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Duck Key

Duck Key

Located in Monroe County

$1,819,823 Average Value
$921 Average Price per Sq Ft
23 Homes For Sale

Duck Key offers resort-style living all year

Duck Key eerily resembles a duck floating in the Atlantic Ocean — hence the name. But this island in the Florida Keys is much more than a tiny, waterfowl-shaped community. Located halfway between Marathon and Layton, the Key is known for its resort feel, and not just because it’s home to Hawks Cay Resort. “It’s an exclusive little community,” says longtime Keys resident Rose Dell, broker associate with Keller Williams Key West Compass Realty. “It’s not gated, but it feels very posh.” The island sits on the south side of U.S. Highway 1, or Overseas Highway, with waterfront homes centered around a private social club and recreation center. Residents can join the active Duck Key Fishing Club, dine at Hawks Cay’s fine restaurants and store their boats at the local marina. Hurricanes are just as likely here as the rest of the Keys, but the island’s concrete block structures are well-equipped to handle high winds and rising water. Flood insurance is a must, and premiums can be high, but some consider the price a fair exchange for the upscale island lifestyle.

Hawks Cay Resort can be found once you enter Duck Key offering many family ameneties.
Hawks Cay Resort can be found once you enter Duck Key offering many family ameneties.
Hawks Cay resort offers a dolphin encounter in Duck Key.
Hawks Cay resort offers a dolphin encounter in Duck Key.
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Million-dollar waterfront homes are typical in Duck Key

Duck Key is one of the more costly middle Keys. It features raised waterfront homes with wraparound porches reminiscent of the Bahamian-style conch home. Many homes are framed by tropical foliage; some come with private pools or docks. Smaller properties under 1,000 square feet are found farther inland and can cost between $800,000 and $1 million, while larger homes and oceanside estates can sell between $1 million and $3 million. Homes on the far southern end of the island tend to be the largest and most ornate and can easily top the $5 million mark. “They have bigger lots, better boating access, and there’s a consistency to the concrete homes. So it’s no surprise that it’s more expensive,” Dell says. Empty lots are also available for buyers to build their dream home. These parcels are usually less than half an acre and cost between $300,000 and $600,000. Furnished condos and townhouses are also available on the grounds of Hawks Cay Resort, offering an amenity-rich resort lifestyle for $700,000 to $800,000.

The canals of Duck Key offer crystal clear water.
The canals of Duck Key offer crystal clear water.
Luxury and modern homes are a new addition to Duck Key.
Luxury and modern homes are a new addition to Duck Key.
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Club Duck Key is the center of recreation

In addition to providing a central docking point for residents, the Duck Key Marina offers wet and dry boat storage. At the center of the community, Club Duck Key serves as a recreation center for the entire island, even welcoming residents from neighboring Keys to use its tennis courts, pickleball courts and outdoor pool. The Lagoon, an adventure park and day resort on the coast of Grassy Key, is home to an adrenaline-pumping obstacle course that stretches over the water. The resort also includes Keys Cable Park, which operates a cable system that allows wakeboarders a boat-free experience. Curry Hammock State Park, a secluded reserve for beachgoers, kayakers and campers, is about 6 miles away.

The Duck Key Club offers a pool, clubhouse, tennis court and green space.
The Duck Key Club offers a pool, clubhouse, tennis court and green space.
The pool at Duck Club Key is a popular amenity and place to cool off.
The pool at Duck Club Key is a popular amenity and place to cool off.
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Underwater concerts and Hemingway Days

Community events such as happy hours, holiday festivals, tiki nights and luncheons occur monthly at Club Duck Key. The Florida Keys also host several exciting events throughout the year, including the Underwater Music Festival. This 40-year tradition features a radio concert beneath the waves at Looe Key Reef, raising money and awareness for reef protection. Many divers bring marine-themed faux instruments to “play” during the show. In summer, Key West returns to the 1930s during Hemingway Days, which honor the famed author and his love for the island with lookalike contests, street fairs and a sunset 5K. Additional events include the Lower Keys Island Art Festival in Big Pine Key.

Dockside restaurants at Hawks Cay Resort

Angler and Ale, a dockside restaurant just off the Overseas Highway, marks the beginning of Hawks Cay Resort. This vacation destination also provides fine dining options for Duck Key’s residents. The resort also includes Sixty-One Prime, a steakhouse whose walls are covered with nautical photography. Neighboring Grassy Key is home to Bongo’s Botanical Beer Garden and Café, one of the premier restaurants within the adventure park The Lagoon. The beer garden serves a variety of brews made from island-grown fruits that locals can sip while strolling the tropical gardens. There are plenty of hammocks to relax in, while daily concerts keep the energy high. Across the street, locally owned Georgie’s Coffee is a popular stop, especially for dog owners who can dine with their pups on the patio. The closest grocery store is the Publix Super Market, about 12 miles away in Marathon, where shoppers will also find Winn-Dixie and Walgreens.

