Overview

Introduction to Sarasota

Sarasota, Florida is known as one of the best places in the country to live, work, and raise a family. This is due in large part to the city’s thriving recreational and cultural opportunities that offer something for everyone. The business scene is healthy and growing, and the city has top-quality schools and an affordable cost of living. Its rolling white-sand beaches on Florida’s Gulf Coast create an atmosphere of luxury in a friendly community. There are a number of colleges in the area, including New College of Florida, Ringling School of Art and Design, the University of South Florida, Sarasota County Technical Institute and Keiser College.

Sarasota Culture

The Sarasota area has a wide variety of cultural activities similar to that of a large city. Museums, theaters, symphonies, galleries, ballet, opera and performances are just some of the major ways in which Sarasota has created a vibrant arts community. Sarasota County is known as Florida’s "Cultural Coast," and it is more extensive than many much larger counties. There’s the Ringling Museum of Art and the Florida State Art Museum. The Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is a very notable attraction. In the galleries and museums, visitors can see everything from Asian art to Circus memorabilia. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall hosts a variety of performances. Other attractions include the Asolo Theatre Company, Florida West Coast Symphony, Jazz Club of Sarasota, Sarasota Ballet, Sarasota Film Festival and Towles Court Art Association.

Sarasota Sports and Leisure

Sarasota’s climate offers year-round opportunities for everyone to enjoy the recreational activities they love. The city has 35 miles of waterfront and 13 public beaches, allowing residents to enjoy such activities as boating, canoeing, fishing, swimming or walking. Sarasota is also the perfect place to live for golf. There are more than 60 public and private golf courses, and nine of the Florida Golf News top 20 courses are in Sarasota County. And four of the local courses are in the top 100 in the state. Shopping is also a sport in Sarasota, with everything available from one-of-a-kind items to original artwork to antiques. And for spectator sports, residents can watch biking, tennis, baseball, football, polo and ice hockey.

Sarasota Outdoors

Natural beauty is an everyday affair in Sarasota, where kayaking or canoeing through tunnels of mangroves or checking out marine life on a bay cruise is par for the course. Windsurfing, parasailing and fishing are huge here, and there are plenty of places to go to participate in these types of activities. South Lido Park is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico, Big Pass, Sarasota Bay and Brushy Bayou, and it offers endless beach combing an nature trails.

Sarasota at Night

Sarasota has a vibrant nightlife scene that offers something for just about anyone who wants to have fun at night. There’s Captain Curt’s Back Room, a sports bar and lounge with a friendly atmosphere, live music, karaoke, seafood, ribs and satellite TV. Sunset Entertainment Cruises allow visitors the chance to enjoy their evening on a romantic cruise on Sarasota Bay featuring live island-style music and dancing. Daiquiri Deck Siesta Key is one of the hottest spots in the city for meeting new people in a friendly atmosphere.

Demographics

People

Total Population56,102
Male Share of the Population48.7%
Female Share of the Population51.3%
Senior Citizens27.4%
Employed Population 16+24,969
Age of the Population48

Families

% of people married38.8%
Average household size2

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher27.6%
Median Earnings25+$31,328
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$18,048
Median Earnings With High School Degree$27,090

Wealth

Median Family Income$65,511
% Above Poverty Level82.9%
% Below Poverty Level17.1%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time21 minutes
% Working from Home7.6%
% Walking and Biking to Work3.3%
% Using Public Transportation1.5%

