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Sarasota County, Florida
County
Sarasota County Courthouse in June 2011
Seal Logo
Location in the U.S. state of Florida
Florida's location in the U.S.
Founded	May 14, 1921
Seat	Sarasota
Largest city	North Port
Area
• Total	725 sq mi (1,878 km2)
• Land	556 sq mi (1,440 km2)
• Water	169 sq mi (438 km2), 23.4%
Population (est.)
• (2017)	419,119
• Density	754/sq mi (291/km2)
ZIP Code(s)	34223, 34229–34278, 34284–34289, 34292, 34293, 34295
Area code(s)	941
Congressional districts	16th, 17th
Time zone	Eastern: UTC−5/−4
Website	www.scgov.net

Sarasota County is located in Southwest Florida on the Gulf Coast. As of the 2010 US Census, the population was 379,448.^[1] Its county seat is Sarasota (with an estimated 2016 population of 56,610)^[2] and its largest city is North Port with an estimated 2016 population of 64,274. Sarasota County compromises the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Downtown Sarasota, the county seat, from the John Ringling Causeway

Sarasota County was created in 1921. After acquisition by the United States as a territory and once Florida obtained state status, the area now included in the county had been governed by Hillsborough County, then Manatee County as the state was divided into smaller and smaller governmental organizations. Manatee County was carved up to allow the creation of three more counties as well.

Although the name was associated with the area from the beginning of European contacts the origin of the name, Sarasota, is unknown. Some believe a fanciful story created for a popular early twentieth-century pageant held in Sarasota, that it was named after the daughter of famous explorer Hernando de Soto's daughter Sara.

According to the Florida League of Cities, the name first appeared in print as "Zarazote" on a 1763 land grant map.

Joseph Daniel Anderson was one of the pioneers of the Sarasota area. He established his homestead in the Forked Creek area in 1886 and became an early leader in what now is southern Sarasota County (having been Manatee County from 1855 until 1921).

The following is a transcript from a Sarasota County historical marker that was erected in a park dedicated to Anderson on Manasota Key.

"After the Civil War, many Georgians moved their families to Southern Florida. Joseph Daniel "Jody" Anderson, born in Georgia in 1867, was a child when his father moved to the Tampa/Sara Sota area. In 1884, Joseph became the head of the Anderson family. Two years later, he moved his family to Southern Manatee County. He homesteaded the land in the Mystic River (Forked Creek) Valley. In 1890 he married Helen Alice Johnson of Sarasota. They had eleven children. Eight survived.

With only hand tools, Anderson converted the Florida wilderness into an agricultural industry. This fertile land produced vegetables, sugar cane and citrus. In the vast Myakka/Pinedale area, he raised his cattle and swine. He and brother Moses "Lee" prospered in ranching until the Range Law Act curtailed the right to use this land for grazing.

Sleds (later wagons) were used to move the farm produce, fruit and cattle to Lemon Bay where they were transferred to draft boats and transported to ships at Boca Grande. Some of the wagons were rafted across the bay to Manasota Beach where the produce was ferried to Cuban smacks and later to American schooners.

Anderson pioneered commercial fishing in North Lemon Bay which teemed with schools of mullet and other fish. The Andersons fished with nets made of cotton and flax twine over which they poured a heavy lime solution to prevent rot. Their base of operation included land storage facilities on the shore and on the beach (Manasota) to salt, dry and pack the fish in barrels. Upon the arrival of run boats with ice from Tampa, the Andersons could ship fresh fish and produce.

Joseph Daniel "Jody" Anderson was a quiet family man who never sought publicity. However, before Sarasota County was organized, he served as deputy sheriff and game warden in the Pinedale/Manasota area. The Anderson family built the area's first school (Pinedale) of which Jody was trustee. He also organized the first church in the area. Anderson actively supported the creation of Sarasota County from Manatee County and in 1922, became the first elected county commissioner from District 4. After the death of his first wife, he married Mary Ethel Morgan with whom he raised four more children. Joseph Daniel Anderson died in 1939."

Geography

A great egret in Myakka River State Park

Black-necked stilt in Myakka River State Park

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 725 square miles (1,880 km²), of which 556 square miles (1,440 km²) is land and 169 square miles (440 km²) (23.4%) is water.^[3]

Adjacent counties

• 
  Manatee County - north


• 
  DeSoto County - east


• 
  Charlotte County - south

Parks and preserves

In addition to local parks there are several preserve areas including:

Government and politics

Sarasota County is one of only 20 Florida counties with its own charter, adopted in 1971. Sarasota County is governed by a five-member county commission. Each commissioner serves a four-year term and resides in and represent a single district, but is elected countywide.[1]

The county's politics are dominated by the Republican Party; Franklin D. Roosevelt was the last Democratic presidential candidate to win the county (in 1944)^[4] and Republicans have historically dominated the county commission and other countywide elected positions.

