Sarasota County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population is 325,957. Its county seat is Sarasota, Florida⁶.

History

Sarasota County was created in 1921. It was named for a word in the Calusa Indian language, whose meaning may (but is not certain to) mean Point of Rocks.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,878 km² (725 mi²). 1,480 km² (572 mi²) of it is land and 398 km² (154 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 21.19% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 325,957 people, 149,937 households, and 94,460 families residing in the county. The population density is 220/km² (570/mi²). There are 182,467 housing units at an average density of 123/km² (319/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 92.65% White, 4.18% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 4.34% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 149,937 households out of which 18.30% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% are married couples living together, 7.70% have a female householder with no husband present, and 37.00% are non-families. 30.40% of all households are made up of individuals and 16.90% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.13 and the average family size is 2.61.

In the county the population is spread out with 16.20% under the age of 18, 5.00% from 18 to 24, 21.70% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 31.50% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 50 years. For every 100 females there are 90.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $41,957, and the median income for a family is $50,111. Males have a median income of $32,114 versus $25,721 for females. The per capita income for the county is $28,326. 7.80% of the population and 5.10% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 12.70% of those under the age of 18 and 4.50% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities and towns

Incorporated

• Longboat Key
• North Port

Warm Mineral Springs

• Sarasota
• Venice

Unincorporated

• Bee Ridge
• Desoto Lakes
• Fruitville
• Gulf Gate Estates
• Kensington Park
• Lake Sarasota
• Laurel
• Nokomis
• North Sarasota
• Osprey
• Plantation
• Ridge Wood Heights
• Sarasota Springs
• Siesta Key
• South Gate Ridge
• South Sarasota
• South Venice
• Southgate
• The Meadows
• Vamo
• Venice Gardens

External links

Government links/Constitutional offices

• Sarasota County Government / Board of County Commissioners (http://www.co.sarasota.fl.us/) official website
• Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections (http://www.srqelections.com/)
• Sarasota County Property Appraiser (http://www.sarasotaproperty.net/default.asp)
• Sarasota County Tax Collector (http://www.sarasotataxcollector.com/)
• Sarasota County Sheriff's Office (http://www.sarasotasheriff.org/)

Special districts

• Sarasota County Public Schools (http://www.sarasota.k12.fl.us/)
• Southwest Florida Water Management District (http://www.swfwmd.com)

Judicial branch

• Sarasota County Clerk of Circuit Court & County Comptroller (http://www.sarasotaclerk.com/)
• Office of the State Attorney, 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida (http://sao.co.sarasota.fl.us/) serving Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties
• Circuit and County Court, 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida (http://12circuit.state.fl.us/)

Tourism links

• Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau (http://www.sarasotafl.org/)