Editing Longboat Key, Florida

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
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<!-- Basic info  ---------------->
|official_name            = Town of Longboat Key
|name                     = Longboat Key, Florida
|native_name              = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
|other_name               = 
|settlement_type          = [[Town (Florida)|Town]]
|image_skyline            = File:Florida Millar Bay from Longboat Key.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = View of Millar bay and Sister Keys from a Longboat Keys residence
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|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = Premier Community, Exceptional Service
|image_map                = Manatee_County_Florida_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Longboat_Key_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location in [[Manatee County, Florida|Manatee County]] and the state of [[Florida]]
|image_map1               = 
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|coordinates              = {{coord|27|23|49|N|82|38|41|W|region:US-FL|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = {{Flag|United States}}
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Florida|Counties]]
|subdivision_type3        = 
|subdivision_type4        = 
|subdivision_name1        = {{Flag|Florida}}
|subdivision_name2        = [[Sarasota County, Florida|Sarasota]], [[Manatee County, Florida|Manatee]]
|subdivision_name3        = 
|subdivision_name4        = <!-- Politics ----------------->
|established_title        = [[Settler colonialism|Settled]]
|established_date         = 1842-1891
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = November 13, 1955
|established_title3       = <!-- Incorporated (city) -->
|established_date3        = <!-- Area    --------------------->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = [[Council-manager government|Commission–manager]]
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Ken Schneier
|leader_title1            = [[Vice Mayor]]
|leader_name1             = Mike Haycock
|leader_title2            = [[City Council|Commissioners]]
|leader_name2             = Gary Coffin, Penny Gold,<br>Debra Williams,<br>B.J. Bishop,<br>Debbie Murphy
|leader_title3            = [[City Manager]]
|leader_name3             = Howard N. Tipton
|leader_title4            = [[City Clerk]]
|leader_name4             = Trish Shinkle
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_12.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 31, 2021}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 41.44
|area_total_sq_mi         = 16.00
|area_land_km2            = 10.56
|area_land_sq_mi          = 4.08
|area_water_km2           = 30.88
|area_water_sq_mi         = 11.92
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|area_blank1_sq_mi        = <!-- Population   ----------------------->
|elevation_footnotes      = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
|elevation_m              = 1
|elevation_ft             = 3
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
|population_total         = 7505
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_density_km2   = 710.54
|population_density_sq_mi = 1840.36
|population_urban         = 
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|population_density_blank1_km2    = 
|population_density_blank1_sq_mi  = <!-- General information  --------------->
|population_note          = 
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 34228
|area_code                = [[Area code 941|941]]
| unemployment_rate       = 
|website                  = {{URL|www.longboatkey.org}}
|footnotes                = 
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|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 12-41150<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0286084<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204035720/http://geonames.usgs.gov/|archive-date=February 4, 2012}}</ref>
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|pop_est_footnotes        = 
|population_est           = 
}}
'''Longboat Key''' is a town in [[Manatee County, Florida|Manatee]] and [[Sarasota County, Florida|Sarasota]] counties along the central west coast of the U.S. state of [[Florida]], located on and coterminous with the [[barrier island]] of the same name. Longboat Key is south of [[Anna Maria Island]], between [[Sarasota Bay]] and the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. It is almost equally divided between the Manatee and Sarasota counties. The town of Longboat Key was [[municipal corporation|incorporated]] in 1955 and is part of the [[Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area|North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area]]. The town's population was 7,505 at the 2020 census, up from 6,888 at the 2010 census.

== History ==

=== Early history ===

Longboat Key was originally inhabited by [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]]. The area of what is now Longboat Key was scouted by [[Juan de Añasco]] who was the first known European to explore the key and [[Hernando de Soto|Hernando De Soto's]] as his scout. He spent about two months attempting to find a landing site, and he was also most likely the first European man to see and explore [[Sarasota Bay]], [[Boca Ciega Bay]] and the [[Manatee River]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=The History of Longboat Key|url=https://www.longboatkeyhistory.com/the-history-of-longboat-key.html|access-date=2021-05-11|website=Longboat Key History|language=en}}</ref> According to local legend, he believed the Indians were hostile. When the party reached land on the island, the Indians fled leaving their [[Longboat]] in a bayou. Pirate [[Jean Lafitte]] was said to have been shipwrecked near or on Longboat Key.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Longboat Key - History and Place to Visit|url = http://www.longboatkeychamber.com/community/longboat-key/|website = Longboat Key Chamber|access-date = December 14, 2015|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222164410/http://www.longboatkeychamber.com/community/longboat-key/|archive-date = December 22, 2015}}</ref>

