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Cape Coral, FL

Frequently asked questions

Cape Coral, FL

Cape Coral is a city located in Lee County, Florida, United States, on the Gulf of Mexico. Founded in 1957 and developed as a planned community, the city's population had grown to 194,016 as of the 2020 Census, a 26% increase from 154,309 at the 2010 Census, making it the 130th most populous city in the United States. With an area of 120 square miles (310 km²), Cape Coral is the largest city between Tampa and Miami in both population and area. It is the largest and principal city in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city has over 400 mi (640 km) of navigable waterways, more than any other city on earth.

The original inhabitants around the Cape Coral area were the Calusa. After Florida became a state in 1845, multiple pioneers started selling and buying land in what is now Cape Coral under the Homestead Act. Cape Coral’s modern history began in 1957 when two brothers from Baltimore, Maryland, Leonard and Jack Rosen, flew over the peninsula known as Redfish Point, across the Caloosahatchee River near present-day Fort Myers. The brothers, who were real estate developers, purchased a 103-square-mile (270 km2) tract with a small group of partners for $678,000 and in 1958 began development of the city as a planned community. The city was incorporated on August 18, 1970, and its population continued to grow rapidly until the real estate slowdown that gripped the region beginning in 2008.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 120 square miles (310.8 km²), of which 110.09 square miles (285.1 km²) is land and 9.91 square miles (25.7 km²) (9%) is water. 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. 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 Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve.

Cape Coral places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with numerous parks and recreational areas contributing to an active lifestyle. Physiotherapy Associates (now ATI Physical Therapy) provides individualized rehabilitation programs, sports performance enhancement, work injury prevention, and wellness services. HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital offers inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers specializes in physical therapy for balance and vestibular disorders, orthopedic conditions, chronic pain management, and pre/post-surgical rehabilitation. NovaCare Rehabilitation is offering physical therapy services for sports injuries, orthopedic conditions, post-stroke rehabilitation, pediatric therapy, and women's health. Orthopedic Center of Florida provides orthopedic-focused physical therapy, including joint replacement rehabilitation, spine therapy, sports medicine, and hand therapy. The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Orlando, Grande Lakes offers a luxurious retreat with a range of treatments including massages, facials, and body therapies.

Top sites in Cape Coral, FL are Sun Splash Family Waterpark, Tarpon Point Marina, Tropical Breeze Fun Park, and Cultural Park Theatre.

Population: 233,025 (2024). ZIP codes: 33904, 33909, 33914, 33990, 33991, 33993. Area codes: 239. Elevation: 3 ft (0.9 m). Area: 119.41 sq mi (309.26 km²).

FAQs

Why is Cape Coral, FL so cheap to live in?

A lot of people think that it’s expensive to live in Florida, but living in Cape Coral is surprisingly affordable! The cost of living in this beautiful community is much lower than the national average. Besides, the state does not collect income tax, estate tax, inheritance tax, or intangible property tax. The sales tax rate is also relatively low, between 6-7.5%. This is good news for retirees who are on a fixed income. Cape Coral also offers plenty of job opportunities for people who aren’t quite yet ready to give up working.

What is the crime rate in Cape Coral, FL?

Cape Coral has an overall crime rate of 10 per 1,000 residents, making the crime rate here near the average for all cities and towns of all sizes in America. According to our analysis of FBI crime data, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Cape Coral is 1 in 105. How does Cape Coral fare compared to other communities in Florida of all population sizes? Cape Coral's crime rate is lower than approximately 61% of Florida communities.

Is Cape Coral, FL a good place to live?

As part of Lee County, Cape Coral is a vibrant and friendly community across the Caloosahatchee River from Fort Myers. Best known for its 400 miles of canals, breathtaking beaches, top-rated golf courses, and abundance of family-friendly attractions, many families and retirees are moving to the area. Nicknamed "Waterfront Wonderland," Cape Coral is considered one of the best places to live in Florida for its affordability and low crime rate. With an area of nearly 120 square miles, Cape Coral is the second-largest city in the state and the largest city between Tampa and Miami. Renowned for its high quality of life and active lifestyle, many recreation opportunities are available for residents and visitors interested in boating, fishing, and watersports.

Sources

City of Cape Coral

Wikipedia

Cape Coral Mortgage

Uphomes

Neighborhood Scout

Physiotherapy Associates (now ATI Physical Therapy)

HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital

Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers

NovaCare Rehabilitation

Orthopedic Center of Florida

Ritz-Carlton Spa

Sun Splash Family Waterpark 

Tarpon Point Marina 

Tropical Breeze Fun Park 

Cultural Park Theatre

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.