Flourishing with lakes and trails while fueled by the Floridian sun, Babcock Ranch is just one of a few solar-powered towns in the United States. The community was founded in 2017 on a parcel of what was once a 91,000-acre farm owned by the Babcock family for a century. Most of this land still surrounds the town, preserved forever for alligators, egrets and other native species. "What's so exciting about Babcock Ranch is that this developer has created the community in an area that was nothing," says Janet Minerich, a Realtor with Re/Max Harbor Realty who's sold homes in Punta Gorda for five years. "They've created it out of cow pastures. And there's a lot of growth that has yet to happen." Besides appealing to naturalists, Babcock Ranch's durability is another draw. Because the community runs on green energy and is built 30 feet above sea level, it never flooded or lost power during Hurricane Ian in 2022 or Helene and Milton, which both struck the Florida coast in 2024.
Though Babcock Ranch is often referred to as a "town," it's really a master-planned community. Given this, the over-arching vision is to become fully self-sufficient by adding more shopping, dining and a hospital over the next 15 years. "I really feel like we're on our own, like in a private resort," local Realtor Andre LaFountain of EXP Realty says. "As soon as you come across the bridge into Babcock, it's like entering a bubble."
Babcock Ranch was founded in 2017.
Babcock Ranch runs on green energy and is built 30 feet above sea level.
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Babcock High School partners with Cambridge University
Neighborhood schools are around the corner in Babcock Ranch. Kindergarten through eighth-grade students attend Babcock Neighborhood School, which scores an A-minus on Niche. The next step is Babcock High School, earning a B-minus. The buildings are right next to each other near the center of town. Both employ project-based learning to help students gain practical, real-world insight. For the younger kids, one project was a trip to Publix, where students navigated math questions including “How many eggs are in a dozen?” and “How many six packs of sodas total 18 sodas?” The high school offers dual enrollment programs and pre-university curriculums through a partnership with Cambridge University that's designed to cultivate the college mindset and work ethic.
The kayak launch at Lake Babcock
Babcock Ranch's recreational options are robust, even if some of them are still being constructed. Curry Creek Park is currently in the works. Upon completion, its 50-acres stretching north to south through the heart of Babcock Ranch will connect six parks with playgrounds and sports courts. The main parks currently open are the dog park, with its agility-training obstacles; Hillcrest Park, with its climbing structures and slides; and Jack Peeples Park, behind the school, with pickleball courts. Friends can also play pickleball or lounge poolside at the two community clubhouses in Babcock Ranch. One is near Founders Square, a shopping hub by the community's largest lake, where there's also a gym. "When you're on the second floor where a lot of the treadmills are, you can look out the back and see the sun coming over the lake," LaFountain says. Golfers enjoy two semi-private golf courses, and Babcock Ranch plans to build a third. The local lakes are used for kayaking and fishing, but swimming is prohibited due to gators.
To explore the surrounding landscape, it's 10 miles up the road to Babcock Ranch Eco Tours. "Our guests board a repurposed school bus that we call a swamp buggy," says Roger Clad, one of the tour guides. "We travel through four different ecosystems and narrate the whole time. You'll encounter wild hogs, wild turkeys, and the Florida cracker cattle. Of course, you'll also see alligators, waiting birds and sandhill cranes."
Lounge poolside at Babcock Ranch's Cypress Lodge.
Babcock Ranch allows kayaking and fishing at its lakes, but not swimming due to wildlife.
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Ice cream by Babcock Lake
Founders Square is Babcock Ranch's downtown area, offering a village feel with hyperlocal shopping and dining, all within walking distance. The Lake House Bar is on the water with an outdoor patio. It's a casual spot to grab lunch with friends and watch the comings and goings of runners, walkers and bikers using the lake's winding trail. Slater's Goods and Provisions is a short walk from the bar and attached to the local ice cream shop, which sells specialty lattes. Slater's Goods has a daily special — the jalapeno popper pizza was popular — and sells Babcock Ranch merch, wine, grab-and-go food and more. Families are often gathered at the center of Founders Square, where there's a splash pad for the kids. On the south side of Babcock Ranch, another commercial corridor is expanding. It currently has a Publix, Starbucks and the local Mexican grill M'Xuma Tacos, but in the coming years, it will bring Five Guys, Ulta Beauty, Ace Hardware and more. "My wife literally jumps on the golf cart to go to Publix," LaFountain says. "Going to the grocery store on your golf cart is just cool, it feels like less of a chore."
Babcock Ranch offers hyperlocal shopping and dining at Founder's Square.
Babcock Bandstand occurs Friday evenings within the Babcock Ranch community.
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Food Truck Fridays at Founders Square
Most local events happen at Founders Square, including Food Truck Fridays, the farmers market on Sunday mornings and live music at the pavilion on the weekends. Because the community is constantly adding new homes, it’s also regularly welcoming new neighbors, many of which are transplants from across the United States eager to make new friends. “They are moving here and they don’t know anyone,” says John Garuti a local Realtor with EXP Realty who's lived here for five years. “It’s easy to meet people, which is really cool.”
Condos to custom builds in Babcock Ranch
“We have 12 different builders in over 20 different neighborhoods. So, depending on what you’re looking for, you have all different types of homes: condos, coach homes, villas, townhouses, single-family homes,” says one of the town ambassadors, Becky Damiano. Some neighborhoods, like Crescent Lakes, surround pools and pickleball courts. Others, like Webbs Reserve, back up to golf courses. Architecturally speaking, homes are often of the beach, neo-traditional variety with farmhouse touches, painted in faint blue and greys. Many have streamlined floor plans, but there are some custom-builds in neighborhoods like Lake Timber. Prices generally range from the high $200,000s to around $500,000 for condos and villas. Single-family homes typically range from $400,000 to over $1.5 million, depending on the degree of customization and location.
