Big Coppitt Key, Florida
Encyclopedia
Big Coppitt Key is a census-designated place
and an unincorporated community in Monroe County
, Florida
, on an island
of the same name in the lower Florida Keys
. The CDP also includes the neighboring islands of Geiger Key
and Shark Key
. As of the 2000 census
, it had a total population
of 2,595. The name is said to be a derivation of the old English word "coppice", meaning thicket. According to A.D. Bache, in the notes for his coast survey conducted in 1861, this key was the location of Happy Jack's plantation in 1855.
U.S. 1
(or the Overseas Highway
) crosses the key at approximately mile markers 9.5-11, between East Rockland Key
and the Saddlebunch Keys
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 3.8 km² (1.5 mi²). 3.6 km² (1.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (6.80%) is water.
of 2000, there were 2,595 people, 1,108 households, and 681 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 726.0/km² (1,885.2/mi²). There were 1,332 housing units at an average density of 372.7/km² (967.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.91% White, 1.08% African American, 0.81% Native American, 1.46% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races
, and 2.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.76% of the population.
There were 1,108 households out of which 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were married couples
living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.77.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 19.3% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 30.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 119.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $45,194, and the median income for a family was $49,783. Males had a median income of $31,915 versus $27,721 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $24,022. About 6.1% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.
In 2005, Hurricane Wilma caused catastrophic damage to the islands. Many structures were either destroyed or rendered almost uninhabitable due to flood damage.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
and an unincorporated community in Monroe County
Monroe County, Florida
Monroe County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 79,589. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county was 74,737....
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, on an island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
of the same name in the lower Florida Keys
Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a coral archipelago in southeast United States. They begin at the southeastern tip of the Florida peninsula, about south of Miami, and extend in a gentle arc south-southwest and then westward to Key West, the westernmost of the inhabited islands, and on to the uninhabited Dry...
. The CDP also includes the neighboring islands of Geiger Key
Geiger Key
Geiger Key is an island in the lower Florida Keys about east of Key West. It is located to the south of, and bridged to, Big Coppitt Key via Boca Chica Road at approximately mile marker 11 on U.S. 1 . It is home to the small trailer park community of Tamarac, Geiger Key Pub & Grill and Geiger Key...
and Shark Key
Shark Key
Shark Key is an island in the lower Florida Keys about 7 miles east of Key West.It is located north of, and connected to, U.S. 1 at approximately mile marker 11.5, between the Saddlebunch Keys and Big Coppitt Key...
. As of the 2000 census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, it had a total population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 2,595. The name is said to be a derivation of the old English word "coppice", meaning thicket. According to A.D. Bache, in the notes for his coast survey conducted in 1861, this key was the location of Happy Jack's plantation in 1855.
Geography
Big Coppitt Key is located at 24°35′52"N 81°39′24"W (24.597677, -81.656546).U.S. 1
U.S. Route 1 in Florida
U.S. Route 1 in Florida runs along the state's east coast from Key West to its crossing of the St. Marys River into Georgia north of Boulogne, and south of Folkston. US 1 was designated through Florida when the U.S. Highway System was established in 1926.US 1 runs in the state of Florida, and...
(or the Overseas Highway
Overseas Highway
The Overseas Highway is a highway carrying U.S. Route 1 through the Florida Keys. Large parts of it were built on the former right-of-way of the Overseas Railroad, the Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast Railway. Completed in 1912, the Overseas Railroad was heavily damaged and partially...
) crosses the key at approximately mile markers 9.5-11, between East Rockland Key
East Rockland Key
East Rockland Key is an island in the lower Florida Keys about 4 miles east of Key West.U.S. 1 crosses the edge of the key at approximately mile markers 8-9.5, between Boca Chica Key and Big Coppitt Key....
and the Saddlebunch Keys
Saddlebunch Keys
The Saddlebunch Keys are a series of mangrove islands about 7 miles east of Key West, Florida.The keys are scattered between Lower Sugarloaf Key and Shark Key.U.S...
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 3.8 km² (1.5 mi²). 3.6 km² (1.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (6.80%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,595 people, 1,108 households, and 681 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 726.0/km² (1,885.2/mi²). There were 1,332 housing units at an average density of 372.7/km² (967.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.91% White, 1.08% African American, 0.81% Native American, 1.46% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.76% of the population.
There were 1,108 households out of which 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.77.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 19.3% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 30.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 119.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $45,194, and the median income for a family was $49,783. Males had a median income of $31,915 versus $27,721 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $24,022. About 6.1% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.
About the Community
There are several businesses on Big Coppitt Key. There is also a Monroe County Fire/Rescue Station located on the island. Law Enforcement services are handled by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. There are 3 churches located on Big Coppitt Key. Three parks, including one with a playground and another with a basketball court, in the avenues section. A cemetery is located at Avenue A and 4th Street.In 2005, Hurricane Wilma caused catastrophic damage to the islands. Many structures were either destroyed or rendered almost uninhabitable due to flood damage.