City profile · Florida · Census ACS 2023

Fort Myers, FL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Fort Myers - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

91,730
Residents
$62,160
Median income
$351,600
Median home
$1,961
Median rent (state)

Fort Myers - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Fort Myers lands in the 39th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

39th
percentile, household income
72nd
percentile, home value
82nd
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Fort Myers, FL

91,730 people live in Fort Myers, Florida - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Fort Myers households earn a median of $62,160 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.3%. Fort Myers's housing stock carries a median value of $351,600, and the median resident age is 40.3 years. Educational attainment runs 32.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 53.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 1,721 residential building permits were authorized in Fort Myers (Slowing), down 13% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data.

Florida carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Florida scores 103.4 (Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,961 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Florida, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 99.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

91,730 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Florida

Median Household Income

$62,160 /yr

Poverty 12.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

103.4 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Florida average

How does Fort Myers compare to other US cities?

Where Fort Myers sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 39% higher than other cities
Home value 72% pricier than other cities
Median rent 82% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Fort Myers against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Florida only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Florida-relative analysis

Poverty Rate sits close to the middle of Florida's city distribution

Among the 930 Florida cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Fort Myers ranks #275 - the 70th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Fort Myers only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#561 of 903
38th percentile in Florida
Median Gross Rent
#396 of 930
53rd percentile in Florida
Median Home Value
#315 of 894
65th percentile in Florida
Poverty Rate
#275 of 930
70th percentile in Florida
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#383 of 930
59th percentile in Florida

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Florida only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

39thIncome percentile

39th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Fort Myers's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$351,600 28th percentile more affordable than 28% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Fort Myers $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Fort Myers, FL Fort Myers, FL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Fort Myers, FL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Fort Myers, FL median $62,160/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Fort Myers, FL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Fort Myers, FL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 32.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
91,730
Median Income
$62,160
Median Home Value
$351,600
Median Age
40.3
Poverty Rate
12.3%
Labor force participation
53.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
32.1%

Schools

Total Schools
45
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
85,000 residents90,000 residents95,000 residents100,000 residents105,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 87,289 residents 101,581 residents ▲ +16.4%
Fort Myers's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
1,721
housing units authorized
Single-Family
229
detached homes
Multifamily
1,492
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
18.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1,978
2020 3,105
2021 1,137
2022 1,461
2023 1,447
2024 1,721

Permit volume decreased 13% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
69.5%
Carpool
12.3%
Public Transit
1.3%
Walk
1.5%
Work from Home
12.9%
Other
2.5%

Based on 39,145 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Florida - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$145
avg/month
Natural Gas
$25
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$55
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Florida state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Florida state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Fort Myers sits in

Cost of Living Index
103.4
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,961/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Florida

Alafaya
90,874 people
Plantation
94,002 people
Palm Coast
94,362 people
Deltona
95,682 people
Sunrise
96,633 people
Deerfield Beach
86,742 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Fort Myers's 91,730 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Chino, CA
91,775 people
South Gate, CA
91,836 people
Kirkland, WA
91,614 people
Santa Monica, CA
91,535 people
Norwalk, CT
91,375 people
Nashua, NH
91,131 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Fort Myers's $62,160 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Searsport, ME
$62,159 median income
Keystone, SD
$62,159 median income
Trout Creek, MT
$62,162 median income
Plentywood, MT
$62,163 median income
Hephzibah, GA
$62,155 median income
Elk Mound, WI
$62,167 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Fort Myers, FL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Fort Myers, FL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 53.2% 22.2% 16.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 24.0% White 53.2% Black or African American 22.2% Asian 2.1% American Indian 1.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 5.0% Two or more races 16.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Fort Myers compares to nearby Florida cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Fort Myers (this city) 91,730 $62,160
Alafaya 90,874 $98,289
Plantation 94,002 $87,077
Palm Coast 94,362 $71,840
Census ACS 5-year FIPS FL NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Fort Myers, FL?

What is the population of Fort Myers, FL? +

The population of Fort Myers, FL stands at 91,730 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Fort Myers, FL? +

Median annual household income in Fort Myers runs $62,160, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Fort Myers? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Fort Myers; the closest available measure is the Florida state average, a cost of living index of 103.4 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Florida vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Fort Myers, FL? +

The median home value in Fort Myers is $351,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.