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Growth Corridor
- Babcock Ranch straddles Charlotte and Lee Counties in SWFL.
- Punta Gorda MSA ranked the 5th largest area in 2022 for population growth in the U.S. (Census Bureau).
- The region’s (Charlotte and Lee Counties) population is 1.01 million in 2023, increasing 8% since 2017.
- From 2017 to 2022, jobs increased by 12% in the two counties to 376K, outpacing the national rate of 3.8%.
- Labor force participation rate advanced from 51.8% to 54.3% between 2017 and 2022.
- 28% of the region’s population possess a Bachelor’s Degree or higher.
- Regional unemployment as of May 2023 was 2.86% vs. 2.69% for Florida.
- Nine out of 10 businesses in the region employ fewer than 20 workers.
- The top three industries are Retail Trade, Government and Construction.
- Gross Regional Product for the two counties was $48 billion in 2022, about 3% of the entire state.
- The total net migration for the region was 22,211 in 2020.
Top Employers in the Region
Proximity to Major Transportation Hubs
Babcock Ranch, connections to Florida State Road 31 and State Road 80 allowing swift access to the I-75 commercial corridor, which reaches markets from Miami to Michigan.
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers and the Punta Gorda Airport are both within a 30-minute drive from Babcock Ranch.
Altogether, five international airports are located within a 200-mile radius.
One of the most environmentally friendly forms of transport, barge shipping is also easily accessible from Babcock Ranch.
3 Major Highways
Driving Distances to Major Markets
- Tampa – 130 miles
- Orlando – 140 miles
- West Palm Beach – 140 miles
- Miami – 160 miles
- Atlanta – 580 miles
- 1-75 Connects with 10 major interstate arteries between Miami and Detroit
2 Ports
Port Manatee – 60 Miles
- Closest U.S. Deepwater seaport to the enhanced Panama Canal.
- 10 40-foot-depth berths.
- Turning basin to accommodate Panamax vessels.
- 165-ton tandem lift capacity.
Port Miami – 180 Miles
- 50+-foot deep-water channel.
- 6 Gantry crane wharfs, including 2 super post-Panamax gantry cranes.
- Surpassed 1 million TEU mark seven consecutive years.
2 Airports
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
- 14 carriers including Delta, Southwest, American and United.
- Class A port of Entry with on-site customs services.
- Designated Foreign Trade Zone.
- 10.3 million annual passengers.
Punta Gorda Airport (PSG)
- Low-cost, nonstop air service to more than 50 destinations.
- Accommodates large corporate jets on three lighted runways.
- Training center for aviation mechanics and pilots.
Babcock Ranch Population
Achieving Success Through Milestones
