Marathon is a city on Knight's Key, Boot Key, Key Vaca, Fat Deer Key, Long Point Key, Crawl Key and Grassy Key islands in the middle Florida Keys, in Monroe County, Florida, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 10,255. As of 2005, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 10,626.[1]
Marathon, Florida | |
|---|---|
 Location in Monroe County and the state of Florida | |
 U.S. Census Bureau map showing city limits | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| County | Monroe |
| Area | |
| • Total | 9.6 sq mi (25 km2) |
| • Land | 8.6 sq mi (22.4 km2) |
| • Water | 1 sq mi (2.6 km2) |
| Elevation | 3 ft (1 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 10,255 |
| • Density | 1,068.2/sq mi (410.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes | 33050-33052 |
| Area code | 305 |
| FIPS code | 12-43000Template:GR |
| GNIS feature ID | 0286401Template:GR |
Geography
Marathon is located at 24°43′35″N 81°02′25″W / 24.726310°N 81.040327°W.Template:GR
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.0 km² (9.6 mi²). 22.4 km² (8.6 mi²) of it is land and 2.6 km² (1.0 mi²) of it (10.37%) is water. Its city limits extend 1200' from land into the adjacent waters.[2]
Boot Key Harbor is a natural body of water between Boot Key and Key Vaca, entirely within the Marathon city limits.[3]
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 10,255 people, 4,597 households, and 2,735 families residing in the city. The population density was 457.7/km² (1,186.1/mi²). There were 6,791 housing units at an average density of 303.1/km² (785.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.09% White, 4.65% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.00% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.43% of the population.
There were 4,597 households out of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.5% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.68.
In the city the population was spread out with 17.3% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 32.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 110.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,010, and the median income for a family was $46,361. Males had a median income of $27,057 versus $24,592 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,894. About 9.4% of families and 14.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or over.
Population history
| Year | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 14 | |
| 1830 | 28 | |
| 1840 | 140 | |
| 1850 | 280 | |
| 1860 | 410 | |
| 1870 | 480 | |
| 1880 | 497 | |
| 1890 | 568 | |
| 1900 | 648 | |
| 1910 | 990 | Florida East Coast Railway arrives in 1907. |
| 1920 | 1,024 | |
| 1930 | 1,105 | |
| 1940 | 984 | Pop. loss due to Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 |
| 1950 | 1,527 | |
| 1960 | 2,024 | |
| 1970 | 4,497 | |
| 1980 | 6,857 | |
| 1990 | 8,857 | Town incorporated in 1999. |
| 2000 | 10,255 | |
| 2005 | 10,626 |
Languages
As of 2000, English as a first language accounted for 78.10%, while Spanish as a mother tongue made up 20.95% of the population.[4]
History
Though the area has been settled for some time, Marathon is a relatively new city, incorporated in 1999. The city's boundaries (according to both the city and a 2001 Rand McNally road map of the Keys) extend from the east end of the Seven Mile Bridge (Mile Marker 47) to the west end of Tom's Harbor Bridge (Mile Marker 61), excluding that portion of the area within the city limits of Key Colony Beach. Among the islands found within the city limits are Boot Key, Knight Key, Hog Key, Vaca Key, Stirrup Key, Crawl Key, Little Crawl Key, East and West Sister’s Island, Deer Key, Fat Deer Key (excluding the portion in Key Colony Beach), Long Point Key, and Grassy Key.
The name Marathon dates back to the origin of the Florida East Coast Railroad. The name came about by the railroad workers who were working night and day to complete the railway – due to the unrelenting pace and struggle to complete the project, many of the workers complained that "this [the project] is getting to be a real Marathon", and was later used to name the local station along the railroad.[5]
Economy & Infrastructure
Marathon is a major sportsfishing destination, with several charter fishing boats departing from local marinas every morning to both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Bountiful reefs around Marathon make it a popular diving, snorkeling, spearfishing, and lobster tickling area. One of the last untouched tropical hardwood hammocks in the Keys is found at Crane Point Museum, just a few miles west of Marathon's airport. This airport is also one of the most reliable sites in the entire United States to see the hard-to-find Antillean Nighthawk. Like the rest of the Keys in summer, Gray Kingbird are often seen on telephone wires along US 1 and Black-whiskered Vireo incessantly sing in the hammocks.
Marathon is the home of the Fisherman's Hospital in the west end of the city. It is one of just three hospitals in the Florida Keys.
The City of Marathon offers many restaurants, including the popular The Island Tiki Bar and Grill, Keys Fisheries, Castaway and The Stuffed Pig. Marathon derives much of its livelihood from the ocean and seafood is a staple at most restaurants.
Marathon holds the distinction of having the tallest building in the Keys, Bonefish Towers on Coco Plum. Sombrero Country Club, the only Country Club in the Keys, is located here. It has been hit hard by several recent hurricanes. Marathon hosts Burrowing Owls.
Churches
- San Pablo Catholic Church
- Church of Christ
- Community Church United Methodist
- New Life Assembly of God
- St Columba Episcopal Church
- Marathon Seventh Day Adventist
- First Baptist Church
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
- Marathon Church of God
- Calvary Baptist Church
- Presbyterian USA Kirk-Keys
- Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall
- Martin Luther Chapel
Schools
- Stanley Switlik Elementary
- Marathon High School
- Martin Luther Children's Day School
- Kreative Kids Christian Academy
- Keys Fitness Center
- Island Christian School
Notable former residents
- Gary Burghoff (Radar from the TV series M*A*S*H)
- Nick Carter (Backstreet Boys member)
- Kenny G (musician)
- Bruce Willis & Demi Moore (actors)
- Tony Bryant (Former NFL player)