It should come as no surprise that Lee County is the fastest growing Metro area in Florida for 2007. Combining absolutely year round gorgeous weather (average mean temperature 83 degrees), 50 miles of white sandy beaches, and being named as one of the Top 10 U.S. Travel Destinations has produced a 3.6 percent (20,475) increase in residents from 2006 to 2007. Already known as a retirement mecca, the Lee Island Coast, encompassing Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Estero and Ft. Myers, is rapidly growing due to increasing employment opportunities and peoples’ desires to live and work in a sub-tropical paradise.

Bonita Springs, Cape Coral and Ft. Myers accounted for the most increased population in Lee County for 2007. Ft. Myers and Cape Coral grew by 6.2 and 3.9 percent while Bonita Springs grew by 3.4 percent. All three continued there swelling since 2000 with population increases of 33.3 percent, 53.5 percent and 28.9 percent respecitvely over the seven year period. Their estimated 2007 populations are 64,258 for Ft. Myers, 156,981 for Cape Coral and 42,268 for Bonita Springs. Their growth rates have helped Lee County grow to an estimated 590,564 residents for 2007. 

The biggest question is will this growth pattern continue? The Developers of the area’s two new mega malls, the Gulf Coast Town Center in San Carlos Park and the Coconut Point Mall in Estero, certainly think so. With a current average of almost 1,000 people moving to Florida daily, and the baby boomer generation rapidly approaching retirement age, we do too. 

So, if your considering Southwest Florida as a place to live and would like more information, give us a call at 888-617-3674 or visit our website at www.findsouthwestfloridahomes.com to learn more about what our wonderful area has to offer.
Data Source: US Census Bureau

Tags: Florida, growth