City · Florida

Cape Coral, Florida

Cape Coral, city, in Lee County, Florida. Cape Coral had 236,264 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 21.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 194,016 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 215,536 (±94). GEOID 1210275.

Residents, July 2025 estimate

236,264

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 194,016 · ACS 2020-2024: 215,536 ±94

Median household income

$78,104

±$2,925 (90% margin)
Florida: $74,568

Median home value

$373,500

±$5,846 (90% margin)
Florida: $359,000

Median gross rent

$1,858

±$44 (90% margin)
Florida: $1,669

Where is Cape Coral and what county is it in?

Cape Coral is a city in Lee County, Florida. It covers 106.3 square miles of land, 1,826 residents per square mile in 2020.

Cape Coral is in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).

Cape Coral (marked with a dot) in Lee County, Florida. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files

How many people live in Cape Coral, and is it growing?

The Census Bureau estimates that 236,264 people lived in Cape Coral on July 1, 2025, up 21.8% since 2020, faster than Florida (+8.9%). The 2020 Census counted 194,016 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 215,536 (±94).

  • July 2020→2021 +8,638 (204,080)
  • 2021→2022 +14,284 (218,364)
  • 2022→2023 +9,094 (227,458)
  • 2023→2024 +5,650 (233,108)
  • 2024→2025 +3,156 (236,264)
ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (counts) with the change from 2015-2019
Measure Cape CoralLee CountyFlorida Change since 2015-2019
Total population 215,536 ±94 817,666 22,416,077 +31,594
Households 82,914 ±1,533 327,803 8,752,810 +17,627
Average household size 2.59 ±0.05 2.45 2.51 −0.22
Housing units 100,679 ±1,316 441,194 10,256,470 +16,731

Cape Coral's population since 2000

From 102,286 in 2000 to 236,264 in 2025: up 131.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Cape Coral as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.

  • 2000 Census 102,286
  • 2005 (estimate) 134,741
  • 2010 Census 154,305
  • 2015 (estimate) 173,719
  • 2020 Census 194,016
  • 2025 (estimate) 236,264

Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov

Who lives in Cape Coral?

The median resident of Cape Coral is 48.6 years old; 17.6% are under 18 and 25.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 64.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 26.4%. 19.1% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin, education and moves, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure Cape CoralLee CountyFlorida Change since 2015-2019
Median age 48.6 ±0.8 49.0 42.6 +1.9
Under 18 years 17.6% ±0.7 pts 17.2% 19.5% –
65 years and over 25.0% ±1.0 pts 28.9% 21.3% –
Male 50.0% ±0.7 pts 49.2% 49.1% –
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 26.4% ±1.2 pts 24.7% 27.4% +5.5 pts
White alone, not Hispanic 64.6% ±1.3 pts 62.0% 50.4% −6.4 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic 4.0% ±0.7 pts 7.6% 14.6% no clear change
Asian alone, not Hispanic 1.4% ±0.3 pts 1.7% 2.9% no clear change
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic 0.0% ±0.1 pts 0.1% 0.1% –
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic 0.0% ±0.1 pts 0.0% 0.1% –
Two or more races, not Hispanic 3.1% ±0.6 pts 3.2% 3.8% –
Some other race alone, not Hispanic 0.4% ±0.3 pts 0.7% 0.7% –
Born outside the United States 19.1% ±1.2 pts 18.9% 21.9% +3.9 pts
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) 25.4% ±1.3 pts 25.8% 30.6% –
Civilian veterans (age 18+) 8.1% ±0.7 pts 7.7% 7.4% –
With a disability 14.4% ±0.8 pts 13.8% 13.7% –
No health insurance coverage 11.6% ±1.2 pts 12.9% 11.5% no clear change
High school graduate or higher (age 25+) 92.8% ±0.8 pts 90.3% 89.9% –
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) 26.9% ±1.2 pts 31.2% 34.1% +3.6 pts
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) 9.4% ±0.8 pts 12.2% 12.9% –
Lived in the same house a year earlier 88.2% ±1.0 pts 86.4% 86.3% –
Moved from another state in the past year 4.7% ±0.8 pts 4.1% 2.9% –

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov

What do households in Cape Coral earn?

Half of Cape Coral's 82,914 households earn less than $78,104 a year (±$2,925), against $76,107 in Lee County and $74,568 in Florida. In 2015-2019 it was $75,810 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.7% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; 2015-2019 dollars adjusted with the R-CPI-U-RS
Measure Cape CoralLee CountyFlorida Change since 2015-2019
Median household income $78,104 ±$2,925 $76,107 $74,568 no clear change
Mean household income $100,527 ±$3,249 $106,517 $105,967 –
Per capita income $40,880 ±$1,252 $44,931 $42,609 +$3,996
People below the poverty line 10.7% ±1.2 pts 12.0% 12.6% no clear change
Children under 18 below the poverty line 13.8% ±3.2 pts 16.9% 16.5% no clear change
Households receiving SNAP 8.3% ±1.0 pts 8.3% 12.6% –
Households with a computer 97.0% ±0.8 pts 96.8% 96.6% –
Households with a broadband subscription 92.9% ±1.1 pts 92.1% 91.6% –

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What does housing cost in Cape Coral?

