Florida Keys | USA Florida

The Florida Keys is a coral cay archipelago stretching 180 miles from the southern tip of the Florida mainland to Key West. The chain comprises over 1,700 islands, with the Overseas Highway (US-1) connecting the inhabited keys.

Historical Timeline

Originally inhabited by the Calusa and Tequesta tribes. In 1513, Juan Ponce de León mapped the islands, naming them Los Martires ("The Martyrs"). Key West flourished as a base for salvagers, becoming the "Shipwreck Capital of the World." The modern era began with Henry Flagler’s Oversea Railway (1912), destroyed by the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane. The infrastructure was subsequently repurposed to create the Overseas Highway.

Demographics & Population

The estimated 2026 population of Monroe County is 82,150.

Key West: The largest city with ~25,240 residents. It is currently experiencing a slight annual decline (-0.3%).

Median Age: 46.5 years, reflecting a high concentration of retirees and second-home owners.

Composition: 66.7% White, 23.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 12.1% Black or African American.

Major Island Districts

Key Largo: The "Diving Capital of the World," home to the first undersea park in the U.S.

Islamorada: Known as the "Sport Fishing Capital of the World."

Marathon: A family-oriented hub located at the midpoint of the chain; host of the Florida Keys Celtic Festival.

Lower Keys: Known for nature preserves like Big Pine Key, home to the endangered Key Deer.

Key West: The southernmost point, defined by its "Conch Republic" culture and vibrant nightlife on Duval Street.

Top Landmarks & Events (Jan 2026)

Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum: 1930s residence of the author and his polydactyl cats (Key West).

Seven Mile Bridge: An engineering marvel connecting the Middle and Lower Keys.

Key West Food & Wine Festival: Scheduled for Jan 28 – Feb 1, 2026.

The Turtle Hospital: A rescue and rehabilitation facility for sea turtles (Marathon).

Dry Tortugas National Park: Remote island fortress located 70 miles west of Key West.

Southernmost Point Buoy: Iconic concrete marker, 90 miles from Cuba.

Transportation Network

The Overseas Highway (US-1) is the sole road link. Key West International Airport (EYW) and Florida Keys Marathon International Airport (MTH) provide air access. The SunRunner and regional shuttles serve major keys. Within Key West, bicycles and electric carts are the primary modes of transport.

Safety & Environmental Alerts (Jan 23, 2026)

Current Weather: Partly sunny with highs near 27°C (80°F). Dew points are climbing above 70, creating a humid weekend.

Frontal Alert: A strong cold front is expected late Monday, Jan 26.

Marine Warning: Small Craft Advisories were recently in effect; currently, light to gentle NE breezes prevail, with 2-3 ft seas in the Florida Straits.

Rip Current Risk: A moderate risk exists for Atlantic-facing beaches through the weekend.

Conservation Zones: Sanctuary Preservation Areas (SPAs), marked by yellow buoys, prohibit the taking of any marine life to protect coral reef formations.

Digital & Financial Infrastructure

Broadband access is approximately 87.3%. The US Dollar (USD) is the currency. There is no state income tax. The economy is heavily driven by tourism, which generated over $1.1 billion in accommodation sales in the most recent fiscal cycle.

Climate & Air Quality

The Keys have a Tropical Savanna climate (Aw).

Current Air Quality: Good.

Resilience: The region faces severe threats from sea-level rise, leading to frequent "nuisance flooding" on low-lying streets.

Local Cost Index

1 Espresso: $5.00 – $7.00

1 Slice of Key Lime Pie: $8.00 – $12.00

Median Gross Rent: $2,075

Cost of Living: 145+ (State average = 100), making it the most expensive region in Florida.

Facts & Legends

Key West seceded from the U.S. in 1982 to form the Conch Republic. A verified fact: The Keys contain the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. A local legend involves "Robert the Doll," a purportedly haunted toy housed at the East Martello Museum, blamed for decades of misfortune on the island.