St. James City is a boat-centric community on Pine Island, the largest island in the state of Florida. Seclusion and relaxation are the name of the game here, and residents live a lifestyle similar to a different set of iconic Florida islands. “St. James City is as close to Florida Keys Living as you can get in Southwest Florida,” says Steve Bacardi, local senior broker for the Premiere Group at Coldwell Banker. “There’s relaxing, fishing, and no beach, it’s all boating.” Waterfront property is common, and most feature private boat docks to explore the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico nearby or the Calusa Blueway, a 200-mile aquatic trail that winds up the island’s eastern end. Local seafood restaurants serve fresh catches straight from the gulf, while shopping and dining can be found in the northern section of the neighborhood. With downtown Fort Myers 27 miles away, residents have easy access to city amenities without sacrificing coastal seclusion. “It's close enough yet far enough from the normal everyday living of Cape Coral and Fort Myers,” Bacardi says.
Tikis, tropical plants, and coastal decorations are plentiful in Saint James City.
The tropical island flare extends to most businesses in Saint James City.
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Coastal contemporary style builds with private boat docks
St. James City has residential pockets scattered throughout different parts of the island, with the southern tip having the highest concentration of houses. Prospective homebuyers will not find consistency, as the eclectic mix of single-family builds contains varied styles, ages and paint jobs. “Nothing is the same,” says broker and island resident Mike Shevlin, who owns Team Shevlin for Century 21 Sunbelt Realty. “Even if a home does have canal access, the depth of the water, and whether it’s facing the neighbors or overlooking the bay, matters,” Shevlin says. With gulf access as the main appeal, many properties have private boat docks to store sizeable watercraft. Coastal Contemporary style builds with wrap-around porches and pastel exteriors sit next to Spanish-Revival style villas. Most houses have screened-in swimming pools in the backyard. Older tropical bungalows and Florida ranch homes can also be found lining the roads. Manufactured and mobile homes make up residential pockets in the northern section of the neighborhood. Prices vary greatly as well, with older, smaller builds costing between $100,000 and $300,000. Large, single-family builds with canal access range from $400,000 to $700,000, while grand waterfront estates price out in the upper end, selling for between $900,000 and $1.5 million.
Large and colorful estate homes can be found along the waterfront in Saint James City.
Coastal contemporary style homes are becoming increasing popular in Saint James City.
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Take a hike at Galt Nature Preserve
Residents are surrounded by the natural, sometimes wild, scenic landscapes of Southwest Florida. Galt Nature Preserve features miles of hiking trails and boardwalks that cut through 265 acres of mangrove swamp, wetlands and mesic flatwoods. Outdoor enthusiasts can lace up their hiking boots and try to spot the various species of wildlife, including bald eagles and American alligators. Tropical Point Park is farther up the road and provides a boat launch for kayaks and canoes. The Park is located along the Calusa Blueway. Fishing is a very popular activity, and snook, redfish, and tarpon are a few of the native gamefish in the area. For recreation on dry land, Phillips Community Park is 9 miles away and features multiple athletic facilities, including baseball diamonds and tennis courts.
Galt Nature Preserve is a large protected park adjacent to Saint James City.
Tropical Point Park allows kayakers to enter the bay from Saint James City.
Saint James City has a lot of local boaters and sports fishermen.
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Academies at Mariner High School
Students are served by Lee County Public Schools, the 9th largest district in Florida. Younger students begin their education at Pine Island Elementary, which receives a B rating on Niche and Trafalgar Middle School, which receives an A-minus. Pine Island Elementary incorporates Kagan learning structures into its classrooms, encouraging students to communicate and cooperate with each other. The B-plus-rated Mariner High School offers numerous academies ranging from engineering to hospitality and tourism. Christian Life Academy is a highly rated private education option 16 miles away.
Pine Island Elementary is centrally located near residential communities on Pine Island.
Mariner High School is a large public high school in Cape Coral.
Mariner Middle School is centrally located near residential communities.
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Gulf-side seafood and live music at The Waterfront
Most of St. James City’s commercial activity is located along Stringfellow Road, and residents in the neighborhood’s southern end are close to multiple gulf-side eateries. The Waterfront Restaurant & Marina is a popular local joint with an accurate name. The establishment sits right on the water and visitors can enjoy classic seafood entrees with an oceanfront view. Up the road, Phuzzy’s Boat Shack offers daily live music, while Low Key Tiki nearby puts visitors on island time with its full-service tiki bar. Winn Dixie and Publix at Calusa Cay provide the area with groceries near the Pine Island Center. The Shops at Midpoint Center is the closest commercial center, 20 miles away.
Low Key Tiki is a very popular bare and grill in Saint James City.
Saint James City residents will find groceries at Winn Dixie at the center of the island.
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Getting on and off the island
St. James City is relatively secluded from the Cape Coral-Fort Myers metro area and features one road in and one road out. Stringfellow Road runs north to south along the island and is the neighborhood's main thoroughfare. To get to downtown Fort Myers, 27 miles away, residents cross multiple bridges, including the Matlacha Pass Bridge, which connects the island to the mainland. Southwest Florida International Airport is 42 miles away and services multiple domestic and international destinations. Cape Coral Hospital is 21 miles away.
