RANK #517 / 1001 NAT · #21 / 41 FL · POP 201,064
1YR FORECAST: -1.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
Punta Gorda, the county seat, stands out as a historic town overlooking Charlotte Harbor, featuring brick streets and restored late 19th and early 20th-century buildings. Charlotte County, located on Florida's southwestern coast, is approximately 100 miles south of Tampa and 30 miles north of Fort Myers. The community offers a relaxed, coastal atmosphere with extensive natural amenities, including 219 miles of shoreline, over 70 parks, and numerous waterways. Residents and visitors can enjoy kayaking in Charlotte Harbor, cycling on trails like the Cape Haze Pioneer Trail, or exploring environmental parks such as Cedar Point Environmental Park, which features mangrove forests and salt marshes.
Life in Charlotte County is characterized by its outdoor focus and a blend of demographics, including retirees and families. The public school system, Charlotte County Public Schools, serves areas like Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, and Englewood, with top-ranked schools including Florida Southwestern Collegiate High School. While public transportation is available as a shared-ride, curb-to-curb service, many residents rely on personal vehicles for commuting. The local economy is experiencing growth, with recent developments in industrial and logistics sectors, particularly around the Punta Gorda Airport. Healthcare, retail, construction, and hospitality also contribute to the economic landscape.
Charlotte County is one of 76 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of -4.9% runs below the profile's typical -3.7%.
See all 76 Sun Belt Post-Surge Correction counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 20.9x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Charlotte County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties · counties where safety is improving.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Amazon Logistics/Distribution Center
Amazon
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
Green Pasture Solar Farm
Florida Power & Light Co.
|
$74M | Operating |
|
FPL Babcock Ranch Solar Energy Center
Florida Power & Light Co.
|
$74M | Operating |
|
Boca Grande Peninsula Resort & Marina
Unknown
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Livano Charlotte Harbor (Apartment Complex)
Unknown
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Charlotte County scores 48/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#517). Median household income is $69,952 and job growth is running at +2.1%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Charlotte County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $328,900 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.21 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,464/month on average.
Charlotte County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +3.1% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.1% clip. Home values shifted -4.9% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.73% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Charlotte County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.