Although I’ve called Naples home since 2006, I’m originally a Southern girl, having spent the first half of my life in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Arkansas. And while Naples has so many charms, I’ve always said (with a wink and a smile) that it doesn’t quite qualify as “The South.” 😉
Interestingly, the Collier County Visitors Bureau notes that 52.5% of our visitors come from the Midwest and Northeast, so perhaps Naples is more of a northern outpost with palm trees than a true southern town. Likewise, many visitors aren’t just coming for a week on the beach - they’re sticking around!
Over the past decade, Collier County’s population has grown roughly 25–30%, with continued momentum. That kind of growth underscores Naples’ appeal which is great news for business, marketing, real estate, and community planning… and a gentle warning that securing a dinner reservation now requires Olympic-level planning!