Located in the southernmost tip of the Florida peninsula, Key West is the last of the islands in archipelago known as Florida Keys situated in the westernmost end of the islands’ chain. Key West is also known as the Conch Republic, a micro-nation founded in 1982, and the southern terminus of U.S. Highway 1.

The city of Key West in the island of the same name is the county seat of Monroe County, just 90 miles (145 km) from Cuba in the south, and 129 miles (207 km) southwest of Miami, about 160 driving miles.

It is estimated that 32% of the entire population of the Keys lives in Key West City, commonly noted as a gay vacation destination, and the only city in the United States housing the first Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

Often referred to as "The Last Resort", Key West is accessible by the Overseas Highway, but as a seaport destination, there are numerous passenger cruise ships arriving here.

The Key West International Airport offers direct flights to the island all year round, and the large array of accommodations makes it possible to find the right lodging choice among hotels, motels, luxury resorts, guesthouses, inns, and bed & breakfast facilities.

Even camping is exciting at Key West and the number of campgrounds and RVs areas are bigger than in any other key. For vacation rentals, townhouses, cottages or splendid condominiums, Key West has a vibrant real estate market.

According to the US Census Bureau, there were 25,478 people, 11,016 households, and 5,463 families residing in Key West City as of 2000. There were also 13,306 housing units at an average density of 2,237.9/mi² (863.4/km²) and the population density was 4,285.0/mi² (1,653.3/km²).

A total of 19.9% out of the total household had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.7% were married couples living together, and 50.4% were non-families. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age of Key West inhabitants was 39 years, while there were 100 females age 18 and over, there were 126 males. More reported ancestries as of 2000 were 12.4% English, 12.2% German, 11.3% Irish, 6.8% Italian, 6.0% American, and 3.6% French.

Racial makeup of Key West was 84.94% White, 16.54% Hispanic or Latino of any race, 9.28% African American, 1.29% Asian, 0.39% Native American, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.86% from other races, and 2.18% from two or more races of the population.

In Key West, the median income for a household $43,021 and the median income for a family was $50,895. The per capita income for the city was $26,316. About 10.2% of the population and 5.8% of families were below the poverty line.

The Historic District of Key West is Old Town, a picturesque district with narrow streets and limited parking. The so-called New Town located on the northern part of the island is the area where most of the lodging facilities reside.

Tourism and real estate are the major businesses in Key West. Whether for relocation, vacation rentals or buying a property, real estate companies, realtors, agents and brokers will help you to find the best deals. Some of the most popular include the following companies:

- At Home in Key West

- Action Keys Realty

- Amerirealty / Amerimortgage

- Accommodations of the Florida Keys

- Bascom Grooms Real Estate

- Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Co.

- Exit Realty Old Island Key West

- Florida Keys Realty, Inc.

- Key West by the Sea Rentals and Sales

- Keys to the Sea Realty

- Property Management of Key West

- Prudential Knight-Keyside Properties

- Re/Max Southernmost, Velocity Asset Group

- Real Estate Company of Key West, Inc.

- Resort Realty & Appraisals, Inc.

- Truman Annex Real Estate Co., Inc.

- Your Real Estate Connection

As gay and lesbian destination, Key West is best known by the town's official motto, "One Human Family". The city houses a one-of-a-kind museum, the Key West Gay and Lesbian Museum and Archive opened in June 2006 at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center.

The museum displays different exhibits, including an extensive collection of papers and memorabilia of Richard A. Heyman, a city's gay mayor who died of AIDS in 1994. After this event, a permanent AIDS Memorial was built on White Street Pier.

However, there are many other attractions in Key West, including sightseeing tours, waterparks, beaches, and dolphin adventure tours, a large number of parks, the Dry Tortugas National Park, and the Theater in Key West for children and adult alike.

Fishing, kayaking, snorkeling and surfing are just a few of the countless watersports available in the island. Other activities include eco-tours that approach visitors to the nature, learning more about Florida's environment.

The Key West Tourist Development Association established the Fantasy Fest in 1979, a successful Halloween event that attracts nearly 80,000 tourists every year to Key West.

Key West is also rich in history. During the 1800’s, many immigrants from the Bahamas arrived to Key West. Former inhabitants were knows as Conchs, and over time the terms "Conchs" began to be applied to all residents of Key West.

Among residents, they call "Salt Water Conch" any person born in Key West, while the "Fresh Water Conch" is the term to refer to residents not born in Key West but who has lived in the island for at least seven years.

Another attraction in Key West is the numerous celebrities who are also called accordingly. Hence, some of the Salt Water Conchs we can name are George Mira, Stepin Fetchit, David Robinson, and Bronson Arroyo.

Popular Fresh Water conchs are Bruce Willis, Glen Frey, Jimmy Buffett, Elizabeth Bishop, Kelly McGillis, Shel Silverstein, Meg Cabot, Jerry Herman, Stephen Mallory, and Wallace Stevens.

However, the most notable Key West residents were President Harry S. Truman, Tennessee Williams, whose typewriter is exhibited at the Key West Gay and Lesbian Museum, and Ernest Hemingway, whose memory has kept alive the Cuban Connection.