Fort Myers Shores, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fort Myers Shores, Florida had a total population of 5,946, the 438th largest community in Florida, with a median household income of $72,955, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.7%.
Fort Myers Shores Quick Facts
How Fort Myers Shores Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,813 | 5,946 | No clear change (-12.7%) |
| Median household income | $57,805 | $72,955 | No clear change (+26.2%) |
| Median home value¹ | $201,098 | $292,900 | +45.7% |
| Median gross rent | $1,268 | $1,567 | +23.6% |
How Fort Myers Shores Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 61.0%
- Black: 2.3%
- Hispanic: 28.8%
- Asian: 3.0%
- Other: 1.6%
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 20.6%
- HS Diploma: 36.3%
- Some College: 14.8%
- Associate's: 10.8%
- Bachelor's: 12.8%
- Graduate+: 4.8%
Fort Myers Shores Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Lee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | 215,536 | $78,104 | 10.8% | $373,500 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Fort Myers Shores
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southgate | 5,772 | $80,133 | $422,000 | 45.7% | 4.8% |
| Crawfordville | 5,732 | $82,656 | $255,500 | 18.5% | 4.7% |
| The Meadows | 5,492 | $69,774 | $382,400 | 52.7% | 11.9% |
| Lauderdale-by-the-Sea | 6,232 | $81,655 | $680,900 | 58.7% | 6.7% |
| Ocean City | 5,941 | $59,039 | $303,900 | 26.5% | 9.2% |
Population Overview
Fort Myers Shores is a small city located in Florida, within Lee County. The total population is 5,946. It ranks as the 438th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Myers Shores is 37.6 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 42.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Myers Shores is $72,955. This is 2% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 10% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.7%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $292,900. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 53.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Myers Shores is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 28.8%. The Black or African American population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 14.6%.
Education
17.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% 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 79.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Myers Shores, 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 Fort Myers Shores, Florida?
Fort Myers Shores, Florida has a population of 5,946 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Myers Shores, FL?
The median household income in Fort Myers Shores is $72,955, which is 10% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Myers Shores, FL?
The poverty rate in Fort Myers Shores is 15.7%. This means approximately 932 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Myers Shores, Florida?
Fort Myers Shores's population is 61.0% White, 2.3% Black, 28.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Myers Shores, FL?
The median home value in Fort Myers Shores is $292,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Fort Myers Shores, Florida?
17.6% of adults (25+) in Fort Myers Shores hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.