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Fort Myers Beach is a town located on the North end of Estero Island in Lee County, Florida, United States. The town is on the Gulf of Mexico and is accessed from the mainland by a bridge over Estero Bay. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was officially incorporated on December 31, 1995. The population was 5,582 at the 2020 census, down from 6,277 at the 2010 census.
Fort Myers Beach, Florida | |
|---|---|
| City of Fort Myers Beach | |
 Fishermen wading in Fort Myers Beach | |
 Location in Lee County and the state of Florida | |
| Coordinates: 26°26′19″N 81°55′32″W | |
| Country | United States of America |
| State | Florida |
| County | Lee |
| Incorporated | December 31, 1995 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| • Mayor | Dan Allers |
| • Vice Mayor | Jim Atterholt |
| • Council Members | John R. King, Karen Woodson, and Bill Veach |
| • Town Manager | Andy Hyatt |
| • Town Clerk | Amy Baker |
| Area | |
• Total | 6.17 sq mi (15.98 km2) |
| • Land | 2.78 sq mi (7.20 km2) |
| • Water | 3.39 sq mi (8.78 km2) |
| Elevation | 3 ft (1 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 5,582 |
| • Density | 2,006.47/sq mi (774.84/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes | 33931-33932 |
| Area code | 239 |
| FIPS code | 12-24150[2] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0282701[3] |
| Website | www |
Fort Myers Beach is located at 26°26′19″N 81°55′32″W (26.438676, –81.925620).[4]
The town is situated on the North end of Estero Island, one of the barrier islands in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Fort Myers, Florida.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.2 square miles (16 km2), of which 2.9 square miles (7.5 km2) is land and 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2) (53.41%) is water.
Fort Myers Beach has a tropical climate and has the following statistics on average. It receives 56 inches of rain and 0 inches of snow per year. The number of days with any measurable precipitation is 76. There are 265 sunny days per year. The July high is around 89 degrees and the low is 75 degrees. The January high is 75 and the low is 55.[5][6]
Hurricane Ian
On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian made landfall just north of the town as a high-end Category 4 hurricane, causing catastrophic damage and substantial loss of life in the city from high winds and destructive storm surge, which damaged the majority of homes and businesses along the coastline, including the popular Times Square.[7]
Initial Damage
Hurricane Ian reached a peak of 15 ft storm surge and 140 mph gusts of winds on September 28, 2024.[8] The hurricane hit the southwestern coast of Florida around 3:05 pm local time being the first category 4 hurricane to hit the area since Hurricane Charlie in 2004.[9] Unlike Hurricane Charlie, Hurricane Ian caused more damage through water, rather than wind.[9] According to a report by the Journal of Coastal Research the storm surge was 5.2 meters above the mean sea level. The report also investigated the impacts of the hurricane in terms of beach-dune erosion and deposition, infrastructure damage and the distribution of non-biodegradable materials into estuary and mangrove islands.[10] 150 lives were lost due to direct and indirect effects of the hurricane. $112 billion worth of damages make it the third most costly in the history of hurricanes in Florida.[10] There were four reported landfalls, each with relatively consistent speeds and strengths which is not typical.[10] The most aggressive wind velocities, the greatest size of the storm and the fastest speeds were reported at the landfall in Southwest Florida.[10] Over 1.5 million people were recorded to be affected by the hurricane due to the large and rapidly increasing population of this low-lying area.[10] Bringing in approximately 19 million tourists visitors per year, Florida relies heavily on its coastal environment for economic reasons.[11] Those who enjoy and provide those ecotourism services typically populate areas closer to the coastline.[11] Three weeks after Ian made landfall on Fort Myers Beach the High Water Mark (HWM) team from the University of Southern California (USC) and Texas A&M University (TAMU) performed coastal HWM surveys.[9] The results of the surveys proved that effects of the hurricane were most notably experienced within 100–300 meters of the pre-storm shoreline.[9] These effects included but were not limited to the loss of vegetation, damage to infrastructure including businesses, homes and roads.[9]
Response to the Hurricane
Almost all infrastructure in the area was damaged leaving the island with a continual rebuilding project.[8] It is for these reasons the Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection has encouraged Florida communities to take extra precautions and invest their funding into resilience programs to protect themselves, the environment and infrastructure against hurricanes.[11] There still exists disadvantaged communities with a lack of staff, resources and/or education to develop effective strategies.[11]
Future Planning