Owners occupy 77.2% of Cape Coral's occupied homes and renters 22.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $373,500 by its owner (±$5,846). The median renter pays $1,858 a month including utilities, and 55.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Home values are owners' own estimates.
Measure Cape CoralLee CountyFlorida Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied) $373,500 ±$5,846 $362,200 $359,000 +$91,179
Median gross rent $1,858 ±$44 $1,712 $1,669 +$327
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent 55.1% ±5.0 pts 50.1% 50.2% +12.7 pts
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage $1,917 ±$38 $1,921 $1,959 –
Owner-occupied homes 77.2% ±1.5 pts 74.3% 67.6% +2.7 pts
Renter-occupied homes 22.8% ±1.5 pts 25.7% 32.4% –
Housing units 100,679 ±1,316 441,194 10,256,470 +16,731
Homeowner vacancy rate 1.9% ±0.6 pts 1.9% 1.4% –
Rental vacancy rate 7.1% ±2.1 pts 10.3% 7.6% –
Single-family detached homes 79.4% ±1.0 pts 55.4% 54.7% –
Mobile homes 0.8% ±0.3 pts 9.0% 8.0% –
Built 2020 or later 4.7% ±0.6 pts 3.6% 3.2% –
Built 2010 to 2019 12.4% ±0.9 pts 12.1% 11.0% –
Built 1939 or earlier 0.1% ±0.1 pts 0.5% 1.9% –
Households with no vehicle 3.5% ±0.7 pts 5.0% 6.0% –

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov

How many new homes is Cape Coral building?

Builders took permits for 2,406 new housing units in Cape Coral in 2025 (2,013 in single-family houses), 10.2 per 1,000 residents against 7.6 across Florida.

  • 2019 2,688 units
  • 2020 3,527 units
  • 2021 5,412 units
  • 2022 4,735 units
  • 2023 3,995 units
  • 2024 3,397 units
  • 2025 2,406 units

Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Cape Coral work and get to work?

73.6% of Cape Coral's workers drive alone and 15.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.8%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (workers 16 and over)
Measure Cape CoralLee CountyFlorida Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+) 57.9% ±1.1 pts 53.6% 59.8% –
Unemployment rate 3.8% ±0.6 pts 4.0% 4.8% −2.2 pts
Drove alone to work 73.6% ±1.6 pts 70.8% 70.2% –
Carpooled 8.6% ±1.0 pts 9.8% 9.2% –
Public transportation 0.3% ±0.2 pts 0.5% 1.2% –
Walked 0.8% ±0.4 pts 1.0% 1.4% –
Worked from home 15.0% ±1.3 pts 15.4% 15.7% +8.0 pts
Mean travel time to work 29.9 min ±0.7 29.4 min 28.0 min +1.6 min

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What census tracts are in Cape Coral?

42 census tracts lie mostly in Cape Coral, and 7 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $52,644 (Tract 106.02) to $111,375 (Tract 101.10).

Census tracts in Cape Coral, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (the 12 with the most residents inside it; every tract on the full list)
TractResidents, 2020-2024Median household incomeMedian home valueShare of tract in Cape Coral
Tract 104.04Lee County10,037 $78,281 $338,600100%
Tract 102.06Lee County9,868 $81,592 $327,000100%
Tract 103.07Lee County8,815 $64,959 $321,100100%
Tract 102.03Lee County8,184 $60,873 $300,20097%
Tract 104.20Lee County8,723 $103,782 $459,60089%
Tract 104.21Lee County7,685 $82,767 $387,800100%
Tract 103.06Lee County7,613 $61,576 $349,100100%
Tract 101.11Lee County6,841 $76,124 $368,000100%
Tract 101.06Lee County6,320 $90,534 $348,700100%
Tract 103.03Lee County6,199 $80,702 $347,900100%
Tract 104.18Lee County5,931 $92,357 $467,900100%
Tract 102.07Lee County6,024 $87,135 $346,30098%

Every census tract in Cape Coral, with its figures

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Cape Coral) · Census block assignment files

How does Cape Coral compare with other places in Florida?

By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Cape Coral is the 98th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 7th-most populous of 411 in Florida.

Cape Coral ranks 310th of 754 places in Florida with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.

Cape Coral's rank in Florida (1 = highest): by population among the state's incorporated places with a 2025 estimate; by the other measures among places of 1,000+ residents with a reliable estimate
MeasureRankOf
Population, July 2025 estimate7th411
Growth 2020-2025 (PEP)31st328
Residents per square mile411th770
Median household income310th754
Per capita income326th763
Median home value313th749
Median gross rent207th710
Poverty rate366th634
Bachelor's degree or higher423rd733
Median age253rd762
Owner-occupied share309th760
Work from home315th596
Travel time to work247th764

Cape Coral's figures with every place in Florida (CSV)

Every place in Florida, sortable · Compare Cape Coral with other places

Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed

How reliable are the figures for Cape Coral?

5 of the 57 figures for Cape Coral on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.

The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation

How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections

Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Cape Coral are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Cape Coral.