Prior to 1842, Cuban and Spanish fishermen along with some squatters resided on the island. A fishing camp and a trading post for Native Americans existed in the northern part of the key located in what is presently the Longboat Village. At the time, the area was referred to on maps as "Saraxola" and "Zarazote". An 1839 map compiled by order of General [[Zachary Taylor]] during the [[Second Seminole War]] called the island Palm Island.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hunter |first1=Ralph |title=From Calusas to Condominiums: A Pictorial History of Longboat Key |date=2002 |publisher=Royal Palm Publishing Co., Inc. |location=Longboat Key, FL |isbn=0615122388 |page=17}}</ref>

There is little known about the island after 1848 and until the 1880s, because a hurricane hit the area and destroyed most of Longboat Key. The only thing known is that Charles Abbe had a plantation at an unknown location on the island where citrus and pineapples were grown.<ref name=":0" />

=== Late 1800s and early 1900s ===

The first people of European descent to claim land on the island were Colin and Rowlin W. Witt, claiming {{Convert|7.15|acres}} on the north end of the island in 1882.<ref name=":0" /> Several others would claim land on the island during the late 1800s, but none of them are known to have lived on the island permanently.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2013-06-11|title=Lore: Mann became first Longboat Key homesteader in 1891 {{!}} Longboat Key|url=https://www.yourobserver.com/article/lore-mann-became-first-longboat-key-homesteader-1891|access-date=2021-05-08|website=Your Observer|language=en}}</ref>

In 1884, Thomas Mann claimed {{convert|144.5|acres|0|abbr=on}} on the key. He and his family moved there in 1888, becoming the first known permanent residents on the key. His home was located somewhere on the north end of the key.<ref name=":0" />

Mann was a carpenter by trade who was originally from Indiana and later moved to Minnesota. During the [[American Civil War]] he served the Union under the [[7th Minnesota Infantry Regiment]]. Mann and his family moved to what is known today as Bradenton in 1872. He left because of either a local [[yellow fever]] epidemic or prejudice against him from being from the Northern United States. Mann died in 1908 in nearby [[Cortez, Florida|Cortez]].<ref name=":1" /> His son, James, claimed {{convert|143.5|acres|0|abbr=on}} south of his father's land in 1891.<ref name=":0" />

With a passage being dug in 1895 from [[Sarasota Bay]] to [[Tampa Bay]], [[steamship]]s and [[Paddle steamer|paddle boats]] could access the island. Soon, a mail service was established that brought residents mail from [[Cortez, Florida|Cortez]]. Thomas Mann sold his land in 1898 to May and June Pointevesant of [[Ocean Springs, Mississippi]].

Longboat Key's first post office was established in 1907 at Byron Corey's pier at the southern end of the island, where he owned {{convert|153.5|acres|0|abbr=on}} of land beginning in 1903. Corey also served as Longboat Key's first postmaster.<ref name=":0" /> The post office on the sound end lasted until 1921, when it was destroyed by a hurricane.

During the 1910s, the key saw a surge in development and changes to it. The Pointevesants sold their land to Rufus Perry Jordan and Annie Jordan in May 1911. Rufus laid out a community named '''Longbeach''', filling the plat in November 1911. During 1913, another subdivision named Shore Acres that covered 170 acres of land was developed at the "narrowest" part of the island, and was finished by the next year. Another community was also started at about the same time, named '''Island Beach''', located south of it.<ref name=":0" /> Longbeach gained its own post office in 1914.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Marsh|first=Ola|url=https://www.longboatkeyhistory.com/uploads/3/0/5/5/3055591/lbk_post_office.pdf|title=HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ON LONGBOAT KEY, FLORIDA}}</ref> During the early 1900s and prior to the 1921 hurricane, Longboat Key had a significant farming presence, with local residents growing a variety of products. A 1912 ''Sarasota Times'' headline read: "From a lonely Key, it is now a center of trucking and fruit growing."<ref name=":0" />

=== 1920s ===

In 1921, the key lost most of its agricultural land and buildings during a hurricane. That same year, the island was split between two counties, Sarasota and Manatee.