Housing

People Living Alone43%
Median Gross Rent$1,069
Median House Value$239,600

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)31.9%
German11.5%
Irish9.4%
English8.9%
Italian4.8%
Polish3%
Scottish2.3%
French Except Basque2.3%
Hungarian1.3%
Dutch1.3%
Russian1.3%
Swedish1.2%
Welsh0.8%
Norwegian0.8%
African0.6%
West Indian0.6%
Greek0.6%
Swiss0.5%
Arab0.5%
Ukrainian0.5%
Czech0.5%
Canadian0.5%
Danishn0.4%
Portuguese0.3%
Romanian0.3%
Haitian0.3%
Lebanese0.3%
Turkish0.3%
South African0.2%
Slovak0.2%
Iranian0.2%
Belgian0.2%
Austrian0.2%
Lithuanian0.2%
Croatian0.2%
Latvian0.2%
Finnish0.2%
Jamaican0.1%
Bahamian0.1%
Maltese0.1%
Brazilian0.1%
Moroccan0.1%
Bulgarian0.1%
US/American0.1%
Serbian0.1%
Ethiopian0.1%
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Sarasota Almanac

CategoryValue
CountySarasota County, Manatee County
Standard Zip Codes34233, 34234, 34232, 34235, 34236, 34237, 34239, 34243, 34231, 34238, 34241, 34240, 34242
P.O. Box Zip Codes34276, 34277, 34230, 34278, 34260
Company Zip Codes34249
Phone Area Codes941
Time ZoneAmerica/New_York
Approximate Latitude27.28
Approximate Longitude-82.48

Sarasota Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationBRADENTON 5 ESE
Distance8.4 miles
Jan Temp51 to 72 F
Apr Temp60 to 82 F
Jul Temp73 to 91 F
Oct Temp65 to 85 F
Annual Precip54.1 inches
StationMYAKKA RIVER STATE PARK
Distance15 miles
Jan Temp50 to 75 F
Apr Temp58 to 86 F
Jul Temp71 to 93 F
Oct Temp65 to 87 F
Annual Precip58.9 inches
StationVENICE
Distance17.4 miles
Jan Temp52 to 73 F
Apr Temp61 to 82 F
Jul Temp74 to 91 F
Oct Temp66 to 85 F
Annual Precip48.7 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Bradenton55,059$56,250
Bradenton Beach929$69,583
Holmes Beach4,198$85,845
Longboat Key7,233$145,530
Palmetto13,490$56,296
Venice22,601$77,471

Sarasota Public Libraries

Sarasota County Public Libraries
1660 RINGLING BLVD.
Sarasota, Florida
(941) 861-5450

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More Information for Librarians

Sarasota Hospitals

Sarasota Memorial Hospital
(Government - District/authority)
1700 S Tamiami Trl
(941) 917-9000
Bayside Center For Behavioral Health
1650 S Osprey Ave
(941) 917-7760
Complex Care Hospital At Ridgelake
(Proprietary)
6150 Edgelake Dr
(941) 342-3000
Doctors Hospital Of Sarasota
(Proprietary)
5731 Bee Ridge Rd
(941) 342-1100
Healthsouth Rehabilitation Hospital Of Sarasota
(Proprietary)
6400 Edgelake Dr
(941) 921-8600

