Sanibel

Sanibel is an island and city in Lee County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The island, also known as Sanibel Island, constitutes the entire city. The city was incorporated in 1974 and the residents asserted control over development by establishing the Sanibel Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Sanibel and Captiva formed as one island about 6,000 years ago. The first known humans in the area were the Calusa, who arrived about 2,500 years ago, dominating most of Southwest Florida through trade via their elaborate system of canals and waterways. In 1765, the first known appearance of a harbor on Sanibel is shown on a map as Puerto de S. Nibel (the "v" and "b" being interchangeable); thus, the name may have evolved from "San Nibel" or "(Santa) Ybel", which survives in the old placename "Point Ybel" The city is a popular tourist destination known for its shell beaches and wildlife refuges, the largest of which is J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The City of Sanibel has a population of 6,382, according to the 2010 U.S. Census. The population of the city proper is at the east end of the island, while the island proper is on the leeward side of Pine Island. In May 1963 a causeway linking Sanibel to the mainland was opened, resulting in an explosion of growth.

History

The first known humans in the area were the Calusa, who arrived about 2,500 years ago. Sanibel remained an important Calusa settlement until the collapse of their empire. The first modern settlement on Sanibel (then spelled "Sanybel") was established by the Florida Peninsular Land Company in 1832. It was this first group that initially petitioned for a lighthouse on the island. The island was re-populated after the implementation of the Homestead Act in 1862, and again a lighthouse was petitioned. Construction on the Sanibel Island Lighthouse was completed in 1884, but the community remained small. In May 1963 a causeway linking Sanibel and Captiva to the mainland was opened, resulting in an explosion of growth. The City of Sanibel passed new restrictions on development after it was incorporated; these were challenged by developers, to no avail. Currently the only buildings on theIsland taller than two stories date before 1974, and there are no fast food or chain restaurants allowed on the Island except a Dairy Queen and a Subway. The original bridge was demolished and its remains were sunk into the water to create artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. The new bridge features a "flyover" span tall enough for sailboats to pass under, replacing the old bridge's bascule drawbridge span. The name may derive, as many believe, from "(Santa) Ybel", which survives in the old placename "Point Ybel" which is located.

Development

The main town is located on the eastern end of the island. More than half of the two islands are preserved in its natural state as wildlife refuges. The Wall Street Journal selected Sanibel and Captiva Islands as one of the 10 Best Places for Second Homes in 2010. The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation has also been a key player in helping to curb commercial growth and development on the island and has led efforts to preserve natural resources on and around the islands. The only buildings above two to three stories now on the barrier island were built during that period. The main thoroughfare, Periwinkle Way, is where the majority of stores and restaurants are located, while the Gulf Drives (East, Middle and West) play host to most of the accommodations. The island's most famous landmark, the Sanibel Lighthouse, is located near the fishing pier, adjacent to the island's main causeway. The city of Sanibel was formed in 1974, as a direct result of the maincauseway being built in 1963 to replace the ferry, and the rampant construction and development that occurred afterward. It is located in the heart of the Gulf of Mexico, just south of the city of St. Augustine, and is known for its beaches, waterfalls, and natural scenery. It has been named one of Florida's most beautiful places to live by the National Park Service, which is based in St. Petersburg, Florida, and has a national park on the other side of the St. Johns River.

Geography

Sanibel is located at 26°2623N 82°450W (26.439608, 82.080456). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 33.16 square miles (85.9 km²) of which 17.21 sq miles (44.6 km²), is land and 15.96 sq miles ("41.3 km²") (48.13%) is water. Sanibel is home to the Sanibel Islands, which are a group of islands off the coast of Florida. The city is located on the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Turnpike, which is on the Florida mainland. The town of Sanibel was named after Sanibel, Florida, a town in the state's eastern part. It is also known as Sanibel or Sanibel Island, because of its proximity to the Gulf. It has a population of about 3,000. It was founded in the 18th century by Spanish settlers. The name Sanibel comes from the Spanish word "sanibel" which means "the island of the same name" or "the same place" and means "a place of great beauty" in Spanish. It also means "sandy" and "sunday" in English. The word "Sanibel" means "sunshine" and is used to refer to the city's natural beauty. The island is also used as a tourist destination, especially in the summer months when it is hot and sunny.

Demographics

As of the census of 2020, there were 6,828 people, 3,359 households, and 2,273 families residing in the city. The population density was 375.9 inhabitants per square mile (145.1/km²). There were 7,821 dwelling units at an average density of 454.6 per squaremile (175.5/km 2) The racial makeup of the city was 98.0% White, 0.6% African American, 0,1% Native American,0.4% Asian, 0.,00% Pacific Islander, and 0.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.3%. The city's median income was $97,788, and the median income for a family was $138,194. The per capita income for the city is $79,742. About 3.6%. of families and 7.0%. of the population were below the poverty line, with 21.3. of those under age 18 and 3.4%. of those age 65 or over. The median age was 65 years. For every 100 females, there are 89.8 males. For each 100 females age 18 or over, there is 89.5 males. The average household size was 1.92 and the average family size was 2.28. Among the population; 8.5% under the age of 19, 1.1% from 20 to 24, 7.5%. from 25 to 44, 32.7% from 45 to 64, and those aged 65 or older represented 50.1%.

