Collier County, Florida
Encyclopedia
Collier County is a county
located in the U.S. state
of Florida
. As of 2000, the population was 251,377. The U.S. Census Bureau
2007 estimate for the county is 315,839. Its county seat
is Naples
.
Collier County is coextensive with the Naples-Marco Island, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) designated by the Office of Management and Budget and used for statistical purposes by the Census Bureau and other agencies. Naples and Marco Island
are designated as the MSA's principal cities. The Naples, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area was first defined in 1990. Marco Island was added as a principal city and the name changed to its present form in 2003.
. It was named for Barron Collier
, a New York City
advertising mogul and real estate developer who had moved into Southwest Florida and established himself as a prominent land owner. He agreed to build the Tamiami Trail
for what was then Lee County (Lee
, Collier, Hendry, Glades & Charlotte Counties) in exchange for favorable consideration with the state legislature to have a county named for him. After the county was named, Collier was quoted as saying "When I first came here on holiday with Juliet, I never expected that I would buy a whole region of it, nor did I expect to pay for the new Tamiami Trail, or half the things I've done. But I really didn't expect to have a whole county named after me."
. The northernmost portion of Everglades National Park
extends into the southern coastal part of the county.
Collier County is the sole county in the Naples-Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Coast, and bounded by:
of 2000, there were 251,377 people, 102,973 households, and 71,257 families residing in the county. The population density
was 124 people per square mile (48/km²). There were 144,536 housing units at an average density of 71 per square mile (28/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.06% White
, 4.54% Black
or African American
, 0.29% Native American
, 0.62% Asian
, 0.06% Pacific Islander
, 6.19% from other races
, and 2.23% from two or more races. 19.61% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 75.3% spoke English
, 17.8% Spanish
, 2.3% French Creole
and 1.2% German
as their first language.
As of 2005 68.6% of the population was non-Hispanic whites, 24.4% was Latino or Hispanic, 5.9% was African-American and 0.9% was Asian.
In 2000 there were 102,973 households out of which 22.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples
living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.79.
In the county the population was spread out with 19.90% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 24.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 100.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $48,289, and the median income for a family was $54,816. Males had a median income of $32,639 versus $26,371 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $31,195. About 6.60% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.20% of those under age 18 and 4.30% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2007 the population of Collier County peaked to 414,611, a record high.
.
(1994) as the home of fictional athlete Ray Finkle, described in the film as "the only professional athlete to come out of Collier County." Ace visits Collier to find Ray's family.
It was also shown in the Showtime series Dexter
at the rest stop meeting between Dexter and the Trinity Killer.
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
located in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
. As of 2000, the population was 251,377. The U.S. 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...
2007 estimate for the county is 315,839. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Naples
Naples, Florida
Naples is a city in Collier County, Florida, United States. As of July 1, 2007, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population at 21,653. Naples is a principal city of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated total population of 315,839 on July 1, 2007...
.
Collier County is coextensive with the Naples-Marco Island, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) designated by the Office of Management and Budget and used for statistical purposes by the Census Bureau and other agencies. Naples and Marco Island
Marco Island, Florida
Marco Island is a city in Collier County, Florida, United States, located on an island by the same name in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Southwest Florida. It is a principal city of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area...
are designated as the MSA's principal cities. The Naples, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area was first defined in 1990. Marco Island was added as a principal city and the name changed to its present form in 2003.
History
Collier County was created in 1923 from Lee CountyLee County, Florida
Lee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. Located in southwest Florida, the principal cities in the county are Fort Myers and Cape Coral...
. It was named for Barron Collier
Barron Collier
Barron Gift Collier was an American advertising entrepreneur, who became the largest landowner and developer in the U.S. state of Florida, as well as, the owner of a chain of hotels, bus lines, several banks, and newspapers. He also owned a telephone company and a steamship line.Collier was born...
, a New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
advertising mogul and real estate developer who had moved into Southwest Florida and established himself as a prominent land owner. He agreed to build the Tamiami Trail
Tamiami Trail
The Tamiami Trail is the southernmost of U.S. Highway 41 from State Road 60 in Tampa to U.S. Route 1 in Miami. The road also has the hidden designation of State Road 90....
for what was then Lee County (Lee
Lee, Florida
Lee is a town in Madison County, Florida, United States. The population was 352 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S...
, Collier, Hendry, Glades & Charlotte Counties) in exchange for favorable consideration with the state legislature to have a county named for him. After the county was named, Collier was quoted as saying "When I first came here on holiday with Juliet, I never expected that I would buy a whole region of it, nor did I expect to pay for the new Tamiami Trail, or half the things I've done. But I really didn't expect to have a whole county named after me."
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 2304.93 square miles (5,969.7 km²), of which 2025.34 square miles (5,245.6 km²) (or 87.87%) is land and 279.59 square miles (724.1 km²) (or 12.13%) is water. This makes Collier county the second largest county in the state of Florida (Palm Beach County being the largest). Virtually the entire southeastern portion of the county lies within the Big Cypress National PreserveBig Cypress National Preserve
Big Cypress National Preserve is a United States National Preserve located in southern Florida, about 45 miles west of Miami. The Big Cypress, along with Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas, became the first national preserves in the United States National Park System when they were...
