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Tavernier

Tavernier

Located in Monroe County

$1,240,563 Average Value
$888 Average Price per Sq Ft
97 Homes For Sale

A wildlife-filled upper Key

Between its tidal pools and mangrove lagoons, Tavernier is no stranger to Florida wildlife. The island, home to the Garden Club of the Upper Keys and the Florida Keys Wild Bird Sanctuary, began as a small fishing community in the early 1900s. For decades, the island’s shallow flats have supported native birds such as cormorants, pelicans, egrets and herons, while the lagoon’s grassy beds welcomed small barracuda. Now, it’s considered one of the largest upper Keys, and while it has a handful of businesses, locals say it’s the proximity to the nearby cities that make this an attractive area. “The key to that area – no pun intended – is that it’s nestled between Key Largo and Islamorada, giving you the amenities of both towns right at your fingertips,” says 23-year Keys resident Lorie Leal, a sales associate with American Caribbean Christie’s International Real Estate. Like the cities, Tavernier is well-equipped for full-time residents, with its own grocery store, commercial town center and hospital. “Being close to the hospital is nice. It has a gym there that anyone can come and use,” Leal says. But despite its growth, Tavernier is still a fishing village at heart, with plenty of waterfront homes and local marinas.

Fishing is a huge part of the culture and community in Tavernir.
Fishing is a huge part of the culture and community in Tavernir.
Residents of Tavernir enjoying kayaking around the island.
Residents of Tavernir enjoying kayaking around the island.
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Swim at Harry Harris Park’s protected beach

Harry Harris Park is home to the island’s only protected beach, a tidal pool that creates a safe area for residents to swim. The park also includes a colorful playground, basketball court and baseball fields surrounded by more than a dozen picnic tables and pavilions. Local boaters appreciate the park’s deep-water boat ramp, which makes it easy to set off in search of bonefish and small tarpon. The island is also close to a string of red mangrove islands, with lagoons attracting kayakers and canoers. Old Settler’s Park, an oceanside green space, features a butterfly garden, playground and large picnic shelter. Islamorada’s Founders Park is a destination for youth sports, with a massive aquatic center surrounded by courts for tennis, basketball and pickleball and fields for soccer and baseball. The park also includes a spacious outdoor amphitheater and a fenced dog area.

Residents of Tavernir can head to the beach at Founders Park to cool off.
Residents of Tavernir can head to the beach at Founders Park to cool off.
Fishing is a huge part of the culture and community in Tavernir.
Fishing is a huge part of the culture and community in Tavernir.
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Historic homes and waterfront properties are common in Tavernier

Tavernier’s housing stock is a mix of old and new. “Historic Tavernier, or Old Tavernier as we call it, has a bunch of historic Key West homes, which are really cool,” Leal says. Some of these raised cottages date back to the 1930s, although most were built in the 1950s. Concrete block and stucco homes with two or three bedrooms are priced between $600,000 and $900,000, while stilt homes can cost between $800,000 and $2 million. Grand waterfront properties range from $2 million to $5 million and often come with private docks. Undeveloped quarter-acre lots are also available, ranging between $120,000 and $350,000. A few condo complexes, such as the midrise Ocean Pointe building, offer two-bedroom options for between $500,000 and $750,000.

Tavernir homes are known for their beach vibes and tropical character.
Tavernir homes are known for their beach vibes and tropical character.
Tavernir offers large waterfront homes near Harry Harris Park.
Tavernir offers large waterfront homes near Harry Harris Park.
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Bringing a taste of winter to the Keys

For 20 years, Islamorada has hosted an annual Holiday Fest at Founders Park in December. “They’ll truck in a snow machine, which is kind of hilarious,” Leal says. “It’s 80 degrees, and kids are running around in the snow.” Islamorada also organizes events such as Art Under the Oaks, a fine arts and crafts fair often held at San Pedro Catholic Church.

