Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL Metro Area

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL · Metro Area

817,666Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 1 county, part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers-Naples, FL combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $76,107
Median home value: $362,200
Land area: 781 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Lee County, FL	Central	817,666	$76,107	$362,200

Largest cities and towns

37 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Cape Coral, FL	City	215,536	$78,104
Lehigh Acres, FL	CDP	132,353	$66,890
Fort Myers, FL	City	95,051	$63,732
Bonita Springs, FL	City	55,904	$95,210
North Fort Myers, FL	CDP	44,993	$56,261
Estero, FL	Village	37,858	$104,102
San Carlos Park, FL	CDP	19,159	$85,952
Villas, FL	CDP	13,644	$58,413
Iona, FL	CDP	13,631	$66,827
Cypress Lake, FL	CDP	13,032	$62,590
Gateway, FL	CDP	11,176	$107,484
McGregor, FL	CDP	8,490	$104,788
Lochmoor Waterway Estates, FL	CDP	6,511	$97,667
Sanibel, FL	City	6,418	$108,644
Three Oaks, FL	CDP	6,144	$107,417
Fort Myers Shores, FL	CDP	5,946	$72,955
Fort Myers Beach, FL	Town	5,513	$91,291
Whiskey Creek, FL	CDP	5,371	$104,476
Tice, FL	CDP	4,758	$53,505
Suncoast Estates, FL	CDP	4,369	$38,503
Buckingham, FL	CDP	4,311	$112,568
Pine Manor, FL	CDP	3,660	$45,697
St. James City, FL	CDP	3,412	$69,403
Alva, FL	CDP	3,389	$85,919
Olga, FL	CDP	3,282	$93,576

Also in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers-Naples, FL combined area

Naples-Marco Island, FL · metro · 398,291 Clewiston, FL · micro · 54,945

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

12%

Unemployment

College Educated

31.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$76,107

Mean Household Income

$106,517

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

49.2%

Female

50.8%

Population Split

Male49.2%

Female50.8%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German13.0%

Irish10.8%

English9.4%

Italian7.4%

Mexican4.7%

Polish3.1%

French1.9%

Scottish1.7%

African0.5%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

18.9%Foreign Born

81.1%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized49.2%

Non-Citizen50.8%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later40.6%

Before 201059.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

441,194

Median Rent

$1,712/mo

Median Home Value

$362,200

Median Year Built

1997

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

147,960

College Enrollment

20.4%

High School

23.1%

College Educated

31.2%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

29.4 min

Drive Alone Rate

70.8%

Public Transit

0.5%

Work From Home

15.4%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

17.2%

18-34 Years

17.9%

35-64 Years

36.0%

65+ Years

28.9%

Population Composition

Under 1817.2%

18-3417.9%

35-6436.0%

65+28.9%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

51.2%

Single Parent

4.4%

Living Alone

28.1%

Avg Size

2.45

Household Types

Married Couples51.2%

Single Parent4.4%

Living Alone28.1%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$44,931

SNAP Usage

8.3%

Health Insurance

87.1%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k13.7%

$25k - $50k18.4%

$50k - $100k31.2%

$100k+36.8%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

3.9%

Retail Trade

13.5%

Education & Health Care

20.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

13.8%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

87.1%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

92.1%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

96.8%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

102.3

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

100.1

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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