The City of Cape Coral is located in southwest Florida in Lee County. Cape Coral history began 40 years ago when two brothers, Leonard & Jack Rosen, concluded that the area’s location on the Gulf Coast could provide almost endless opportunities for waterfront living in the abundant sunshine.
They purchased property, platted the community, and created more than 400 miles of canals. The largest concentration of earth moving equipment in Florida history was used to excavate the Cape Coral canals and prepare home sites, commercial areas, and industrial districts. The brothers implemented a global marketing campaign that resulted in the sale of nearly all 350,000 residential building sites, the majority to people living in other states and nations.
In the ceaseless promotion of the City of Cape Coral, the Rosen brothers, along with other land developers, helped to introduce millions of people to the benefits of living in Florida. By selling home sites on installment, the price of waterfront real estate became affordable for even blue-collar Americans. At one point in the 1960’s the Rosens were spending more money than the state government on promoting Florida and the City of Cape Coral.
The city now occupies a large peninsula bordered by the Caloosahatchee River on the east and Matlacha Pass on the west. It is located about 120 miles south of Tampa and 40 miles north of Naples. Since incorporating in August, 1970 Cape Coral’s population has experienced rapid growth. With more than 167,000 residents, Cape Coral’s population is growing at about 5% per year. Cape Coral is among the fastest growing cities in the United States. The City of Cape Coral is approximately 45% developed.
Cape Coral is also the state’s second largest city by land mass – 120 square miles. The city features thousands of waterfront residential properties on canals including many with direct saltwater access to the Gulf of Mexico.
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The City provides a comprehensive range of municipal services including general government, public safety (police and fire), public works, community development, economic development, utilities, transportation, and parks and recreation.
Strategically situated midway between Tampa and Miami, Cape Coral is emerging as a secondary market for manufacturers who need to distribute goods throughout other parts of Florida, the southeastern United States, and Latin America.
With an estimated labor force of 110,000, many of whom are white-collar workers, Cape Coral offers businesses a great opportunity to tap into a local source of experienced workers who want to work, live, and shop within the city limits. 60% of Cape Coral’s workforce commutes to work outside of the city. The Economic Development Office is actively recruiting companies whose business needs match with the occupational and educational experience of our residents.
Many well-known national retailers and restaurant chains have recently located within the City, for example: BJ’s Wholesale Club, Home Depot, Lowe’s (second store), Kohl’s Department store, Walmart (multiple stores), Carrabba’s, Super-Target, Belk’s, Home Goods, Michael’s, Chili’s Bar & Grill, Chick-Fil-A, Starbucks, Bonefish Grill, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Fosters Grille, and LA Fitness Gym, among others.
Below are links to various documents that will give you information regarding our efforts: