Cedar Key is a small, historic Gulf of Mexico island community consisting of islands joined to the mainland and one another by bridges.
Cedar Key was permanently settled in 1839 and became the site of two Civil War skirmishes. Later, the first railroad in Florida had its Gulf terminus on Cedar Key and the community thrived as a site of major pencil mills owned by Eagle and Eberhard Faber.
It is now the USA's #1 producer of aquaculture clams - raised in net bags in the open Gulf of Mexico; and also serves as a base for recreational and charter fishing, nature tours and artistic pursuits.
With a population of of 800 (+/-) and a median age of 54, the community supports one of Florida's top testing and smallest public schools (125 students in K-12), the Cedar Key Arts Center and two museums - Cedar Key Historical Museum and State of Florida Museum with St. Clair Whitman House.
If you are seeking an arrival or return to "Old Florida" - small town atmosphere and a sense of community with clean air and numerous recreational opportunities - Cedar Key is ideal!
There is wonderful hiking, birding and biking in the Florida Cedar Key Scrub Preserve (4,988 acres only 5 miles away) and in the Lower Suwannee River Wildlife Management Reserve (53,000 acres only 11 miles away). Fishing, kayaking and boating on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico are only a launch away!
Where is Cedar Key?
Located in north central Florida (a state of zero income taxes), Cedar Key is approximately 130-140 miles from the Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville airports. Cedar Key is 65 miles west of Gainesville - home to the University of Florida - and the Gainesville Regional Airport.
OTHER CEDAR KEY LINKS: