Charlotte County Map, Florida

Charlotte County is located in the Southwest Florida region of Florida, one of 67 counties that make up the state. Its county seat, Punta Gorda, is the administrative hub — home to the courthouse, county commission chambers, tax collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elections, and clerk of the circuit court.

The county spans a total of 859 square miles — 680 of land and 179 of water — and operates on Eastern Time. Federal agencies including the U.S. Census Bureau, USGS, and FEMA reference the county by its FIPS code, 12015, in datasets, boundary files, and hazard mapping.

Charlotte County shares borders with 4 neighboring counties: Sarasota County, DeSoto County, Glades County, Lee County. Use the interactive map above to explore where those boundaries meet or jump directly to any neighboring county page for a side-by-side comparison.

The Peace and Myakka Rivers empty into Charlotte Harbor. Barrier islands (Palm Island, Don Pedro, Gasparilla shared with Lee) line the Gulf. Babcock Ranch Preserve — Florida's largest land conservation purchase — covers a huge inland tract.

The county's overall footprint — 680 square miles of land plus 179 square miles of water — places it in the mid-range of Florida's 67 counties by area. Elevation across most of Florida is modest, and land-use, drainage basins, and habitat corridors defined by state and federal agencies (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Water Management Districts) shape how growth and conservation coexist here.

Health care, retirement services, tourism, boating and marine industries, and a growing Allegiant Air hub at PGD. Real estate and construction have rebounded strongly after Hurricane Ian (2022).

Employment, tax base, and land use in Charlotte County reflect its location in Southwest Florida and its position in the state's middle tier of population. Economic development authorities, chambers of commerce, and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity publish updated employer and workforce data for the county on their portals.

Split from DeSoto County in 1921. Punta Gorda was a rail terminus and cattle port in the late 19th century. Hurricane Charley (2004) and Hurricane Ian (2022) both caused catastrophic damage.

Established in 1921, Charlotte County is one of Florida's modern counties. Its boundaries, seat, and government have evolved through territorial, statehood, Reconstruction, and modern eras — a lineage documented by the Florida Historical Society, the State Archives of Florida, and the Charlotte County Historical Commission or equivalent local body.

Charlotte Harbor, Fisherman's Village, Gasparilla Island (Boca Grande), tarpon fishing, and Babcock Ranch eco-tours.

Whether you're planning a weekend trip, a longer stay, or a day drive from a neighboring county, Charlotte County offers a mix of natural, cultural, and community attractions tied to its Southwest Florida identity. For the latest hours, admission fees, and seasonal events, check the county's official tourism development council and the Florida State Parks portal (floridastateparks.org).