Lehigh Acres

Situated 30 miles east of the Gulf of Mexico, and just 12 miles east of Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres is a diverse community of approximately 50,000 residents. Originally planned and developed by Lehigh Corporation, this community has a land area of approximately 95 square miles, covering much of eastern Lee County. The population density is below state average for cities.

The lifestyle is casual and a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of larger urban centers. Lehigh’s semitropical climate attracts “snowbirds” from other U.S. states and the population can increase by about 30% to 35% during the winter months. The population of permanent residents in recent years has been increasing at a steady rate and is projected to grow by 14.6% annually.

Lehigh Acres was a private ranch until the owner turned it into a residential development in 1954, and sold off plots of land. Land and home prices were not excessive and this has attracted many young families and retirees to give a well balanced community. So many lots were sold for residential purposes that the area faces a shortage of land for commercial use. There is however some commercial development with the construction of an industrial park, expanding shopping facilities, and the unemployment rate in the area remains low.