Our Community

Charlotte County is located on Florida's southwest coast and is one of the most dynamically growing areas. Money magazine ranked it as "The Best Place to Live in the South". All of this is with good reason. The climate is subtropical, with an average annual temperature of 74 degrees. The air is clear and clean with pristine waters. The area's focal point is Charlotte Harbor, the second largest harbor in Florida, consisting of approximately 125 square miles of navigable, open water and since it is comparatively shallow, it will always remain recreational and free from the pollution and hazards associated with ocean-going commercial traffic. The harbor provides a paradise for sailboaters, powerboaters, canoeists, windsurfers, fishermen and all who enjoy water sports.

In addition, there are 21 public, semiprivate and private golf courses as well as numerous tennis courts. There are 4 yacht clubs plus most every service, regional, ethnic and national clubs.

The Crescent B Ranch in eastern Charlotte County offers its Babcock Wilderness Adventures, where you can experience the thrill of watching Florida's native wildlife as you tour the natural habitat from the comfort of a swamp buggy.

Cultural activities abound in Charlotte County. They can be found at the Memorial Auditorium (temporarily the Tentatorium) in  Punta Gorda, local art galleries like the Visual Arts Center, the Charlotte County Art Guild or the Port Charlotte Cultural Center. The Memorial Auditorium handles a wide variety of activities, including conventions, art and crafts shows, theatre, military service bands and outstanding musical attractions from top-name performers. The Visual Arts Center holds exhibit halls, student galleries, class and lecture areas in addition to the Donna Goff Gallery, which contains ever-changing exhibits of local artistic talent. The Port Charlotte Cultural Center combines quality art, musicals, plays and other entertainment in its facility. It includes a 418-seat theater, a public library and many classroom areas.

Charlotte County is known for its outstanding medical services. Having one of the highest health care providers to population ratios in the U.S. plus 3 major regional hospitals, there is no need to look elsewhere for almost any health need.

Whatever your interests, whether they be in water sports, the natural environment, music and the arts, or just plain fellowship, Charlotte County has it all plus a safe, friendly environment at a most reasonable cost.

Charlotte County boasts an unbeatable combination of reasons that make it "The Best Place to Live in the South".

Sunny, sub-tropical climate
Clean air and water
125 square miles of open, navigable waters
Affordable housing
Projected job growth nearly triple the national average
Wide variety of recreational activities
Low crime rate (59% below the national average)
Port Charlotte

Located north across the harbor and the Peace River via two new bridges is the area known as Port Charlotte which began its development in the late 1950's. Its current population is approximately 116,000 and there is still plenty of room for growth. It has more than 165 miles of man-made waterways, many with access to Charlotte Harbor.

There are numerous opportunities for recreation, including golf courses, yacht clubs, tennis courts, parks, boat ramps, pool and beach swimming.

The Murdock area of northern Port Charlotte is home of the regional Town Center Mall, which opened in 1989. There you will find major retailers as well as the smaller, specialty stores. Murdock is the "business and commercial hub" where shopping areas, office complexes, banks, theaters and restaurants have been built in recent years.

Average price of resale homes is approximately $223,000. Non-waterfront lots with central water and sewer service begin at about $35,000.

Punta Gorda Isles and Burnt Store Isles

Both of these waterfront communities offer boating access to Charlotte Harbor. Punta Gorda Isles began in 1958. "PGI" and "BSI" feature concrete seawalls, central water and sewer and strong, but reasonable deed restrictions. There are 65 miles of wide, saltwater canals (minimum width of 100 feet), with access times to the harbor ranging from seconds to 55 minutes. All waterfront properties are in the Canal Maintenance Program, which is run by the City of Punta Gorda. It maintains the seawalls and also keeps the canals dredged for continuous good boating access. Resale waterfront homes range in price from $399,000 to over $4,000,000. Waterfront lots range in price from $330,000 to over $2,000,000  Waterfront condos range in price from $225,000 to $500,000. You can travel the entire coast of Florida and not find a better value in waterfront properties than in Punta Gorda Isles/Burnt Store Isles.