Streetscapes are uniform, with residents abiding by homeowners association agreements, including tucking trash cans from view and only growing native landscaping. Yards are modest, some with backyard lanai pools, and most neighborhoods are built around a lake, whether large or small. Around half of Babcock Ranch is devoted to green spaces, and the entire area is connected by a 50-mile trail system that will be 150 miles upon completion. “There’s a feeling of space between the neighborhood, but still accessibility,” says Elle Randazzo, a town ambassador. “Our kids are on their golf carts, bopping around to the different neighborhoods to see their friends.”
Babcock Ranch has a desirable CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, much lower than the national average of 4.
Babcock Ranch offers condos, single family homes, villas, townhomes, & more.
Babcock Ranch neighborhoods are built around a lake, whether large or small.
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Babcock Ranch is only 15 minutes from North Fort Meyers
Babcock Ranch is designed to be pedestrian friendly. “There are sidewalks everywhere, bike lanes on all the main roads, too. It’s completely golf cart accessible throughout the whole community which is a huge part of the lifestyle here,” Damiano says. For longer commutes, locals can hop on Florida State Route 31, which runs along the western side. And there are EV charging stations throughout the neighborhood for those with electric cars. LaFountain says Babcock Ranch has a reputation for being “out in the sticks,” but it’s actually well-connected. “There’s a lot of industry within a short distance in North Fort Meyers and Punta Gorda.” Both are within 15 to 30 miles.
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
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Parks in this Area
Skate Park
Lagoon Park
Hillcrest Park
Bullhorn Park
Bluebird Park
Jack Peeples Community Park
Transit
Airport
Southwest Florida International
44 min drive
Babcock Ranch Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Babcock Ranch, North Fort Myers sell after 123 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Babcock Ranch, North Fort Myers over the last 12 months is $397,390, down 14% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Call TerraWalk home! This 2 bed + den, 2 bath and 2 car garage Ellenwood villa home sits on a beautiful water view lot and features a stylish kitchen backsplash, stainless steel appliances, white cabinets with quartz countertops, tile flooring throughout, an extended covered lanai, cabinets at laundry and so much more! TerraWalk is a gated community of new construction homes with a luxury 8 acre
Discover refined living in this stunning Mystique floorplan, offering 2 bedrooms, a versatile den, and 2 full bathrooms. Thoughtfully upgraded throughout, this home features a tray ceiling in the gathering room that adds architectural interest and a sense of spaciousness. The gourmet kitchen is a chef’s dream, boasting built-in Whirlpool stainless steel appliances, crisp white cabinetry with
Step into resort-style living with this one-of-a-kind 2-bedroom plus den, 3-bath Remington—the only executive floor plan in Babcock National with a pool bath. This fully completed community means you’ll enjoy peaceful surroundings, mature landscaping, zero construction, and direct access to one of Southwest Florida’s most desirable bundled golf communities.Babcock National offers
Entertain guests with ease in the open kitchen, dining, and great room that flow to the patio. The primary suite is tucked in the rear of the home offering plenty of privacy and features a spacious walk-in closet and shower. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a 2 car garage comprise this single family home. Some upgrades include ceramic tile throughout, epoxy flooring in the garage, upgraded lighting
Motivated seller, moving out of state. Welcome to the quiet, quaint, upscale, gated community of Babcock Ranch National Golf Club; part of America's "First Solar Town". Located on the quietest, remotest, least-trafficked street, this most sought after, second-floor, nature preserve view home is the only one available of its kind with golf membership included! Upon entering this 3 bed/2 bath home,
Lakefront Luxury Meets Smart Living in Babcock RanchWelcome to your next chapter in America’s first solar-powered town. This nearly-new, four-bedroom, three-bath home is nestled on a premium south-facing, pie-shaped lot in the heart of Tuckers Cove—just one block from the main gate for effortless access and extra privacy between neighbors. With unobstructed lake views, swaying palms, and
Welcome to your serene retreat in the heart of Webb’s Reserve, where luxury meets lifestyle. This beautifully designed 2-bedroom, 2-bath golf condo offers breathtaking sunrise views over the fairways and a modern open-concept layout perfect for both relaxing and entertaining.Step inside to a bright and airy living space flooded with natural light from expansive eastern-facing windows. The
Live in comfort and style in this beautifully furnished rental home located in the heart of Babcock Ranch, America’s first solar-powered town. This well-appointed residence offers 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a spacious open-concept design—perfect for both relaxing and entertaining. Step inside to find a fully furnished interior featuring a bright living area, modern kitchen with stainless steel
Live in comfort and style in this beautifully furnished rental home located in the heart of Babcock Ranch, America’s first solar-powered town. This well-appointed residence offers 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a spacious open-concept design—perfect for both relaxing and entertaining. Step inside to find a fully furnished interior featuring a bright living area, modern kitchen with stainless steel
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Penny Lehmann,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
6,125
Median Age
51
Population under 18
19.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
28.3%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$91,433
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$121,477
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
91.5%
College Graduates
27.4%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.7%
% Population in Labor Force
44%
Below the national average
65.1%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 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.
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.
