RANK #942 / 1001 NAT · #41 / 41 FL · POP 817,666
1YR FORECAST: -3.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +9%
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.
Lee County is one of 76 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of -4.4% runs below the profile's typical -3.7%.
See all 76 Sun Belt Post-Surge Correction counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 15.4x — 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 Lee County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties · counties where safety is improving.
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 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Lee County scores just 5/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #942 of 1001 counties. Job growth at +0.9% and median household income of $76,107 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 $362,200 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 $1,712/month on average.
Lee County's population is growing — up +3.1% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.9%). Home values shifted -4.4% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.2% 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.