Ecology

Sanibel Island is home to a significant variety of birds, including the roseate spoonbill and several nesting pairs of bald eagles. A lone rare American crocodile had been seen at the Wildlife Refuge for over 30 years, but she died in 2010 of unseasonably cold winters or old age. The biggest wildlife refuge on the island is the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Covering more than 5,200 acres (21 km²) of land, the refuge strives to ensure that these lands are "preserved, restored and maintained as a haven for indigenous and migratory wildlife" The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum on Sanibel is the only museum in the world dedicated entirely to the study of shells. The Gulf-side beaches are excellent on both Sanibel and Captiva, and are world-renowned for their variety of seashells, which include coquinas, scallops, whelks, sand dollars, and many other species of both shallow-water and deeper-water mollusks. The local form of the marsh rice rat has been recognized in some classifications as a separate subspecies, Oryzomys palustris sanibeli. The Australian pine is an introduced species that has spread throughout the island, to some extent overpowering native vegetation and trees. Once mature, the pine blocks sunlight and drops a thick bed of pine needles that affect the soil's pH and prevents new native growth. The ground is very soft under these pines.

Beaches and seashells

Sanibel is a barrier island which is "part of a large plateau that extends out into the Gulf of Mexico for miles" Sanibel also has an "east-west orientation when most islands are north-south" People are often seen bending down as they look for seashells, and this posture is known as the "Sanibel Stoop" There are beaches almost all around the island, and there are even beaches along the Sanibel causeway. The most secluded beach on the island is Bowman's Beach; there are no hotels in sight and the beach has a "pristine and quiet" atmosphere. Sanibel and Captiva Islands were named one of the 10 Best Places for Second Homes in 2010 byron.com. The Sanibel Shell Fair is held in early March and is a popular destination for shell collectors. The island is home to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, which houses a collection of Junonia volutes, which are common in deep water but rarely wash up on the beaches of Sanibel. Many sand dollars can be found as well, but beach parking on Sanibel itself is very limited, and in high season finding a convenient parking space can be a challenge. It is possible to buy Junonia shells at local shell shops, or can be seen on display in some of the glass display tables at theSanibel Cafe, or at the Sanibel Shell Fair in early February and March. The beach find of a whole shell is greatly prized.

Climate

Sanibel Island has a climate that is "tropical and humid" with daily high temperatures ranging from 75 °F (24 °C) in midwinter to around 90 °C (32 °F) in the summer. The area is prone to being hit by tropical cyclones and hurricanes; the hurricane season starts in June, but most of the activity occurs in September and October. On August 13, 2004, Sanibel Island was hit hard by Hurricane Charley, a category four hurricane with 143 mph (230 km/h) winds. On September 28, 2022, the island suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Ian, which made landfall just to the north of the island as a strong category 4 storm. The Sanibel Causeway partially collapsed during the storm, leaving no road access to the island or nearby Captiva, Florida. Residents who left before the August 13 storm were not allowed back by the city government until August 18, due to hundreds of downed trees and electric power lines, and the lack of potable water and sanitary sewerage. A temporary city hall for Sanibel was set up on the mainland in a Fort Myers hotel, until utilities and transport could be restored toThe island was hit by Hurricane Ian in 2022. The island has been hit by hurricanes every 20 or so years, and about every 40 years a major one. Most of the native vegetation survived, but the non-indigenous Australian Pines suffered serious damage, blocking nearly every road. Wildlife officials also reported that the nests of birds and sea turtles were destroyed.

Infrastructure

A new three-section causeway bridge to Sanibel was completed during the summer of 2007, with a high-span section replacing the original drawbridge. Multiple sections of the causeway were destroyed in September 2022 by Hurricane Ian, rendering it unusable. The causeway was completed in 2007. The bridge was completed on the same year as the Sanibel Bridge, which was also completed that year. It is located on the Gulf of Mexico coast, near the town of Sanibel, Florida. It was built in the 1960s and 1970s, and was the first of its kind in the United States. It has a total cost of $1.6 billion. It will be used for tourism. It opened in September 2007. It's expected to be fully operational by the end of the year, and will be fully functional by the year 2023. The cost of the bridge is $1 billion. The project was funded by the state of Florida and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and is expected to cost $500 million to $600 million. The first section of the new bridge was opened in 2007, and the second section opened in 2010. It connects Sanibel with St. Augustine, Florida, on the Florida Turnpike, which is on the opposite side of the bay. The new bridge will be completed in 2015. The current bridge is scheduled to be completed by 2017. It cost $1 million to build. It also has a high span of about 30 feet.