. The northernmost portion of Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park is a national park in the U.S. state of Florida that protects the southern 25 percent of the original Everglades. It is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, and is visited on average by one million people each year. It is the third-largest...
extends into the southern coastal part of the county.
Collier County is the sole county in the Naples-Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Adjacent counties
Collier County is located at the southern end of Florida's GulfGulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
Coast, and bounded by:
- Hendry County, FloridaHendry County, FloridaHendry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 36,210. The U.S. Census Bureau 2007 estimate for the county is 39,611 . Its county seat is La Belle. The county comprises the Clewiston, Florida, Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Hendry County...
- north - Broward County, FloridaBroward County, Florida-2000 Census:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,623,018 people, 654,445 households, and 411,645 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,346 people per square mile . There were 741,043 housing units at an average density of 615 per square mile...
- east - Miami-Dade County, FloridaMiami-Dade County, FloridaMiami-Dade County is a county located in the southeastern part of the state of Florida. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 2,496,435, making it the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States...
- southeast - Monroe County, FloridaMonroe County, FloridaMonroe 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....
- south - Lee County, FloridaLee County, FloridaLee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. Located in southwest Florida, the principal cities in the county are Fort Myers and Cape Coral...
- northwest
National protected areas
- Big Cypress National PreserveBig Cypress National PreserveBig Cypress National Preserve is a United States National Preserve located in southern Florida, about 45 miles west of Miami. The Big Cypress, along with Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas, became the first national preserves in the United States National Park System when they were...
(part) - Everglades National ParkEverglades National ParkEverglades National Park is a national park in the U.S. state of Florida that protects the southern 25 percent of the original Everglades. It is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, and is visited on average by one million people each year. It is the third-largest...
(part) - Florida Panther National Wildlife RefugeFlorida Panther National Wildlife RefugeThe Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge System, located in southwestern Florida, twenty miles east of Naples, in the upper segment of the Fakahatchee Strand of the Big Cypress Swamp...
- Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife RefugeTen Thousand Islands (Florida)The Ten Thousand Islands are a chain of islands and mangrove islets off the coast of southwest Florida, between Cape Romano and the mouth of Lostman's River. Some of the islands are high spots on a drowned shoreline. Others were produced by mangroves growing on oyster bars...
Major highways
Interstate 75
U.S. Route 41
State Road 29
State Road 84
State Road 951
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 251,377 people, 102,973 households, and 71,257 families residing in the county. 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 124 people per square mile (48/km²). There were 144,536 housing units at an average density of 71 per square mile (28/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.06% White
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...
, 4.54% Black
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...
or African American
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...
, 0.29% Native American
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...
, 0.62% Asian
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...
, 0.06% Pacific Islander
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...
, 6.19% 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 2.23% from two or more races. 19.61% of the population were Hispanic
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...
or Latino
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...
of any race. 75.3% spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, 17.8% Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
, 2.3% French Creole
French-based creole languages
A French Creole, or French-based Creole language, is a creole language based on the French language, more specifically on a 17th century koiné French extant in Paris, the French Atlantic harbors, and the nascent French colonies...
and 1.2% German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
as their first language.
As of 2005 68.6% of the population was non-Hispanic whites, 24.4% was Latino or Hispanic, 5.9% was African-American and 0.9% was Asian.
In 2000 there were 102,973 households out of which 22.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% 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, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.79.
In the county the population was spread out with 19.90% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 24.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 100.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $48,289, and the median income for a family was $54,816. Males had a median income of $32,639 versus $26,371 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 county was $31,195. About 6.60% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.20% of those under age 18 and 4.30% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2007 the population of Collier County peaked to 414,611, a record high.
Municipalities
- Everglades CityEverglades, FloridaEverglades is a city in Collier County, Florida, United States. The population was 479 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 513...
- Marco IslandMarco Island, FloridaMarco Island is a city in Collier County, Florida, United States, located on an island by the same name in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Southwest Florida. It is a principal city of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- NaplesNaples, FloridaNaples is a city in Collier County, Florida, United States. As of July 1, 2007, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population at 21,653. Naples is a principal city of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated total population of 315,839 on July 1, 2007...
Unincorporated communities
- Ave MariaAve Maria, FloridaAve Maria, Florida, United States is a planned college town currently under development in Collier County, near Immokalee and Naples. It is an unincorporated community, founded in 2005 by a partnership consisting of the Barron Collier Cos., a large diversified private company, and the Ave Maria...
- ChokoloskeeChokoloskee, FloridaChokoloskee is a census-designated place in Collier County, Florida, United States. The population was 404 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- East NaplesEast Naples, Florida-External links:* http://www.jud10.org/Courthouses/Collier/collier.html...
