Cape Coral /ˈkɔrəl/ is a city located in Lee County, Florida, United States, on the Gulf of Mexico. Founded in 1957 and developed as a master-planned, pre-platted community, the city grew to a population of 154,305 by the year 2010.[5] The city's population estimate was 165,831 for 2013. With an area of 120 square miles (310 km2), Cape Coral is the largest city between Tampa and Miami. It is a principal city in the Cape Coral – Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population estimate for the statistical area was 679,513 for 2014.[2] The city is known as a "Waterfront Wonderland", since with over 400 mi (640 km) of navigable waterways, Cape Coral has more miles of canals than any other city in the world.

History

Cape Coral was founded in 1957. Real estate developers Leonard and Jack Rosen purchased a 103-square-mile (270 km2) tract known as Redfish Point for $678,000 in that year and, in 1958, began development of the city as a master-planned, pre-planned community.

The Gulf American Corporation (GAC) was formed to develop the area. Canals were dug, streets paved, houses and businesses built. Cape Coral was promoted like no other Florida development. Celebrities were brought in to tout the benefits of "the Cape", as it is known locally. The first building was the Rosens' company headquarters, at the corner of Coronado and Cape Coral Parkway. Cape Coral's first permanent resident was Kenny Schwartz, the Rosens' general manager.[6] Cape Coral's first four homes were completed in May 1958, on Riverside and Flamingo Drives.[7]

Development continued through the early 1960s, mostly on Redfish Point, south of Cape Coral Parkway. By 1963, the population was 2,850; 1,300 buildings had been finished or were under construction; 80 mi (130 km) of road had been built, and 160 mi (260 km) of canals had been dug. The public yacht club, a golf course, medical clinic and shopping center were up and running. A major addition for Cape Coral was the construction of the 3,400 feet (1,000 m) long Cape Coral Bridge across the Caloosahatchee River, which opened in early 1964. Before the bridge, a trip to Fort Myers was more than 20 mi (32 km) via Del Prado Boulevard and over the Edison Bridge to cross the river.

There was a lot of hype, promotion and advertising. Celebrities like Bob Hope, Anita Bryant, and Hugh Downs were brought in. A movie with Phyllis Diller, The Fat Spy (1966), was filmed in Cape Coral and so were episodes of the TV show Route 66.

The city incorporated in August 1970, and its population continued to grow rapidly until the real estate slowdown that gripped the region beginning in 2008.[8]

In its early years, Cape Coral was known as a community with many retired residents. This changed with a population and construction boom in the 1990s, which brought in younger families and professionals. Twenty percent of the population is seasonal residents. Nowadays, the city has a wide variety of businesses, retail shops and restaurants on its major arteries: Cape Coral Parkway, Del Prado Boulevard, Santa Barbara Boulevard and Pine Island Road.
Geography and climate

Cape Coral is located at 26°38′23″N 81°58′57″W.[9]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 120 square miles (310.8 km2). 110.09 square miles (285.1 km2) of it is land and 9.91 square miles (25.7 km2) of it (9%) is water.[1] Cape Coral is a large peninsula and is bordered in the south and east by the Caloosahatchee River and in the west by Matlacha Pass. The city of Fort Myers lies across the Caloosahatchee River to the east, and Matlacha and Pine Island lie across Matlacha Pass to the west. Matlacha Pass is home to Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge and the state's Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve.[10]
Canals

Cape Coral Florida has over 400 miles (640 km) of canals, more than any other city in the world.[11] Most of the canals are navigable and some have access to the Gulf of Mexico. Cape Coral's canal system is so extensive that local ecology and tides have been affected.[12]
Climate

Cape Coral features a tropical savanna climate or tropical wet and dry climate under the Köppen climate classification system. The area averages 355 days of sunshine each year, but experiences precipitation on 145 days per year. While the summers are very warm, humid and rainy, the winters in Cape Coral are dry with moderate temperatures. Cape Coral receives about 54 inches of rain each year, the majority of which falls from May to September. During the summer months, afternoon rains are heavy yet brief. The city is affected by the annual hurricane season, which begins officially on June 1 and continues through November.

