Mention Key Largo and it conjures up romantic images of Bogey and Bacall.
In the early 1500’s Spanish explorers landed on the first island extending south from the Florida mainland and named it “Cayo Largo” or Long Key, because of the island’s size. It is the largest of the Florida Keys at 22,000 acres.
Key Largo Scuba Diving Snorkeling
Today Key Largo is known as the Dive Capital of the World. With the magnificent natural reefs, the sunken ships, the tremendous variety of marine life not to mention the clarity of the waters, Key Largo is paradise for Scuba divers and snorkelers of every age and experience.
Consider John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary, the crystal clear waters of Molasses Reef, the underwater coral reef caves of French Reef, the 327′ Duane (voted Florida’s best wreck dive by Scuba Times) and the statue of Christ of the Abyss, a world-famous Key Largo icon. And add to all that the newest attraction, the SPIEGEL GROVE, the largest ship ever intentionally sunk as an artificial reef! With all this it is obvious why the title Dive Capital of the World for both scuba diving and snorkeling.
Key Largo Beaches
There are actually very few natural beaches in the Keys due to the coral reefs. Natural beaches are produced by wave action transporting and depositing sand on the coastline. Since the Florida Keys have very shallow waters near shore there is little wave action. This has been offset by artificially building beaches. There are a number of resorts and hotels that have small yet very nice sand beaches on their shorelines. Pennekamp park has a beach fronting Largo Sound and there is a nice, ocean front, protected sand beach at Harry Harris park at MM 93 on the South end of Key Largo in Tavernier. With the Gulf Stream close our waters are always warm, enticing vacationing tourists and locals alike.
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Key Largo Fishing
Saltwater fishing in Key Largo is on all locals and vacationers “Must Do” list. Whether you have your own fishing boat or decide to charter a deep-sea or back country boat complete with fishing guide, you will find that Key Largo’s waters are overflowing with trophy size saltwater game fish. In fact, more than ten percent of the IGFA saltwater line class and fly fishing world records have been recorded in Key Largo.
Key Largo by Bertie Higgins – lyrics
Wrapped around each other
Lying in each other’s arms
That first cold winter together
Trying so hard to stay warm
Watching those old movies
Falling in love so desperately
Honey I was your hero
And you were my leading lady
We had it all
Just like Bogie and Bacall
Starring in our old late, late show
Sailing away to Key Largo
Honey can’t you remember
We played all the parts
That sweet scene of surrender
When you gave me your heart
Please say you will…play it again
‘Cause I love you still
Baby this can’t be the end
Here’s lookin’ at you kid
Missing all the things we did
We can find it once again, I know
Just like they did in Key Largo
Statistics & Facts for Key Largo
(As of July 1, 2014)
POPULATION | |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 10,561 |
| Population in Households | 10,489 |
| Population in Familes | 7,663 |
| Population in Group Qrtrs | 72 |
| Population Density1 | 877 |
| Diversity Index2 | 48 |
HOUSEHOLDS | |
| Total Households | 4,788 |
| Average Household Size | 2.19 |
| Family Households | 2,811 |
| Average Family Size | 3 |
HOUSING | |
|---|---|
| Total Housing Units | 8,747 (100%) |
| Owner Occupied HU | 3,010 (34.4%) |
| Renter Occupied HU | 1,778 (20.3%) |
| Vacant Housing Units | 3,959 (45.3%) |
| Median Home Value | $239,496 |
| Average Home Value | $332,747 |
INCOME | |
| Median Household Income | $51,134 |
| Average Household Income | $70,119 |
| Per Capita Income | $31,825 |
| (Compound Annual Growth Rates) | ||
GROWTH RATES | 2010-2014 | 2014-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 0.29% | 0.87% |
| Households | 0.41% | 0.97% |
| Families | 0.21% | 0.85% |
| Median Household Income | 2.36% | |
| Per Capita Income | 3.0% | |
The 1870 census population of the island of Key Largo was 60.
The amount of land area in Key Largo is 24.121 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Key Largo is 14.4 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 33.911 sq kilometers.
The distance from Key Largo to Washington DC is 972 miles.
The distance to Tallahassee, the Florida state capital, is 437 miles. (as the crow flies)
Key Largo is positioned 25.10 degrees north of the equator and 80.44 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Key Largo highest elevation is 8 feet above sea level.