- Golden GateGolden Gate, FloridaGolden Gate is a community and census-designated place in Collier County, Florida, United States. The population was 20,951 as recorded in the 2000 census...
- GoodlandGoodland, FloridaGoodland is a census-designated place in Collier County, Florida, United States. The population was 320 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- ImmokaleeImmokalee, FloridaImmokalee is a census-designated place in Collier County, Florida, United States. The population was 19,763 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area. The settlement was originally known as Gopher Ridge...
- Lely ResortLely Resort, FloridaLely Resort is a census-designated place in Collier County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,426 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- LelyLely, FloridaLely is a census-designated place in Collier County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,857 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Lely is located at ....
- Naples ManorNaples Manor, FloridaNaples Manor is a census-designated place in Collier County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,186 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- Naples ParkNaples Park, FloridaNaples Park is a census-designated place in Collier County, Florida, United States. The population was 6,741 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- OchopeeOchopee, FloridaOchopee is an unincorporated community in Collier County, Florida, United States. It is located to the east of the intersection of US 41 and State Road 29, near Carnestown...
- OrangetreeOrangetree, FloridaOrangetree is a census-designated place in Collier County, Florida, United States. The population was 950 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- Pelican BayPelican Bay, FloridaPelican Bay is a census-designated place in Collier County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,686 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- Pine RidgePine Ridge, Collier County, FloridaPine Ridge is a census-designated place in Collier County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,965 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- Plantation IslandPlantation Island, FloridaPlantation Island is a census-designated place in Collier County, Florida, United States. The population was 202 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- VineyardsVineyards, FloridaVineyards is a census-designated place in Collier County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,232 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
Education
The county's public schools are operated by the District School Board of Collier CountyDistrict School Board of Collier County
The District School Board of Collier County, also known as Collier County Public Schools, is a school district in Collier County, Florida. The district has schools placed in four cities throughout the county: Everglades City, Immokalee, Marco Island and Naples. The district employees 2,900...
.
Politics
| Year | Winner | Loser | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
Other Third party (United States) The term third party is used in the United States for any and all political parties in the United States other than one of the two major parties . The term can also refer to independent politicians not affiliated with any party at all and to write-in candidates.The United States has had a... |
| 2008 | 60.8% | 38.4% | 0.8% |
| 2004 | 65.0% | 34.1% | 0.9% |
| 2000 | 65.6% | 32.5% | 1.9% |
| 1996 | 58.7% | 32.0% | 9.3% |
| 1992 | 53.4% | 26.1% | 20.5% |
| 1988 | 74.9% | 24.6% | 0.5% |
In popular culture
Collier County was featured in Ace Ventura: Pet DetectiveAce Ventura: Pet Detective
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is a 1994 American comedy film directed by Tom Shadyac and starring Jim Carrey. It co-stars Courteney Cox, Tone Loc, Sean Young and former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino....
(1994) as the home of fictional athlete Ray Finkle, described in the film as "the only professional athlete to come out of Collier County." Ace visits Collier to find Ray's family.
It was also shown in the Showtime series Dexter
Dexter (TV series)
Dexter is an American television drama series, which debuted on Showtime on October 1, 2006. The sixth season premiered on October 2, 2011. The series centers on Dexter Morgan , a bloodstain pattern analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department who moonlights as a serial killer...
at the rest stop meeting between Dexter and the Trinity Killer.
See also
- Keewaydin ClubKeewaydin ClubThe Keewaydin Club is a historic site in Naples, Florida. The Inn, which opened in 1934 and closed in 1999, is located at the north end of Keewaydin Island. On December 22, 1987, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places....
- Old Collier County CourthouseOld Collier County CourthouseThe Old Collier County Courthouse is an historic two-story concrete and stucco courthouse building located in Everglades, Florida. Designed in the Classical Revival style, it was built in 1926 by Barron Collier, who developed Collier County and for whom the county was named. In 1962 the county...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Collier County, Florida
Government links/Constitutional offices
- Collier County official website / Board of County Commissioners official website
- Collier County Supervisor of Elections
- Collier County Property Appraiser
- Collier County Sheriff's Office
- Collier County Tax Collector
Special districts
Judicial branch
- Collier County Clerk of Courts
- Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit serving CharlotteCharlotte County, FloridaCharlotte County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 141,627. In 2005, the population of the MSA was 154,030.The U.S. Census Bureau 2007 estimate for the county was 152,814...
, Collier, GladesGlades County, FloridaGlades County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 10,576. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 11,252 . Its county seat is Moore Haven, Florida.- History :...
, HendryHendry County, FloridaHendry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 36,210. The U.S. Census Bureau 2007 estimate for the county is 39,611 . Its county seat is La Belle. The county comprises the Clewiston, Florida, Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Hendry County...
and LeeLee County, FloridaLee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. Located in southwest Florida, the principal cities in the county are Fort Myers and Cape Coral...
Counties - Office of the State Attorney, 20th Judicial Circuit
- Circuit and County Court for the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida