Historically, Harlem Heights in Ft. Myers was a community of Black workers who farmed the local potato, gladiolus and chrysanthemum fields. Since then, the community has expanded to reflect a growing Hispanic population, making diversity one of the neighborhood’s top selling points. And for homeowners looking to reach places easily, Harlem Heights also stacks that in the plus column. “Location-wise, it’s pristine,” says David Tran, a Keller Williams Realtor who sells homes in Ft. Myers. “You’re close to the beach. Also, you will have no HOA fees if that’s what you’re looking for.”
Harlem Heights is one of those places that plays its hand and emerges each time with new hope, thanks to local organizations like the Heights Foundation, which promotes community wholeness through helping children. Most recently, the community has continued recovery efforts following the disastrous Hurricane Ian episode in 2022. Ian reminds homeowners and, in some instances, mandates that they have the proper insurance package. “You may need flood insurance because you’re close to the beach. It’s a good chance you may have flood insurance,” Tran says.
Harlem Heights
From the 2000s for the 400,000s
Single-family residences are few and far between in Harlem Heights. Apartments and healthcare comprise 60% of the neighborhood, and at scarcely 14%, homes include a tiny sliver of the neighborhood’s property mix. These homes have been around an established area since the early 2000s, and some are beginning to show hints of having lived in a couple of decades. Much of that is masked by bright Florida sunshine beaming down on brightly colored, primarily ranch-style homes on sequestered blocks blanketed by palms, oaks, and other native plant species. The median price for a single-family home is about $420,000, with $350,000 putting many homebuyers in a house. “They’re going to get three to four bedrooms. There’s a good chance it might be a little older,” Tran says.
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Be Gladiolus for convenient access to everything
Most folks in Harlem Heights take to the roads when they need to get where they’re going. State Route 80, known locally as Palm Beach Blvd., Gladiolus Dr., and McGregor Blvd., are the main roads and connect motorists with most other destinations throughout Ft. Myers. Congestion tends to pick up mornings and evenings, particularly along the main roads, “other than that, roads are pretty smooth,” Tran says. LeeTran operates buses along Gladiolus and San Carlos for public transportation commuters.
You do some hokey poké Egcetera, etc
Residents should expect to step outside the neighborhood to shop or grab food. But they won’t have far to travel, and everything they want is nearby. Whole Foods, Publix and Sam’s Club are within a 10-minute drive. And so is an abundance of restaurants like Eggcetera, Deep Lagoon Seafood and Oyster House and Pokemoto Hawaiian Poké, with a range of poké. Try the Sesame Ginger Chicken.
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Not such a complex choice
Harlem Heights has two local parks. Centered in the middle of the neighborhood, the first, Harlem Heights Community Park, is a popular one with three well-used basketball courts, a soccer field and two individual playgrounds for kids of differing ages, one of which is an adorable little toddler playground. A sizeable picnic pavilion gives parkgoers a place to grill out of the sun’s reach. For sports enthusiasts, Kelly Road Soccer Complex, Harlem Heights’ second park, is a 40-acre soccer complex with six pro soccer fields and pavilions. The complex hosts games. However, it suspends play when field conditions don’t permit use.
Cypress Lake lives for the theatre
Lee County Public Schools administers public education in Harlem Heights. Niche rates the district B-plus. Students may attend Heights Elementary School, which Niche rates B-plus, Lexington Middle School, which Niche rates B and B-plus-rated Cypress Lake High School. The high school is well known for its Center for the Arts, which offers media arts, music, dance theatre and visual arts programs.
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Outreaches, fundraisers and thanksgiving
Harlem Heights is not a neighborhood known for staying still too long. The Heights Foundation leads the way in organizing neighborhood events, including a Thanksgiving celebration, Christmas outreach, various fundraisers, and recently, a Hurricane Ian Volunteer and Major Donor Appreciation Event, which recognized those in the community who helped the neighborhood recover following the devastating disaster. Not far away, just up Gladiolus Dr., Lakes Park is the site of various events, like Run the Lakes for Cypress Lake Middle, Soul Sister Women Circle and multiple races such as Run for The Youth 5K.
Written By
Jonathan Clarke
Photography Contributed By
Pete Barrett
Video By
Ellie Brown
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Larry Hahn
Larry Hahn
Berkshire Hathaway Florida
(239) 360-6586
79 Total Sales
1 in Harlem Heights
$406,000 Price
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Lisa Gottesman
Lisa Gottesman
EXP Realty LLC
(239) 766-5681
182 Total Sales
1 in Harlem Heights
$320,000 Price
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Bryan Tipple
Bryan Tipple
Marzucco Real Estate
(239) 758-9516
16 Total Sales
1 in Harlem Heights
$340,000 Price
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Lawrence Casanova
Lawrence Casanova
Real Broker, LLC
(240) 873-1978
47 Total Sales
1 in Harlem Heights
$260,000 Price
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Scott Stevens
Scott Stevens
Coldwell Banker Realty
(239) 766-6304
42 Total Sales
1 in Harlem Heights
$295,000 Price
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Randy Keys
Randy Keys
RE/MAX Blue Skies
(239) 329-1025
65 Total Sales
1 in Harlem Heights
$202,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
Parks in this Area
Woof-A-Hatchee Dog Park
Harlem Heights Community Park
- Basketball
- Football
- Grills
Rutenberg Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Football
Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center
Kelly Road Soccer Complex
- Picnic Area
- Soccer
- Trails
Transit
Reviews
Are you familiar with the Harlem Heights neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Harlem Heights | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 4 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 3 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
| Robbery | 4 | 4 |
| Burglary | 4 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 3 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Harlem Heights Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Harlem Heights, Fort Myers sell after 152 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Harlem Heights, Fort Myers over the last 12 months is $276,200, down 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$329,950
Median Sale Price
$276,200
Median Single Family Sale Price
$370,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$276,500
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$279,900
Median Change From 1st List Price
10%
Last 12 months Home Sales
78
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-13%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$192
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes
1,706
Number of Homes for Sale
53
Median Year Built
2006
Months of Supply
8.20
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,819
Below the national average
1,927
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,775
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,381
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,534
Open Houses
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Sunday, Nov 302 - 4pm
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Saturday, Nov 2912 - 3pm
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Sunday, Dec 712 - 3pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
-
$1,440 - $1,920 per month
- Cascades at Clear Lake Apartments
- 2 - 4 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 877+ Sq Ft
- 10770 Clear Lake Loop
- Fort Myers, FL
-
-
$1,675 - $2,730 per month
- Sanibel Straits
- 1 - 3 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 772+ Sq Ft
- 16100 Myriad Ln
- Fort Myers, FL
Condo Buildings
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
6,343
Median Age
48
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
32.4%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$55,788
Significantly below the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$70,385
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.8%
Above the national average
89%
College Graduates
37%
Advanced Degrees
15.9%
% Population in Labor Force
42%
Below the national average
64.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
57''
Average Winter Low Temperature
55°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
42
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
5
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Iona
Expansive riverfront community a short drive from Fort Myers Beach
Cypress Lake
A Fort Myers community known for its golf and array of amenities
Crown Colony
Lakeside views and vibrant social events in a gated golf community
Lexington Country Club
A gated Fort Myers community with a golf course
San Carlos Bay
Charming residential community bordering the San Carlos Bay
McGregor Corridor
Riverside community of eclectic homes in southwestern Florida
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