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Lehigh Acres, FL

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Lehigh Acres, FL

Lehigh Acres is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lee County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 114,287, up from 86,784 at the 2010 census. Lehigh Acres is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is one of the fastest-growing communities in Lee County.

Lehigh Acres was developed in the mid-1950s by Chicago businessman Lee Ratner. Seeking a tax shelter, Ratner had sold his pest control business and faced the possibility of losing most of his earnings to the high capital gains tax of that era. Ratner heard that cattle was a good investment for people in his predicament, and he bought 18,000 acres (73 km²) of land in eastern Lee County and named it the Lucky Lee Ranch. After ranching for a while, and despite having no prior development experience, Ratner joined with Gerald H. Gould, a Florida advertising executive, Manuel Riskin, a Chicago CPA, and Edward Shapiro, a former Chicagoan who was in the real estate business in California and began land sales at Lehigh Acres. Gerald Gould was the president of the corporation that developed Lehigh Acres, which began in 1954. He remained as president until the company was sold in 1972.

But as in much of the United States, the real-estate boom of the 2000s went bust. The median house price in the Fort Myers area peaked in late 2005 at $322,300. Three years later, it had plummeted to $106,900. A reliance on construction jobs no longer available pushed the unemployment rate in the area of Lehigh Acres and Fort Myers to 14% by the summer of 2009. Property values reached a low in 2008 of $106,900. By late 2014, property values averaged $169,200.

Lehigh Acres is located in eastern Lee County at 26°36′30″N 81°38′21″W (26.608333, -81.639167). It is bordered to the north by Alva, to the northwest by Buckingham, and the southwest by Gateway, all unincorporated. It is bordered on the west by the city of Fort Myers, the Lee County seat, and extends east to the Hendry County line.

Florida State Road 82 forms the southern border of the community; the highway leads west 15 miles (24 km) to the center of Fort Myers and southeast 20 miles (32 km) to Immokalee. According to the United States Census Bureau, the Lehigh Acres CDP has a total area of 94.2 square miles (243.9 km²), of which 92.7 square miles (240.0 km²) are land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²), or 1.61%, are water.

In terms of health and wellness, Lehigh Acres prioritizes the well-being of its residents. The Lehigh Acres Medical Center serves as a cornerstone for healthcare services in the community, offering a range of medical specialties and advanced facilities. Elements Massage specializes in custom massages tailored to individual needs, focusing on therapeutic techniques to address specific issues like pain relief or stress reduction. Bliss Spa offers a range of massages including Swedish, deep tissue, and prenatal massages, as well as specialty treatments like their "Blissage" and "Betweeny" waxing services. The Salt Room offers unique salt therapy sessions along with massage services, combining the benefits of massage with halotherapy for respiratory and skin health. The Spa at PGA National Resort offers a variety of massages including Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, and aromatherapy massages, in addition to other spa treatments. Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island provides a range of massage therapies including their signature "Heaven in a Hammock" massage, deep tissue massage, and reflexology.

Top Sites in Lehigh Acres, FL: The Club at Westminster, Wonder Gardens, and Lehigh Lanes.

Population: 124,440 (2022). ZIP Codes: 33900. Area codes: 239. Elevation: 20 ft (6 m). Area: 94.21 sq mi (244.00 km²).

FAQs

Is Lehigh Acres, FL a good place to live?

Lehigh Acres, Florida is a charming city located in Southwest Florida. The area features plenty of recreational activities such as golfing and fishing, as well as shopping and dining experiences that are sure to please. Nature fans can explore the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary or take in views from sunsets on local beaches. Lehigh Acres also offers something for every budget and lifestyle, with homes ranging from affordable to luxurious. Whether you’re looking for a place to call home or just want some fresh air and relaxation, Lehigh Acres won't disappoint.

What is the crime rate in Lehigh Acres, FL?

The crime rate in Lehigh Acres is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 14 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Lehigh Acres is 1 in 73. Based on FBI crime data, Lehigh Acres is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Florida, Lehigh Acres has a crime rate that is higher than 58% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Is Lehigh Acres, FL expensive to live in?

Lehigh Acres is ranked 56 out of 273 cities across the US in terms of cost of living. The cost of living in Lehigh Acres is 106.8% of the national average. The median household income in Lehigh Acres is $52,894, which is 14% less than that of the state. The median income for an individual is $29,365, which is 14% less than that of the state. The average rent in the Lehigh Acres (located in Cape Coral-Fort Myers Metro) metro area for a 2-bed home is $1,936, which is 31% more than the average rent across the US.

Sources

Lee County

Wikipedia

Best Places

Neighborhood Scout

Zero Down

Lehigh Acres Medical Center

Elements Massage

Bliss Spa

The Salt Room

The Spa at PGA National Resort

Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

The Club at Westminster 

Wonder Gardens 

Lehigh Lanes

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.