Groceries and games at Tavernier Towne Center

As one of the larger middle Keys, Tavernier has a much more robust commercial footprint than many surrounding islands. Tavernier Towne Center, which sits at the southern end of the Key, is home to a Winn-Dixie grocery store, the Tavernier Cinema, a post office, salons and a few casual restaurants. The shopping center also includes the Pinfish Entertainment arcade, where kids can test their skills on old-fashioned arcade games and mini-bowling. “There aren’t a ton of things like that up there for the kids, so it’s nice,” says Amy Prumo, a sales associate with Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Company and a resident of nearby Marathon. “The parents go there for the axe throwing and the beer.” U.S. Highway 1, or the Overseas Highway, supports the remainder of the area’s shopping and dining scene with popular local spots like Café Moka, a relaxed coffee shop specializing in French pastries. Sunrise Cuban Market & Café is another popular breakfast stop, while Dillon’s Pub & Grill attracts a crowd on Thursday nights for its full Irish menu. The sports bar is also a local favorite for catching Florida Panthers hockey games. Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory puts a twist on the traditional dessert with creative menu items such as a chocolate-dipped Key Lime Pie slice.

The Winn-Dixie at Tavernir Town Center offers groceries at a reasonable price.
The Winn-Dixie at Tavernir Town Center offers groceries at a reasonable price.
A movie theater and retail shops are found in Tavernir Towne Center .
A movie theater and retail shops are found in Tavernir Towne Center .
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Career preparation at Coral Shores High

Plantation Key School, which receives an A-minus on Niche, serves kindergarten through eighth grade students. Coral Shores High School, which also scores an A-minus, is home to a 740-seat performing arts center and offers industry certification courses for culinary arts, digital video production, biomedical science and cosmetology. The school also participates in Monroe County’s MOVE Program, or Monroe Occupation and Vocational Experiences, which affords students hands-on career training with local businesses.

Students attend the Coral Shores High School for their secondary studies.
Students attend the Coral Shores High School for their secondary studies.
Plantation Key School offers both elementary and middle school learning.
Plantation Key School offers both elementary and middle school learning.
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Miami-Dade bus service extends to the upper Keys

Miami-Dade’s 301 Dade-Monroe Express bus services the upper and middle Keys, making several stops along the Overseas Highway. The closest stop is about 5 miles away at Mile Marker 87, but there’s an additional stop just over 6 miles away in Key Largo at Mile Marker 98. The closest airport, Florida Keys-Marathon International, is about 40 miles south.

Tavernir residents can catch a ride into Miami with the Miami-Dade Transit bus.
Tavernir residents can catch a ride into Miami with the Miami-Dade Transit bus.
Tavernir offers crystal clear blue waters and world class fishing off its shores.
Tavernir offers crystal clear blue waters and world class fishing off its shores.
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Preparing for hurricanes and high insurance rates

Like all the Florida Keys, Tavernier is susceptible to damage from tropical storms and hurricanes. Monroe County operates a zoned evacuation plan and will notify residents promptly when evacuation is ordered. Rising flood insurance rates also affect many homebuyers.

Tavernir offers large waterfront homes near Harry Harris Park.
Tavernir offers large waterfront homes near Harry Harris Park.
Homes of Tavernir are known for having private boat docks many sporting pools.
Homes of Tavernir are known for having private boat docks many sporting pools.
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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 Teresa Schwarz, an experienced agent in this area.

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Tavernier Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$960,000
Median Sale Price
$974,999
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,462,500
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$348,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$605,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
212
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-12%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$888

Area Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
2,274
Number of Homes for Sale
97
Median Year Built
1983
Months of Supply
5.50
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,770
Below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,280
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
957
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
692
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,534

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Tavernier Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
2,726
Median Age
50
Population under 18
17.4%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27.3%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$52,544
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$84,067

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
87.9%
College Graduates
29.9%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
13.2%
% Population in Labor Force
62.2%
On par with the national average
65.1%

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®®

54 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®®

4 / 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.
Tavernier
Teresa Schwarz
Lyfe Realty Group
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