Port Charlotte is a growing area of approximately 49,790. This rather new but well-established coastal community represents a little piece of Florida heaven. You can enjoy beautiful beaches, sunny climate, amazing recreational possibilities, as well as excellent health services and job opportunities. Whether you want to retire, work or play here, it would be hard to find a more ideal location.
Location
Sitting in the mid southwest coast of Florida, Port Charlotte is a census-designated place located in Charlotte County, a part of the Punta Gorda metro area. The city of Punta Gorda lies to the south. Charlotte County is bordered by Sarasota County to the northwest, DeSoto County to the north, Highlands County to the northeast, Glades County to the east, Hendry County to the southeast and Lee County to the south.
Geography/Terrain
With a total area of 23.9 square miles, Port Charlotte occupies 22.3 square miles of land and 1.6 square miles of water, sitting at an elevation of 8 feet above sea level. The Peace River to the southeast and the Myakka River to the west and south geographically delineate Port Charlotte, as they combine to form the Charlotte Harbor estuary system. Charlotte Harbor, which is fed by the Peace River and empties into the Gulf of Mexico, separates Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda.
Distance to 3 closest major cities
A mere 4 miles north of Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte is located 66 miles southeast of St. Petersburg, 116 miles southwest of Orlando and 144 miles northwest of Miami. The city is approximately 90 miles south of Tampa Bay and north of Naples.
Jobs
Located in Charlotte County, Port Charlotte is part of a thriving economic environment. The major employers in Charlotte County are: Charlotte County School Board; Southside Virginia Community College; County of Charlotte; Cardinal Homes; Appomattox River Manufacturing; Britthaven of Keysville; Tate Lumber Company; United Parcel Service Ltd; Curtis Tharpe Trucking; and Morgan Lumber Company Ltd. Northern Port Charlotte is home to a vibrant and developing shopping-business center, and both retail and commercial construction are flourishing in the area.
Educational, health and social services provide 23.5% of the jobs in Port Charlotte; retail trade provides16.3%; construction provides10.7%; and arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services provide10.1%. The unemployment level in the area us a low 3.8%, and the average commute time to work is 21.5 minutes. The median household income is $36,583.
Housing
An excellent range of housing options is available in Port Charlotte, from older, ranch-style homes to modern larger estates. There is a lot of new construction happening, so the number of available homes is good, and the prices have gone down. There are single-family neighborhoods, as well as newer developments with low-rise condominiums, townhouses and villas. There are deed-restricted communities, with waterfront views, golfing, and easy access to the Gulf of Mexico via the network of canals and estuaries.
Parks/Sports/Recreation/Golf
There is no shortage of recreational opportunities in Port Charlotte, from yachting, tennis, and golf to boating and swimming. It is a boater’s paradise, with over 165 miles of man-made waterways, many with access to Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico. Charlotte Harbor and the Peace and Myakka Rivers provide miles of beautiful shoreline. You can enjoy boat cruises, and great fishing, not to mention snorkeling kayaking or canoeing in the Peace River. Charlotte Harbor, the state’s second-largest open water estuary, is becoming known as one of the world’s top sport fishing spots. Its blend of saltwater and freshwater supports a remarkably wide variety of fish.
There are several area environmental centers in the area, offering tours and educational programs. As well as waterfront strolling, you can hike through Cedar Point, or do some inland exploration along a bike path through the Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area. As you explore the parks you will come across birds, turtles and other local wildlife.
The Cultural Center of Charlotte County provides both recreational and educational activities all year round. Public recreational facilities in the area are equipped with courts of every kind, from basketball and tennis to bocce and horseshoe. At nearby Punta Gorda, skateboarders can enjoy Capt. Don Cerbone’s Memorial Skate Park, while racing fans can check out Charlotte County Speedway. Charlotte Sports Park is renowned as the former location of the Texas Rangers’ spring training. In February the Port Charlotte Invitational College Baseball Tournament is held there.
The area’s pristine beaches are not to be missed. Port Charlotte Beach Complex is equipped with a beach club, fishing pier, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, horseshoe pits, and a pool. Fishermen’s Village, located directly across the harbor from the beach complex, offers boating and fishing excursions.
Avid golfers can choose from six beautiful semi-private golf courses and one public course in Port Charlotte. Maple Leaf Estates is an executive course, in a community setting, with tree lines and thick rough bordering all the fairways. There are ten lakes spread throughout the course, and large, undulating greens. Port Charlotte Golf Club has rigorous fairways while Riverwood has fast, undulating greens. Eagle Point is a challenging course, more geared to the intermediate or advanced golfer. Whatever your skill level, you can find a course to suit your needs.
Special Attractions/Events
There is no lack of entertainment possibilities in Port Charlotte. You can attend a symphony or theatre, enjoy superb cuisine, top-notch art galleries, or shop to your heart’s content. Port Charlotte is home to the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, which puts on many fine performances throughout the year. The Charlotte Players is a community theater group, which puts on five Broadway plays annually.
Both theaters and restaurants have been recently added to the area. Port Charlotte has a vibrant cultural center as well as the Port Charlotte Town Center, a regional mall with over 100 specialty stores. The Charlotte County Historical Center is located in Port Charlotte. This waterfront museum offers permanent and changing exhibits, relating to the area’s past, ranging from pre-historic times to the post-WWII development boom.
There are special events and festivities to attend all year round. The Charlotte County Fair is celebrated in February. In November you can enjoy the Mote Marine exhibit, the antique auto show or the arts and crafts show, all held at Fishermen’s Village. In early December at the Historical Center, the 16th Annual Symphony of Trees is celebrated, where you can see the wonderfully decorated Christmas trees, wreaths and centerpieces. In the same month, in Englewood, take in the Annual Winter Fine Arts Festival. In January you can take in the Charlotte County Boat Show, held at the Charlotte County Fairgrounds.
Interesting Facts/Historic Buildings and Places
Port Charlotte began in the 1950s, and continues to be an unincorporated area.
The area’s most famous resident is professional wrestler Jason Sanders. He is the main character in the real life inspired novel Backyard Empire, which also takes place in Port Charlotte.
Films shot in the Charlotte Harbor area include: Hoot starring Jimmy Buffet and Logan Lerman; Out of Time starring Denzel Washington; Just Cause starring Sean Connery and Lawrence Fishburne; Palmetto starring Woody Harrelson; Pink Cadillac starring Clint Eastwood and Gone Fishin’ starring Joe Pesci and Danny Glover.
Former President, Teddy Roosevelt fished in Charlotte Harbor in March, 1917, and caught a 16 foot manta ray!
- NUMBER1EXPERT™ 
