Big Pine Key is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in Monroe County, Florida, on an island of the same name in the Florida Keys. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 5,032.

Geography

Big Pine Key is located at [show location on an interactive map] 24°41'10?N 81°21'40?W? / ?24.68611, -81.36111 (24.686170, -81.360988)

U.S. 1 (or the Overseas Highway) crosses the key at mile markers 29.5--33.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 25.8 km² (9.9 mi²). 25.3 km² (9.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.5 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (1.81%) is water.

The Big Pine Key island is home to the Key Deer population. Precautions are taken to preserve as much Key Deer habitat as possible.

A former oil well is located at the dead end of Long Beach Road. A former shark processing plant is located on the east side of the key, north of U.S. 1 (or the Overseas Highway).

Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 5,032 people, 2,247 households, and 1,420 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 198.9/km² (515.3/mi²). There were 3,153 housing units at an average density of 124.6/km² (322.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.83% White, 1.09% African American, 0.50% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.19% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.72% of the population.

There were 2,247 households out of which 41.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 6.8% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.63.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 16.8% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 33.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 110.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $44,514, and the median income for a family was $47,639. Males had a median income of $31,552 versus $28,021 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $23,169. About 5.6% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.4% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over. The Blue Hole is the only fresh water lake in the Florida Keys.

The Blue Hole

The Blue Hole is an abandoned rock quarry that was used for nearby road fills and Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad.[4] The water it contains is mostly fresh and is used by various wildlife in the area, such as birds, snakes, alligators and feral Green iguanas. It is part of the National Key Deer Refuge.

Shopping, Dining and Commerce

The primary grocery store is the Winn-Dixie, located in a shopping center just north of US-1. This same shopping center contains a Chinese restaurant, a Beall's Outlet, the visitor's center for the Key Deer Refuge, and a branch of the Monroe County Library (with WiFi internet access). A CVS pharmacy is located along US-1, and has a good selection of sunblock and bug repellent, as well as remedies for insect bites. A small hardware store in this same area sells typical paint, hardware, tools and other goods needed to build/repair items around the home. They also carry a limited selection of parts for boat repair.

Several bars and restaurants are available along the US-1 corridor, and the No Name Pub is located near the bridge to No Name Key in the NE part of the island. The nearest city of note is Marathon, approximately 23 miles (37km) "north" on US-1. Key West, a major shopping and cultural hub for the area, is about 30 miles (48 km) "south" on US-1.

Accommodations are limited, though RV/camping and a small number of motel-style units are available at the Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge on the far Southeast side of the island.