Cape Coral, Florida#Metropolitan area

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.{{Cite news |last=Chestnut |first=Cathy |title=Cape Coral has plenty of history, pioneers and stories |date=July 13, 2014 |url=https://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/cape-coral/2014/07/13/cape-coral-plenty-history-pioneers-stories/12568221/ |work=News-Press |location=Fort Myers, Florida}} 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 {{convert|103|sqmi|km2|adj=on}} tract with a small group of partners for $678,000 and in 1958 began development of the city as a planned community.{{Cite web|title=History of Cape Coral|url=https://capecoralmuseum.org/history-of-cape-coral/|website=capecoralmuseum.org}}

The Gulf American Land Corporation (GALC) was formed to develop the area. GALC developed a marketing model that was a departure from traditional selling methods. Approval was secured from Lee County to master-plan the entire property into lots. Instead of listing the lots with real estate agents, GALC developed the land sales, dinner-party model, operating from banquet rooms in local hotels. People were invited to attend by offering a free dinner for two. The model, referred to as team-selling, allowed for a well-trained team to close deals in 90 minutes. Buyers would sign a contract and agree to come to the property within six months and cancel if not satisfied. Ezio Valentini, an Italian real estate developer, joined GALC and became director of sales. The program was so successful that offices were opened in 24 states, and an arrangement was made with an airline to charter flights to fly buyers to the property.

Instead of borrowing from banks and lenders, the developers factored the sales contracts to pay for building the infrastructure. Canals were dug (without first obtaining state permits, an omission which later bankrupted GALC){{cite web |url=https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/11/28/be-thankful-you-dont-live-in-this-florida-city-which-is-trying-to-punish-its-own-citizens/ |title=Be thankful you don't live in this Florida city, which is trying to punish its own citizens |first=Craig |last=Pittman |date=November 28, 2024 |access-date=November 29, 2024 |work=Florida Phoenix}}), streets paved, houses and businesses built.Newsday, [http://www.robertcaro.com/journalism/in-florida-the-pitch-is-high-and-hard/ "In Florida, the Pitch Is High and Hard"], Robert A. Caro, 1963 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 in Cape Coral was the Rosens' sales office. It was built where George's Auto now stands, at Cape Coral and Coronado Parkways. Cape Coral's first permanent resident was Kenny Schwartz, the Rosens' general manager.[http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/obituaries/article1983652.html Miami Herald: "Real estate executive and Jewish leader Kenneth Schwartz dies at 88" By Carli Teproff] August 28, 2014 Cape Coral's first four homes were completed in May 1958, on Riverside and Flamingo Drives.{{Cite web |title=Historical Photos |publisher=Cape Coral Historical Museum |access-date=October 9, 2008 |url=http://www.capecoralhistoricalmuseum.org/page8.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204084033/http://www.capecoralhistoricalmuseum.org/page8.html |archive-date=December 4, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}

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; {{convert|80|mi|-1|abbr=on}} of road had been built, and {{convert|160|mi|-1|abbr=on}} of canals had been dug.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} 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 {{convert|3,400|ft|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 {{convert|20|mi|0|abbr=on}} via Del Prado Boulevard and over the Edison Bridge to cross the river.

The city incorporated on August 18, 1970,{{Cite web|title=Cape Coral Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Incorporation|url=https://www.capecoral.gov/news_detail_T13_R206.php|website=capecoral.gov}} and its population continued to grow rapidly until the real estate slowdown that gripped the region beginning in 2008.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}} On September 28, 2022, Cape Coral suffered major damage when Hurricane Ian made landfall nearby.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|120|sqmi|km2|1}}, of which {{convert|110.09|sqmi|km2|1}} is land and {{convert|9.91|sqmi|km2|1}} (9%) is water.{{Cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/GCTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=04000US12&-_box_head_nbr=GCT-PH1&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U&-format=ST-7 |title=Florida by Place. Population, Housing, Area, and Density: 2000 |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date=2007-11-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210215622/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/GCTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=04000US12&-_box_head_nbr=GCT-PH1&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U&-format=ST-7 |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |df=mdy }} 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.Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved January 18, 2010, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: [https://www.britannica.com/place/Cape-Coral Cape Coral]