According to the Journal of Hydrobiologia, climate change models have predicted an increase in severity and frequency of hurricanes on the Gulf of Mexico.[12] Due to these circumstances, and because Ian most severely affected residents of low-lying and Gulf of Mexico adjacent areas, a review written by the Brown Political Review advocates for government funded relocation rather than rebuilding.[13] The Federal Emergency Management Agency has already allocated $420 million with the goal of providing financial support while home and business owners recover from the hurricane in the form of low interest loans.[13] The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration cites a 2022 Sea Level Rise Technical Report with evidence that Gulf Coast communities will experience moderate coastal flooding at a frequency of 10 times the current amount by the year 2050.[13] At least one study has suggested It could be more feasible to financially assist community members to seek refuge and residency in other locations, away from coastlines, rather than continually investing in the rebuilding of infrastructure.[13]
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Early history
The Calusa Indians first inhabited Estero Island, the island that Fort Myers Beach occupies, 2,000 years ago. The Calusa Indians resisted Spanish colonization attempts successfully including those by Ponce de León in 1513 and 1521. The Calusa met their demise 150 years later due to disease, hostilities, and political and economic upheaval. In the mid to late 1700s, Cuban fishermen then began to settle a small fishing village known as a Ranchero. This effectively displaced the remaining Calusa. In 1845, Florida became the 27th state.[8]
American settlement
The Homestead Act of 1862 initiated American settlements on Estero Island. In 1862, Robert Gilbert received a homestead grant at the end of Connecticut Street, the highest point on Fort Myers Beach. In 1911, William Case developed the first subdivision and cottage rental industry. By 1914, all the property on the island was homesteaded with little industry beyond a hotel, fishing, gardening, and a sawmill operated by the Koreshan Unity (a communal society based on mainland Estero). At this point, Estero Island was named Crescent Beach.[8]
Development on Crescent Beach was slow until the 1920s when Florida gained national attention as a vacation destination. In 1921, a toll bridge was opened connecting the beach to the mainland, followed closely by the construction of two casinos, hotels, a pier and the island's first canal. The land boom ended with the hurricanes of 1921 and 1926 that challenged the paradise appeal of southwest Florida. Despite entering a depression, Crescent Beach continued to gain small businesses, restaurants, subdivisions, and a school. In the 1950s, Crescent Beach continued to modernize. Many hotels were built including the Rancho del Mar, which boasted the first swimming pool. Additionally, the swing bridge was electrified to facilitate traffic. During this time, "pink gold" or pink shrimp were discovered igniting the shrimping industry and ancillary businesses to support it as the population increased by 50 percent. During this second land boom, numerous civic organizations, churches, local newspapers, weather and US Coast Guard stations, and the Beach Library were added to the island.[8] The library became the first free public library in Lee County and opened in 1955 in a one-room cottage with a single librarian.[8]
Incorporation
Fort Myers Beach has continued to develop to the present day. The island has a mix of year-round and seasonal residents, as well as a vibrant tourism industry. On December 31, 1995, legislation was passed to incorporate the town of Fort Myers Beach.[8]
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| Race | Pop 2010[16] | Pop 2020[17] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 5,999 | 5,272 | 95.57% | 94.45% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 16 | 13 | 0.25% | 0.23% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 10 | 10 | 0.16% | 0.18% |
| Asian (NH) | 34 | 12 | 0.54% | 0.21% |
| Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) | 1 | 0 | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Some other race (NH) | 6 | 14 | 0.10% | 0.25% |
| Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) | 36 | 101 | 0.57% | 1.81% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 175 | 160 | 2.79% | 2.87% |
| Total | 6,277 | 5,582 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,582 people, 3,497 households, and 2,198 families residing in the town.[18]
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 6,277 people, 3,596 households, and 2,025 families residing in the town.[19]
The population density in 2010 was 2,262.8 inhabitants per square mile (873.7/km2). There were 9,402 housing units at an average density of 3,248.3 per square mile (1,254.2/km2).
In 2010, there were 3,444 households, out of which 7.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 4.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.4% were non-families. 35.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.81 and the average family size was 2.23.
