The City of Fort Myers is thriving!

Each year, Fort Myers is ranked at the top for best places to live, safest cities in American, top places to retire and most recently, the Fort Myers is ranked #3 Fastest Growing Places by U.S. News & World Report Best Places to Live Rankings.

The City of Fort Myers has so much to offer, it's no surprise that Southwest Florida is booming. From a charming and historic Downtown, to an eclectic arts and culture scene, there's a little flavor for everyone's taste.

Fun Facts!

• Estimated Population: just under 96,000
• Median Age: 40.9 years-old
• Age Breakdown: 21% - 18 and under, 58% between 19 and 63 years of age, 21% - 64 and over
• Demographics: 48% White (non-Hispanic/Latino), 27% Latino/Hispanic, 25% African American/Black
• Growth rate: 2.68% YOY

Fort Myers History

Originally established as Fort Harvie, Fort Myers began transforming into a farming and cattle community in the late 1860’s and 1870’s. By the mid 1880’s Fort Myers began developing a commercial core and gaining national notoriety for local recreational fishing.

In 1886, the City of Fort Myers was officially formed; in 1887, Lee County was carved from Monroe County.

Following the opening of a rail line connecting Fort Myers to Punta Gorda in 1904, a series of building booms fostered several new residential subdivisions beyond Downtown, including Dean Park, Edison Park, and Seminole Park. Over time the original wooden buildings of downtown were replaced with masonry and brick buildings, many of which still exist today.

Only thirty years after its inception, Fort Myers saw its first sky scraper in Downtown with the seven-story addition to the Franklin Arms Hotel. That same year, a wooden bridge spanning the Caloosahatchee was built, aptly named the Edison Bridge, after our most famous winter resident, Thomas Edison.

Today the landscape of Southwest Florida has changed dramatically; however, our history and dedication to our colorful past continues. Fort Myers has four designated historic districts: Edison Park, Dean Park, Downtown, and Seminole Park, along with nearly 20 designated historic landmarks that have the benefit of being a part of the Historic Preservation program.

We invite you to follow the city's website, twitter, instagram and facebook, to learn more about what's happening in historic and fun Fort Myers.