Lely Resort, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lely Resort, Florida had a total population of 8,582, the 370th largest community in Florida, with a median household income of $93,750, which is 26% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.1x the median household income.
Lely Resort Quick Facts
How Lely Resort 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 | 6,295 | 8,582 | +36.3% |
| Median household income | $82,743 | $93,750 | No clear change (+13.3%) |
| Median home value¹ | $606,370 | $666,900 | No clear change (+10.0%) |
| Median gross rent | $1,695 | $2,078 | +22.6% |
How Lely Resort 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: 67.2%
- Black: 18.8%
- Hispanic: 9.9%
- Asian: 3.0%
- Other: 0.2%
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: 7.3%
- HS Diploma: 18.7%
- Some College: 18.9%
- Associate's: 5.7%
- Bachelor's: 29.2%
- Graduate+: 20.2%
Lely Resort Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Collier County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Gate | 29,234 | $68,475 | 15.1% | $409,700 |
| Immokalee | 26,361 | $48,144 | 28.3% | $210,600 |
| Naples | 19,704 | $153,182 | 6.5% | $1,525,600 |
| Marco Island | 16,205 | $101,523 | 7.3% | $896,300 |
| Ave Maria | 8,258 | $102,949 | 10.9% | $459,200 |
| Pelican Bay | 6,159 | $163,520 | 7.7% | $1,287,900 |
| Orangetree | 6,084 | $112,857 | 3.9% | $498,600 |
| Naples Manor | 5,501 | $64,937 | 23.5% | $340,400 |
| Naples Park | 5,122 | $80,039 | 6.2% | $690,900 |
| Vineyards | 3,849 | $131,118 | 2.5% | $651,800 |
Cities Similar to Lely Resort
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seffner | 8,885 | $93,333 | $344,100 | 32.3% | 11.7% |
| McGregor | 8,490 | $104,788 | $467,600 | 53.1% | 4.5% |
| Indian Harbour Beach | 9,025 | $97,254 | $440,200 | 55.4% | 10.2% |
| Williamsburg | 9,063 | $89,191 | $327,700 | 38.3% | 6.1% |
| Fruitland Park | 8,740 | $82,656 | $382,400 | 36.0% | 10.4% |
Population Overview
Lely Resort is a small city located in Florida, within Collier County. The total population is 8,582. It ranks as the 370th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lely Resort is 59.9 years. This is 41% higher than the state median of 42.6 years. Only 13.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 22.6% 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 Lely Resort is $93,750. This is 26% higher than the state median of $74,568. It is also 16% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.8%. This is 22% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.1%. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $666,900. Housing costs are 86% higher than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 58.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lely Resort is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 18.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (9.9%) is well below the state average of 27.4%.
Education
49.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% higher 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 92.7%. Notably, 20.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lely Resort, 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 Lely Resort, Florida?
Lely Resort, Florida has a population of 8,582 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lely Resort, FL?
The median household income in Lely Resort is $93,750, which is 16% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lely Resort, FL?
The poverty rate in Lely Resort is 9.8%. This means approximately 834 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lely Resort, Florida?
Lely Resort's population is 67.2% White, 18.8% Black, 9.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lely Resort, FL?
The median home value in Lely Resort is $666,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.1x.
How educated is Lely Resort, Florida?
49.4% of adults (25+) in Lely Resort hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.