Lee County Facts

The Quality of Life in Southwest Florida is surpassed only by the residents' positive attitude and willingness to make progress possible. Climate, of course, is Southwest Florida's "ace in the hole" with an average annual temperature of 74 degrees. The average rainfall of just over 50 inches a year induces a lush green foliage and ensures the beauty of hundreds of tropical flowering plants and trees. Several activities join forces to enhance the entertainment and recreational atmosphere in the region including: Salt and freshwater fishing, sunning and shelling on carefree snow-white beaches, boating, and water skiing, golfing, tennis, bowling, gardening, amateur and professional theater, symphony orchestra and community concert programs, restaurants specializing in tropical cuisine, and seasonal pageants including the Edison Festival of Light. As an integral part of our community life, Southwest Florida offers a variety of attractions, geared to appeal to assorted appetites.

Lee County, the center of Southwest Florida, it is located 123 miles south of Tampa on the Gulf of Mexico and is equal distance from Miami. Although Cape Coral is the largest city in the county in both population and in land area, Fort Myers is the seat of Lee County. Punta Gorda is the Charlotte County seat. Naples is the Collier County seat. Metropolitan Fort Myers is the hub of a 5-county golden trade area with Charlotte County to the North, Collier County to the South, and Glades and Hendry Counties to the East.

Anyone who lives, is employed, or who enrolls a child in school must have Florida tags on all vehicles. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles requires two forms of identification (one may be a current driver's license) from applicants for licenses. Applicants must pass a vision test and a road test. Hours for the Lee, Collier, Charlotte Florida Department of Highway Safety offices are as follows: Tuesday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; walk-in or schedule an appointment by phone.

In order to obtain a Florida tag you need the following: Proof of insurance, the vehicle title (or name and address of the lien holder), and Florida State Form 42.3 to verify the vehicle's identification number and odometer reading. For more information call (941) 332-2737 in Lee County, (941)637-2141 in Charlotte County, and (941) 774-8177 in Collier County. The offices are open Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Election's Office maintains registration sites. Registrants must show proof of a valid county address. In order to vote in an election, registration must be made at least 30 days prior to election day. Call the Election's Offices in Lee County at (941)335-2333, in Charlotte County at (941)637-2232, and in Collier County at (941) 774-8450 for more information and office locations.

Florida resident homeowners qualify for a homestead exemption of up to $25,000, deducted from the homes' assessed valuation. This exemption is automatically renewed each year. To qualify, the applicant must have lived in the home from January 1. Applicant must provide a copy of the most recent tax bill or warranty of deed, current Florida driver's license, Florida vehicular tag number, voter registration card or Declaration of Domicile (forms available at government locations), and Social Security number. Homeowners may apply from January 1 through the end of August each year. For more information and office hours, call the Property Appraisers office in Lee County at (941)335-2294, in Charlotte County at (941)637-2241, and in Collier County at (941)774-8141.

Southwest Florida boasts 117 public schools with more than 85,964 students enrolled during the 1993-1994 calendar year. All public schools are accredited by both the Southern Association of Colleges and schools and by the Florida Department of Education. Several schools have been recognized both statewide as well as nationally. Southwest Florida is particularly proud of the Area Vocational-Technical Schools, which cater to the demands of local business and industry. Edison Community College offers Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Arts degrees. The University of South Florida at Fort Myers offers junior and senior courses leading to Bachelor's degrees and graduate courses leading to Master's degrees. Florida's tenth public university, Florida Gulf Coast University will be located in Lee County with expectations of opening in 1997 at which time it will absorb the University of South Florida at Fort Myers.

Sources : Florida Statistical Abstract, 1994, Gainesville, FL and University Press of Florida.

Health care is provided by hospitals, nursing homes, specialty hospitals, health departments, and various clinics (mental health, drug abuse, alcoholism, and migrant health). In Southwest Florida (1993), there are eleven hospitals with a total of 2,839 beds. There are numerous other health care facilities of specialized nature also located in the region, including a Veterans Administration Out-patient Clinic. The region also features a Regional Ophthalmology Surgery Center which can perform the latest laser surgery technology. There are nursing homes offering extended care and also many congregate living facilities in the area. Emergency medical services are provided by Charlotte, Collier and Lee Counties, which are equipped with advanced life support vehicles with telemetry, basic life support and EMT's (emergency and non-emergency medical technicians and paramedics). Additional ambulance and rescue services are provided by suburban fire departments.

Source : Business Development Corporation Survey, 1993

Fort Myers is the western terminus of the cross-state Okeechobee Waterway, linking the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Major airlines operate from the Southwest Florida International Airport. Area private aviation facilities include; Page Field located in Lee County; Punta Gorda Air field located in Charlotte County; and Naples Airport & Marco Island/Immobile Airfield located in Collier County. Local freight rail service ties into the state-wide rail network. Motor freight to and from points across the nation has grown steadily to meet area demands. There are general commodity truck lines providing intrastate and interstate service. Lee County currently has interstate carriers, air freight forwarders, liquid petroleum and chemical haulers and truck brokers servicing the area. Air charter service is provided by several companies. Interstate 75 is now complete from Tampa to Naples, and ties into "Alligator Alley", Florida's cross state expressway to Miami and the Florida Keys from the West coast.

Distance to other major metro areas in Florida from Fort Myers:

Median Income:
Income (W/ Children):
Population:
Land Area:
Population Density:
Nickname:
Capital:
Date of Statehood:
State Bird:
State Flower:
State Tree: