Port Charlotte is a the perfect destination to enjoy a laid back lifestyle and experience Florida’s outdoor adventures.
Where is Port Charlotte?
Port Charlotte might surprise many visitors with its quality of life, particularly because it’s quite unexpected for a town of its size. Located in Charlotte County, Port Charlotte is a family-friendly and affordable coastal town in Florida.
The town is popular for retirees, families, and anyone who loves living on or around the water. In fact, many of the neighborhoods along the coast have canals where you can park your boat right behind your home! Those who enjoy Florida’s natural environment, fishing, wildlife, seafood and low-key lifestyle will enjoy living in Port Charlotte.
While Port Charlotte is great for families due to its affordability and small-town feel, the town is extremely popular with retirees. major industries include healthcare, hospitality & fishing.
Port Charlotte City Data
Port Charlotte is located in Charlotte County and it’s home to almost 63,000 residents.
Population – 62,370
Average Age – 53.2
Average Home Price – $213,382
Home Value Projections – 10%+
Average Household Income – $43,564
Poverty Rate of 13.1%
Median House value is $150,200
Crime Rate – 15 per 1000
Area & Density – 28 square miles 2,095 people per square mile
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Port Charlotte is overall lower than the average Florida and US averages. While groceries are more expensive in Port Charlotte than the Florida average, health, housing, and utilities costs are all lower. Residents of Port Charlotte also enjoy cheaper transportation than the Florida and US average.
100 = US Average Cost of Living
102.8 = Florida Average Cost of Living
88.4 = North Port Average Cost of Living
Port Charlotte Housing Market Trends 2022
In January 2022, Port Charlotte home prices were up 36.3% compared to last year, selling for a median price of $300K. On average, homes in Port Charlotte sell after 16 days on the market compared to 28 days last year. There were 241 homes sold in January this year, up from 190 last year.
Popular Neighborhoods in Port Charlotte, FL
Gulf Cove
South Gulf Cove
Heritage Oak Park
Rotonda Lakes
Beaches Near Port Charlotte
Some of the best beaches in the state are within a short 20 to 45 minute drive of Port Charlotte, FL.
Port Charlotte Boat Launch
Manasota Beach
Englewood Beach
Venice Beach
Nokomis Beach
Casperson Beach
North Jetty
Blind Pass Beach
Stump Pass Beach
Turtle Beach
Siesta Key Beach
Climate and Weather
Port Charlotte has a humid subtropical climate. The summers are long and hot, with the area experiencing more than 262 days of sunshine. The winters are cool, short, windy and partly cloudy.
Rainfall – Average of 51 inches per year vs. 38 rest of USA & the rainiest month is August
Sunny Days – Average of 262 vs. 205 for the US
Hottest Month – August high of 90.1°F & average low of 78.3°F
Coldest Month – January high 70.5°F and 54.7°F degrees low
Most Comfortable Months: November, March, April
Most Uncomfortable Months: July and August
Check out the current 10-day Port Charlotte Weather Forecast Here
Hurricane Season
Hurricane season is technically June through October, with the most active months being August and September.
Transportation & Airports Near Port Charlotte
Port Charlotte is well-connected to Punta Gorda and the rest of the Charlotte Harbor Gulf Island Coast. The town is located west of Interstate 75, which is a major north-south United States interstate into Florida. Most residents are car-dependent, but there are multiple shuttle or bus services available to take residents in and out of the area to airports nearby.
Punta Gorda (PGD) – is the closest airport to North Port, being located 17.2 miles away. While it has limited service, there are a number of low-cost carriers with several popular destinations.
Sarasota International Airport (SRQ) – this is about 30 miles away. This is a fairly small airport but is growing and has carriers such as Delta, Air Canada, American Airlines, United, Jet Blue.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) – 88 miles north of Sarasota and has even more airlines with more chances of a direct flight.
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) – the largest airport near North Port is located 62 miles south in Fort Myers. This airport offers a selection of domestic & international flights and has expanded with more airlines and flights in recent years.
