Anna Maria

Anna Maria, Florida: Tourism & Advertising Profile
Anna Maria is a small coastal city on the northern end of Anna Maria Island in Manatee County. It is known for its old-Florida character, quiet residential atmosphere, beautiful beaches, wildlife, and laid-back lifestyle.

🌴 Origins & History
Anna Maria Island has a history that goes back long before modern tourism. The area was inhabited by Indigenous peoples, including the Timucuan, before European exploration. The exact origin of the name Anna Maria is debated, but one tradition connects it to Maria Anna of Neuburg, Queen of Spain.

Modern settlement began in the 1890s, when George Emerson Bean established a homestead on the northern end of the island. In 1913, his son helped establish the Anna Maria Development Company, promoting the island as both a seasonal resort and a year-round community.

This history gives Anna Maria a valuable tourism identity: a destination that has maintained its old-Florida character while becoming a popular vacation spot.

👥 Population
The City of Anna Maria is very small compared with nearby Bradenton:

2010: 1,503 residents
2020: 968 residents
Area: approximately 0.86 square miles
Many property owners are seasonal or part-time residents.
The small population contributes to the city's intimate, peaceful atmosphere and makes it feel more like a coastal village than a major resort city.

🏖️ Tourism & Advertising Appeal
🌊 Beautiful Gulf beaches and clear coastal waters
🌅 Spectacular sunsets
🐬 Dolphins, manatees and other marine wildlife
🐢 Loggerhead sea turtle nesting
🎣 Fishing, boating and kayaking
🏡 Historic homes and Old Florida architecture
🚲 Relaxed island lifestyle
🌴 Quiet, natural and less commercial atmosphere
Anna Maria is particularly attractive for travelers looking for relaxation, nature, romance, family vacations and an authentic Florida experience.

🎯 Advertising Positioning
Anna Maria's biggest marketing advantage is authenticity. Rather than competing only on beaches, advertising can focus on the feeling of escaping to a simpler, slower version of Florida.

Old Florida. New Memories.

Small Island. Endless Escape.

Where the Gulf Meets Old Florida.

Slow Down. You’re on Anna Maria.

Come for the Beach. Stay for the Way of Life.