Siesta Key, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Siesta Key, Florida
Little Sarasota Key, Sarasota Key
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Lifeguard stand at Siesta Key Beach
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Location in Sarasota County and the state of Florida
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| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Sarasota |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.46 sq mi (8.97 km2) |
| • Land | 2.34 sq mi (6.07 km2) |
| • Water | 1.12 sq mi (2.90 km2) |
| Elevation | 3 ft (1 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,454 |
| • Density | 2,326.79/sq mi (898.23/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
34242
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| Area code(s) | 941 |
| FIPS code | 12-66000 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1802950 |
Siesta Key is a beautiful barrier island located off the southwest coast of Florida, a state in the United States. An island like this is a long, narrow island that protects the mainland from ocean waves and storms.
Siesta Key sits between Roberts Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Part of it is inside the city of Sarasota. However, most of the island is a special area called a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County. A CDP is a place that looks like a town but isn't officially governed as one. Siesta Key is also part of the larger Sarasota metropolitan area.
Contents
History of Siesta Key
For many years, from the 1800s to the early 1900s, Siesta Key was known by different names. Some people called it Little Sarasota Key or Sarasota Key.
The first people to try and develop the island were from the Siesta Land Company in 1907. This company included Harry Higel, Captain Louis Roberts, and E. M. Arbogast. They planned out the northern part of the island, calling it "Siesta on the Gulf of Mexico." They also dug canals and built docks to make it easier to get around.
For a long time, you could only reach Siesta Key by boat or ferry. But in 1917, the first bridge connecting the island to the mainland was finished. This made it much easier for people to visit and live there. In 1927, that bridge was replaced, and a second bridge was added on the southern end of the island. By 1952, the entire island was officially known as Siesta Key.
Geography and Natural Features
Siesta Key covers about 9.0 square kilometers (about 3.46 square miles) in total. Most of this area, about 6.1 square kilometers (2.34 square miles), is land. The rest, about 2.9 square kilometers (1.12 square miles), is water.
The island has four main areas: Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach, Turtle Beach, and Siesta Key Village. It is a suburban area with homes, apartments, shops, and art galleries. It is located on Florida's west coast, just west of the town of Sarasota.
Famous Beaches of Siesta Key
Siesta Key is famous for its beautiful beaches. These include Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach, and Turtle Beach. Siesta Beach is especially well-known. In 2024, U.S. News and World Report named Siesta Beach the number one beach in the U.S.
People and Population
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1970 | 4,460 | — | |
| 1980 | 7,010 | 57.2% | |
| 1990 | 7,772 | 10.9% | |
| 2000 | 7,150 | −8.0% | |
| 2010 | 6,565 | −8.2% | |
| 2020 | 5,454 | −16.9% | |
| source: | |||
In 2020, the 2020 United States census showed that 5,454 people lived in Siesta Key. There were 2,948 households on the island.
Looking at the ages of the people, about 1.0% were under 5 years old. About 6.5% were under 18 years old. A large part of the population, 54.9%, was 65 years or older. Slightly more than half, 51.2%, of the residents were female.
Most of the people living in Siesta Key were white (93.6%). Other groups included Asian (1.8%) and American Indian or Alaska Native (0.4%). About 3.6% of the population identified as two or more races. About 2.7% of the people were of Hispanic or Latino background.
The average income for a household in Siesta Key was $108,527. Only a small number of people, 3.3%, lived below the poverty line. Almost all households (98.7%) had a computer, and most (91.3%) had a fast internet connection.
About 11.8% of the people living in Siesta Key were born in other countries. There were also 483 military veterans living in the area.
Notable Residents of Siesta Key
- Frederick Fennell (1914-2004) was a famous band conductor and music teacher who lived in Siesta Key.
Images for kids
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Lifeguard stand at Siesta Key Beach
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Location in Sarasota County and the state of Florida
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The sand of Turtle Beach
See also
In Spanish: Cayo Siesta para niños
