Is Lely Resort Safe, Pros and cons of living in Lely Resort

Lely Resort, a master-planned community in Naples, Florida, offers a luxurious lifestyle with numerous amenities and a strong sense of community. This area is known for its meticulously maintained landscapes, world-class golf courses, and upscale residences. It attracts a diverse population, including retirees, families, and professionals seeking a high quality of life in a tropical setting.

The community is designed to provide residents with a resort-like experience, featuring various neighborhoods, each with its own distinct character and offerings. From spacious single-family homes to elegant condominiums, Lely Resort caters to a range of preferences and budgets. The presence of award-winning golf courses and a vibrant social scene contributes to its appeal as a desirable place to live and invest.

Is it Safe to Live in Lely Resort?

Lely Resort demonstrates a strong safety record, with crime rates significantly below national averages. Overall crime rates in Lely Resort are 74% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Violent crimes are also substantially lower, at 76% below the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

The likelihood of becoming a victim of crime in Lely Resort is relatively low, with a 1 in 183 chance reported (as reported by AreaVibes). Furthermore, Lely Resort is considered safer than 78% of cities across the United States (as reported by AreaVibes). Year-over-year crime in Lely Resort has shown a decrease of 7% (as reported by AreaVibes).

Property crime rates are also notably low, with a rate of 3.863 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The central part of Lely Resort is generally considered the safest area within the neighborhood. Your chances of being a victim of property crime vary by area, ranging from 1 in 135 in the northwest to 1 in 521 in the central parts (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

The murder rate in Lely Resort is exceptionally low, at 0.0072 per 1,000 residents annually (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Residents generally consider the west part of the neighborhood to be the safest. Your chance of being a victim of murder in Lely Resort ranges from 1 in 37,990 in the southeast to 1 in 878,126 in the west (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Housing Costs and Market Trends

The housing market in Lely Resort is characterized by its upscale nature and strong demand. The median listing price for homes in Lely Resort is approximately $649,500 (as reported by Redfin). Another source indicates the median sale price in Lely Resort was $677,500 in March 2026, showing a 2.7% increase year-over-year (as reported by Redfin).

The average home value in Lely Resort is around $608,051, reflecting a 7.0% decrease over the past year (as reported by Zillow). However, other reports suggest a median home value of $595,371 (as reported by Livability.com). The median listing price is $609,600 as of March 31, 2026 (as reported by Zillow).

Rental prices in Lely Resort are also on the higher side. The average monthly rent for an apartment is approximately $2,359 (as reported by Zumper). However, some sources indicate a median gross rent of $2,078 per month (as reported by NeighborhoodScout), and a median monthly rent of $1,648 (as reported by Livability.com). Houses for rent can be significantly more expensive, with an average monthly cost of $10,000 (as reported by Zumper).

The housing market is described as balanced, with supply and demand being roughly equal as of March 2026 (as reported by Redfin). Homes have a median of 53 days on the market, which is faster than the previous year (as reported by Redfin). There were 30 homes sold in March 2026, an increase from 21 homes sold in the previous year (as reported by Redfin).

Job Market and Employment Opportunities

Lely Resort’s economy is supported by various industries and a growing job market in the broader Southwest Florida region. While specific major employers within Lely Resort are not detailed, the region benefits from significant companies like Arthrex, a medical device manufacturer (as reported by Life in Southwest Florida). Other key industries in Southwest Florida include aviation, manufacturing, logistics, and information technology (as reported by Life in Southwest Florida).

The average annual wage in Southwest Florida is approximately $53,274 (as reported by Life in Southwest Florida). The region has seen a labor force increase of 21,023 from 2021 to 2022 (as reported by Life in Southwest Florida). The Naples-Marco Island, FL area has an unemployment rate of 5.00% as of the latest reports, which is lower than the long-term average (as reported by YCharts).

Within Lely Resort itself, employment in the service sector is prominent, with a significant portion of residents working in sales and service roles (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Executive, management, and professional occupations also represent a substantial segment of the workforce in the neighborhood (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Climate and Weather Patterns

Lely Resort experiences a tropical climate, characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters. The average temperature throughout the year typically ranges from 56°F to 90°F, rarely dropping below 43°F or exceeding 93°F (as reported by WeatherSpark.com). The hot season, from May to October, features daily high temperatures above 87°F, with August being the hottest month (as reported by WeatherSpark.com).

The cooler season lasts from December to February, with average daily high temperatures below 77°F. January is the coldest month, with average lows around 56°F and highs around 74°F (as reported by WeatherSpark.com). The area is known for its abundant sunshine, though summer months can be quite humid and include afternoon thunderstorms.

Rainfall is distributed throughout the year, with a distinct wet season in the summer and a drier winter. June typically sees the most rainfall, averaging 6.2 inches, while December receives the least, with about 1.3 inches (as reported by WeatherSpark.com). The annual average precipitation is approximately 54 inches (as reported by Livability.com).

Education and School Ratings

Lely Resort is served by the Collier County Public Schools district, which generally receives positive ratings. The district has an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, based on 196 reviews (as reported by Niche). Lely High School, located in Naples, FL, has a student-teacher ratio of 23 to 1 and a B overall Niche grade (as reported by Niche and Indeed).

State test scores indicate that 51% of students at Lely High School are proficient in math and 44% in reading (as reported by Indeed). Lely Elementary School, also in Naples, FL, has a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1 and a B overall Niche grade (as reported by Niche). According to state test scores, 60% of students at Lely Elementary are proficient in math and 50% in reading (as reported by Niche).

Other schools in the vicinity include Immokalee Community School, which holds a B+ grade with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 (as reported by Niche). Community School of Naples, a PK-12 institution, boasts a rating of 4.22 out of 5 stars (as reported by Niche).

Demographics and Population

Lely Resort has a population of approximately 8,582 residents, with a projected growth to 9,829 by 2026 (as reported by Data USA and Lely Resort Demographics). The population density is notable, contributing to its suburban feel. The racial makeup of Lely Resort is predominantly White, accounting for 67.2% of the population, followed by Black or African American at 18.8%, and Hispanic at 9.9% (as reported by Lely Resort Demographics).

The median age in Lely Resort is around 59.9 years, indicating a significant population of older adults, with 41.1% of residents aged 65 or older (as reported by Point2Homes). The median household income in Lely Resort was $93,750 in 2024 (as reported by Lely Resort Demographics and Lely Resort, FL Demographics). A small percentage, 5.1%, of families in Lely Resort live below the poverty line (as reported by Lely Resort Demographics).

The majority of residents are US-born citizens (72.2%), with a portion being naturalized citizens (16.4%) (as reported by Point2Homes). Lely Resort is home to 4,025 households, with an average of two members per household (as reported by Point2Homes). A significant characteristic of the neighborhood is its high vacancy rate of 40.1%, with a substantial portion of housing being seasonally occupied (32.7%) (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).