Lely, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lely, Florida had a total population of 3,804, the 544th largest community in Florida, with a median household income of $69,846, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Lely Quick Facts
How Lely Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,770 | 3,804 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $65,029 | $69,846 | +7.4% |
| Median home value | $290,400 | $326,100 | +12.3% |
How Lely Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lely 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 |
| Lely Resort | 8,582 | $93,750 | 9.8% | $666,900 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Lely
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umatilla | 3,854 | $71,077 | $227,600 | 16.1% | 11.0% |
| Watergate | 3,782 | $67,071 | $222,000 | 13.9% | 21.9% |
| Eagle Lake | 3,893 | $70,523 | $256,300 | 18.5% | 9.5% |
| Cedar Grove | 3,802 | $74,625 | $176,100 | 16.4% | 17.5% |
| Laguna Beach | 3,830 | $76,607 | $438,100 | 38.7% | 5.5% |
Population Overview
Lely is a small community located in Florida, within Collier County. The total population is 3,804. It ranks as the 544th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lely is 65.3 years. This is 53% higher than the state median of 42.6 years. Only 9.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 33.5% 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 Lely is $69,846. This is 6% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.8%. This is 38% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 57% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $326,100. Housing costs are 9% lower than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 83.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lely is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (79.7% vs 50.4%). The Black or African American population (6.4%) is well below the state average of 14.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (11.9%) is well below the state average of 27.4%.
Education
35.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% 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 96.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lely, 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, Florida?
Lely, Florida has a population of 3,804 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lely, FL?
The median household income in Lely is $69,846, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lely, FL?
The poverty rate in Lely is 7.8%. This means approximately 279 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lely, Florida?
Lely's population is 79.7% White, 6.4% Black, 11.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lely, FL?
The median home value in Lely is $326,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Lely, Florida?
35.1% of adults (25+) in Lely hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.