Sarasota County is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, FL metropolitan statistical area.

Evidence of human remains as well as a burned out log at the Warm Mineral Springs, in North Port, were discovered that date to the early Archaic period.

In the early twentieth-century, a fanciful story was created to go hand-in-hand with a pageant held in Sarasota.

[5] An early map of the area from 1763 shows the word "Zarazote" across present day Sarasota.

The closest any Democratic candidate has come since was Barack Obama in 2008, who lost in the county by just 211 votes.

Republicans have historically dominated the county commission and all but two countywide elected positions.

Aside from the typical law enforcement and fire departments, Sarasota County also utilizes an Emergency Management agency.

The cities of Sarasota, North Port, and Venice along with the Town of Longboat Key each have their own police departments.

The Florida Highway Patrol is responsible for patrolling FDOT maintained roads in the county (Florida State Highway System) and investigating motor vehicle accidents that occur in unincorporated areas.

All voter information is since October 31, 2024[update] and provided by Florida Department of Elections:[25] The Board of County Commissioners include the following:[26] The School Board members include the following:[27] As of the 2020 United States census, there were 434,006 people, 189,228 households, and 117,532 families residing in the county.

In January 2017, the Braves announced a formal agreement to move their Spring Training home to North Port.

The team played its first two seasons at Cleland Stadium at Ihrig Field at Sarasota High.

In its 2024 Season the Sarasota Paradise took home a Division championship[44] and qualified for playoffs for the first time in the team's history on July 15th, 2024.

The park will host the 2021 U.S. Dragon Boat Federation National Championships and the 2022 International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew World Championships, after holding the 2014 International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission world regatta.

The library system provides a variety of services which include adult, teen and children's materials.

Sarasota County residents have access to the Pinellas Talking Book Library as well as a Books-by-Mail service.

The first libraries were autonomous with the Head Librarians reporting directly to the County Administrator.

Joan Hopkins directed and coordinated library services for the rapidly growing population.