Pine Island is the largest island on Florida’s west coast — 17 miles from north to south and about three to four miles at its widest point. Our distinct communities are Bokeelia, Pineland, Pine Island Center, St. James City and Matlacha, which is actually located on its own island but considered part of the Greater Pine Island community.
The most recent census indicates that we have about 9,000 full-time residents, though that nearly doubles during high season (Christmas to Easter). We have only one road onto the Island — fittingly named Pine Island Road — and one road north to south — Stringfellow Road. There are no streetlights in our largely rural island. We joke that we’re a drinking village with a fishing problem, but commercial fishing was the lifeblood of the community until Florida passed a net ban in 1994 that decimated the industry. Our commercial fishery is much smaller today — though still a proud tradition for many islanders. Our other main industries are ecotourism, sport fishing and farming — including palm tree farms and tropical fruit nurseries. Pine Island does not have any sandy beaches and, for that, the beauty of our island has remained one of the best kept secrets around — and most of us like it that way, thankyouverymuch!
Political Representation
- Pine Islanders are in District 1 of the Lee County Commission and School Board districts.
- Current Lee County Commissioner: Kevin Ruane, dist1@leegov.com, Commission Chair
- Current School Board Representative: Mary Fischer, MaryBF@leeschools.net
- Our Florida State Senate District is 27
- Current representative: Sen. Ray Wesley Rodrigues. More info.
- Our Florida State Representative District is 76, with a small portion of Matlacha represented by District 77.
- District 76 representative: Rep. Adam Botana. More info.
- District 77 representative: Rep. Mike Giallombardo. More info.
- We’re in the 19th Congressional District of the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Current representative: Rep. Byron Donalds. More info.
- Our current U.S. Senators are Marco Rubio and Rick Scott.
Fire Control
Pine Island has its own fire control district, the Matlacha Pine Island Fire Control District, which covers 45 square miles. The governing board includes five commissioners. Meetings take place at 5700 Pine Island Rd. Bokeelia, FL 33922. Visit their website for meeting dates/times.
Pine Island Water
Pine Island has its own central drinking water system run by the Greater Pine Island Water Association, Inc. GPIWA is a member-owned utility company serving the population in the Greater Pine Island area. It is run by a staff and elected governing board of nine members.
Updated 6-26-21