Saint James City is connected to Fort Myers via the Matlacha Pass Bridge.
St James City is a uniquely designed community with homes built around waterways and boating.
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Mangomania on Pine Island
Residents take advantage of the year-round events celebrated on Pine Island. The island is the largest on Florida’s Gulf Coast side, and much of the land is zoned for agricultural use. MangoMania celebrates one of the communities’ main exports, mangos. The annual event is filled with tropical plants, live music and creative mango games. Demonstrations are held on cultivating the tropical fruit, and visitors can enter their homegrown product into the biggest mango of Pine Island contest. Other events include Stone Crab Fest and Island Fest with Mullet Toss. The Island Market is open on the last Saturday of every month, November through April, and features local businesses, artisans, and farmers showcasing their locally produced goods and services.
Saint James City has several mobile food vendors in the area, including Sun Tiki Shrimp.
Saint James City has many popular mango farms nearby.
Local vendors and farmers sell lots of mango based products in Saint James City.
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Hurricane risk
Southwest Florida is susceptible to hurricanes. It received a direct hit from Hurricane Ian in 2022. The Category 5 storm was the costliest in Florida’s history and caused extensive damage in Cape Coral and Fort Myers. St. James City was hit particularly hard, with nearly every structure on the island receiving damage. Lee County is enrolled in the National Flood Insurance Program, and homeowners are encouraged to review potential policies. Lee County also provides numerous emergency preparedness resources on its website.
Hurricane Ian left many damaged homes in Saint James City.
Many residents of Saint James City live in manufactured homes on the water.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Billee Silva,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Galt Preserve
Fishing
Picnic Area
Trails
Lighthouse Beach Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Beach
Phillips Park
Baseball/Softball
Grills
Picnic Area
Causeway Islands Park
Pinewood Trails Park
Trails
Hiking
Matlacha Park & Community Center
Basketball
Boating
Fishing
Tropical Point Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Saint James City
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Saint James City, FL sell after 129 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Saint James City, FL over the last 12 months is $614,539, up 1% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to your very own slice of Florida sunshine! This stunning 2-bedroom, 2-bath mobile home in the popular Pine Island Cove community of St. James City has been transformed over the past year with an eye for style and quality. No expense spared: new waterproof luxury vinyl plank flooring flows throughout, a sleek kitchen shines with contemporary cabinetry and appliances, and both bathrooms
Island Life is calling you!!! This St. James City waterfront home with 198 feet of waterfront has quick access to the Gulf of Mexico with no bridges or locks. Imagine waking up having coffee on your screened lanai overlooking the back bay and Matlacha Pass, watching the dolphins and manatees in your backyard deciding whether you should fish today or relax in your heated salt-water spa and pool.
Welcome to Island Living!! Enjoy the peace and tranquility of this private and essentially brand new home. Offered TURNKEY!! Ready for move in or investment rental!! It is within a few minutes walking distance to Tropical Point Park with available water access point for kayaks and small boats, 4 miles to local shops, restaurants, supermarkets, and under 5 miles to Matlacha - a small island known
THE HOME HAS BEEN COMPLETLY REMEDIATED AFTER THE STORMS.Welcome to your dream waterfront home in the desirable community of Trailerhaven in St. James City! This charming single family home features 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, perfect for a small family or as a vacation retreat. The property boasts impact resistant doors and windows, as well as shutters for added protection during storm
Remodel permit approved, all fees PAID. All a new owner needs to complete is an owner/builder affidavit with the building department or have your contractor provide their contractor information to the County. Pool permit in hand with Design Concepts! Took over a year to get the remodel permit. House is ready for complete transformation. Existing home requires remodel per building plan. The
Rare opportunity to own two spacious side by side lots in the gated community of Eagle Lake Estates of Saint James City! This Pine Island living offers serene natural beauty, laid-back lifestyle, quiet small town charm all while being surrounded by some of the best fishing and boating in all of SWFL. Short drive to shopping and fantastic dining options. Cape Coral is 12 miles away for everything
Welcome to your dream waterfront retreat in the highly sought-after St. James City! This remodeled pool home is available for rent and sits gracefully on a saltwater canal, offering direct Gulf access with no bridges—just minutes from Pine Island Sound. Imagine leisurely boating to Sanibel, Captiva, Fort Myers, Cayo Costa, and Boca Grande for breathtaking beach experiences. This location is a
Available for Rent! Island Living at Its Best! Calling all Fishermen and Boaters! Live your best island life in this charming TURNKEY 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with a boat dock! Direct deep-water GULF ACCESS. Located in the highly sought-after golf cart community of Cherry Estates, you'll be just minutes from the Intercoastal Waterway and Pine Island Sound – some of the best fishing in SWFL!
Welcome to our tranquil waterfront vacation rental on Pine Island! Nestled amidst the pristine beauty of Florida's hidden gem, our manufactured home offers an idyllic escape from the mundane hustle and bustle. This charming residence is perched right on the water, offering sweeping views of the glistening, emerald waters throughout the day. With a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom layout, the home is
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Billee Silva,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
5,363
Median Age
68
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
58.8%
Significantly above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$63,023
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$96,292
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.1%
College Graduates
24.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.1%
% Population in Labor Force
32%
Significantly below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
57''
Average Winter Low Temperature
55°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
41/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
1/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
