Florida · County profile
Sarasota County
Sarasota County includes Sarasota, North Port, Venice, Longboat Key, barrier islands, and unincorporated communities. The responsible permit or business office depends on whether the address is inside a municipality.
Last updated
Permits and licenses in Sarasota County
How county services are organized
The right office often depends on the property address and whether the service is administered countywide.
Sarasota County includes Sarasota, North Port, Venice, Longboat Key, barrier islands, and unincorporated communities. The responsible permit or business office depends on whether the address is inside a municipality.
Confirm the jurisdiction
County permitting generally serves unincorporated property. Sarasota, North Port, Venice, and Longboat Key may use municipal departments.
County business tax repealed
Sarasota County repealed its local business tax in July 2024, but city and state requirements can still apply.
Online permitting
County applications, plans, payments, and status are handled through Sarasota County's online permitting services.
Sarasota County facts
At a glance- County seat
- Sarasota
- Largest city
- North Port
- Municipalities
- 4
- Land area
- 556.00 sq mi
- 2020 Census geography
Population
Population at the 2010 and 2020 censuses and the July 2025 estimate.
- Population
- 479,958July 2025 estimate
- Population density
- 780.6 / sq mi2020 Census
- Households
- 212,2042020–2024
Income
- Median household income
- $83,4162020–2024, in 2024 dollars
- Per capita income
- $57,8352020–2024
- Poverty rate
- 8.6%2020–2024
Housing
- Owner-occupied housing
- 76.7%2020–2024
- Median home value
- $411,800Owner-occupied, 2020–2024
- Median gross rent
- $1,8182020–2024
Demographics
Selected measures from the latest available Census Bureau profile.
- Age 65 and older
- 38.8%2020–2024
- Bachelor’s degree or higher
- 40.8%People age 25+, 2020–2024
- Veterans
- 34,8672020–2024
Geography and communities
- Land area
- 556.00 sq mi
- County seat
- Sarasota
- Growth since 2010
- 26.5%2010 Census to 2025 estimate
Connectivity and commuting
- Broadband subscription
- 92.9%Households, 2020–2024
- Mean commute
- 24.5 minutesWorkers age 16+, 2020–2024
County contact information
Sarasota County Government
(941) 861-5000
Official county website ↗
Use the county’s official directory to confirm the responsible department. Incorporated municipalities may operate separate offices for address-dependent services.