Sanibel, Florida
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Sanibelcityseal.jpg
Sanibel is a city located in Lee County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 6,064.
The city is on Sanibel Island on the Gulf coast of southwestern Florida, and is linked to the mainland by a toll causeway. A short bridge over Blind Pass links Sanibel to the unincorporated town of Captiva on Captiva Island.
The main town is at the eastern end of the island, while the community of Santiva (a portmanteau of Sanibel and Captiva) is at the northwestern end. The city was formed in 1974 as a direct result of the main causeway being built in 1963 to replace the ferry, and the rampant construction and development that Lee County was allowing to occur afterward. Developers sued over the new restrictions, but the city and citizens prevailed in their quest to protect the island. The only buildings above two to three stories now on the barrier island were built during that period.
The most serious hurricane damage in 44 years (since Hurricane Donna in 1960) occurred in August 2004 when Hurricane Charley struck to the north. Thanks to the city's very strict building codes, very few buildings were seriously damaged, and none were destroyed. Residents who left before the August 13th storm were not allowed back by the city government until August 18th, due to hundreds of downed Australian pine trees and power lines, and the lack of potable water and sanitary sewer. A temporary city hall for Sanibel was set up on the mainland in a Fort Myers hotel, until utilities and transport could be restored to the island.
The city's most well-known resident is U.S. Representative Porter Goss, also nominated to head the CIA.
Geography
FLMap-doton-Sanibel.PNG
Location of Sanibel, Florida
Sanibel is located at 26°26'23" North, 82°4'50" West (26.439608, -82.080456)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 85.9 km² (33.2 mi²). 44.6 km² (17.2 mi²) of it is land and 41.3 km² (16.0 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 48.13% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 6,064 people, 3,049 households, and 2,125 families residing in the city. The population density is 136.0/km² (352.4/mi²). There are 7,075 housing units at an average density of 158.7/km² (411.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 97.99% White, 0.94% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. 1.39% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 3,049 households out of which 10.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.3% are married couples living together, 3.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% are non-families. 25.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 1.99 and the average family size is 2.33.
In the city the population is spread out with 10.1% under the age of 18, 1.7% from 18 to 24, 12.4% from 25 to 44, 35.8% from 45 to 64, and 40.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 60 years. For every 100 females there are 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $79,044, and the median income for a family is $92,455. Males have a median income of $40,641 versus $27,481 for females. The per capita income for the city is $66,912. 3.2% of the population and 2.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 2.8% of those under the age of 18 and 1.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
- City of Sanibel (http://www.ci.sanibel.fl.us) official site