Starting in 1923, John Ringling purchased a large amount of land on Longboat Key.<ref name=":0" /> In February 1926, Ringling entered a contract to develop a luxury hotel named the Ritz-Carlton on the south side of the island. The hotel was to have 200+ rooms, docking facilities and a railroad leading to it to bring guests there. The hotel began construction in March 1926, with a completion date before December 15, 1926 as specified in the contract. An 18-hole golf course would be built next to the hotel as well. Ringling found himself preoccupied with other financial interests, and during that year the Florida land boom began to slow down as well. In November he ordered construction to be stopped on the hotel, and later claimed he would resume construction, but never did.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Mark D.|title=Ringling's Ritz-Carlton {{!}} Sarasota History Alive!|url=http://www.sarasotahistoryalive.com/history/articles/ringling-s-ritz-carlton|access-date=2021-05-10|website=Sarasota History Alive|language=en-US}}</ref>

There were no roads that led to the key until 1929, when a bridge was built to [[St. Armands Key|St. Armands]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = Farming on Longboat till 1921|url = http://www.longboatkeyhistory.com/farming-on-longboat-till-1921.html|website = longboat key history.com|access-date = February 24, 2016|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125621/http://www.longboatkeyhistory.com/farming-on-longboat-till-1921.html|archive-date = March 4, 2016}}</ref> A bridge across Longboat Pass was built in April 1929 and would exist until March 1932.

=== 1930s and 1940s ===

Starting in 1935, a former Chicago insurance agent named Gordon Whitney started buying up property to construct a series of cottages on the northern end of the island. The area was given the name of Whitney Beach. Whitney intended to have the cottages serve as part of a resort.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Whitney Beach|url=https://www.longboatkeyhistory.com/whitney-beach.html|access-date=2021-05-09|website=Longboat Key History|language=en}}</ref>

In 1936, for the first time, telephone service was brought to the southern part of the island.<ref name=":0" />

In 1937, [[John Ringling North]], the head of the estate of John Ringling, who had died in 1936, announced that Martin Sweeney had an interest in finishing the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Sweeney said the hotel would have two 18 hole golf courses, an airport, a club and facilities for fishing, along with 235 rooms when completed. However, these plans would never transpire and the hotel remained in its then-current state.<ref name=":2" />

By 1939 or 1940, telephone service was brought to the North End.<ref name=":0" /> Longboat Key got its first newspaper, ''Gulf Gale'', in 1941; it would run until 1944.<ref name=":0" />

In [[World War II]], Longboat Key had a bombing range. In 1942, it was used by [[Martin B-26 Marauder|B-26]] planes, and from 1943 to 1945 by [[Curtiss P-40 Warhawk|P-40]] and [[North American P-51 Mustang|P-51]] planes. The range was used between 8am and 5pm, which meant that residents on the northern side of the island could not go south of it until after its training sessions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.longboatkeyhistory.com/world-war-ii.html|title=World War II|website=longboat key history.com|access-date=May 13, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708211600/http://www.longboatkeyhistory.com/world-war-ii.html|archive-date=July 8, 2017}}</ref>

=== 1950s to the present ===

On November 13, 1955, the town was [[Incorporated town|incorporated]] by a 186–13 vote at a meeting in a fire station. The meeting itself lasted for 3 hours and 10 minutes in total. Reasons for supporting incorporation included that Longboat Key could have more say in its governmental affairs.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|last=Hartill|first=Robin|date=November 14, 2012|title=Town of Longboat Key turns 57, but who's counting?|work=[[Longboat Observer]]|url=https://www.yourobserver.com/article/town-longboat-key-turns-57-whos-counting|access-date=August 9, 2021}}</ref> It is also believed that the placement of a segregated beach for African-Americans on the island was a motivator behind incorporating it. By incorporating the entire key, they could somehow avoid the placement of the beach altogether. Residents also held meetings protesting the beach's placement.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Integration of Sarasota Beaches|url=http://www.sarasotahistoryalive.com/history/articles/the-integration-of-sarasota-beaches/|access-date=2021-08-09|website=Sarasota History Alive!|language=en-US}}</ref> Significant arguments against incorporation were that property taxes would go up.<ref name=":3" /> After doing the incorporation vote, Will LePage was elected as the first mayor, along with the first eight members of the Board of Aldermen.<ref name=":3" /> At the time, only about a third of Longboat Key was developed, and roughly 215 people lived on the key. When the town was incorporated, it changed its name from Longbeach to Longboat Key.<ref name="longboatkeychamber.com">{{Cite web|title=Longboat Key - History and Place to Visit|url=http://www.longboatkeychamber.com/community/longboat-key/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222164410/http://www.longboatkeychamber.com/community/longboat-key/|archive-date=December 22, 2015|access-date=January 7, 2016|website=Longboat Key Chamber}}</ref>