The name means "fat point" in the language of the Conquistadors and is the county's only incorporated city. With 12,000 residents, including PGI and BSI, "old" Punta Gorda is currently in the middle of a major revitalization and beautification effort. With historic preservation as a priority, the city's Streetscape Program is restoring an old Florida atmosphere to its central district streets by adding brick lanes, period street lamps, benches and shade trees. The residential areas feature Spanish style clapboard tin-roofed homes with airy verandas, gingerbread woodwork and raised floors that bear witness to the fishing village architecture of its past. Historic Punta Gorda is experiencing an increasing demand for these quaint properties, with an eye toward restoring them to their original beauty.

Charlotte County, Florida

Money magazine's 1996 and 1997 "Best Place to Live in America"." Best Place in the South" and overall "Second Best Place to Live in America" is situated in the heart of the southwest coast of Florida. Charlotte County, nestled around the banks of serene Charlotte Harbor, is being discovered by those seeking sub-tropical living and vacationing at its finest. It continues to offer leisurely, uncongested and unhurried living.

"This picturesque Gulf Coast area of southwest Florida has been a well-kept secret waiting to be exposed," reported the July 1996 issue of Money magazine. The serenity of Charlotte Harbor and its surrounding waterways seems to draw those in pursuit of healthy diversions.

Clean air, 129 square miles of sparkling waters, clear sunshine, fishing at its greatest, wildlife in abundance and a casual , friendly atmosphere are appealing to those who are seeking the natural pleasures of life.

LIFESTYLES

This is an area of over 700 square miles where you can truly find your dream. Pleasant family communities and parks are scattered throughout the county. The area takes pride in its youth programs and educational system. Young families are beginning to discover that this is the place to live the ideal family life.

The old Florida lifestyle of cattle ranches, farms and citrus groves remains alive in the rural areas of Charlotte County, only minutes from the heart of "civilization". Acreages are nestled around Shell Creek, Prairie Creek and, of course, the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor.

Many of the golfing communities, as well as retirement communities, located in Charlotte County are the envy of the state. Manicured fairways and lawns blend with the natural environment of sub-tropical Florida.

Waterfront homes are available for every lifestyle, from family lake-front homes, homes directly on the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor, to your own private canal hide-a-way. Take your pick....find your dream.

LOCATION

Charlotte County is on the Gulf Coast of southwest Florida, 50 miles south of Sarasota on U.S. Highway 41,(the historic Tamiami Trail), and 24 miles north of Ft.Myers. Charlotte County is within easy access of both Orlando(125 miles) and Miami(162 miles). Interstate Highway I-75 has six interchanges in Charlotte County, exits 32 to 27.

POPULATION

The population of unincorporated Charlotte County is 115,668, in addition to the city of Punta Gorda with 11,978 residents. The total population is 127,646, with the county growth rate projected at 34% over the next ten years.

Seasonal population includes part-time inhabitants who may live for several months of the year in Charlotte County or the city of Punta Gorda, but who have a usual residence elsewhere. Seasonal population is estimated at a 30% increase from January through April.

Climate

At 5 feet to 25 feet above sea level, Charlotte County enjoys a climate characterized as sub-tropic where extremes of temperature in both summer and winter are checked by the tempering influence of the Gulf of Mexico.

Prevailing winds are an easterly average of 12-18 mph. The annual average temperature is 73.9 degrees. The average of the low month, January is 63 degrees and the average of the high month, August, is 82.8 degrees. During the summer the temperature is usually in the low 90's during the day and in the low 70's during the night.

Rainfall averages 52.55 inches a year, with approximately two-thirds occurring June through September. These rains have a cooling effect during the hot summer days.

The proceeding information was provided by the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce.

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