Climate data for Cape Coral, FL
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	90 (32)	92 (33)	93 (34)	96 (36)	99 (37)	103 (39)	101 (38)	100 (38)	98 (37)	95 (35)	95 (35)	90 (32)	103 (39)
Average high °F (°C)	75 (24)	77 (25)	80 (27)	85 (29)	89 (32)	92 (33)	92 (33)	92 (33)	91 (33)	87 (31)	81 (27)	77 (25)	84.8 (29.3)
Average low °F (°C)	54 (12)	56 (13)	59 (15)	63 (17)	69 (21)	74 (23)	75 (24)	75 (24)	74 (23)	69 (21)	62 (17)	56 (13)	65.5 (18.6)
Record low °F (°C)	27 (−3)	27 (−3)	33 (1)	39 (4)	50 (10)	58 (14)	66 (19)	65 (18)	63 (17)	45 (7)	34 (1)	24 (−4)	24 (−4)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	1.94 (49.3)	2.24 (56.9)	2.88 (73.2)	2.18 (55.4)	2.65 (67.3)	10.09 (256.3)	9.04 (229.6)	10.14 (257.6)	8.31 (211.1)	2.88 (73.2)	1.96 (49.8)	1.71 (43.4)	56.02 (1,422.9)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	7	8	7	6	10	18	22	22	20	11	7	7	145
Source: Bestplaces.net [13]

Demographics
Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1970 10,193 —
1980 32,103 215.0%
1990 74,991 133.6%
2000 102,286 36.4%
2010 154,305 50.9%
Est. 2014 169,854 [14] 10.1%
Sources:[15][16]

As of 2010, Cape Coral was the eleventh largest city in Florida by population. More than 60 percent of the population is between the ages of 15–64 and residents under 25 outnumber residents over 65. Southwest Florida's 18–24 age group is growing at a faster rate than the state of Florida and the United States.[17]
Cape Coral Demographics
2010 Census Cape Coral Lee County Florida
Total population 154,305 618,754 18,801,310
Population, percent change, 2000 to 2010 +50.9% +40.3% +17.6%
Population density 1,460.2/sq mi 788.7/sq mi 350.6/sq mi
White or Caucasian (including White Hispanic) 88.2% 83.0% 75.0%
(Non-Hispanic White or Caucasian) 73.5% 71.0% 57.9%
Black or African-American 4.3% 8.3% 16.0%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 19.5% 18.3% 22.5%
Asian 1.5% 1.4% 2.4%
Native American or Native Alaskan 0.3% 0.4% 0.4%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%
Two or more races (Multiracial) 2.3% 2.1% 2.5%
Some Other Race 3.3% 4.7% 3.6%

As of 2010, there were 78,948 households out of which 23.0% were vacant. In 2000, 29.5% households had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.2% are married couples living together, 9.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% are non-families. 19.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.49 and the average family size is 2.85.

In 2000, the city's population is spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.6 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city is $43,410, and the median income for a family is $47,503. Males have a median income of $32,320 versus $25,068 for females. The per capita income for the city is $21,021. 7.0% of the population and 5.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 9.2% are under the age of 18 and 5.6% are 65 or older.
Languages

As of 2000, 87.18% of residents spoke only English at home, while 7.61% spoke Spanish, 1.70% spoke German, 1.20% spoke Italian, 0.61% spoke French, and 0.41% spoke Tagalog. In total, 12.81% of the total population spoke languages other than English.[18]
Government

The City of Cape Coral operates under the council-manager government form of government. City Council members are elected at large from seven districts. The mayor is also elected at large and is the eighth member of the council. The mayor presides over council meetings. The City of Cape Coral provides Police and Fire services within the city.
Infrastructure
Cape Coral Parkway

Reverse Osmosis Water Purification
RO production train, North Cape Coral RO Plant

In 1977 Cape Coral, Florida became the first municipality in the United States to use the RO process on a large scale with an initial operating capacity of 3 million gallons per day. By 1985, due to the rapid growth in population of Cape Coral, the city had the largest low pressure reverse osmosis plant in the world, capable of producing 15 MGD.[19]

Roadways

Interstate 75 passes within 10 miles (16 km) of Cape Coral and connects northward to Tampa and on to the Midwestern states; and southeastward to Miami/Fort Lauderdale. Cape Coral borders on U.S. Highway 41. U.S. 41 and I-75 can be accessed from State Route 78 (Pine Island Road). Within the city a network of arterial roadways are established. Cape Coral has approximately 1,100 miles (1,800 km) of roadways. In general, the north/south routes are evenly spaced apart every one or two miles (3 km) and most of them have at least four lanes.

Bridges

Cape Coral is connected to Fort Myers by two bridges. The 3,400 feet (1,000 m) long Cape Coral Bridge connects Cape Coral Parkway to College Parkway in Fort Myers. The Midpoint Memorial Bridge connects Veterans Parkway to Colonial Boulevard. A number of other bridges span the Caloosahatchee River just east of Cape Coral in adjoining North Fort Myers.

Public transport

Public transit services in Cape Coral are provided by LeeTran. LeeTran operates 18 fixed-route bus services, including 6 within Cape Coral.[20] Buses operate Monday through Saturday between 5:00 am and 9:45 pm, depending on the route.

