Treasure Island is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 7,450. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 7,521.
Geography
Treasure Island is located at 27°46′8″N 82°46′6″W / 27.76889°N 82.76833°W / 27.76889; -82.76833 (27.768854, -82.768225).[3]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.8 km² (5.3 mi²). 4.1 km² (1.6 mi²) of it is land and 9.7 km² (3.7 mi²) of it (70.11%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 7,450 people, 4,128 households, and 2,059 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,809.1/km² (4,679.0/mi²). There were 5,694 housing units at an average density of 1,382.7/km² (3,576.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.69% White, 0.28% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.23% of the population.
There were 4,128 households out of which 10.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples living together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.1% were non-families. 41.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.80 and the average family size was 2.38.
In the city the population was spread out with 9.2% under the age of 18, 2.7% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 38.5% from 45 to 64, and 26.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,150, and the median income for a family was $64,158. Males had a median income of $38,903 versus $32,586 for females. The per capita income for the city was $34,965. About 3.9% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.4% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.
History
The area of Treasure Island was originally settled in small communities by the Timucua around 300 CE. The Timucua traded with other Indian tribes in the area until the arrival of Pánfilo de Narváez in 1528. De Narváez decimated the people and countless numbers of birds before leaving the area in search of gold.
Treasure Island got its name after several property owners attempted to boost sales of the properties being developed on the island by first burying and then "discovering" a couple of wooden chests on the beach. After claiming the chests were filled with treasure the news of the discovery quickly spread and people began calling the island Treasure Island.[4]
With an elevation of only three feet, the Great Gale of 1848 Hurricane, which carved out John's Pass on the Island's north end, also split off two smaller islands which are now the Isle of Palms and Capri Isle.
Treasure Island saw a surge in residential home and hotel growth following World War II through the 1950s. The real estate used in these ventures often consisted of dredged material.
Legendary Baseball slugger Babe Ruth had a winter beachfront home on Treasure Island after his retirement.
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