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.[http://www.capecoral.net/ City of Cape Coral] Official site

Cape Coral is home to three invasive species, the green iguana, the spiny-tailed iguana, and the Nile monitor, which was discovered in 2009. The iguanas are found throughout southern Florida and generally do not pose a threat. The Nile monitor is however a large (3–7 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.{{Cite web |url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/wildlife/article1011745.ece |title=St. Petersburg Times/TampaBay.com, Sunday, June 21, 2009. |access-date=May 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425121020/http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/wildlife/article1011745.ece |archive-date=April 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

The city features a borderline tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification: Aw), bordering on a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification: Am). The area averages 355 days of sunshine per year and experiences precipitation on 145 days per year. While the wet season (May to October) is hot and humid with rather erratic tropical downpours, dry seasons (November to April) tend to be pleasantly warm and see only sporadic precipitation. The city receives about 56 inches of rain each year, the majority of which falls from June to September. During the summer months, afternoon thunderstorms are heavy yet brief. The city is affected by the annual hurricane season, which begins officially on June 1 and continues through November.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/climo/#targetText=The%20official%20hurricane%20season%20for,anytime%20in%20the%20hurricane%20season.|title=Tropical Cyclone Climatology|website=www.nhc.noaa.gov|access-date=2019-10-26}}

