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Cape Coral, Florida Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cape Coral, Florida had a total population of 215,536, the 8th largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $78,104, which is 5% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.8%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Cape Coral Quick Facts

Population 215,536
Median Household Income $78,104
Median Home Value $373,500
Poverty Rate 10.8%
Unemployment Rate 3.8%
Median Age 48.6 years
Homeownership Rate 77.2%
Affordability Ratio 4.8x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 26.9%
High School Graduation Rate 92.8%
Diversity Index 51/100
Population 215,536 8th of 955
Median Income $78,104 above average
Poverty Rate 10.8% 14% lower than national
Median Home Value $373,500 above average

How Cape Coral Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population206,387215,536+4.4%
Median household income$76,062$78,104+2.7%
Median home value$339,200$373,500+10.1%

How Cape Coral Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 11.3%
$25K-$50K 17.8%
$50K-$100K 33.5%
$100K+ 37.4%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
4.1%
$10K-$15K
2.1%
$15K-$20K
2.4%
$20K-$25K
2.8%
$25K-$30K
3.7%
$30K-$35K
3.9%
$35K-$40K
3.6%
$40K-$45K
3.5%
$45K-$50K
3.1%
$50K-$60K
7.7%
$60K-$75K
11.3%
$75K-$100K
14.5%
$100K-$125K
11.6%
$125K-$150K
8.2%
$150K-$200K
8.8%
$200K+
8.8%

Employment

3.8% Unemployment Rate State: 4.8%|National: 5.2%
57.9% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 77.2%
Renter 22.8%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.8x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,858/mo 28.5% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

51out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 65 | National average: 61

Education

Cape Coral Rankings in Florida

#8 Population of 955
#367 Median Income of 911
#503 Education of 955
#362 Home Value of 901

Other Cities in Lee County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Lehigh Acres 132,353 $66,890 17.1% $292,400
Fort Myers 95,051 $63,732 16.3% $384,500
Bonita Springs 55,904 $95,210 9.6% $497,100
North Fort Myers 44,993 $56,261 14.8% $161,800
Estero 37,858 $104,102 7.7% $461,900
San Carlos Park 19,159 $85,952 9.4% $325,000
Villas 13,644 $58,413 10.0% $248,700
Iona 13,631 $66,827 8.2% $322,800
Cypress Lake 13,032 $62,590 9.8% $258,900
Gateway 11,176 $107,484 3.6% $453,900

Cities Similar to Cape Coral

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Port St. Lucie232,491$80,648$369,20028.1%9.5%
Fort Lauderdale185,604$83,130$486,70040.8%15.0%
St. Petersburg262,732$75,192$371,10042.6%12.4%
Hialeah226,165$55,594$392,00022.1%17.0%
Tallahassee201,875$57,409$294,40051.3%23.6%

Population Overview

Cape Coral is a major urban center located in Florida, within Lee County. The total population is 215,536. It ranks as the 8th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.

Age Demographics

The median age in Cape Coral is 48.6 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 42.6 years. 10.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Cape Coral is $78,104. This is 5% higher than the state median of $74,568. It is also 3% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.8%. This is 14% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 21% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $373,500. Housing costs are 4% higher than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 77.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 67.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Cape Coral is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 26.4%. The Black or African American population (4.0%) is well below the state average of 14.6%. The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.

Education

26.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% lower than the state rate of 34.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Cape Coral, Florida is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Florida state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 955 Census-designated places in Florida. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Cape Coral, Florida?

Cape Coral, Florida has a population of 215,536 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Cape Coral, FL?

The median household income in Cape Coral is $78,104, which is 3% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Cape Coral, FL?

The poverty rate in Cape Coral is 10.8%. This means approximately 23,047 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Cape Coral, Florida?

Cape Coral's population is 64.6% White, 4.0% Black, 26.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.

What is the median home value in Cape Coral, FL?

The median home value in Cape Coral is $373,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.

How educated is Cape Coral, Florida?

26.9% of adults (25+) in Cape Coral hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.