[[File:Swain family picnicking near the Colony Beach Club- Longboat Key, Florida (8147489474).jpg|thumb|A family at the beach on Longboat Key in 1958|right]]

In 1959, the [[Arvida Corporation]] created by [[Arthur Vining Davis]] purchased 2,000 acres, which included the southern half of Longboat Key, a majority of Lido Key, along with Bird Key, Otter Key, and Coon Key, at a price of $13.5 million.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hartill|first=Robin|date=2012-10-02|title=Key Club: 'Celebration of a dream'|url=https://www.yourobserver.com/article/key-club-celebration-dream|access-date=2021-05-10|website=Your Observer|language=en}}</ref> It was expected that the population would be increased by 12,000 extra residents.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ARVIDA (Arthur Vining Davis)|url=https://www.longboatkeyhistory.com/arvida-arthur-vining-davis.html|access-date=2021-05-10|website=Longboat Key History|language=en}}</ref> Some of the land purchased would come from John Ringling North, and on his Longboat Key land included the unfinished Ritz-Carlton Hotel. There was a proposal in 1962 by a Sarasota realtor to finish its construction and make it into a convention site for Sarasota. However, Arvida had no interest in either selling or attempting to finish the hotel. The hotel was torn down between December 1963 and January 1964. Debris from the demolished hotel would be used as fill for the city's civic center and City Island.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Mark|title=Ringling's Ritz-Carlton|url=http://www.sarasotahistoryalive.com/history/articles/ringling-s-ritz-carlton/|access-date=December 16, 2021|website=Sarasota History Alive!}}</ref>

In early 2024, it was announced that a new public library would be built on Longboat Key. The library is to be a part of the [[Sarasota County Library System]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kuizon |first1=Kimberly |title=Longboat Key to get its own public library: 'It's been long overdue' |url=https://www.fox13news.com/news/longboat-key-to-get-its-own-public-library-its-been-long-overdue |access-date=7 May 2024 |work=FOX 13 News |date=16 February 2024}}</ref>

==Geography==

[[File:Florida white heron Durante Community Park Longboat Key.jpg|thumb|White heron in the Durante Community Park on Longboat Key]]

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|41.4|km2|disp=flip}}, of which {{convert|10.7|km2|1|disp=flip}} is land and {{convert|30.7|km2|1|disp=flip}}, or 74.19%, of which is water.

Longboat Key is located north of [[St. Armands Key, Florida|St. Armands Key]], with its circle of shopping and dining, and [[Lido Key]], and south of [[Bradenton Beach, Florida|Bradenton Beach]], [[Holmes Beach, Florida|Holmes Beach]], and [[Anna Maria, Florida|Anna Maria]], which are located on the adjacent [[Anna Maria Island]]. The nearby cities of [[Sarasota, Florida|Sarasota]] and [[Bradenton, Florida|Bradenton]] and the [[Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport]] rounds out Longboat Key's varied list of geographic amenities. [[Florida State Road 789|State Road 789]] (Gulf of Mexico Drive) runs the length of the island, with ancillary boulevards branching off to residential neighborhoods. From some locations one can see both [[Sarasota Bay]] and the [[Gulf of Mexico]].

At other points the island widens and accommodates various homes owned by both singly and in condominiums, hotels, and sports clubs. Some Longboat Key residents are "[[snowbird (people)|snowbird]]s", who vacation at or own second homes on Longboat Key, and are present only during the winter months. Others are homesteaders, utilizing the various homestead exemptions provided to Florida citizens who own and occupy their principal residences within the state, as set forth under the Florida Constitution.