{{Weather box|location = Cape Coral, FL

|single line = Y

|Jan record high F = 88

|Feb record high F = 91

|Mar record high F = 93

|Apr record high F = 96

|May record high F = 99

|Jun record high F = 103

|Jul record high F = 98

|Aug record high F = 98

|Sep record high F = 96

|Oct record high F = 95

|Nov record high F = 95

|Dec record high F = 90

|year record high F = 103

|Jan high F = 75

|Feb high F = 78

|Mar high F = 81

|Apr high F = 85

|May high F = 90

|Jun high F = 91

|Jul high F = 92

|Aug high F = 92

|Sep high F = 90

|Oct high F = 87

|Nov high F = 81

|Dec high F = 77

|year high F = 85

| Jan mean F = 65

| Feb mean F = 67

| Mar mean F = 70

| Apr mean F = 75

| May mean F = 79

| Jun mean F = 82

| Jul mean F = 83

| Aug mean F = 83

| Sep mean F = 82

| Oct mean F = 78

| Nov mean F = 72

| Dec mean F = 67

| year mean F = 75

|Jan low F = 54

|Feb low F = 57

|Mar low F = 60

|Apr low F = 64

|May low F = 69

|Jun low F = 74

|Jul low F = 75

|Aug low F = 75

|Sep low F = 74

|Oct low F = 69

|Nov low F = 62

|Dec low F = 57

|year low F = 67

|Jan record low F = 28

|Feb record low F = 32

|Mar record low F = 33

|Apr record low F = 39

|May record low F = 52

|Jun record low F = 60

|Jul record low F = 66

|Aug record low F = 67

|Sep record low F = 67

|Oct record low F = 48

|Nov record low F = 34

|Dec record low F = 26

|year record low F = 26

|Jan precipitation inch = 1.7

|Feb precipitation inch = 2.1

|Mar precipitation inch = 2.7

|Apr precipitation inch = 1.3

|May precipitation inch = 3.7

|Jun precipitation inch = 9

|Jul precipitation inch = 8.5

|Aug precipitation inch = 9

|Sep precipitation inch = 8.3

|Oct precipitation inch = 3.5

|Nov precipitation inch = 1.5

|Dec precipitation inch = 1.5

|year precipitation inch = 52.8

|Jan precipitation days = 7

|Feb precipitation days = 8

|Mar precipitation days = 7

|Apr precipitation days = 6

|May precipitation days = 10

|Jun precipitation days = 18

|Jul precipitation days = 22

|Aug precipitation days = 22

|Sep precipitation days = 20

|Oct precipitation days = 11

|Nov precipitation days = 7

|Dec precipitation days = 7

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

| precipitation colour = green

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite noaa.gov

cat=Precipitation&wmo=722106

|title = Climate Details for Fort Myers, FL

|publisher = NOAA

|access-date = October 1, 2021}}

|date=February 2013

}}

{{US Census population

| 1970 = 10193

| 1980 = 32103

| 1990 = 74991

| 2000 = 102286

| 2010 = 154309

| 2020 = 194016

| estyear = 2024

| estimate = 233025

| footnote = Sources:{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing (1790–2000)|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2010-07-17|df=mdy-all}}Census figure in 1970 was enumerated prior to incorporation{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Cape Coral city, Florida |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/capecoralcityflorida/PST045223 |access-date=May 26, 2025 |website=U.S. Census Bureau}}

}}

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 194,016 people, 69,912 households, and 48,359 families residing in the city.{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Cape Coral city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Cape+Coral+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1101|website=United States Census Bureau}}

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 154,309 people, 56,313 households, and 40,405 families residing in the city.{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Cape Coral city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Cape+Coral+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2010.S1101|website=United States Census Bureau}}

{{As of|2021}}, Cape Coral was the eighth largest city in Florida by population. Nearly 60% of the population was between the ages of 18 and 64; 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.Cape Coral Economic Development Office

{{As of|2020}}, there were 74,387 households.[https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/capecoralcityflorida QuickFacts] USA Census Bureau The median income for a household in the city is $65,282. The per capita income for the city was $34,586. 9.9% of the population are below the poverty line.

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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&SRVY_YEAR=2000&geo=&state_id=12&county_id=&mode=place&lang_id=&zip=&place_id=10275&cty_id=®ion_id=&division_id=&ll=&a=&ea=&order=r&pc=1|title=Modern Language Association Data Center Results of Cape Coral, FL|access-date=December 31, 2022}}

The economy in Cape Coral is based on healthcare services, retail, and real estate/construction. The city's Economic Development Office promotes and incentivizes business relocation to Cape Coral. In 2016 the city's top five employers were the Lee Memorial Hospital, Lee County School System, Publix Supermarkets, City of Cape Coral, and Walmart.{{Cite web|url=http://www.capecoral.net/Portals/0/docs/EDO/Top%20Employers_CapeCoral%201.09.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626163248/http://www.capecoral.net/Portals/0/docs/EDO/Top%20Employers_CapeCoral%201.09.pdf|url-status=dead|title=City of Cape Coral, 2016 Cape Coral's Largest Employers|archive-date=June 26, 2010|access-date=December 31, 2022}}

Acute care is provided by Cape Coral Hospital.{{Cite web|url=https://www.leehealth.org/|title=Lee Health|website=www.leehealth.org|accessdate=December 31, 2022}} Trauma Services are provided by Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers or Tampa. In December 2012, the Lee County VA Healthcare Center opened on Diplomat Parkway, providing a large range of medical services to veterans.[http://www.baypines.va.gov/locations/Lee_County_VA_Healthcare_Center_Cape_Coral_FL.asp Bay Pines VA Healthcare System] Lee Health plans to expand healthcare services throughout the 2020s. Lee Health is planning to open a new hospital by 2030. Lee Health is expanding the ICU at Cape Coral Hospital from 22 beds to 34 beds. Furthermore, Lee Health is partnering with Florida State University to bring an Internal Medicine Residency Program to Cape Coral Hospital. Lee Health will also open a new outpatient center as a part of the Bimini Basin project near Downtown Cape Coral. Other plans include expansion of the existing outpatient center.[https://www.leehealth.org/about-us/media/dr-larry-antonucci-florida-weekly-blog/plans-increase-access-to-care-in-cape-coral Lee Health]