Public safety

Fire/EMS

The Sarasota County Fire Department (SCFD) provides fire services to the City of Sarasota and all unincorporated areas of the county with the exception of areas covered by the Nokomis and Englewood fire districts. Additionally, SCFD provides EMS service to the City of Sarasota, all unincorporated areas of the county (including areas covered by the Nokomis and Englewood fire districts) plus the city of Venice.^[6]

Law enforcement

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office (SSO) is the county's primary law enforcement agency. It is responsible for patrolling the unincorporated areas of the county along with operating the county's jail and providing courtroom security. SSO also operates the county's primary 911 center. The cities of Sarasota, North Port and Venice along with the Town of Longboat Key each have their own police departments. The Florida Highway Patrol is responsible for patrolling FDOT maintained roads in the county (Florida State Highway System) and investigating motor vehicle accidents that occur in unincorporated areas.^[7]

Three specialist law enforcement agencies have jurisdiction in the county: the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport Police Department,^[8] the New College/USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus Police Department^[9] and the Seminole Gulf Railway (SGLR) Police Department.^[10] Each agency has jurisdiction in neighboring Manatee County as well; each agency's properties extend into that county.

Party for Socialism and Liberation - Florida

The Party for Socialism and Liberation has its state headquarters in Sarasota, Florida.^[11]

Voter Registration

All voter information is as of September 18, 2018^[update] and provided by Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office:^[12]

Party Statistics

Transportation

Airports

• 
  Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, in both Manatee County (runway) and Sarasota County (terminal).


• 
  Venice Municipal Airport, a general aviation airport in Venice.


• 
  Hidden River Airport, a private airport in the eastern part of the county.


• 
  Buchan Airport, in Englewood.

Major highways and state roads

• 
  Interstate 75 — North-south limited-access freeway, and has ten interchanges within Sarasota County. Major north-south highway in Sarasota County. It is the high-speed connection with other cities such as Tampa, Florida and Fort Myers, Florida. Interstate 75 heads east in Southern Sarasota County through North Port, Florida to cross Charlotte Harbor at a more manageable length.


• 
  U.S. Highway 41 — The main north-south road through the county is known as Tamiami Trail. It was created in the 1920s to connect Tampa with Miami, hence the contracted name. It runs through the county close to the coastline and is not limited-access.


• 
  U.S. Highway 301 — This highway begins in the city of Sarasota, east of Tamiami Trail, and runs north-south through the county.


• 
  State Road 789 — Gulf of Mexico Drive


• 
  State Road 758 — Midnight Pass Road, Higel Avenue, Siesta Drive, South Osprey Avenue, Bee Ridge Road


• 
  State Road 780 — Fruitville Road


• 
  State Road 776 — Englewood Road and North Indiana Avenue


• 
  State Road 72 — Stickney Point Road and Clark Road


• 
  State Road 681 — Venice Connector, this road was formerly the southern terminus of Interstate 75 in the early 1980s

Public transportation

• 
  Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) provides public transportation for Sarasota County, Florida. SCAT is operated by Sarasota County. It maintains 19 fixed-line bus routes plus a dial-a-ride paratransit service (SCAT Plus).^[13]
  

Demographics

Some areas of Sarasota County, such as Casey Key near Nokomis, are very wealthy.

As of the census^[19] of 2000, there were 325,957 people, 149,937 households, and 94,460 families residing in the county. The population density was 570 people per square mile (220/km²). There were 182,467 housing units at an average density of 319 per square mile (123/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 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 were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 89.7% spoke only English at home; 4.4% spoke Spanish, 1.3% German, and 1.0% French at home.

Census Estimates for 2005 show the county population as being 87.5% non-Hispanic whites, 6.3% Latinos, 4.5% African-American and 1.1% Asian.^[20]

In 2000, there were 149,957 households out of which 18.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.00% were non-families. 30.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.61.

In the county, the age distribution was as follows: 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 were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 90.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,957, and the median income for a family was $50,111. About 5.10% of families and 7.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.70% of those under age 18 and 4.50% of those age 65 or over.

The per capita income for the county was $28,326. Females had a median income of $25,721 versus $32,114 for males.

