Lee County, Florida
Lee County,
Florida nestles along the
southwestern coast of the Gulf of Mexico,
renowned for year round sunshine and world-class beaches. This beautiful
patchwork of communities enjoys reasonable living costs and a crime rate that
ranks among the lowest of FL’s major metropolitan areas. Lee County lies
approximately 115 miles west of
Fort
Lauderdale and 125 miles south of
Tampa via
Interstate 75. Miami is
125 miles away via
U.S.
Highway 41.
Lee County, FL, according to Census 2000, was home to 440,888 citizens; however, estimates in 2005 indicate a 23.6% surge in population to 544,758 individuals. Lee County is the most populous Southwestern FL County and is the 63rd fastest growing county in the United States. Lee County, Florida encompasses the entire Cape Coral – Fort Myers Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and includes numerous island communities, incorporated and unincorporated municipalities. Some of the largest incorporated municipalities include Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel. Fort Myers serves as the seat of Lee County; Cape Coral is the largest city in the county.
Located along the banks of the Caloosahatchee River, Fort Myers, FL serves as a scenic gateway to a long stretch of islands in Southwest Florida - a popular vacation destination. Famous Americans such as Thomas Edison and Henry Ford called Fort Myers their home in the winter months of the 19th century. This dynamic city boasts a fantastic fishing scene and has two sports complexes that host the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins for spring training each year. Fort Myers is also home to several outstanding higher learning facilities that include Edison College, Florida Gulf Coast University and Nova Southeastern University.
Cape Coral, whose population exceeded 140,000 in 2005, remains one of the fastest growing cities in FL. Located on a large peninsula of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Cape Coral situates between Matlacha Pass in the west and the Caloosahatchee River in the east. Cape Coral, a delightful coastal town, has the reputation of a family friendly destination with an impressive array of attractions for people of all ages. Cape Coral stakes claim to a 115 square mile area of the beautiful region and lies within a 90-minute drive of Sarasota. St. Petersburg is the nearest city with a population that exceeds 200,000.
Lee County, Florida boasts a solid reputation as an appealing location to grow a business. This dynamic region features a well-established economic environment conducive to growth while maintaining proper respect for the natural splendor of the area. In 2005, INC Magazine ranked the Cape Coral – Fort Myers area 9th out of 25 medium-sized metropolitan cities for entrepreneurs, while Forbes Magazine ranked the MSA 2nd among 150 cities for job growth. Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicated that Lee County was the sixth highest county in the US for job growth between September 2003 and September 2004. Construction and retail trade lead the local economy, with companies such as Lee County School District, Lee Memorial Health System and Publix Super Markets providing a significant number of jobs to the area. Residents in Lee County earn a median household income of $40,319, while the median income for a family is $46,430.
Lee County, Florida features numerous communities, each offering cultural and recreational opportunities. More than 2 million tourists a year come for the pristine white-sand beaches, festivals, fishing and historical attractions. More than 540,000 people stay in Lee County for its laid-back lifestyle and fantastic quality of life.
