Growth spurs bump in Lee’s taxable valuation
Property values, though, see slight decline in Cape Coral, according to preliminary estimates
The Lee County Property Appraiser this week delivered the 2025 Estimated Property Values to taxing authorities.
According to Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell, numbers have started to return to normal levels as the county continues to bounce back from recent hurricanes.
“As expected, the changes in taxable value were relatively modest as our market continues to recover from the effects of the recent hurricanes at the same time that overall demand has returned to more historically normal levels,” Caldwell said. The value estimates provide a starting point to taxing authorities for their annual budget and property tax rate process.”
In Lee County, the total just tax roll values estimated in 2025 come in at $211,301,866,000, which is a decrease of 3.72% from 2024. The total assessed tax roll value is up 4.85% throughout the county from last year, with the total taxable values seeing a 4.84% increase.
In Cape Coral, the total just tax roll values are estimated to be at $45,348,506,000, which is a 3.29% decease. The total assessed tax roll value is up 5.35% from 2024, with the total taxable values seeing a 4.98% increase.
“The big takeaway is taxable is up about 5% year over year,” Caldwell said. “That’s a retreat from the significant increases we’ve seen the last few years after all the demand from COVID and inflation. (We’re) kind of getting back to a more normal paradigm.
“We’ve had to deal with the damage from the hurricane, so it’s been a real blended number, but at least for Cape Coral, they were spared the worst of it for (hurricanes) Helene and Milton, so recovery seems to be continuing along pretty steadily.”
New construction just tax roll values in 2025 in Cape Coral is estimated to be $1,549,715,731, which is down from $2,114,727,819 in 2024. The taxable value for new construction estimated in 2025 is $1,526,090,270 as compared to $1,621,436,698 in 2024.
“New construction is going to be a blend of actual true new construction, as well as homes that are coming back on the tax roll after having been damaged by the hurricane,” Caldwell said.
The property appraiser’s office will continue refining the values and will certify the official values on or before July 1.
“We’ll continue to evaluate the entire tax roll,” Caldwell said. “Make sure the parts and pieces agree with each other, and after that, then the taxpayer will be looking for their trim notice in the middle of August that will give them their specific value for their individual property.”