Casey Key — At a Glance
Key Facts About Casey Key, Sarasota
County
Sarasota County, Florida
Location
Between Nokomis and Osprey — south of Sarasota, north of Venice
Population
Fewer than 500 year-round residents
Island Character
Narrow barrier island — single main road, no commercial development
Access
One main road — most private barrier island in Sarasota County
To Sarasota
~20 min drive to downtown Sarasota
Notable Resident
Stephen King — longtime Casey Key homeowner
Property Types
Gulf-front mansions, bay-front homes, beach bungalows, a small number of condos
Casey Key is the most private barrier island in Sarasota County — fewer than 500 year-round residents, no commercial development, and a single main road make it genuinely secluded in a way that no other Sarasota island achieves. Located between Nokomis and Osprey, it sits south of Siesta Key and north of Venice, with Gulf-front and bay-front properties that rarely reach public listing. It is the destination for buyers who have already considered Longboat Key and Bird Key and want something more remote. Stephen King has been a notable longtime resident.
Casey Key Real Estate
With fewer than 500 residents and no new development land available, Casey Key's inventory is permanently constrained. The best Gulf-front and bay-front properties trade privately between buyers and their advisors. Roger Pettingell has extensive relationships across Casey Key and provides qualified buyers with access before properties reach the MLS — if they ever do.
Casey Key is as exclusive as Sarasota gets — not because of gates or membership requirements, but because of its fundamental geography. A single main road, no through traffic, fewer than 500 year-round residents, and zero commercial development combine to create an environment that cannot be replicated elsewhere in the region. Residents include retirees seeking absolute privacy, remote professionals with significant waterfront estates, and second-home buyers who find Longboat Key or Siesta Key too active for what they want.
The residential character spans historic waterfront mansions with significant architectural history, well-styled modern luxury homes on Gulf-front parcels, and a small number of condominiums. Author Stephen King has been a notable longtime resident — a fact that reflects the island's appeal to buyers who value anonymity, natural beauty, and complete removal from tourist activity. North Jetty Park is the primary outdoor anchor, popular for fishing, wildlife watching, and picnicking in a setting that retains its natural character.
Casey Key's dining is intentionally limited — which is part of the point. The handful of restaurants that exist here have strong local followings:
For broader dining variety, most Casey Key residents make the 20-minute drive to Sarasota's restaurant districts or Venice's downtown corridor.
Casey Key's activities center on water, nature, and the kind of outdoor recreation that doesn't require crowds:
Casey Key is a narrow barrier island in Sarasota County, Florida, located between Nokomis and Osprey — south of Siesta Key and north of Venice. It sits on the Gulf of Mexico, connected to the mainland via a single main road. The island is approximately 20 minutes from downtown Sarasota by car and approximately 15 minutes from Venice.
Casey Key has fewer than 500 year-round residents, making it one of the least populated barrier islands on Florida's Gulf Coast. The population fluctuates with seasonal homeowners, but the permanent community is very small. There is no commercial development on the island — no hotels, no chain restaurants, no retail. This is by design and is the primary driver of the island's appeal to privacy-seeking buyers.
Yes — Casey Key is one of Sarasota County's most expensive real estate markets, driven by permanently constrained supply (limited parcels, no developable land remaining), strong demand from high-net-worth buyers seeking maximum privacy, and Gulf-front and bay-front positions that are genuinely irreplaceable. Properties here rarely reach public listing and typically trade at prices that reflect the scarcity premium. Gulf-front estates on the island are among the most expensive residential real estate in Sarasota County.
Yes — Stephen King has been a longtime homeowner on Casey Key. His presence on the island reflects its appeal to buyers who prioritize privacy, natural beauty, and complete removal from tourist activity. Casey Key's limited access and tiny permanent population make it one of the few Florida Gulf Coast communities where genuine anonymity is achievable for high-profile residents.
Casey Key is approximately 15–20 miles south of downtown Sarasota — roughly a 20-minute drive in normal traffic via US-41. The island is also approximately 10–15 minutes north of downtown Venice. Most Casey Key residents treat both Sarasota and Venice as convenient service and dining destinations, with Sarasota offering the broader cultural and culinary range.
The best Casey Key properties never reach the MLS. Roger Pettingell has extensive relationships across the island and provides qualified buyers with private access before — or instead of — public listing.
Contact Roger Pettingell728 people live in Casey Key, where the median age is 61 and the average individual income is $104,860. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Median Age
Population Density
Average individual Income
There's plenty to do around Casey Key, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.
Explore popular things to do in the area, including Venice Olive Oil, An Italian Holiday, and 1 Hot Cookie And Ice Cream.
| Name | Category | Distance | Reviews |
Ratings by
Yelp
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dining · $$ | 4.81 miles | 9 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Dining | 4.56 miles | 6 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Dining | 1.58 miles | 19 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Dining · $ | 4.68 miles | 5 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 4.5 miles | 6 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 4.6 miles | 21 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 4.75 miles | 5 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 2.27 miles | 6 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
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Casey Key has 393 households, with an average household size of 2. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Casey Key do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Median Age
Men vs Women
Population by Age Group
0-9 Years
10-17 Years
18-24 Years
25-64 Years
65-74 Years
75+ Years
Education Level
Total Households
Average Household Size
Average individual Income
Households with Children
With Children:
Without Children:
Blue vs White Collar Workers
Blue Collar:
White Collar: