Lutgert Blogs

Issue Brief: Southwest Florida Retiree Profile

November 19, 2025 / RERI Research Team

Understanding the demographic and socioeconomic landscape of a local community is important for effective planning and resource allocation, particularly as populations age and labor market dynamics evolve. For Southwest Florida, it has become increasingly important to understand the growing retirement population. As Southwest Florida continues to attract older adults, the retiree population plays a critical role in shaping the region’s demographics, economy and housing market. By examining key indicators of retirees, we can better understand how the retirees in Southwest Florida compare to those in Florida and the United States overall.

Regional Economic Indicators: November 2025 Report

November 03, 2025 / RERI Research Team

The RERI has published Regional Economic Indicators for November 2025. The monthly publication represents a collection and analysis of economic indicators including airport passenger activity, taxable sales, tourist tax revenues, labor force, employment, real estate, and consumer sentiment for the Southwest Florida workforce region.

Collier EBCS: Fourth Quarter 2025 Report

November 03, 2025 / RERI Research Team

Headline numbers for the US economy suggest the economy continues to grow at a sluggish pace. The labor market showed mixed signals, with the number of unemployed people (7.4 million) increasing above the number of job openings (7.2 million) for the first time since April 2021. Inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased at a 3.0 percent annualized rate in September, and the Core Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) registered a 2.7 percent increase from last year in August. With inflation somewhat elevated and softer job growth, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), which has a dual mandate of stable prices and maximizing employment, began cutting the federal funds rate in the third quarter and currently stands at 3.75-4.00. However, with little data to guide decisions and raising uncertainty, Chairman Powell pointed to a cautious approach moving forward. Their next meeting is in December, but there is still uncertainty on data availability and the ability to have an accurate reading on the economy.

Charlotte EBCS: Fourth Quarter 2025 Report

November 03, 2025 / RERI Research Team

Headline numbers for the US economy suggest the economy continues to grow at a sluggish pace. The labor market showed mixed signals, with the number of unemployed people (7.4 million) increasing above the number of job openings (7.2 million) for the first time since April 2021. Inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased at a 3.0 percent annualized rate in September, and the Core Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) registered a 2.7 percent increase from last year in August. With inflation somewhat elevated and softer job growth, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), which has a dual mandate of stable prices and maximizing employment, began cutting the federal funds rate in the third quarter and currently stands at 3.75-4.00. However, with little data to guide decisions and raising uncertainty, Chairman Powell pointed to a cautious approach moving forward. Their next meeting is in December, but there is still uncertainty on data availability and the ability to have an accurate reading on the economy.

Lee EBCS: Fourth Quarter 2025 Report

November 03, 2025 / RERI Research Team

Headline numbers for the US economy suggest the economy continues to grow at a sluggish pace. The labor market showed mixed signals, with the number of unemployed people (7.4 million) increasing above the number of job openings (7.2 million) for the first time since April 2021. Inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased at a 3.0 percent annualized rate in September, and the Core Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) registered a 2.7 percent increase from last year in August. With inflation somewhat elevated and softer job growth, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), which has a dual mandate of stable prices and maximizing employment, began cutting the federal funds rate in the third quarter and currently stands at 3.75-4.00. However, with little data to guide decisions and raising uncertainty, Chairman Powell pointed to a cautious approach moving forward. Their next meeting is in December, but there is still uncertainty on data availability and the ability to have an accurate reading on the economy.