Things to do in Port Charlotte, FL
Activities & the Arts
Even though it has the looks and feel of a small town, there’s a lot to do in and around Port Charlotte. You can check out a local concert, art fair, or other events at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County or head over the bridge to Punta Gorda, a charming “Old Florida” fishing village with great arts, culture, and food scene!
Baseball Spring Training is popular throughout Florida, and Port Charlotte is home to the Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training. Charlotte Sports Park is to a state-of-the-art facility with a baseball boardwalk that rings the outfield, upgraded concession stands, family-friendly kids play area and a top-notch team store.
Fans of hiking and wildlife are likely to be pleased to discover the Tippecanoe Environmental Park, which offers no less than 380 acres of woods.
Port Charlotte Beach
Bayshore Live Oak Park
Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Gardens
Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park
Hop across the bridge to explore charming Punta Gorda
Family-fun escape rooms, bowling alleys and movie theaters
Fishing Charters
Sunset Cruises
Kayaking & Boating
Audubon-Pennington Nature Park
Shopping & dining in the town center
Recreation & the Outdoors in Port Charlotte, FL
Port Charlotte offers lots of opportunities to discover the amazing wildlife of Florida, with the Peace River Wildlife Centre and Spring Lake Park being just two of the numerous attractions where visitors can spot native Florida wildlife and learn more about the rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
Just like any other town located in the proximity of the Gulf of Mexico as well as numerous bays, lakes, and rivers in the area.
Port Charlotte is an awesome destination for water sports lovers. Multiple kayak, boating, diving, and snorkeling options are available not just in Port Charlotte but also in the entire Punta Gorda area.
You’ll often find the locals out at the Port Charlotte Beach Park with its small beach, community pool, boardwalk, fishing pier and more. This is where the locals hang out, and they even have movies under the stars among other events!
21+ Golf Courses in the Port Charlotte Area
With seven of the 21 golf courses in Charlotte County being found in the small city, including two courses that have been ranked 4 1/2 stars by Golf Digest, the area welcomes golf lovers with spectacular landscapes. golf fans are likely to be delighted with the choices here.
Below are just a few of the most popular golf courses in Port Charlotte:
Kings Gate Golf Club
Port Charlotte Golf Club
The Cove of Rotonda Golf Center
Riverwood Golf Club
Maple Leaf Golf & Country Club
Charlotte Harbor National Golf Club
Kingsway Country Club
Deep Creek Golf Club
St. Andrews South Golf Club
Heron Creek Golf and Country Club – Creek/Oaks Course
Heron Creek Golf and Country Club – Oaks/Marsh Course
Paradise Golf Course
Twin Isles Country Club
Seminole Lakes Country Club
Nearby Hospitals
There are four area hospitals in Charlotte Country, which equates to one hospital per 40,000 residents. Two of these hospitals, Fawcett Memorial Hospital and ShorePoint Health Venice are in Port Charlotte. Larger hospitals are located just a short drive away in Sarasota too.
The Fawcett Memorial Hospital Has been serving residents of Port Charlotte and the surrounding areas since 1975. It has a 24-hour emergency care center, a full-service acute care hospital with clinical specialties, and a comprehensive cancer program accredited by the American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Cancer.
ShorePoint Health Venice A multi-level 254-bed hospital with specializations in critical and emergent care, laboratory and pathology, imaging and radiology, neurological and nerve care, rehabilitation, and the treatment of a wide range of disorders. Full-service comprehensive care for heart disease and a full spectrum of maternity care through its Women’s and Children’s unit.
Schools in Port Charlotte
The public schools in Port Charlotte are operated by the Charlotte County Public Schools. It operates ten elementary schools, four middle schools, three high schools, and six specialty centers. Listed below are most of the schools located in Port Charlotte.
Kingsway Elementary
Neil A Armstrong Elementary
Peace River Elementary
Charlotte Preparatory School (pre-K to 8th grade)
Genesis Christian School (pre-K to 8th grade)
Port Charlotte Middle School
Murdock Middle School
Charlotte Harbor High School
Port Charlotte High School
Florida SouthWestern Collegiate High School
Charlotte Virtual Instruction Program School (K-12)
Charlotte Technical College
Florida SouthWestern State College- Charlotte Campus