Airports

Cape Coral is 14 miles (23 km) from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), which serves nearly eight million passengers annually. The airport’s new Midfield Terminal Complex opened in 2005, with three concourses and 28 gates. In 2010, eighteen national and two international airlines, as well as the two major cargo companies, served the airport.

In addition to Southwest Florida International Airport, Cape Coral is also served by Page Field, a general aviation airport in Fort Myers eight miles (13 km) from Cape Coral. Charlotte County Airport (PGD) is located in Punta Gorda, just 10 miles (16 km) north of Cape Coral.

Hospitals

Acute care and trauma is provided by Cape Coral Hospital.[21] In December 2012, the Lee County VA Healthcare Center opened on Diplomat Parkway, providing a large range of medical services to veterans.[22]

Utilities

The City of Cape Coral operates water and sewer systems for the city. Sewage is collected and highly treated to produce reclaimed water, locally known as "rescued water". Reclaimed water is distributed throughout the City through a dual water pipe system, and used for irrigation. Alternatively, reclaimed water can be discharged into the Caloosahatchee River.

The Cape was among the first in Florida to deploy the new 4.9 GHz pre-WiMax wireless channel authorized by the FCC in 2003 for exclusive Public Safety use.[23]
Economy

The economy in Cape Coral is based on local government services, health care, retail, and real estate/construction. The City's Economic Development Office promotes and incentivizes business relocation to Cape Coral. In 2009 the City's top five employers were the Lee County School District, Cape Coral City Hall, Publix Supermarkets, Cape Coral Hospital and Walmart.[24]
Education

Cape Coral has continuously expanding public and private school systems with high performance standards. Cape Coral is part of the Lee County School District, which is operated by the Lee County Board of Education. As of 2009, the Board of Education operated 8 elementary, 6 middle, and 5 high schools in the Cape.[25]

There are four public high schools in Cape Coral: Cape Coral High School, built in the late 1970s, Mariner High School, which opened in 1987, and Ida S. Baker High School, founded in 2004 and named after one of the early principals of Cape Coral High School, with the building opening in 2005. The newest high school, Island Coast High School, opened its doors for the 2008–2009 school year.

In addition, the City of Cape Coral has created a municipal charter school system consisting of two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The charter schools use the Core Knowledge and Cambridge Curricula. Since the system is public, there is no tuition. The municipal charter schools are available exclusively to children who live in Cape Coral.[26]

The main campus of Florida SouthWestern State College is located immediately south of Cape Coral in Fort Myers. The college offers associate and bachelor's degrees, plus technical training in fields such as Allied Health Programs, Computer Networking & Programming, Business Administration, Paralegal, Criminal Justice and Fire Science. 2009 enrollment was more than 16,000 students on four campuses.

One of Florida’s youngest state universities, Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), opened in 1997 in nearby Fort Myers and now serves more than 12,000 students. FGCU has established a Cape Coral satellite facility, which provides Cape students with a growing offering of core courses. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees, including an Executive Master’s program, a College of Business and Engineering and Biotechnology programs.

Other colleges and universities serving the area are Hodges University, Southwest Florida College and Rasmussen College.

Cape Coral is also home to the Cape Coral Technical College,[27] a postsecondary educational institution operated by the Lee County public school system. It provides training in medical, computer and food-science fields. Employer-specific training, both on and off-site, is available through Business and Industry Services of Lee County which maintains an office in Cape Coral.[28]
Culture and recreation

The city features a sandy beach and fishing pier on the Caloosahatchee River at the public Yacht Basin & Club. Cape Coral is home to the expansive SunSplash Water Park (Virtual Tour of the Waterpark), more than 30 recreational parks, and seven golf courses. Cape Coral offers a variety of Gulf beaches in its immediate neighborhood, such as Sanibel Island and Fort Myers Beach. The area is known by birding enthusiasts for a wide variety of wildlife and the largest population of burrowing owls in the state of Florida.[29]

Cape Coral’s 400-mile (640 km) canal system provides many residents with waterfront living with access to the Gulf of Mexico via the broad Caloosahatchee River and Matlacha Pass. The Parks and Recreation Department maintains three public boat launching facilities. The Gulf of Mexico provides access to smaller tropical islands, rookeries, and sports fishing grounds.

Cape Coral’s cultural assets include the Historical Museum, the Art Studio, the Cape Coral Art League, and the Cultural Park Theater, a 187-seat performing arts facility that serves as home to community actors. In addition, there are several regional arts and performance venues in the immediate area, including the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall.

Several parks and ecological preserves allow observation of the local wildlife. Elevated nature trails wind through the mangroves at Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve.