Bongos Botanical Beer Garden can be found in the Lagoon just minutes from Duck Key.
Bongos Botanical Beer Garden can be found in the Lagoon just minutes from Duck Key.
Anglers and Ale is a popular in Duck Key restaurant overlooking Hawks Cay Marina.
Anglers and Ale is a popular in Duck Key restaurant overlooking Hawks Cay Marina.
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Early college credits are available at Marathon High

Stanley Switlik Elementary, which receives a B-plus from Niche, is a 13-mile bus ride away on Boot Key. B-rated Marathon Middle High School enrolls sixth through 12th grade students and offers juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn early college credit through the Dual Enrollment Collegiate Academy. As part of Monroe County School District, students can enroll in any district school, although bus service is only offered for students attending their zoned locations.

Children in Duck Key can begin their education at Stanley Switlik Elementary.
Children in Duck Key can begin their education at Stanley Switlik Elementary.
Marathon Middle High School in Duck Key is home to the Dolphins.
Marathon Middle High School in Duck Key is home to the Dolphins.
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Miami-Dade buses are accessible in Marathon

Like many of the Keys, Duck is primarily a car-dependent area. Miami-Dade County bus routes extend through the upper and middle Keys, but the closest stop is 12 miles away in Marathon outside the Florida Keys-Marathon International Airport. The Overseas Highway also leads past Marathon’s Baptist Health Fishermen’s Community Hospital.

Duck Key residents can fly into and out of Marathon Airport.
Duck Key residents can fly into and out of Marathon Airport.
A public bus connecting Monroe County to Miami Dade County runs on the Overseas Highway in Duck Key.
A public bus connecting Monroe County to Miami Dade County runs on the Overseas Highway in Duck Key.
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Hannah Rainey
Written By
Hannah Rainey
Daniele Giuseppe Del Gaudio
Photography Contributed By
Daniele Giuseppe Del Gaudio
Drew Webster
Video By
Drew Webster

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Patti Nickless, an experienced agent in this area.

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Duck Key Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$1,199,000
Median Sale Price
$1,095,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,650,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$642,500
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$645,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
9%
Last 12 months Home Sales
13
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
56%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$921

Area Facts

Number of Homes
143
Number of Homes for Sale
23
Median Year Built
1999
Months of Supply
21.20
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,165
Above the national average
1,930
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
966
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
900
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,316

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Feb 28
    Open Sat 11AM - 1PM

    344 E Seaview Dr, Marathon, FL 33050

    $2,800,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 1,960 Sq Ft
    • 344 E Seaview Dr

    Welcome to your island oasis on prestigious Yacht Club Island in Duck Key. This elegantly upgraded 3-bedroom, 3-bath residence delivers the ultimate Florida Keys lifestyle with exceptional boating, privacy, and resort-style living. Step inside to discover a beautifully appointed interior with tasteful finishes throughout--designed for both full-time living and luxurious retreats. Enjoy canal

    Agent Photo
    Natalie Ardis
    Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Co.
    (786) 321-4867
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  • Saturday, Feb 28
    Open Sat 11AM - 1PM

    272 W Seaview Dr, Marathon, FL 33050

    $2,495,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,028 Sq Ft
    • 272 W Seaview Dr

    Welcome to your private island retreat in the heart of Duck Key. Perfectly positioned just a few homes from the Seaview Channel, this exceptional waterfront residence offers instant access to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico--an ideal setting for boaters, entertainers, and families alike.This beautifully maintained home features three bedrooms and three baths, including downstairs

    Thomas Carden Keys to the Coast Real Estate LLC

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  • Friday, Mar 6
    Open Fri 11AM - 2PM

    5067 Sunset Village Dr Unit B-100, Marathon, FL 33050

    $609,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 1.5 Baths
    • 780 Sq Ft
    • 5067 Sunset Village Dr
    • Unit B-100

    Motivated Seller*** Escape to your own island getaway and unwind in style at this stunning two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath villa, offering breathtaking water views from the patio. As part of the Hawks Cay Resort rental management program, enjoy access to all on-site amenities. With a proven rental history, this property presents a fantastic opportunity to own a second home that generates income.

    Stephanie Cowart Coastal Realty of the Florida Keys

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Duck Key Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
983
Median Age
59
Population under 18
12.4%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
39.6%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$81,104
On par with the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$101,284

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
92.8%
College Graduates
41.9%
Advanced Degrees
24.3%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
53.5%
Below the national average
64.9%

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

42 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®®

0 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Duck Key