the Western City Limits, connecting I-75 to US-41, southwest of the city.
 * CR 772 jct.svg County Road 772 (Venice Avenue) – The primary east-west Roadway in the city, CR 762 connects US-41 to US-41 Bypass and Jacaranda Blvd (CR-765).

Rail and Air
Passenger railroad service, served by the Seaboard Coast Line, last ran to the station in 1971, immediately prior to the Amtrak assumption of passenger rail operation. Previously Venice was one of the Florida destinations of the Orange Blossom Special.

Venice Municipal Airport is a city managed public-use airport located 2 mi south of the central business district. The nearest airport with Commercial Airline Service is Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport.

Law enforcement
Venice is patrolled by the Venice Police Department, Tom Mattmuller is the current Chief of Police. The small department has special units for bike patrols, traffic patrols, and boat patrols, amongst the normal police services provided. There are a total of 73 members of the police department that serve Venice.

Notable people

 * Brian Aherne, English actor
 * Dri Archer, American football player
 * Trey Burton, American football player
 * Hector A. Cafferata Jr., United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor for his heroic service at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War
 * Walter Farley, author of The Black Stallion
 * Dick Hyman, jazz musician
 * Forrest Lamp, professional football player
 * Alvin Mitchell, American football player
 * Tom Tresh, professional baseball player
 * Steve Trout, former major league baseball pitcher
 * Early Wynn, professional baseball player

title: Venice, Florida


text:
Venice Gardens, Florida

Venice Gardens is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,402 at the 2020 census, down from 7,104 at the 2010 census. It is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Venice Gardens is located at 27.07056°N, -82.40778°W (27.070534, -82.407844).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 7.0 km2, of which 6.3 km2 is land and 0.7 km2, or 10.01%, is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,466 people, 3,528 households, and 2,342 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,987.9 PD/sqmi. There were 3,836 housing units at an average density of 1,535.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.43% White, 0.40% African American, 0.08% Native American, 1.25% Asian, 0.15% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.34% of the population.

There were 3,528 households, out of which 16.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.52.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 14.5% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 19.1% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 37.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 55 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $38,807, and the median income for a family was $45,911. Males had a median income of $28,790 versus $26,000 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,440. About 3.3% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.

title: Venice Gardens, Florida


text:
Warm Mineral Springs, Florida

Warm Mineral Springs is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,442 at the 2020 census, up from 5,061 at the 2010 census. It is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The Warm Mineral Springs locale is notable for a free-flowing artesian spring. A large portion of the area was annexed by the municipality of North Port, and is now part of that city. The Warm Mineral Springs Motel designed by modernist architect Victor Lundy, one of the architects associated with the Sarasota School of Architecture, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
Warm Mineral Springs is located at 27.0475°N, -82.26889°W (27.047440, -82.268902).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.9 km2, of which 5.9 km2 is land and 0.9 km2, or 13.33%, is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, Warm Mineral Springs had a population of 5,442 with 2,775 households. The population density was 2,306.9 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.4% White, 0.9% African American, 0.9% Asian, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population.

In the CDP, the population was spread out by age, with 1.8% under 5 years old, 4.3% under 18 years old, and 69.8% 65 years and over.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $47,690. 10.8% of the population lived below the poverty threshold. 94.4% of the population 25 years and older were high school graduates or higher and 19.1% of that same population had a Bachelor's degree or higher. 89.4% of households had a computer and 83.1% had a broadband internet subscription.

title: Warm Mineral Springs, Florida