City Town Info

Fort Myers Beach, FL


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Fort Myers Beach, Florida

Introduction to Fort Myers Beach, Florida

Fort Myers Beach, Florida, in Lee county, is 7 miles S of Cape Coral, Florida (center to center) and 108 miles S of Tampa, Florida. It is within the Fort Myers - Cape Coral metropolitan area and has a population of 6,561.

Fort Myers Beach History

The Calusa Indians were the first inhabitants of the present day town of Fort Myers Beach. The territory was under British and Spanish control from the the late 17th to the mid 19th century. In the mid 18th century, the Calusa Indians were displaced, and the Cuba, Ranchos, and Creek Indians took control of the region. Following the Homestead Act of 1862, American settlements were established. William Case established a cottage rental industry on the island in the early 1900s. Estero Island, where Fort Myers Beach is located, was known at that time as "Crescent Beach". Development remained slow until the 1950s, when the tourism industry gained momentum. Fort Myers Beach was incorporated as a town on December 31, 1995.

Fort Myers Beach and Nearby Attractions

  • Bailey Matthews Shell Museum
  • Museum of the Islands
  • Thomas Edison Winter Estate
  • Lovers Key State Park
  • Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
  • Naples Zoo

Things To Do In Fort Myers Beach

Exhibits in the Museum of the Islands, and Bailey Matthews Shell Museum focus on local history and nature. The Henry Ford Estate, and Thomas Edison Winter Estate are two nearby historical sites. Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is situated on the Gulf Coast, and Fort Myers Beach features miles of white, sandy, "natural beaches". Pier & Lynn Hall Memorial Park, and Bowditch Point Regional Park are two of the popular parks within the town. Since both are along the Gulf of Mexico, they offer numerous opportunities for hiking, swimming, and sunbathing. The Lovers Key State Park is home to a variety of wildlife including bottlenose dolphins, marsh rabbits, West Indian manatees, roseate spoonbills, and bald eagles.

Fort Myers Beach Transportation

The closest major airport is Southwest Florida International Airport.

Fort Myers Beach Higher Education

Edison Community College, Florida Gulf Coast University, and Manatee Community College are near the town of Fort Myers Beach.

High Points

Fort Myers Beach strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Florida):

CategoryTrophy
Walking and Biking to Work
(vs. Peers)
Top 1%trophyFort Myers Beach Walking and Biking to Work
Well-Paid Single Men
(vs. Peers)
Top 13%Fort Myers Beach Well-Paid Single Men
Median Family Income
(vs. State)
Top 15%Fort Myers Beach Median Family Income
Public Transportation Use
(vs. State)
Top 16%Fort Myers Beach Public Transportation Use
Well-Paid Single Women
(vs. State)
Top 17%Fort Myers Beach Well-Paid Single Women
People in Middle Class or Better
(vs. State)
Top 19%Fort Myers Beach People in Middle Class or Better

Comparative Profile of Fort Myers Beach, FL

Comparing Fort Myers Beach to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Florida (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Senior Citizens1010
Age of the Population1010
Well-Paid Single Men99
Male Share of the Population88
Well-Paid Single Women89
Female Share of the Population33
Racial Diversity21
Children Under 5 Years Old11

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Portion of People Married67
Average Household Size11

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Median Family Income89
College Educated Adults78
People in Middle Class or Better79
People Above Poverty68

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Walking and Biking to Work1010
Working at Home1010
Public Transportation Use89
Short Commute Times58

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Seasonal and Vacation Housing1010
People Living Alone98
Housing Recently Built86
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals46
Affordability of Rents33
Affordability of Property Taxes32

Detailed pages on related topics: Fort Myers Beach travel.

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Additional Details

Fort Myers Beach Hotels & TravelFort Myers Beach Hotels & Travel
Fort Myers Beach hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.

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