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Matlacha

Matlacha

Located in Lee County

33993
$575,255 Average Value
$437 Average Price per Sq Ft
31 Homes For Sale

Still following that dream

Though rebuilding after a direct hit by Hurricane Ian, Matlacha remains one of Florida's most unique coastal communities, offering a small village of creative maritime homeowners who care deeply for their home's serene past, present and future. "Matlacha was built as a fill-in island for the building of the Matlacha Pass Bridge in 1926," says Realtor Mike Shevlin of Sunbelt Realty, who has lived in Matlacha for over 40 years. "It started going downhill in the 70s and 80s as it became a squatters island for rough and tumble fishermen, then a few people started doing some commercial stuff and fixing up some shacks, and all of a sudden it became a cool place."

Inspiring scenery and activities

Matlacha's artsy community is inseparable from its natural surroundings, which inspires the minds of locals to open art galleries with lush gardens, craft sculptures of dolphins and design custom mailboxes using seashells. But it is just as much an active community as it is a creative one, demonstrated by several public boat slips around town, which locals use to access the over 200 acres of the Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve. Before Ian, locals could use the pier at Bat House Park for fishing, but it remains temporarily closed for repairs. However, Matlacha Community Park is open again and offers basketball, baseball and dock fishing amenities.

Matlacha Community Park has many fishing and seafood related supplies.
Matlacha Community Park has many fishing and seafood related supplies.
You can go out to the open water any day you want when you live in Matlacha neighborhood.
You can go out to the open water any day you want when you live in Matlacha neighborhood.
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Older beach bungalows and modern villas

Practically every home in Matlacha is on the water, which can become a concern in high-powered storms yet offers envious access to open waters. Those homes, like the town's residents, follow no overarching pattern. Each one is unique from the last, even in similar architectural styles, because of how locals personalize their homes. But whether it is a terracotta roof Mediterranean villa, an eclectic beach bungalow or a multi-colored mid-century rambler, Matlacha does not come cheap. Most homes sell at a low end of $500,000, while newer, larger homes sell for closer to $800,000, and some have sold for over $1 million. "There's a lot of restoration still going on and we're going to get it back to better than it was before," says Shevlin. "The question our community faces now is: do we maintain our old historic design or go for something new and modern?"

You can find a few larger multi level homes in Matlacha neighborhood.
You can find a few larger multi level homes in Matlacha neighborhood.
Most of the homes are built in Key West style in Matlacha neighborhood.
Most of the homes are built in Key West style in Matlacha neighborhood.
Blue is the dominant color when it comes to bungalow homes in Matlacha neighborhood.
Blue is the dominant color when it comes to bungalow homes in Matlacha neighborhood.
There are plenty of waterfront properties to chose from in Matlacha neighborhood.
There are plenty of waterfront properties to chose from in Matlacha neighborhood.
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A community for the crafty

It's easy to meet one's neighbors on the small island. Its namesake park includes a community center that serves as the meeting place for most local clubs, like open-play pickleball and the quilters club. However, like Bat House Park, it remains temporarily closed due to hurricane damage. But some recurring events have returned to Matlacha, like art classes and shows at the Pine Island Art Association.

You can take home your favorite fish as a souvenir from Matlacha.
You can take home your favorite fish as a souvenir from Matlacha.
Many local artists sell their work in Matlacha neighborhood.
Many local artists sell their work in Matlacha neighborhood.
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Happy hour at the Blue Dog

Some businesses have reopened their doors since Hurricane Ian and have returned to being their usual hangout spots for locals and passers-through. The Blue Dog Bar & Grill is one of the most frequented restaurants in town, offering a cutesy watering hole that serves American fare and seafood platters on its canal-side patio. And for an island community, Matlacha is well-served for weekly essentials. "Matlacha is smack in the middle of two Publixes, one in Cape Coral, just off Burnt Store Road, and another to the west on Pine Island," says Shevlin.

Blue Dog Restaurant is serving local seafood oriented menu to the residents in Matlacha.
Blue Dog Restaurant is serving local seafood oriented menu to the residents in Matlacha.
Grab a beer and kick back at the Blue Dog Bar and Grill.
Grab a beer and kick back at the Blue Dog Bar and Grill.
Hook'd Up Bait Co is a family-owned bait and tackle shop that is a one-stop.
Hook'd Up Bait Co is a family-owned bait and tackle shop that is a one-stop.
When it comes to grocery locals like to visit Joes Farmers Market close to Matlacha.
When it comes to grocery locals like to visit Joes Farmers Market close to Matlacha.
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Students ride for free

Students in Matlacha have a unique school structure. Busses come onto the island every day to transport students to and from Pine Island Elementary, a small school of just over 200 students that has a Niche score of B. "Pine Island Elementary is actually a top school, but it's really a neighborhood school for kids on the barrier islands," says Shevlin. From there, students have open choice for their next school through Florida's unrestricted open enrollment system. Most choose to move on to Trafalgar Middle, which has a Niche score of A-minus, then Mariner High, which has a Niche score of B-plus.

One-way in, one-way out

With the recent reconstruction of the Matlacha Pass Bridge, traffic on and off the island is steadily improving. While students get bussed to school, there is no public transportation, so a car is necessary to reach groceries and more extensive services such as hospitals and major employers. But Pine Island Road's walkable main drag offers a cluster of limited amenities.

Locals have to cross the connecting bridge to get back to the main land from Matlacha.
Locals have to cross the connecting bridge to get back to the main land from Matlacha.
You will have to protect your property from constant water and heavy weather conditions.
You will have to protect your property from constant water and heavy weather conditions.
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Tom Jakob
Written By
Tom Jakob
Gabor Kovacs
Photography Contributed By
Gabor Kovacs
TJ Wengert
Video By
TJ Wengert

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Sheena Reagan, an experienced agent in this area.

Agents Specializing in this Area

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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

Parks in this Area

Area Facts

Number of Homes
373
Number of Homes for Sale
31
Median Year Built
1970
Months of Supply
14.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,458
Significantly below the national average
1,930
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,053
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
600
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,662

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Apr 25
    Open Sat 11AM - 1PM

    2859 Cheryl St, Matlacha, FL 33993

    $599,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,575 Sq Ft
    • 2859 Cheryl St

    Rare waterfront opportunity in the heart of iconic Matlacha, offering a true multi-generational floor plan with a full mother-in-law suite, all situated on two spacious lots with exceptional features throughout. With 128 feet of waterfront and direct Gulf access, the property includes a 7,000 lb covered boat lift with fish-cleaning station and a 2017 saltwater solar-heated pool with tanning

    Traci Harrier Uriami Realty LLC

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Matlacha Has More Owners

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
4
Median Rent
$5,500
Median Single Family Home Rent
$5,500
Median 3 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$5,500
Median Condo Rent
$9,884
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$9,884

Demographics

Total Population
864
Median Age
66
Population under 18
5.2%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
52.5%
Significantly above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$92,708
Above the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$147,353

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
100%
Above the national average
89%
College Graduates
29.7%
Advanced Degrees
10.7%
% Population in Labor Force
36.9%
Significantly 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 friendly

Bike Score®®

20 / 100

Somewhat friendly

Walk Score®®

20 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Matlacha
Sheena Reagan
Realty One Group MVP
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