Sarasota Public Schools

Ese Special Programs
1960 Landings Blvd
ZIP: 34231
(941) 927-9000
Other
Total Enrollment 8
Gulf Gate Elementary School
6500 S Lockwood Ridge Rd
ZIP: 34231
(941) 361-6499
Primary
Total Enrollment 753
Phillippi Shores Elementary School
4747 S Tamiami Trl
ZIP: 34231
(941) 361-6424
Primary
Total Enrollment 750
Riverview High School
1 Ram Way
ZIP: 34231
(941) 923-1484
High
Total Enrollment 2483
Sarasota Virtual Instruction (course Offerings)
1960 Landings Blvd
ZIP: 34231
(941) 927-9000
Sarasota Virtual Instruction Program
1960 Landings Blvd
ZIP: 34231
(941) 927-9000
Other
Total Enrollment 41
Wilkinson Elementary School
3400 Wilkinson Rd
ZIP: 34231
(941) 361-6477
Primary
Total Enrollment 483
Brentwood Elementary School
2500 Vinson Ave
ZIP: 34232
(941) 361-6230
Primary
Total Enrollment 672
Fruitville Elementary School
601 Honore Ave
ZIP: 34232
(941) 361-6200
Primary
Total Enrollment 761
Mcintosh Middle School
701 Mcintosh Rd
ZIP: 34232
(941) 361-6520
Middle
Total Enrollment 684
Sarasota Academy Of The Arts
4466 Fruitville Rd
ZIP: 34232
(941) 377-2278
Primary
Total Enrollment 207
Ashton Elementary School
5110 Ashton Rd
ZIP: 34233
(941) 361-6440
Primary
Total Enrollment 896
Sarasota Middle School
4826 Ashton Rd
ZIP: 34233
(941) 361-6464
Middle
Total Enrollment 1270
Sarasota Virtual Academy (virtual Franchise)
4748 Beneva Rd
ZIP: 34233
(941) 924-1365
Other
Suncoast Polytechnical High School
4650 Beneva Rd
ZIP: 34233
(941) 921-3981
High
Total Enrollment 541
Suncoast Technical College
4748 Beneva Rd
ZIP: 34233
(941) 924-1365
Other
Total Enrollment 11
Triad
4430 Beneva Rd
ZIP: 34233
(941) 361-6752
Other
Total Enrollment 112
Amikids Sarasota County
1844 17th St
ZIP: 34234
(941) 408-7600
Bay Haven School Of Basics Plus
2901 W Tamiami Cir
ZIP: 34234
(941) 359-5800
Primary
Total Enrollment 591
Booker High School
3201 N Orange Ave
ZIP: 34234
(941) 355-2967
High
Total Enrollment 1087
Booker Middle School
2250 Myrtle St
ZIP: 34234
(941) 359-5824
Middle
Total Enrollment 856
Children First
1723 N Orange Ave
ZIP: 34234
(941) 953-3877
Primary
Total Enrollment 28
Emma E. Booker Elementary School
2350 Dr Martin Luther King Way
ZIP: 34234
(941) 361-6480
Primary
Total Enrollment 554
Community Haven For Adults And Children With Disabilities, I
4405 Desoto Rd
ZIP: 34235
(941) 355-8808
Primary
Total Enrollment 5
Gocio Elementary School
3450 Gocio Rd
ZIP: 34235
(941) 361-6405
Primary
Total Enrollment 668
The Florida Center For Child And Family Development
4620 17th St
ZIP: 34235
(941) 371-8820
Primary
Total Enrollment 15
Sarasota Military Academy
801 N Orange Ave
ZIP: 34236
(941) 926-1700
High
Total Enrollment 1094
Sarasota School Of Arts/sciences
645 Central Ave
ZIP: 34236
(941) 330-1855
Middle
Total Enrollment 750
Alta Vista Elementary School
1050 S Euclid Ave
ZIP: 34237
(941) 361-6400
Primary
Total Enrollment 635
Phoenix Academy
1085 S Shade Ave
ZIP: 34237
(941) 316-8101
Sarasota High School
1000 S School Ave
ZIP: 34237
(941) 955-0181
High
Total Enrollment 2110
Suncoast School For Innovative Studies
845 S School Ave
ZIP: 34237
(941) 952-5277
Primary
Total Enrollment 422
Tuttle Elementary School
2863 8th St
ZIP: 34237
(941) 361-6433
Primary
Total Enrollment 701
Imagine School At Palmer Ranch
6220 Mcintosh Rd
ZIP: 34238
(941) 257-1124
Primary
Total Enrollment 429
Brookside Middle School
3636 S Shade Ave
ZIP: 34239
(941) 361-6472
Middle
Total Enrollment 820
Southside Elementary School
1901 Webber St
ZIP: 34239
(941) 361-6420
Primary
Total Enrollment 725
Sarasota Military Academy Prep
3101 Bethel Rd
ZIP: 34240
(941) 877-7737
Middle
Total Enrollment 422
Tatum Ridge Elementary School
4100 Tatum Rd
ZIP: 34240
(941) 316-8188
Primary
Total Enrollment 669
Lakeview Elementary School
7299 Proctor Rd
ZIP: 34241
(941) 361-6571
Primary
Total Enrollment 606
Oak Park School
7285 Proctor Rd
ZIP: 34241
(941) 361-6428
Other
Total Enrollment 345
Sarasota Suncoast Academy
8084 Hawkins Rd
ZIP: 34241
(941) 924-4242
Primary
Total Enrollment 500
Access To Education
350 Braden Ave
ZIP: 34243
(941) 721-6674
Other
Total Enrollment 39
Easter Seals
350 Braden Ave
ZIP: 34243
(941) 355-7637
High
Total Enrollment 24
Florine J Abel Elementary School
7100 Madonna Pl
ZIP: 34243
(941) 751-7040
Primary
Total Enrollment 554
Kinnan Elementary School
3415 Tallevast Rd
ZIP: 34243
(941) 358-2888
Primary
Total Enrollment 656