In 2010, in the town, the population was spread out, with 5.4% under the age of 18, 3.2% from 18 to 24, 11.6% from 25 to 44, 34.9% from 45 to 64, and 45.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 63.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males.
In 2010, the median income for a household in the town was $55,213, and the median income for a family was $79,292. Males had a median income of $41,761 versus $39,961 for females. The per capita income for the town was $57,902.
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Fort Myers Beach is governed by a five-member town council. The current town council consists of Mayor Dan Allers, Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt, Council Member John R. King, Council Member Bill Veach, and Council Member Karen Woodson. The town attorney, John Herin, works with the Town Council to implement plans.
The Town of Fort Myers Beach also operates Mound House Cultural and Environmental Learning Center located at 451 Connecticut Street, Newton Beach Park located at 4650 Estero Boulevard, Bay Oaks Recreational Campus (BORC) located at 2731 Oak Street, and Bayside Park located at San Carlos Boulevard and First Street. A few features of BORC include four full-size outdoor tennis courts, an 18-hole disc golf course, two full-size indoor basketball courts, weight room and a public pool that offers a children's pool along with a large slide. The pool is also available for lap swimmers.
Times Square is the retail, restaurant, and entertainment center of the Town of Fort Myers Beach, which also has public beach access.
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Primary schools
- Fort Myers Beach Elementary School: the only primary school located on Fort Myers Beach. The school is limited to children who live on Estero and San Carlos Islands or have families who work on the Beach. Fort Myers Beach is the smallest public elementary school in Lee County. It is an A-ranked school.
Secondary schools
There are no secondary schools on Fort Myers Beach. See Lee County School District for other public schools in Lee County that school-age children on Fort Myers can attend.
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The Chapel by the Sea was the first church on the island. A congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Chapel by the Sea was started in 1932 as a mission of the Presbyterians. It was officially founded one year later. The first building was constructed in 1937 with a seating capacity of 47. Today's Sanctuary holds 700. Although it is Presbyterian, the Chapel is known on the island as the community church. The church hosts "God's Table" feeding the poor and needy of the beach every day, Monday through Friday.
Saint Raphael's Episcopal Church was the second church built on the island. It was founded on March 5, 1951, and the church was built in 1953. They are known for hosting the island's annual Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet, a tradition started in 1952 to bless all the boats and their crews.[20]
Other churches on the island are the Roman Catholic Church of the Ascension, the Beach United Methodist Church, St. Peter's Lutheran Church, and the Beach Baptist Church.
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Fort Myers Beach is served by LeeTran buses operated by the county.[21]
Fort Myers Beach Lions Club Shrimp Festival
The Fort Myers Beach Lions Club Shrimp Festival takes place in March. The Shrimp Festival celebrates the shrimping industry on Fort Myers Beach. It consists of a shrimp eating competition, a 5k run, a parade, a pageant, and a food and crafts exposition.[22][23]
Taste of the Beach
Taste of the Beach takes place in May. Taste of the Beach is an event where local restaurants offer samples of their signature dishes for purchase and compete for top Taste of the Beach Award in categories such as Best Appetizer, Best Beef Dish, Best Seafood Dish, Best Chicken Dish, Best Dessert, Best Decorated Booth, and People's choice award. Live music is performed throughout the event.[22][23]
Fort Myers Beach Pirate Festival
The Fort Myers Beach Pirate Festival takes place the second weekend in October. The Fort Myers Beach Pirate Festival was named the #2 Pirate Festival in the Country by USA. This family-friendly event attracts thousands of people that come to enjoy the pirate bazaar, themed live music and performances, live ship battles, children's activities and the jolly pub quest (21+ event).[22][23]
American Sand Sculpting Championship
The American Sand Sculpting Championship takes place in November. This is the largest sand sculpting event in the United States. Nearly 47,000 attendees visit and 2000 tons of sand are sculpted.[22][23]
Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade
The Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade takes place in December. The event features 30 to 50 illuminated boats decorated with an array of animated Christmas scenes and filling the air with Christmas carols. The parade travels through the Back Bay and passes by some restaurants.[22][23]
The beach of Fort Myers Beach
Matanzas Pass
The beach as seen from the terrace of the Lani Kai Island Resort
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