Most of the Gulf side of Longboat Key consists of beaches. The southernmost area of the key is mostly part of the Longboat Key Club.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Longboat Key Club & Resort – Membership - Longboat Key Club & Resort |url=https://longboatkeyclubmembers.com/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=longboatkeyclubmembers.com}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Longboat Key FL beach bdwk01.jpg|Boardwalk to beach
File:Longboat Key FL beach03.jpg|Beach on Gulf side of key
File:Longboat Key FL beach01.jpg|Beach expanse
</gallery>

=== Jewfish Key ===
'''Jewfish Key''' is an island that covers {{Convert|38|acre|m2}} located within city limits.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Fottler |first=Marsha |date=June 30, 2019 |title=The Great Escape |work=[[Sarasota Herald-Tribune]] |type=Digital |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/business/real-estate/2019/06/30/great-escape/4795897007/ |access-date=November 16, 2022}}</ref> The island is only accessible via boat and the eastern part of the key is a nature reserve. Electricity is provided via underwater cables and there are no landline phone lines to the key.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Hartill |first=Robin |date=January 27, 2010 |title=Hidden treasure |work=YourObserver.com |type=Digital |url=https://www.yourobserver.com/article/hidden-treasure |access-date=November 16, 2022}}</ref> Residents of the island get water from wells and use septic tanks.<ref name=":5" />

Until the 1930s, Jewfish Key was two islands: '''Pickett Key''' to the north and '''Fisherman's Key''' located to the south. When the US Army Corps of Engineers dredged the Intracoastal Waterway they needed a place to deposit the spoil; and the two owners (whose last names were Jordan and Zeisse) allowed for the spoil to be placed in order to make a single island in exchange for a deed to this now one island and "a case of whisky". The island's name comes from when local fishermen started calling the island Jewfish Key because they caught large amounts of [[Atlantic goliath grouper|Goliath groupers]] or Jewfish there.<ref name=":4" />

=== Water ===

A perennial problem for Longboaters was water quantity and quality. [[Salinity]] and [[sediment]]ary factors threatened the availability of potable water to island residents, visitors, and businesses. This problem was alleviated sufficiently when the Governing Board of the [[Southwest Florida Water Management District]] approved a connection to Sarasota County's water supply, augmenting the existing connection to that of Manatee County.<ref>[http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/news/viewarticle.php?id=221 http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/news/viewarticle.php?id=221] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20070701154601/http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/news/viewarticle.php?id=221 |date=July 1, 2007 }} ''swfwmd.state.fl.us''</ref>

==Demographics==

{{US Census population
|1960= 1000
|1970= 2850
|1980= 4843
|1990= 5937
|2000= 7603
|2010= 6888
|2020= 7505
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2010 and 2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Longboat Key racial composition'''<br> (Hispanics excluded from racial categories)<br> (''NH = Non-Hispanic'')<br>
!Race
!Pop. 2010<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Longboat Key town, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Longboat+Key+town;+Florida+&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!Pop. 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Longboat Key town, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Longboat+Key+town;+Florida+&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2010
!% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|6,715
|7,052
|97.49%
|93.96%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|16
|31
|0.23%
|0.41%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|7
|15
|0.10%
|0.20%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|51
|88
|0.74%
|1.17%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]] (NH)
|0
|2
|0.00%
|0.03%
|-
|[[Other races (U.S. Census)|Some other race]] (NH)
|2
|22
|0.03%
|0.29%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races/multiracial]] (NH)
|24
|118
|0.35%
|1.57%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|73
|177
|1.06%
|2.36%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''6,888'''
|'''7,505'''
|
|
|-
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 7,505 people, 3,939 households, and 2,696 families residing in the town.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Longboat Key town, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Longboat+Key+town;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1101|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> In the 2020 US Census there was 3,992 females and 3,513 males in the town. The median age was 71 years old overall being 71.7 for males and 70.5 for females. A total of 9,774 housing units existed according to the 2020 US Census with 4,200 being occupied and 5,544 being classified as being vacant. Of the vacant housing units the plurality (48.8% or 4,752) were "For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use".<ref>{{Cite web |title=DP1 {{!}} PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS {{!}} Longboat Key town, Florida |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?q=Longboat+Key+2020+Decennial+Census |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 6,888 people, 3,780 households, and 2,595 families residing in the town.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Longboat Key town, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Longboat+Key+town;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2010.S1101|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 7,603 people, 4,280 households, and 2,846 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|1,546.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 8,834 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,796.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.