Sarasota Private Schools

Sarasota Waldorf School
6124 Crestwood Ave
ZIP: 34231
Elementary
Total Enrollment 25
Ascension Lutheran School
800 Mcintosh Rd
ZIP: 34232
Elementary
Total Enrollment 26
Dreams Are Free At Bishop Nevins Academy
4380 Fruitville Rd
ZIP: 34232
Elementary
Total Enrollment 49
Julie Rohr Academy
4466 Fruitville Rd
ZIP: 34232
Elementary
Total Enrollment 110
Liberty Baptist Academy
4249 Bahia Vista St
ZIP: 34232
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 26
Palm Grove Mennonite School
1087 Beneva Rd
ZIP: 34232
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 36
Sarasota Christian School
5415 Bahia Vista St
ZIP: 34232
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 345
St Martha Catholic School
4380 Fruitville Rd
ZIP: 34232
Elementary
Total Enrollment 412
Sunnyside Mennonite School
901 Honore Ave
ZIP: 34232
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 37
The Gap School
133 Mcintosh Rd
ZIP: 34232
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 26
Good Shepherd Lutheran School
5651 Honore Ave
ZIP: 34233
Elementary
Total Enrollment 47
Newgate School
5237 Ashton Rd
ZIP: 34233
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 74
Prew Academy
5020 Fielding Ln
ZIP: 34233
Secondary
Total Enrollment 52
West Florida Christian School
4311 Wilkinson Rd
ZIP: 34233
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 88
Calvary Chapel School
3800 27th Pkwy
ZIP: 34235
Elementary
Total Enrollment 96
The Tabernacle Christian School
4141 Desoto Rd
ZIP: 34235
Elementary
Total Enrollment 167
Westcoast School For Human Development
403 N Washington Blvd
ZIP: 34235
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 23
Achievement Center (the)
1999 Lincoln Dr Ste 201
ZIP: 34236
Secondary
Total Enrollment 19
Agape Christian School Of Sarasota
150 N Shade Ave
ZIP: 34237
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 24
Ave Maria University Preparatory School
201 S Tuttle Ave
ZIP: 34237
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 57
Goldie Feldman Academy At Temple Beth Sholom
1050 S Tuttle Ave
ZIP: 34237
Elementary
Total Enrollment 120
Brickhouse Academy
3552 Webber St
ZIP: 34239
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 35
Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School
4171 Fruitville Rd
ZIP: 34239
Secondary
Total Enrollment 475
Incarnation Catholic School
2911 Bee Ridge Rd
ZIP: 34239
Elementary
Total Enrollment 132
Sonhaven Preparatory Academy
3560 Bee Ridge Rd
ZIP: 34239
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 103
Beyond The Spectrum Education Center
7037 Professional Pkwy E
ZIP: 34240
Elementary
Total Enrollment 18
Out Of Door Academy-upper School
5950 Deer Dr
ZIP: 34240
Secondary
Total Enrollment 344
Sea Of Strengths Academy
7313 International Pl Ste 90
ZIP: 34240
Elementary
Total Enrollment 17
The Out-of-door Academy
444 Reid St
ZIP: 34242
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 597
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