Monroe County is Florida's largest county, yet nearly all its residents live on islands.

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: While Monroe County encompasses 3,738 square miles, over 99.9% of its 82,874 residents are concentrated on the Florida Keys. The vast mainland, comprising 87% of the county's land area, is almost entirely uninhabited, serving as a protected expanse of the Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve.

Created in 1823 and named after the fifth U.S. president, James Monroe, the county presents a striking geographic dichotomy. The mainland portion, officially designated as the Cape Sable Census County Division, is so sparsely populated that the 2020 census recorded only 17 people living there. This region is dominated by Everglades National Park and the Big Cypress National Preserve, leaving only a few tiny, isolated settlements like Flamingo and Pinecrest. Consequently, the county's infrastructure and services are almost exclusively focused on the island chain.

Politically, the county has evolved from a Democratic stronghold in the early 20th century into a competitive swing county. While it supported Democratic presidential candidates from 1992 through 2012, recent elections have seen a shift toward Republican majorities. This political landscape is deeply influenced by geography: Key West remains a reliable Democratic bastion, while the rest of the archipelago leans Republican. The county's social character is also distinct, notably hosting a significant LGBT community that led Monroe to be the only Florida county to reject the 2008 state amendment banning same-sex marriage.

The cultural life of the region is supported by the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, which serves as a vital liaison between government, private sectors, and local artists. Beyond its administrative role, the council manages public art programs and provides grants that bolster a non-profit cultural community estimated to have an annual economic impact exceeding $22 million. This cultural infrastructure, along with the county's library system and educational institutions like Florida Keys Community College, helps maintain a cohesive identity across the disparate islands that define this unique Floridian landscape.

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