Mike Greenwell founded an amusement park called "Mike Greenwell's Bat-A-Ball & Family Fun Park" that opened in February 1992.
Flora and fauna
Nile monitor

The area supports waterfowl, wading birds, migrant songbirds, gopher tortoises, dolphins and reptiles. Rotary Park is home to wading birds, raptors, butterflies, foxes and other wildlife. Nature enthusiasts can track exotic birds and native fish from the boardwalk at Lake Kennedy and watch the West Indian Manatees at Sirenia Vista Park. Cape Coral is home to the largest population of Burrowing Owls in Florida.[30]
Invasive species

Cape Coral is home to three invasive species. The Green Iguana and the Spiny-tailed Iguana and in 2009, the Nile Monitor was discovered. The iguanas are found throughout southern Florida and generally do not pose a threat. The Nile Monitor is however a large (7–9 feet), fast traveling, fast swimming, carnivore with a wide diet, which can include fish, fowl, and small mammals. The city's many waterways work against its capture and provide an easy transportation route around the city.[31]
City events

The city holds an annual Independence Day fireworks festival known as Red, White & BOOM!! This is the biggest single day event in the city and a large July 4 display for Southwest Florida. Red, White and BOOM is presented annually by the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral.[32]
Since 1985, the German-American Club holds an annual Oktoberfest, styled after the original held in Germany.The event draws on average 30,000 visitors.[33]
The Cape Coral Festival of the Arts is held the second weekend of January every year. The event takes place on Cape Coral Parkway and attracts over 100,000 visitors.[34] Nearly 300 artists and craftspeople from across the nation line the street to make this one of the largest and best attended art festivals in Southwest Florida.
Since 1978 the Cape Coral Christmas Boat Light Parade has been held just before Christmas. The annual event features over 100 boats in all types of lighting decorations. The boats traverse the canals in the lower Cape starting at the Bimini Basin and 4 Freedoms Park.

Notable residents

The members of Twisted Method grew up and first formed their band in Cape Coral
Angela Watson, actress
Greg Spires, NFL player
Pat Burke, NBA player
Earnest Graham, NFL running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stacy Carter, professional wrestler
Seth Petruzelli, mixed martial arts fighter
Mike Greenwell, former Major League Baseball player
Jason Smith, Olympic curler
Nate Allen, safety for the ( Oakland Raiders )
Beverly DiRenzo, professional body builder[35][36][37][38]
Jessica Holmes, TV host and news anchor
Mike Zunino, catcher for Seattle Mariners
Karey Lee Woolsey, singer-songwriter

See also
Portal icon Florida portal
References

"Florida by Place. Population, Housing, Area, and Density: 2000". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 2007-11-20
U.S. Census
"American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
"US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
[1][dead link]
Miami Herald: "Real estate executive and Jewish leader Kenneth Schwartz dies at 88" By Carli Teproff August 28, 2014
"Historical Photos". Cape Coral Historical Museum. Retrieved October 9, 2008
[2][dead link]
"US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved January 18, 2010, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic?93578/Cape-Coral)
"Cape Coral History". City of Cape Coral. Retrieved October 9, 2008
"Cape Coral Canals: A Public Conference on Water Quality and Quantity" (PDF)
"Climate Details for Fort Myers, FL". Sperling's Best Places. Retrieved 2013-02-24.
"Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
"Census of Population and Housing (1790–2000)". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
Census figure in 1970 was enumerated prior to incorporation
Cape Coral Economic Development Office
Modern Language Association Data Center Results of Cape Coral, FL
http://www.capecoral.net/department/utilities_department/docs/2012_Citywide_CCR.pdf
LeeTran Routes and Schedules
Cape Coral Hospital
Bay Pines VA Healthcare System
Cape Coral: Growth Engine of Southwest Florida, Publication, CCEDO 2009
City of Cape Coral, 2009 Cape Coral's Largest Employers
Welcome - The School District of Lee County, Florida
City of Cape Coral Charter School Authority - Home
Logan, Casey (June 8, 2015). "Fort Myers, Cape Coral technical institutes now colleges". News-Press. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
Leecountybis.com
Cape Coral| VisitFlorida.com
City of Cape Coral Official site
St. Petersburg Times/TampaBay.com, Sunday, June 21, 2009.
"Special Events". Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral. Retrieved October 9, 2008
"Oktoberfest Information". German American Social Club of Cape Coral
"Cape Coral Festival of the Arts"
"Beverly DiRenzo – Europa Battle of Champions 2010". Muscular Development. 2010. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
"Species Nutrition". Species Nutrition. June 27, 1970. Archived from the original on March 18, 2008. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
"2006 Nationals- Women's Bodybuilding Winners". Flex. November 11, 2006. Retrieved September 5, 2011.

"Beverly DiRenzo". Iron Man Magazine. September 4, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2011.

External links

Official website
Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce
Cape Coral Weather