Stock Island is a census-designated place (CDP) & Unincorporated community on an island of the same name in the Florida Keys in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The population of the CDP was 4,410 at the 2000 census. It is located on the portion of the island south of US 1. It is supposedly named for the herds of livestock formerly kept there. Alternatively, some local historians suggest that it may be named for an early settler. Due to the quiet peripheral location compared to the tourist hustle and bustle on and in Key West, it is now an insider tip and because of its relative naturalness called the “real Key West”.
The community tends to be residential in character, rather than the tourist-oriented Key West, with a year-round population. Stock Island has a thriving artist community with specific enclaves that encompass two or more artists/shops: Stock Yard Studios, the Art Shack, Washed Up Studios, Art at the Perry Hotel, Studios at Stock Island Marina Village & Studios at Safe Harbor.
Ten marinas and boat yards on the island are home to live-aboard residents, offer transient slips, charters and water sports activities: 3D Boat Yard, Cow Key Marina, Hurricane Hole Restaurants & Marina, Murray Marine, Ocean’s Edge Key West Hotel and Marina, Robbie’s Full Service Marina, Safe Harbor Marina, Stock Island Marina Village, Stock Island Yacht Club & Marina and Sunset Marina.
There are many restaurants and food trucks: Chicos Cantina, Croissants de Stock Island, Dolphin Deli, El Mocho, El Siboney Stock Island, Hog Fish Bar & Grill, Hurricane Joe’s Bar & Grill, Lost Kitchen Supper Club, Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar, One Love Food Truck, Roostica Wood-Fired Pizza, Salty Oyster Dockside Bar & Grill, Stock Island Barrel House, Stock Rock Cafe, Taco Express, The Club at Stock Island Yacht Club, The Jerk, Until It’s Gone, Yahman’s Authentic Jamaican Jerk Shack, and Yellowfin Bar & Grill. There is one distillery and two craft breweries.
“I Love Stock Island” runs a three-day festival in December featuring a lighted boat parade, tours of the island, and culinary contests. They also promote the artist and business community and organize quarterly island-wide clean up days. The Key West Golf Club and residential complex, which takes up nearly one-quarter of the island is on the City of Key West side.
