Cape Coral
RANK #970 / 996 NAT · #40 / 41 FL · POP 772,902
1YR FORECAST: -5.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +6%
Sanibel Island, known for its exceptional shelling and nature-focused environment, is a distinctive part of Lee County, Florida. Located on Florida's southwest coast, Lee County is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and is approximately two hours from Miami and two and a half hours from Tampa. The community offers a blend of urban and coastal living, with Fort Myers serving as the county seat with a historic downtown and arts scene. The region is recognized for its natural amenities, including white-sand beaches, numerous parks, preserves, and access to the Caloosahatchee River for boating and kayaking. Lee County Parks & Recreation manages over 30,000 acres of parks and facilities, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Life in Lee County attracts a mix of retirees, families, and young professionals. The area's quality of life is a draw for both residents and businesses. Commute options include major roadways like I-75 and US Highway 41, and public transportation is available through LeeTran bus and trolley services. The Lee County School District provides public education, with several highly-rated schools. The economy is experiencing growth, with significant investment in commercial and residential development, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Prices declining
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.4x 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.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Lee Health Capital Improvements
Lee Health
|
$1,500M | Planned |
|
The Kingston Project (Mixed-Use Development)
Cameratta Companies
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Affordable Housing Communities (24 projects)
Lee County
|
$300M | Planned |
|
Wever Solar Project
Alliant Energy
|
$250M | Under Construction |
|
Bonita Estero Rail Trail (BERT)
Trust for Public Land
|
$82M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Lee County scores just 2/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #970 of 996 counties. Job growth at +1.9% and median household income of $69,368 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Lee County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $290,900 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.24 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,466/month on average.
Lee County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.8% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.9% clip. Home values shifted -9.4% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.07% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Lee County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values fell -9.4% over the past year in Lee County, bringing the median down to $290,900. A drop of that magnitude usually reflects weakening demand or population outflow — worth watching if you're considering buying here.