County · Florida
Lee County, Florida
Lee County, Florida. Lee County had 875,607 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 15.1% since 2020, faster than Florida (+8.9%). It holds 39 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs and 33 census-designated) and 223 census tracts. GEOID 12071.
Lee County is the county of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
875,607
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 760,822 · ACS 2020-2024: 817,666
Median household income
$76,107
±$1,463 (90% margin)
Florida: $74,568
Median home value
$362,200
±$3,248 (90% margin)
Florida: $359,000
Median gross rent
$1,712
±$17 (90% margin)
Florida: $1,669
How many people live in Lee County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 760,822 residents in Lee County. The Census Bureau estimates 875,607 for July 1, 2025, up 15.1% since 2020, faster than Florida (+8.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 817,666 over 781 square miles of land.
| Measure | Lee County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 817,666 | 22,416,077 | +80,198 |
| Households | 327,803±2,445 | 8,752,810 | +51,838 |
| Average household size | 2.45±0.02 | 2.51 | −0.19 |
| Housing units | 441,194±174 | 10,256,470 | +47,147 |
Lee County's population since 2000
From 440,888 in 2000 to 875,607 in 2025: up 98.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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.
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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Lee County?
Lee County holds 39 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 33 census-designated places. The largest is Cape Coral with 236,264 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Cape Coral | 194,016 | $78,104 |
|---|---|---|
| Lehigh Acres | 114,287 | $66,890 |
| Fort Myers | 86,395 | $63,732 |
| Bonita Springs | 53,644 | $95,210 |
| North Fort Myers | 42,719 | $56,261 |
| Estero | 36,939 | $104,102 |
| San Carlos Park | 18,563 | $85,952 |
| Iona | 16,908 | $66,827 |
| Cypress Lake | 13,727 | $62,590 |
| Villas | 12,687 | $58,413 |
| Gateway | 10,376 | $107,484 |
| McGregor | 7,976 | $104,788 |
| Sanibel | 6,382 | $108,644 |
| Lochmoor Waterway Estates | 5,828 | $97,667 |
| Fort Myers Shores | 5,774 | $72,955 |
| Fort Myers Beach | 5,582 | $91,291 |
| Three Oaks | 5,472 | $107,417 |
| Tice | 4,853 | $53,505 |
| Whiskey Creek | 4,842 | $104,476 |
| Buckingham | 4,443 | $112,568 |
| Pine ManorGEOID 1257025 | 4,122 | $45,697 |
| Suncoast Estates | 4,097 | $38,503 |
| St. James City | 3,876 | $69,403 |
| Florida Gulf Coast UniversityGEOID 1223005 | 3,659 | $26,354 |
| Alva | 2,725 | $85,919 |
| Olga | 2,270 | $93,576 |
| Pine Island Center | 1,942 | $68,173 |
| Harlem Heights | 1,930 | $57,014 |
| Burnt Store Marina | 1,890 | $93,250 |
| Bokeelia | 1,855 | $71,250 |
| Verandah | 1,791 | $120,962 |
| Punta Rassa | 1,620 | $91,000 |
| Palmona ParkGEOID 1254357 | 1,240 | $43,930 |
| Page ParkGEOID 1253775 | 747 | $54,205 |
| MatlachaGEOID 1243475 | 598 | not published |
| PinelandGEOID 1256875 | 466 | $99,167 |
| CaptivaGEOID 1210425 | 318 | not published |
| Charleston ParkGEOID 1211597 | 235 | not published |
| Matlacha Isles-Matlacha ShoresGEOID 1243484 | 227 | $73,897 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Lee County?
The median resident of Lee County is 49.0 years old; 17.2% are under 18 and 28.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 62.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 24.7%. 18.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lee County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.0±0.1 | 42.6 | +0.5 |
| Under 18 years | 17.2%±0.1 pts | 19.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 28.9%±0.1 pts | 21.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 24.7% | 27.4% | +3.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 62.0%±0.2 pts | 50.4% | −5.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.6%±0.2 pts | 14.6% | −0.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.7%±0.1 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.2%±0.3 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 18.9%±0.4 pts | 21.9% | +2.2 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 25.8%±0.4 pts | 30.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.7%±0.3 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 13.8%±0.3 pts | 13.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.9%±0.6 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.3%±0.4 pts | 89.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 31.2%±0.6 pts | 34.1% | +3.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.2%±0.4 pts | 12.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.1%±0.3 pts | 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 Lee County earn?
Half of Lee County's 327,803 households earn less than $76,107 a year (±$1,463), against $74,568 in Florida. In 2015-2019 the median was $71,173 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,934 after inflation. 12.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lee County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $76,107±$1,463 | $74,568 | +$4,934 |
| Mean household income | $106,517±$1,683 | $105,967 | – |
| Per capita income | $44,931±$637 | $42,609 | +$3,650 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.0%±0.6 pts | 12.6% | −1.1 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.9%±1.5 pts | 16.5% | −5.2 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.3%±0.5 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.1%±0.5 pts | 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 Lee County?
Owners occupy 74.3% of Lee County's occupied homes and renters 25.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $362,200 by its owner (±$3,248). The median renter pays $1,712 a month including utilities, and 50.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lee County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $362,200±$3,248 | $359,000 | +$85,540 |
| Median gross rent | $1,712±$17 | $1,669 | +$292 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 50.1%±2.1 pts | 50.2% | +5.9 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,921±$19 | $1,959 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.3%±0.7 pts | 67.6% | +2.0 pts |
| Housing units | 441,194±174 | 10,256,470 | +47,147 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.9%±0.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.3%±1.0 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 55.4%±0.6 pts | 54.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 9.0%±0.3 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.6%±0.2 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.5%±0.1 pts | 1.9% | – |
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 Lee County building?
Builders took permits for 13,547 new housing units across Lee County in 2025 (9,962 single-family), 15.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Lee County get to work?
70.8% of Lee County's workers drive alone and 15.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.0%.
| Measure | Lee County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 53.6%±0.4 pts | 59.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0%±0.3 pts | 4.8% | −1.3 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 70.8%±0.8 pts | 70.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.8%±0.5 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.1 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Walked | 1.0%±0.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 15.4%±0.6 pts | 15.7% | +9.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.4 min±0.4 | 28.0 min | +1.9 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 are Lee County's census tracts?
Lee County is divided into 223 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $26,354 (Tract 401.39) to $162,000 (Tract 401.38).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Lee County compare with Florida's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 8th of 67 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 16th of 67 |
| Residents per square mile | 8th of 67 |
| Median household income | 22nd of 67 |
| Median home value | 17th of 67 |
| Median gross rent | 13th of 67 |
| Poverty rate | 41st of 67 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25th of 67 |
| Median age | 13th of 67 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Lee County 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' school search.