Big Pine Key, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Big Pine Key, Florida
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Location in Monroe County and the state of Florida
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U.S. Census Bureau map showing CDP boundaries
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| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Monroe |
| Area | |
| • Total | 10.31 sq mi (26.70 km2) |
| • Land | 10.20 sq mi (26.43 km2) |
| • Water | 0.11 sq mi (0.28 km2) |
| Elevation | 3 ft (1 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,521 |
| • Density | 443.06/sq mi (171.07/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
33043
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| Area code(s) | 305 |
| FIPS code | 12-06425 |
Big Pine Key is a beautiful island in the Florida Keys, located in Monroe County, Florida, United States. It is known as a census-designated place, which means it's a special area defined for gathering population data. In 2020, about 4,521 people lived here. Big Pine Key is famous for its unique wildlife, especially the tiny Key deer.
Contents
Exploring Big Pine Key's Geography
Big Pine Key is crossed by U.S. 1, also known as the Overseas Highway. This highway is a major road that connects many of the Florida Keys. On Big Pine Key, the highway runs north and south along the eastern side of the island.
From Big Pine Key, you can drive about 29 miles (47 km) southwest to reach Key West. If you head east-northeast, it's about 21 miles (34 km) to Marathon. Long ago, Big Pine Key was also a stop on the famous Overseas Railroad, which helped people travel through the Keys.
The island itself covers about 10.3 square miles (26.7 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part, about 0.1 square miles (0.28 square kilometers), covered by water.
Big Pine Key's Population
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1980 | 2,350 | — | |
| 1990 | 4,206 | 79.0% | |
| 2000 | 5,032 | 19.6% | |
| 2010 | 4,252 | −15.5% | |
| 2020 | 4,521 | 6.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Big Pine Key has changed over the years. In 2020, there were 4,521 people living on the island. These residents lived in about 2,065 households. The community is made up of people from many different backgrounds.
The Blue Hole: A Unique Freshwater Spot
One of the most interesting places on Big Pine Key is the Blue Hole. It's an old rock quarry, which is a place where rocks were dug out of the ground. The rocks from here were used to build roads and the old Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad.
Today, the Blue Hole is filled with mostly fresh water. It's a vital water source for many animals in the area. You might spot birds, snakes, alligators, and even green iguanas enjoying the water. The Blue Hole is also an important part of the National Key Deer Refuge, helping to protect the local wildlife.
Shopping and Services on Big Pine Key
Big Pine Key has several places where you can find what you need. There's a main grocery store in a shopping center just north of US 1. This center also has restaurants, an outlet store, and an electronics store. You can also find the visitor's center for the National Key Deer Refuge here. The Monroe County Library branch, which offers free WiFi, is also located in this shopping center.
Along US 1, you'll find pharmacies, a shoe store, and a shop selling tropical decorations. There's also a bait and tackle shop for fishing enthusiasts. A small hardware store sells tools and other items for home repairs, including some boat parts.
For dining and entertainment, there are several bars and restaurants along the US 1 road. If you need more options, the city of Marathon is about 23 miles (37 km) north. Key West, a larger city with many shops and cultural attractions, is about 30 miles (48 km) south.
If you're looking for a place to stay, there are some RV/camping sites and a few motel-style rooms on the southeast side of the island.
Protecting the Key Deer
Big Pine Key is home to the National Key Deer Refuge, a special place created to protect the Key deer. Most of the Key deer population lives on this island.
The Key deer is the smallest type of white-tailed deer. Adult male deer, called bucks, are less than a yard tall at the shoulders and weigh around 80 pounds (36 kg). Female deer, called does, are a bit smaller. These deer live in different habitats across the Florida Keys, including pine forests, hardwood forests, mangrove swamps, and wetlands. You can only find Key deer from Big Pine Key to Sugarloaf Key.
Because Key deer are an endangered species, many steps have been taken to protect them and their homes:
- Signs are placed along US 1 to tell drivers they are in Key deer habitat. These signs also warn people not to feed the deer.
- About 2 miles (3.2 km) of US 1 on the eastern side of Big Pine Key are raised and fenced. This allows Key deer to safely cross under the road.
- The speed limit on US 1 in Big Pine Key is 35 miles per hour (56 km/h) at night. This is because Key deer are most active after dark. The speed limits, including 45 MPH (72 km/h) during the day, are strictly enforced to keep the deer safe.
See also
In Spanish: Big Pine Key para niños
