Lee County

Lee County sits on the Gulf Coast of Southwest Florida. It stretches from quiet inland farmland and riverfront acreage to busy beach towns and canal neighborhoods. This page is for people who live, work, or own land in Lee County and want to know if Dirt Works can help on their property. The short answer is yes: we provide land clearing, forestry mulching, and grading across Lee County, from Bonita Springs to Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres.

Life in Lee County, Florida

Lee County has grown fast in the last few decades. More than 800,000 people now live here, with many more arriving every winter. The area blends full-time families, retirees, and seasonal “snowbirds” who come down when the weather turns cold up north.

Daily life is shaped by water and weather. Summers are long, hot, and humid, with regular afternoon thunderstorms. Winters are warm and mostly dry, which is when many outdoor projects and events happen. Hurricane season runs from June through November, so people think often about wind, rain, and how their property holds up.

Outdoor and waterfront culture

Lee County is very much a “boat and beach” place. People spend time on:

• Gulf beaches like Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Beach

• Barrier islands such as Sanibel and Captiva

• The Caloosahatchee River and miles of canals in Cape Coral

• Back bays, mangroves, and quiet creeks for fishing and kayaking

Because so much of the county sits low and close to the water, land that drains well and is easy to access is valuable. That is part of why many owners eventually look at land clearing, mulching, or grading after they buy a lot or acreage here.

Neighborhoods and local feel

Different parts of Lee County have very different personalities. Locals often talk about areas by short names:

• “The Cape” for Cape Coral

• “FMB” for Fort Myers Beach

• “Lehigh” for Lehigh Acres

Fort Myers has a historic downtown along the Caloosahatchee with older neighborhoods, river views, and the River District. Cape Coral is famous for its grid of canals and cul-de-sacs, with many homes sitting right on the water. Bonita Springs and Estero mix gated communities, golf courses, and shopping along US-41 and I-75.

Island towns like Sanibel, Captiva, and Pine Island feel slower and more laid back. They are known for shelling, wildlife refuges, fishing, and small local shops. Inland areas like Alva, Buckingham, and North Fort Myers still have a lot of trees, pasture, and large lots, which is where you see more raw land and acreage projects.

Cities and communities we serve in Lee County

Dirt Works helps landowners across Lee County. Here are some of the main areas people ask us about and what they are known for.

Fort Myers and Cape Coral

Fort Myers is the county seat and one of the oldest cities in the region. It has:

• The River District downtown with restaurants, shops, and events

• Older neighborhoods along McGregor Boulevard and the river

• Access to the bridges that connect to Cape Coral and the islands

Cape Coral is now the largest city in Lee County by population. It is a true canal city, with many homes on saltwater or freshwater canals, easy boating access, and a suburban feel. Many lots here started as platted, brushy parcels that later turned into neighborhoods, so land work is part of the local story.

Bonita Springs, Estero, and San Carlos Park

Bonita Springs sits at the southern edge of Lee County, with Bonita Beach Road as a main east-west line. People know it for:

• Bonita Beach and nearby Little Hickory Island

• Gulf-access canals and back-bay fishing

• Mix of older homes, new developments, and gated communities

Estero is just north of Bonita Springs and has grown around places like Coconut Point and Florida Gulf Coast University. It is full of master-planned communities, golf courses, and shopping along US-41 and I-75. San Carlos Park and nearby Three Oaks sit between Estero and Fort Myers with tighter neighborhoods and a lot of working families and students.

Lehigh Acres, Alva, and Buckingham

Lehigh Acres covers a large inland area east of Fort Myers. It started as a huge platted community with quarter-acre lots and long straight roads. You still see plenty of vacant or overgrown lots mixed in with neighborhoods and small farms.

Along the Caloosahatchee River to the northeast, places like Alva and North Olga feel more rural, with large lots, horse properties, and groves of oak and pine. Buckingham, east of Fort Myers, has a similar feel, with a mix of ranchettes, old farmland, and newer homes on bigger pieces of land.

These areas often have thicker brush, palmettos, and wild growth, so land clearing and forestry mulching come up a lot when people want to make more of their property.

Islands and coastal communities

Lee County also includes a chain of barrier islands and coastal communities, each with its own identity:

• Sanibel and Captiva: famous for shelling, wildlife, and strict building rules

• Fort Myers Beach: classic beach town on Estero Island, now rebuilding after major storm damage

• Pine Island (St. James City, Bokeelia, Matlacha area): fishing, art galleries, and a strong local identity

Projects on or near these islands often deal with soft sandy soils, coastal vegetation, and tighter rules about tree and brush removal, especially close to the water.

Everyday life, traffic, and getting around

Lee County is mostly a car-first place. There is some bus service, but most people drive to work, school, and the beach. A few roads come up in almost every local conversation:

• I-75 running north–south through the county

• US-41 (Tamiami Trail) as the older north–south route closer to the coast

• Daniels Parkway, Colonial Boulevard, and Corkscrew Road as busy east–west routes

Traffic changes a lot by season. From about January through Easter, “season” brings in visitors and part-time residents. Roads, restaurants, and beaches all feel busier. In the slower months, locals move around more easily and often tackle bigger projects on their homes and land.

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) sits in south Lee County and brings in millions of travelers each year. This keeps hotels, retail, and food service busy and supports a steady flow of new people thinking about moving or buying property here.

Work, schools, and local anchors

Lee County’s economy has several big anchors. Tourism and hospitality are important because of the beaches, islands, and warm winters. Health care is another major pillar, with Lee Health and other systems running large hospitals and clinics across the county. The school district, county government, and big retail chains also employ many local residents.

Sports and community traditions

Baseball is a special part of Lee County’s identity. Both the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins hold spring training here, at JetBlue Park and Hammond Stadium in the Fort Myers area. Spring games bring in fans from across the country and add to the seasonal rhythm of the county.

Local fairs, art shows, seafood festivals, and farmers markets run throughout the year, often tied to neighborhoods or city parks. Beaches, parks, and nature preserves are part of daily life, not just things on a postcard.

Where Dirt Works fits into Lee County

Because Lee County is growing and still has many lots, tracts, and semi-rural pockets, land work is a common need. People buy property here for many reasons: to build a house, add a pole barn, open up pasture, improve access to a canal, or just clean up an overgrown back acre.

Dirt Works provides land clearing, forestry mulching, and grading across Lee County, including:

• Bonita Springs and Estero

• Fort Myers and Cape Coral

• Lehigh Acres, Alva, Buckingham, and North Fort Myers

• Island and coastal areas where access allows

If your land is in Lee County and you are not sure if it is in range, you can simply ask. Most of the time, if you think of your property as being in Lee County, it is part of the Dirt Works service area.