Lee County | Life in Southwest Florida (2024)

FAQs

Is Lee County a good place to live? ›

Lee County is located in Florida with a population of 772,902. Lee County is one of the best places to live in Florida. In Lee County, most residents own their homes. In Lee County there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.

While Southwest Florida is a nice, peaceful place to live, it is a short drive to Tampa, Orlando, Miami, and other bustling cities. If you want to go to a professional sports game, shop at designer stores, or even fly out of the country, I-75 will get you there in mere hours or less. #4 The Natural Beauty.

With its beautiful beaches, warm climate, and affordable cost of living, it's no wonder many people choose to call this city home. However, the humidity, hurricanes, and seasonal crowds are factors to consider.

Most of the top 10 wealthiest counties in Florida are on the state's east coast. But Monroe County (aka the Florida Keys) ranked the wealthiest, and not far behind was Collier County in second place. Lee County was 12th in the state.

According to the UCR, the Lee County Sheriff's Office — which covers unincorporated Lee — recorded 5,440 total crimes in 2021 compared to 5,562 in 2020, a 2.2 percent decrease year-over-year. The 2021 crime rate was 1,126.2 — a 6.1 percent decline from the 1,199.4 rate in 2020.

Hendry County has an additional 1.5% added to their tax rate, giving them an overall sales tax rate of 7.5%. Lee County has an additional local tax of 0.5%, giving the county a total sales tax of 6.5 percent. Finally, Collier County does not have a local option sales tax, remaining at 6 percent.

Incredible neighborhoods and active communities, like Boca Grande's island community. Year-round outdoor activity, like biking, walking, gardening. Year-round swimming, boating, and other water sports. Southwest Florida is a great place to enjoy day trips.

Fort Myers ranked No. 1, with three other Florida cities making the top 5: Port St. Lucie (No. 3), Daytona Beach (4) and Tallahassee (5).

Fort Myers is one of the most affordable big cities in Florida and that gives it a score of eight out of 10 in affordability. Meanwhile, Naples offers a lot of upscale neighborhoods with the cost of living higher than the rest of Florida. This makes for a four out of 10 when it comes to affordability.

Is it cheaper to live in Cape Coral or Ft Myers? ›

While Florida is a cheaper place to live than other parts of the country, Cape Coral's cost of living is higher than the state average. Compared to nearby Fort Myers real estate, housing costs are 11% more expensive.

Fort Myers also features numerous museums, art galleries, and amusem*nt parks, so you'll always be able to find something to see or do. The cost of living tends to be fairly affordable in Fort Myers, thanks in large part to the fact that residents don't have to pay state income taxes.

Race and Ethnicity

In 2022, there were 6.48 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (498k people) in Lee County, FL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 76.8k White (Hispanic) and 70.2k Two+ (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

This sector produces more than $5.2 billion annually in Lee County. Lee Health is the largest employer in both Lee County and the five-county Southwest Florida region, with more than 14,000 employees and 4,500 volunteers.

Lee County is well known for its beautiful beaches and miles of recreational opportunities.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Lee County, AL are White (Non-Hispanic) (66.9%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (22.1%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (4.3%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.34%), and White (Hispanic) (1.73%).

Lee is a picturesque area rich in history and architectural importance thanks to its Victorian homes. Living in Lee gives you access to top-tier schools, making it an exceptional place for raising a family. Lee boasts excellent transportation links to London city, granting convenience for residents who commute.

One of the main attractions in Lee County is our beaches' sugar white sand and gentle waves. Your family can have an affordable getaway at a moment's notice. Many cultures and a rich history can be discovered in Lee County. Our area is internationally known as an eco-tourism hub.

In 2022, there were 6.48 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (498k people) in Lee County, FL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 76.8k White (Hispanic) and 70.2k Two+ (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups. 23.1% of the people in Lee County, FL are hispanic (179k people).