Library

Sanibel Public Library was built in 1994, and was expanded in 2004. The library houses more than 60,000 titles. It is located in the town of Sanibel, Florida, in the U.S. Gulf Coast region of the Florida panhandle. It was built on the site of the former Sanibel Airport, which was closed in the 1970s and 1980s due to flooding. The airport was closed for more than a decade due to problems with the water system. It reopened in the 1990s, and has since been fully operational. It has a collection of more than 50,000 books, including more than 40,000 children's books. It also has a children's museum, with more than 30,000 pieces of art and artworks. It's located in Sanibel's historic downtown area, near the town center. The town has a population of about 2,000. It had its first public library in 1994 and was completed in 2004, when it was built for $1.5 million. It now has a total of 60,500 titles, and is home to more than 20,000 people. The library is located on the town's main street, Sanibel Avenue, and it is open seven days a week, seven nights a week. It is open to the public in the evenings and on the weekends, and there are no plans to close the library in the foreseeable future.

Air Quality, Water Quality, Superfund Sites & UV Index

The Air Quality index is in Sanibel, Lee County, Florida = 92.6. These Air Quality index is based on annual reports from the EPA. Higher values are better (100=best). The number of ozone alert days is used as an indicator of air quality, as are the amounts of seven pollutants including particulates, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, lead, and volatile organic chemicals. The Water Quality Index is 60. A measure of the quality of an area’s water supply as rated by the EPA. Higher values are better (100=best). The EPA has a complex method of measuring the watershed quality, using 15 indicators such as pollutants, turbidity, sediments, and toxic discharges. The Superfund Sites Index is 98. Higher is better (100=best). Based upon the number and impact of EPA Superfund pollution sites in the county, including spending on the cleanup efforts. The UV Index in Sanibel = 6.5 and is a measure of an area's exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. This is most often a combination of sunny weather, altitude, and latitude. The UV Index has been defined by the WHO (www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-the-ultraviolet-(uv)-index) and is uniform worldwide.

Employed

The most recent city population of 6,382 individuals with a median age of 61 age the population dropped by -6.88% in Sanibel, Lee County, Florida population since 2000 and are distributed over a density of 394.44 residents per square mile of area (152.30/km²). There are average 1.93 people per household in the 2,932 households with an average household income of $100,904 a year. The unemployment rate in Alabama is 13.70% of the available work force and has dropped -8.64% over the most recent 12-month period and the projected change in job supply over the next decade based on migration patterns, economic growth, and other factors will increase by 9.02%. The number of physicians in Sanibel per 100,000 population = 196.8.

Weather

The annual rainfall in Sanibel = 54.3 inches and the annual snowfall = 0 inches. The annual number of days with measurable precipitation (over .01 inch) = 112. The average number of days per year that are predominantly sunny = 262. 91 degrees Fahrenheit is the average daily high temperature for the month of July and 53.5 degrees Fahrenheit is the average daily low temperature for the month of January. The Comfort Index (higher=better) is 28, where higher values mean a more pleasant climate. The Comfort Index measure recognizes that humidity by itself isn't the problem. (Have you noticed nobody ever complains about the weather being 'cold and humid?) It's in the summertime that we notice the humidity the most, when it's hot and muggy. Our Comfort Index uses a combination of afternoon summer temperature and humidity to closely predict the effect that the humidity will have on people.

Median Home Cost

The percentage of housing units in Sanibel, Lee County, Florida which are owned by the occupant = 33.00%. A housing unit is a house, apartment, mobile home, or room occupied as separate living quarters. The average age of homes = 27 years with median home cost = $552,320 and home appreciation of -13.09%. This is the value of the years most recent home sales data. Its important to note that this is not the average (or arithmetic mean). The median home price is the middle value when you arrange all the sales prices of homes from lowest to highest. This is a better indicator than the average, because the median is not changed as much by a few unusually high or low values. The property tax rate of $12.05 shown here is the rate per $1,000 of home value. If for simplification for example the tax rate is $14.00 and the home value is $250,000, the property tax would be $14.00 x ($250,000/1000), or $3500. This is the 'effective' tax rate.

Study

The local school district spends $4,162 per student. There are 17.6 students for each teacher in the school, 814 students for each Librarian and 598 students for each Counselor. 6.81% of the area’s population over the age of 25 with an Associate Degree or other 2-year college degree, 32.51% with a master’s degree, Ph.D. or other advanced college degree and 22.07% with high school diplomas or high school equivalency degrees (GEDs).