1st Advantage MortgageCharlotte County households have a median income of $69,952 and median rent of $1,464 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Florida license first.
On this page
- Charlotte County by the numbers
- What Charlotte County households earn
- Rent, home values and ownership in Charlotte County
- How Charlotte County residents earn a living
- Charlotte County towns compared
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- More Charlotte County figures
- What the numbers mean for Charlotte County borrowers
- A Charlotte County household budget, worked through
- Steps before you apply in Charlotte County
- Licensing and complaints for Charlotte County
- More guides for Charlotte County
- Frequently asked questions
Charlotte County by the numbers
With an estimated 201,064 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Charlotte County ranks 28th of 67 in Florida for population. It covers 681 square miles of land, or about 295 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Punta Gorda, FL metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Port Charlotte is the biggest of its 10 Census places, at roughly 66,133 people (33% of the county total).
What Charlotte County households earn
At $69,952, the typical Charlotte County household income is 7% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Yearly household income | Charlotte County | Gap to Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.6% | +0.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.9% | +4.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.2% | -1.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.4% | -3.6 pts |
About 23% of households earn under $35,000, while 32% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 9.0%, 4 points lower than the state's 12.6%. A household earning below the $69,952 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Rent, home values and ownership in Charlotte County
Renters in Charlotte County pay a median of $1,464 a month, 12% below the Florida figure of $1,669. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 62% of renter households here. With a median value of $328,900, a typical Charlotte County house costs 4.7 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 84% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1991.
| Measure | Charlotte County | Florida | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,464/mo | $1,669/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $328,900 | $359,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 84% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 62% | 60% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 40% | 35% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare). Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
How Charlotte County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 14%. The sharpest difference from the state is in retail trade, at 14% locally and 12% for Florida. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.4% in Charlotte County. About 72% drive to work alone and 18% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 4.5% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Charlotte County | Gap to Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.0% | -0.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.4% | +2.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 12.2% | -2.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.2% | +0.2 pts |
| Construction | 9.9% | +1.7 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.4% | -0.7 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Charlotte County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Charlotte County towns compared
Here are the 10 most populous of the county's 10 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 57% of Charlotte County residents live in one of the 10. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $32,484 in Solana to $142,250 in Manasota Key. Live in one of these Charlotte County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Charlotte | CDP | 66,133 | $63,844 | $1,553 | 9 mi |
| Punta Gorda | city | 20,278 | $85,779 | $1,410 | 4 mi |
| Rotonda | CDP | 10,352 | $74,573 | $1,155 | 17 mi |
| Harbour Heights | CDP | 4,289 | $65,152 | $1,331 | 6 mi |
| Charlotte Harbor | CDP | 4,239 | $40,406 | $1,316 | 5 mi |
| Cleveland | CDP | 2,683 | $47,157 | $1,124 | 3 mi |
| Grove City | CDP | 2,106 | $52,604 | $2,044 | 20 mi |
| Charlotte Park | CDP | 1,966 | $60,302 | $1,893 | 3 mi |
| Manasota Key | CDP | 1,711 | $142,250 | n/a | 22 mi |
| Solana | CDP | 948 | $32,484 | n/a | 3 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Neighboring counties at a glance
DeSoto County is closest, 23 miles from center to center; the sixth, Glades County, is 50 miles off. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Charlotte County; Sarasota County is highest at $83,416 and Glades County lowest at $45,870.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte County | - | $69,952 | $1,464/mo | 84% |
| DeSoto County, FL | 23 mi | $54,417 | $932/mo | 73% |
| Lee County, FL | 24 mi | $76,107 | $1,712/mo | 74% |
| Sarasota County, FL | 34 mi | $83,416 | $1,818/mo | 77% |
| Hardee County, FL | 42 mi | $60,489 | $962/mo | 71% |
| Manatee County, FL | 46 mi | $78,457 | $1,671/mo | 74% |
| Glades County, FL | 50 mi | $45,870 | $886/mo | 85% |
More Charlotte County figures
College graduates make up 27% of the adult population. About 10% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Charlotte County | All of Florida | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 59.9 | 42.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.0% | 34.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.5% | 10.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.7% | 11.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.5% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 16.2% | 15.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.0% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.4% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Charlotte County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 37.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.5% |
| 60+ min | 9.8% |
What the numbers mean for Charlotte County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Charlotte County borrowers.
- Keeping the car running. At 18% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Charlotte County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Older households. A 59.9 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Renters under pressure. When 62% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
A Charlotte County household budget, worked through
Charlotte County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $5,829 a month: gross income for a household at the Charlotte County median
- 25% goes to median rent ($1,464)
- $1,043: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Charlotte County's.
Steps before you apply in Charlotte County
A short checklist for Charlotte County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Charlotte County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Florida.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Licensing and complaints for Charlotte County
Charlotte County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Florida state guide for the statewide picture.
More guides for Charlotte County
For statewide rules and data, see the Florida guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Charlotte County earn?
The median is $69,952; 32% earn $100,000 or more and 23% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Charlotte County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,464 a month; 62% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in Charlotte County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 84% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Charlotte County?
By population: Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Rotonda, Harbour Heights, Charlotte Harbor. The county has 10 Census places in all.
Can Charlotte County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Florida county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.