Is Tice Safe, Pros and cons of living in Tice

Tice, Florida, nestled in Lee County, presents a unique living experience characterized by its diverse community and subtropical climate. This area offers a blend of suburban and rural characteristics, with a significant portion of its residents choosing to rent their homes. Tice is home to approximately 4,758 residents, reflecting a slight population decrease in recent years (U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey). The community is notably diverse, with a majority of residents identifying as Hispanic.

The climate in Tice is typical of Southwest Florida, featuring long, hot, and humid summers, with mild, pleasant winters. The area experiences significant seasonal variation in rainfall, with June being the wettest month and December being the driest. The temperature generally ranges from 54°F to 91°F throughout the year, rarely dipping below 41°F or exceeding 94°F (Weather Spark). This climate makes Tice an attractive location for those who enjoy warm weather year-round.

Is it Safe to Live in Tice?

Tice is generally considered a safe community within Lee County, Florida, with moderate crime rates. Property crimes, such as theft and vandalism, are more common than violent crimes, which aligns with trends in similar small communities (DoorProfit). The crime rate is reported to be 10.41 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (CrimeGrade.org).

While the overall crime rate is moderate, the northwest part of Tice is considered the safest area, with a lower chance of victimization. Conversely, the southern parts of Tice experience more crime incidents. The total projected cost of crime in Tice for 2025 is estimated at $638,091, which translates to about $201 per resident (CrimeGrade.org). This figure is lower than the national average cost of crime per resident.

Housing and Cost of Living

The housing market in Tice offers relative affordability compared to other areas in Florida. The median home value in Tice is approximately $171,282, which has seen a decrease of 13.9% over the past year (Zillow). This makes Tice an attractive option for homebuyers looking for more budget-friendly real estate.

Rental prices in Tice vary by property type and size. The average rent for an apartment is around $1,400, while houses tend to rent for about $1,812 per month (Zumper). The median household income in Tice was $53,505 in 2024, with a median rent-to-income ratio of 31.5% (Point2Homes). This indicates that a significant portion of residents’ income is allocated to housing expenses.

Job Market and Economy

Tice’s economy is primarily driven by the construction sector, which employs the largest number of residents. Other significant employment sectors include retail trade and accommodation and food services (Data USA). The average annual household income in Tice was $66,636 in 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau).

The employment landscape in Tice has seen a decline in recent years. From 2023 to 2024, employment in Tice declined by 8.27%, with the number of employees decreasing from 2,650 to 2,430 (Data USA). The construction industry is the largest employer, followed by retail trade and accommodation & food services. The highest paying industries in Tice include healthcare & social assistance, educational services, and finance, insurance, & real estate.

Climate and Weather

Tice experiences a hot and humid subtropical climate, characteristic of Southwest Florida. Summers are long, hot, and wet, with temperatures often in the 80s and 90s Fahrenheit. The warmest month is July, with average maximum temperatures around 91°F, while January is the coldest, with average minimum temperatures around 55°F (Weather Spark).

The annual average precipitation in Tice is approximately 9.99 inches, with summer months being wetter than winter months. June typically sees the most rainfall, averaging 9.77 inches (IDcide). The hot season extends from May to October, with daily high temperatures frequently exceeding 88°F. The cool season lasts from December to February, with average daily high temperatures below 78°F.

Education and Schools

Tice Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5 and is part of the Lee County Public Schools district. The school has an enrollment of 518 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19:1 (Homes.com). However, Tice Elementary School has consistently ranked in the bottom 20% of Florida elementary schools, receiving a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Academic performance at Tice Elementary shows that 43% of students are proficient in math and 30% are proficient in reading (Niche). The school faces challenges with high chronic absenteeism rates, significantly above district and state averages. Several nearby elementary schools demonstrate higher academic proficiency rates compared to Tice Elementary School (SchoolDigger).

Demographics and Diversity

Tice has a population of approximately 4,758 residents, with a median age of 33.6 years (Point2Homes). The racial makeup of Tice is diverse, with Hispanic residents forming the largest group at 69.9%, followed by White residents at 18.2% and Black residents at 8.5% (US Census Bureau). This demographic composition makes Tice more racially diverse than Florida as a whole (Census Reporter).

The foreign-born population in Tice is around 35.1%, which is higher than the national average (Data USA). Citizenship rates in Tice are lower than the national average, with approximately 67.1% of residents being U.S. citizens (Data USA). The community has a mix of families and individuals, with about 60.3% of households being families and 39.7% being non-family households.

Pros and Cons of Living in Tice

Tice offers an affordable cost of living and housing market, which can be a significant draw for individuals and families seeking to stretch their budgets. The subtropical climate provides warm weather year-round, appealing to those who prefer a consistently warm environment (Livability.com).

However, Tice faces challenges such as a declining employment rate and lower-than-average school performance. The community also has a higher-than-average percentage of uninsured residents, indicating potential healthcare access concerns (Data USA). While crime rates are moderate, property crime remains a concern for residents.