In 2021, Bayfront Health, now Shorepoint, opened a freestanding Emergency Room & Urgent Care in Northeast Cape Coral along Del Prado Blvd.[https://www.shorepointeruc.com/shorepoint-emergency-room-urgent-care-cape-coral/ Shorepoint Health] The following year, HCA Florida opened a 24/7 Freestanding Emergency Room along Pine Island Rd.[https://www.hcafloridahealthcare.com/locations/cape-coral-emergency HCA Florida]

In 2022, Encompass Health opened a 40-Bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital at the corner of NE Pine Island Rd. and Pondella Rd.[https://encompasshealth.com/locations/capecoralrehab Encompass Health]

Mike Greenwell founded an amusement park named Mike Greenwell's Bat-A-Ball & Family Fun Park that opened in February 1992. The facility changed ownership in April 2019, and it was renamed to Gator Mike's Family Fun Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fox4now.com/tasteseeswfl/cape-coral-attraction-changes-name-under-new-ownership|title=Cape Coral attraction changes name under new ownership|date=2019-07-08|website=WFTX|language=en|access-date=2019-11-25}} The facility includes a mini-golf course, Go-Karts, zip lining, bungee jumping, and more.

Both city libraries are part of the Lee County Library System. Cape Coral Lee County Public Library had 175,000 books in 2002.{{Cite web|title=Cape Coral Lee County Public Library|url=https://www.leegov.com/library/branches/cc|url-status=live|access-date=November 28, 2021|website=Leegov|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161217022152/http://www.leegov.com:80/library/branches/cc |archive-date=December 17, 2016 }} Northwest Regional Library holds over 70,000 items.{{cite web|title=Northwest Regional Library|url=https://www.leegov.com/library/branches/nw|url-status=live|access-date=November 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161208061309/http://www.leegov.com:80/library/branches/nw |archive-date=December 8, 2016 }}

Parks and recreation includes:

• SunSplash Water Park.
• A sandy beach and fishing pier on the Caloosahatchee River at the public Yacht Basin and Club.
• Over 30 recreational parks which includes playgrounds, open fields, pavilions, workout equipment, walking paths, and golf courses.
• The largest population of burrowing owls in Florida.[https://cms4files.revize.com/capecoralfl/Burrowing%20Owl%20Frequently%20Asked%20Questions%209-1-2020.pdf Burrowing Owls. Frequently Asked Questions]
• Ecological preserves, and an elevated nature trail through Florida mangroves at Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve.{{cite web | url=https://www.capecoral.gov/department/parks_and_recreationhome/four_mile_cove_eco_preserve.php | title=Welcome to Cape Coral, FL }}

The city of Cape Coral operates under the council–manager 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. On January 13, 2021, Mayor Joe Coviello died, and the City Council unanimously decided to appoint a mayor, rather than have a special election. The City Countil voted 6–1 to appoint council member John Gunter to the position of mayor. The City of Cape Coral provides police and fire services within the city.

Cape Coral has continuously expanded 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.[http://www.lee.k12.fl.us Welcome – The School District of Lee County, Florida] 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; Ida S. Baker High School, founded in 2004 and named after one of the early principals of Cape Coral High School, which opened in 2005; and the newest, Island Coast High School, which opened its doors for the 2008–2009 school year. Cape Coral has created a municipal charter school system, known as Oasis Charter Schools. The system consists of two elementary schools, Oasis Middle School, and Oasis 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.capecharterschools.org/home|title=Oasis Charter Schools|website=Oasis Charter Schools|accessdate=December 31, 2022}}

The main campus of Florida SouthWestern State College is located immediately east 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 Technical College{{cite news|url=http://www.news-press.com/story/news/education/2015/06/08/fort-myers-cape-coral-technical-institutes-now-colleges/28703411/|title=Fort Myers, Cape Coral technical institutes now colleges|last=Logan|first=Casey|date=June 8, 2015|newspaper=News-Press|access-date=9 June 2015}} is 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.[http://www.leecountybis.com Leecountybis.com]