In 2000, the racial makeup of the town was 99.24% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.07% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.08% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.43% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.01% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.16% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] people of any race were 0.67% of the population.

In 2000, there were 4,280 households, out of which 3.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 1.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.78 and the average family size was 2.11. In the town, the population was spread out, with 2.6% under the age of 18, 0.9% from 18 to 24, 5.7% from 25 to 44, 32.4% from 45 to 64, and 58.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 68 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $290,251, and the median income for a family was $307,983. Males had a median income of $261,157 versus $230,104 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $280,963. About 0.4% of families and 0.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 0.9% of those under age 18 and 1.0% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==

The town of Longboat Key has a [[Council-manager government|commission-manager form of government]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}} The Mayor of Longboat Key is elected for a two-year long term by the town commission consisting of seven members who serve two-year terms each.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Longboat Key |url=https://www.longboatkeychamber.com/information-about-longboat-key/#:~:text=Longboat%20Key%20is%20an%20offshore,been%20dredged%20and%20marinas%20built. |access-date=September 8, 2024 |website=Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce}}</ref> The town commission has 7 members with each member being elected to a three-year long term.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Town Commission {{!}} Town of Longboat Key, FL |url=https://www.longboatkey.org/town-government/town-commission |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250307060608/https://www.longboatkey.org/town-government/town-commission |archive-date=2025-03-07 |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=www.longboatkey.org |language=en}}</ref> Two of the members of the town commission under the town charter are elected for at-large seats.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Municipal Elections - Municipal Elections for Commissioners |url=https://www.longboatkey.org/town-government/town-commission/municipal-elections |access-date=September 8, 2024 |website=Town of Longboat Key}}</ref>

The [[United States Postal Service]] operates a [[post office]] on Longboat Key, with the entire island having the [[ZIP code]] of 34228. The post office was established on October 10, 1907, as "Longbeach", and was located in the community of that name on the north end of the key. On February 1, 1958, the name of the Longbeach post office was changed to Longboat Key. There was also another post office named "Longboat" established on March 27, 1914, in the Sarasota County portion of the key, but it was discontinued on January 14, 1922, and its functions were assumed by the Sarasota post office.<ref>Bradbury, Alford G., and Hallock, E. Story, ''A Chronology of Florida Post Offices'', 1962, reprinted 1993, Port Salerno, Florida: Florida Classics Library, p. 49. {{ISBN|0-9630788-1-X}}</ref>

The quasi-governmental form of the [[Condominium (living space)|condominium association]] exists in one of its most complex forms in and on Longboat Key, consisting of the Federation of Longboat Key Condominiums.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.federationoflbk.com/about-1 |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=federationoflbk |language=en}}</ref>

Longboat Key is served by two newspapers published year-round, the ''[[Longboat Observer]]'' and the ''Longboat Key News''.<ref>[http://www.lbknews.com/ http://www.lbknews.com/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205073824/http://www.lbknews.com/ |date=February 5, 2007 }}</ref>

Currently, Longboat Key is located within two Florida [[County (United States)|counties]], Manatee County in the north and Sarasota County in the south. There have been calls for the [[Florida Legislature]] to pursue an initiative to create a 68th county, "Longboat Key County," to simplify governance of the island. Neither of these initiatives is likely to be passed, however.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Longboat Key wants off the fence, into one county |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/sarasota/2017/06/28/longboat-key-wants-off-fence-into-one-county/20411889007/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref>  As of February 2019, Longboat Key officials had not started any comprehensive effort to put Longboat in one county or the other. Officials did, however, ask state legislators to request the Florida Legislature's [[Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability|OPPAGA]] perform an analysis of the potential benefits and drawbacks of moving into only one county.<ref>{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Dale |title=Manatee likely to fight any move by Longboat Key to leave county |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20190226/manatee-likely-to-fight-any-move-by-longboat-key-to-leave-county |website=www.heraldtribune.com |access-date=30 March 2019}}</ref>

In recent years, it has been suggested to declare Longboat Key a [[national seashore]], a public land operated by the [[National Park Service]].