• Population in Sarasota County counted in 2016 had reached 412,569 people.^[21]
  

Economy

Top private employers

As of January 2018^[update], the top private employers for Sarasota County are as follows:^[22]

1. 
   Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (4,563)


2. 
   PGT Innovations (2,000)


3. 
   Publix (1,733)


4. Venice Regional Medical Center (812)


5. 
   Sun Hydraulics (632)


6. 
   Tervis Tumbler (570)


7. 
   Shared Services Center Sarasota (455)


8. 
   FCCI Insurance (426)


9. 
   Doctors Hospital (415)


10. 
    Jackson Hewitt, Inc. (337)

Sports and recreation

Sarasota County is home to Ed Smith Stadium, where the Baltimore Orioles currently have spring training. The Orioles also have minor league facilities at Twin Lakes Park. In January 2017, the Braves announced a formal agreement to move their Spring Training home to North Port, FL.^[23]

Education

Primary and secondary education

• 
  Sarasota County Public Schools - Public K-12 School district serving all of Sarasota County

Higher education

• 
  Keiser University Sarasota - Branch campus of Keiser University.


• 
  New College of Florida - Public liberal arts college. Honors college of the state of Florida.


• 
  Ringling College of Art and Design - A private, 4 year, not-for-profit, fully accredited college with concentrations in art and design.


• 
  State College of Florida, Manatee–Sarasota - South Venice Campus of SCF.


• 
  University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee - Branch campus of USF.

Museums and libraries

Sarasota County Public Library Branches:^[25]

• Elsie Quirk Public Library


• Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Public Library


• Fruitville Public Library


• Gulf Gate Public Library


• North Port Public Library


• North Sarasota Public Library


• The Osprey Public Library at the Historic Spanish Point


• Selby Public Library


• Shannon Staub Library


• Venice Public Library

Sarasota County residents may obtain library cards for free and valid library cards may be used to check out materials at all nine Sarasota County libraries. Manatee and Charlotte County residents, as well as library users from any of the Tampa Bay Library Consortium libraries may register as reciprocal borrowers and check out materials in Sarasota County. Non-resident cards are available for purchase and offer the same privileges as resident cards.

The library system provides a variety of services which include adult, teen and children's materials. Computers for public use are available at all nine Sarasota County Libraries and free wireless access in the libraries is provided by the Sarasota County Government. The library system has licensing to the Cloud Library, OverDrive, Inc. and Freegal Music. Ask a Librarian, the on-line Florida librarian reference system is available through the Sarasota County Public Library System.
Sarasota County residents have access to the Pinellas Talking Book Library as well as a Books-by-Mail service.^[26] The Selby Public Library has been a selective depository in the Federal Depository Library Program and receives almost 50% of the government publications distributed through the program.^[26] Additionally, the Sarasota County Library System is an organization member of the Florida Library Association.

The Little Free Library program was introduced to Sarasota County in 2014 as the result of a collaborative effort between the Libraries and Historical Resources department, the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources department and the UF/IFAS Sarasota County Extension and Sustainability department. The Sarasota County Little Free Libraries have been placed at thirteen different county parks and recreation centers.^[27]

Library History

The first library, which was established in 1907 by the Sarasota Town Improvement Society. County libraries have been established in response to community demands and needs.

The first libraries were autonomous with the Head Librarians reporting directly to the County Administrator. Sarasota Public Library was managed by Betty Service, the Englewood library by Harriet Ives, and Venice by Jean McGuire. Joan Hopkins directed and coordinated library services for the rapidly growing population. She directed the establishment of Gulf Gate Public Library, North Port Public Library, Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Public Library and the new downtown Sarasota library, and laid the groundwork for building future libraries in the county.^[28]

Local media

Newspapers

• 
  North Port Sun - an edition of the Charlotte Sun newspapers.


• 
  Sarasota Herald Tribune - primarily serves Sarasota County for news, but also serves Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties. Circulation is 110,817 daily and 132,185 on Sunday (2005 averages).^[29] Also operates an online news portal, HeraldTribune.com.


• 
  Scene Magazine, a civic, business and social publication serving Sarasota and Manatee counties.^[30]
  


• 
  Observer Media Group newspapers: East County Observer, Longboat Observer, Sarasota Observer, Siesta Key Observer.^[31]
  


• 
  The Sarasota News Leader - online weekly news.


• 
  Venice Gondolier Sun.

Television

Sarasota County is part of the Tampa/St. Petersburg/Sarasota DMA. Most of the television stations are located in Saint Petersburg or Tampa except:

• 
  WWSB - a local ABC affiliate based in Sarasota.


• 
  WSNN-LD - local twenty-four-hour news station based in Sarasota.


• Various government and local access channels. Access 19 (Local Government channel), Education Channel (School Board) and BLAB TV (local programming).

Radio

• 
  WSLR-LP - (96.5 community radio).


• WSRQ - (98.9 FM 106.9 FM 1220 AM Talk Radio).

Communities

Cities

• North Port


• Sarasota


• Venice

Town

• Longboat Key

Census-designated places

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Sarasota County, Florida


• Sarasota National Cemetery

References