Ft. Myers is very purple. There are going to be people on both sides advocating and/or fighting this, but Ft. Myers is also an upper class area. I’d be curious to see how this shakes out. Undesirables will drag down this burgeoning area.
Ft. Myers is very purple.
Ft. Myers is also an upper class area
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1. How do you know that it is purple? Lee County is about 60% Republican. As with most cities FM probably has a more liberal tilt than the county its in but I’d like to see the data that shows it being purple.
2. FM is not really an affluent city. Median household income in Fort Myers, FL in 2019 was just $53,246. Naples is a far more affluent area. I would say Bonita Springs as well.
3. Some areas in Lee County are quite affluent (e.g., Boca Grande, Sanibel).
Ft. Myers is about one third Black, with its county, Lee County, being a little over eight per cent Black. While Ft. Myers is arguably a purple city politically, Lee County as a whole is predominantly Republican. The Black population of Ft. Myers is relatively poor and does not seem especially devoted to educational attainment. Moving them into better housing will be a material benefit but will do little in itself to advance their ability to earn higher incomes or advance in life.