Fort Myers Beach, Florida

Geography

Fort Myers Beach is located at 26°26′19″N 81°55′32″W (26.438676, -81.925620).

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. The town is situated on the barrier island of Estero Island.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 6,277 people in 3,444 households residing in the town. The population density was 2,262.8 people per square mile (848.2/km²). There were 9,402 housing units at an average density of 3,248.3 per square mile (1,273.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.7% White, 0.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.8% of the population.

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 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.

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.

Government

The town is governed by a five-member town council, one of whom is the mayor, Dennis C. Boback. The town manager, Don Stillwell, works with the town council to implement plans.

The Town of Fort Myers Beach also operates Bay Oaks Recreational Campus(BORC), located at 2731 Oak Street, on Fort Myers Beach. 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.

Churches

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 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.

Other churches on the island are the Roman Catholic's Church of the Ascension, the Beach United Methodist Church, St. Peter's Lutheran Church, and the Beach Baptist Church.

Public transportation

Fort Myers Beach is served by LeeTran buses operated by the county.