==Notable people==

* [[Al Arbour]], four-time Stanley Cup-winning former coach of the New York Islanders<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/03/sports/hockey/03vecsey.html?_r=0|title=Al Arbour: The Man Behind the Glass|first=George|last=Vecsey|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=November 3, 2007|access-date=August 28, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180607160230/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/03/sports/hockey/03vecsey.html?_r=0|archive-date=June 7, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Marilyn Bendell]], [[Impressionism|impressionist]] painter
* [[Lou Bender]], basketball player with [[Columbia Lions]] and trial attorney<ref>Mallozzii, Vincent M. [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/sports/basketball/13bender.html "Lou Bender, Columbia Star Who Helped Popularize Basketball in New York, Dies at 99"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126222133/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/sports/basketball/13bender.html |date=January 26, 2018 }}, ''[[The New York Times]]'', September 12, 2009. Accessed September 13, 2009.</ref>
* [[Nick Bollettieri]], founded Bradenton's Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy<ref>{{cite web |author=ABBY WEINGARTEN Correspondent |url=http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100617/article/6171019?p=3&tc=pg |title=Who lives here? |publisher=HeraldTribune.com |access-date=December 18, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305010600/http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100617/article/6171019?p=3&tc=pg |archive-date=March 5, 2016 }}</ref>
* [[Vern Buchanan]], automobile dealer and member of the [[United States House of Representatives]] for [[Florida's 16th congressional district]], which includes Longboat Key<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110423/ARCHIVES/104231021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625041937/http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110423/ARCHIVES/104231021|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-06-25|title=Longboat Key mansion fetches cool $12.5 million {{!}} HeraldTribune.com|date=2016-06-25|access-date=2018-08-18}}</ref>
* [[Frank Swift Chase]], [[Post-Impressionism|post-impressionist]] painter
* [[Harber H. Hall]] (1920–2020), member of the [[Illinois Senate]], 1973–1979; resided in Longboat Key during his retirement<ref>{{cite news |title=Harber H. Hall |url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/heraldtribune/obituary.aspx?n=harber-h-hall&pid=195528036&fhid=28975 |newspaper=Legacy.com |accessdate=27 February 2020}}</ref>
* [[Marcella Hazan]], Italian cooking instructor and cookbook author
* [[Tom Helmore]], actor
* [[Audrey Hepburn]], actress<ref>Wilkinson, Peter (October 3, 1991). "[https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/who-killed-pee-wee-241094 Who Killed Pee-Wee]". ''Rolling Stone''.</ref>
* [[Al Hirshberg]], Boston-based sportswriter
* [[Nathan J. Kaplan]], Illinois jurist and politician
* [[Jesse W. Markham]], economist
* [[Charlie Maxwell]], baseball player for Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox
* [[Peter Mellor]] (born 1947), English-born American footballer and coach
* [[Ed Miracle]], artist<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yourobserver.com/realestate/1114201223036/Miracle-statue-en-route-to-Dubai |title=Miracle statue en route to Dubai - the Observer Group |access-date=January 19, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329023217/http://www.yourobserver.com/realestate/1114201223036/Miracle-statue-en-route-to-Dubai |archive-date=March 29, 2013 }}</ref>
* [[Frank Mockler]], 47th [[Governor of American Samoa]]
* [[Ronna Romney]], former [[Michigan]] Republican politician and sister-in-law to Governor [[Mitt Romney]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.yourobserver.com/article/coreys-landing-home-sells-355-million|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625042438/http://www.yourobserver.com/article/coreys-landing-home-sells-355-million|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-06-25|title=Corey's Landing home sells for $3.55 million {{!}} Longboat Key {{!}} Your Observer|date=2016-06-25|access-date=2018-08-18}}</ref>
* [[Reb Wickersham]], racing driver

==See also==

* [[Rufus P. Jordan House]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==

{{Commons category|Longboat Key}}
*{{official website|http://www.longboatkey.org}}
* [http://www.longboatkeychamber.com/ Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce]

{{Sarasota County, Florida}}
{{Manatee County, Florida}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Populated coastal places in Florida on the Gulf of Mexico]]
[[Category:Towns in Manatee County, Florida]]
[[Category:Towns in Sarasota County, Florida]]
[[Category:1882 establishments in Florida]]