Leading Question

>>Lee County may dwarf Collier in total population, but when it comes to seasonal-resident tallies, the Naples area certainly closes the gap. In both cases, the influx brings economic, business and social benefits.

An estimated 124,000 snowbirds landed in Collier County last year, adding to the 317,788 full-time residents. In Lee, the 549,442 permanent population increased by 25 percent, or roughly 137,000. The numbers came from a pair of studies that used population counts and other data, including highway volume.

Officials say, anecdotally, that snowbirds generate a significant economic boost. Homeowners among them pay property taxes that help support schools, services, roads and other needs. Temporary residents spend money in local businesses, and they volunteer in their communities.

"We definitely benefit," says Beth Skotzke, events and communications manager at the Economic Development Council of Collier County. Some snowbirds have been known to start businesses, thus creating more wealth for the community, she says. In addition, the seasonal residents get involved with groups like the Service Corps of Retired Executives, which mentors newer ventures.

"Snowbirds provide [the community with] a lot of intellectual capital," Skotzke says.

Their economic contribution, however, is difficult to measure, says Stanley K. Smith, Bureau of Economic and Business Research director at the University of Florida. "Information about temporary residents is sparse," he says in a recent report.

Smith's research indicates that snowbirds tend to have relatively high education and income levels; 43 percent have college degrees and 17 percent make $100,000 or more annually.

So is there a downside to our snowbird population? If there's one common complaint, it would be about the swell of traffic that accompanies them, officials say. -Phil Borchmann