Demographic makeup

By Robin Hartill
| 4:00 a.m. May 11, 2011

Longboat Key
News

Longboat Key’s median age rose by two-and-a-half years in the last decade, to 70.4 on April 1, 2010, compared to 67.9 on April 1, 2000, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The percentage of residents ages 65 and up rose to 67.3%, from 58.3% in 2000. The percentage of residents ages 85 and up rose by 46%, with 8.2% of residents age 85 or older in April 2010, compared to 5.1% in April 2000.

The island, which experienced a 9.4% decline in population over the past decade according to the census, lost residents in every age group from ages 15 through 74.

Tim Dutton, executive director of Sarasota County Openly Plans for Excellence (SCOPE), who recently spoke about aging issues at the Longboat Key Public Interest Committee (PIC) 25th anniversary celebration, said that Longboat Key and Sarasota County are part of the larger trend of an aging worldwide population.

“We’re just ahead of the curve,” Dutton said.

Longboat Key Mayor Jim Brown said that the numbers did not surprise him, although he had heard anecdotal evidence that younger people were increasingly buying property on the island. He said that the latest numbers highlight the potential need for amenities that have been discussed in recent months, such as a town center that could incorporate an assisted-living facility.

“I think we need to have the services that people in that age group need,” Brown said.
Vice Mayor David Brenner pointed to both the increasing age and drop of Longboat Key’s population as evidence of the need for revitalization.

“We’ve got to reverse that trend by bringing younger people in,” he said.

According to Dutton, an aging population poses challenges, such as transit issues when residents can no longer drive, along with health-care concerns. But it can also bring benefits. Technology related to independent living is expected to become a $20 billion industry by 2020, Dutton said.

“This has the potential to be a real economic driver,” he said.

Brown said that Longboat Key’s older residents tend to stand out from those in other areas with an aging population.

“I would be willing to bet that Longboat Key’s older population is much more active than your average older population,” Brown said. “I think Longboat Key is a place where people age well.”