- Population: 113,000
- Avg. Single Family $172,235
Home Price 3/2
* Avg. Condo Price 2/2 $108,435
Ranked by MONEY MAGAZINE as one of the BEST PLACES TO LIVE, Cape
Coral is also among the fastest growing municipalities in Florida.
Area residents know the reasons why. Locals say "It's just paradise"!
In the ranking as one of the best metropolitan areas in which to live
in the entire United States, 41 factors were listed. Factors include
low crime, easy commutes to employment centers, a low unemployment
rate, as well as clean air, local school quality, and projected job
growth. Cape Coral rates very high in such categories.
With over 400 miles of canals the city is a boaters and fish enthusiast's
dream come true. Many canals lead to the Gulf of Mexico, others to
lakes and favorite fishing spots. The city lies between the Caloosahatchee
River, part of the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Cape Coral is the state's second largest city in land area, second
only to Jacksonville. The city contains 114 square miles enabling
development and continued growth to be extremely well planned as we
move into the next century. A new bridge, opened in October 1997,
crosses the Caloosahatchee River. Providing another key transportation
link with other areas of Southwest Florida, the new Mid Point Bridge
solidifies the importance of Cape Coral within the region.
The Community Redevelopment Agency recently supervised the completion
of "Streetscape" landscaping, with brick paved sidewalks,
nostalgic lighting, and charming cosmetic changes to buildings, stores,
and shops. Nearby Del Prado Boulevard continues the theme with its
"Greenscape" program - landscaped medians, and roadside
improvements that say "Welcome" to all who arrive.
Cape Coral is carved into four quadrants, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast,
and Southwest. Avenues, Boulevards, Courts, and Places generally run
north to South, while Lanes, Parkways, Streets, and Terraces generally
run east to West. The first one or two digits of the building numbers
identify the cross streets. For example, 2367 SE 11th Place would
be in the Southeast quadrant, the street would run north-south, and
would cross either 23rd Street, Lane, or Terrace.
Jack and Leonard Rosen launched the city's history in 1957, when the
brothers bought Redfish Point on Lee County's western end. They formed
the Gulf American Land Corporation, and brought in the largest single
shipment of earth-moving equipment in Florida development history.
They platted and dug more than 400 miles of finger canals that ribboned
the land. Dredged soil provided fill for home sites, and 1,700 miles
of roadway paved the way. By 1970, when Cape Coral incorporated and
became a city, the population of the formerly desolate, isolated territory
came in at 11,470.
Approximately three-fourths of Florida's population lives within 150
miles of Cape Coral. Projected annual population growth rate for Cape
Coral is 3.18%.