Holmes Beach, Anna Maria Island, Florida

Holmes Beach: Business Center of Anna Maria Island...

Back in late January, 07, we published a short, About Anna Maria Island and Introduction to Anna Maria City. We promised follow up introductory posts to Anna Maria's sister cites of Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach.

Well, we recently updated the About Anna Maria Island and Introduction to Anna Maria City posts, and today and tomorrow respectively, we publish our introductory posts to Anna Maria's sister cites of Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach.

Anna Maria Island, Home to Holmes Beach

Anna Maria Island supports a very special ecology and "Old Florida" philosophy. The laid-back lifestyle allows time to step back from the hectic energies of modern living and just walk on the beach, or enjoy a picnic supper at sunset.

Holmes Beach, although it maintains this special Anna Maria Island ecology and "Old Florida" philosophy, it is the "business" center of the island.

The island library, the banks and island grocery store are all in Holmes Beach along with a wide variety of shops and restaurants.

About Holmes Beach

Holmes Beach is a city on Anna Maria Island in Manatee County, Florida. The population was 4,966 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 5,100. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.5 km² (1.7 mi²). 4.2 km² (1.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (6.36%) is water.

Holmes Beach is 15 miles NW of Sarasota, Florida (center to center) and 34 miles SW of Tampa, Florida. The city is conveniently located inside the Sarasota - Bradenton metropolitan area.

Holmes Beach is a homogenous mixture of residential single-family homes, multi-family condominium developments and businesses existing in harmony with the landscape as well as the Island’s small-town heritage.

People come to Holmes Beach to enjoy the slower pace that city life does not have to offer. There are no traffic jams, congested living areas or opera theaters on Anna Maria Island - though all of these city-life extras are just a short drive away.

Key Royale - Included in the city limits is the adjacent bayside island of Key Royale, formerly known as School Key. It was uninhabited until 1960 when a bridge was built joining it to the Holmes Beach section of Anna Maria Island, at which point development began.

People and Families of Holmes Beach

In Holmes Beach, about 58% of adults are married. Holmes Beach has its share of retirees. People over 65 are not uncommon.

Wealth and Education

In 2000, Holmes Beach had a median family income of $55,669. Holmes Beach has a large middle class. You won't find a lot of people in the city living below the poverty line. It's worth mentioning that smart, educated people feel at home in Holmes Beach. A tendency for its residents to work at home is one of the things that define the lifestyle in the city.

If a good man (or woman) is hard to find, try looking in Holmes Beach, where there happen to be many singles with good incomes.

Political Inclinations

In the 2004 race for President, George W. Bush was the top recipient of campaign contributions ($3,450) in Holmes Beach. Party contributions tended to flow to the Democratic team.

Holmes Beach Housing

Approximately 67% of housing in Holmes Beach is owner-occupied. The city sports a large amount of seasonal housing, typically for vacation or part-time use. Property taxes are a bit high in Holmes Beach, which may indicate the community's investment in its schools and infrastructure.

Holmes Beach Housing and Vacation Rentals

Visit Holmes Beach Vacation Rentals to learn more.

Commuting in Holmes Beach

In Holmes Beach, 85% of commuters drive to work. The city is not so congested and car-oriented that lots of people can't get around on foot or by bike.

Manatee County Beach greets new visitors to the island, where the Beach Cafe serves their guests on their beach patio right on the Gulf. One of the two bridges to the island, Manatee Bridge, brings the traveler into Holmes Beach at the end of SR 64, which ends on the island.

Learn more about Anna Maria Island and Anna Maria Island's Rich History.

Please be sure to leave a comment in the comment area for this post, and let us know if the information we have provided on Bradenton Beach was of interest and use to you... our guest!