File:Cape Coral monument.jpg

The city has over {{convert|400|mi|km}} of canals.{{Cite web |title=Cape Coral History |publisher=City of Cape Coral |access-date=October 9, 2008 |url=http://www.capecoral.net/About/History/tabid/470/Default.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918225736/http://www.capecoral.net/About/History/tabid/470/Default.aspx |archive-date=September 18, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} 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.{{cite web|title=Cape Coral Canals: A Public Conference on Water Quality and Quantity|url=http://www.chnep.org/Events/PublicConf/CapeCoral06/CapeCoralConfReport.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911060658/http://www.chnep.org/Events/PublicConf/CapeCoral06/CapeCoralConfReport.pdf|archive-date=September 11, 2008|df=mdy-all}} The 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.

Interstate 75 passes within {{convert|10|mi|km}} of Cape Coral and connects northward to Tampa; and southeastward to Miami. 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 {{convert|1100|mi|km}} of roadways. In general, the north–south routes are evenly spaced apart every one or {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}}, and most of them have at least four lanes.

Cape Coral is connected to the south side of the Caloosahatchee River by two bridges. The {{convert|3,400|ft|m}} long Cape Coral Bridge connects Cape Coral Parkway to College Parkway in McGregor. The Midpoint Memorial Bridge connects Veterans Parkway to Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers. Several other bridges span the Caloosahatchee River east of Cape Coral in adjoining North Fort Myers. In 2026, the Lee County Department of Transportation and the City of Cape Coral plan on constructing a new westbound span for the Cape Coral Bridge. The westbound span, which was built in 1964, does not meet requirements set forth by Lee County. The $185 million project will include a new pedestrian bridge, an expansion to 6 lanes on both spans, removal of the toll booth on the Fort Myers side, and an expansion of the Cape Coral Parkway and Del Prado Boulevard intersection.[https://nbc-2.com/news/2022/05/17/185-million-upgrade-approved-for-cape-coral-bridge-widening-project/amp/ NBC 2 News]

Public transit services in Cape Coral are provided by LeeTran. LeeTran operates 18 fixed-route bus services, including six within Cape Coral.{{Cite web|url=https://www.leegov.com:443/leetran|title=LeeTran|website=Lee County Southwest Florida|accessdate=December 31, 2022}}

Cape Coral is {{convert|14|mi|km}} from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), which serves nearly 10 million passengers annually. In 2010, eighteen national and two international airlines, as well as the two major cargo companies, served the airport. Cape Coral is also served by Page Field, a general aviation airport in Fort Myers {{convert|8|mi|km|spell=in}} from Cape Coral. Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) is located in Punta Gorda, {{convert|10|mi|km}} north of Cape Coral.

File:Northcapecoral-RO.jpg

In 1977, Cape Coral became the first municipality in the United States to use the reverse osmosis process on a large scale with an initial operating capacity of {{convert|3000000|USgal|m3}} per day. By 1985, the city had the largest low pressure reverse osmosis plant in the world, capable of producing 15 MGD (56,780 m³/day).{{Cite web |url=http://www.capecoral.net/department/utilities_department/docs/2012_Citywide_CCR.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=November 23, 2014 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001506/http://www.capecoral.net/department/utilities_department/docs/2012_Citywide_CCR.pdf |url-status=dead }}

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.Cape Coral: Growth Engine of Southwest Florida, Publication, CCEDO 2009

{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}

• Nate Allen, NFL safety{{Cite web|url=http://www.NFL.com|title=Nate Allen|last=Allen|first=Nate|website=www.nfl.com}}
• Pat Burke, NBA player
• Stacy Carter, professional wrestler
• Dustin Diamond, actor{{cite web |last1=Shportun |first1=Kyra |title=Dustin Diamond, 'Saved by the Bell' star, died in Cape Coral |url=https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2021/02/05/dustin-diamond-saved-the-bell-star-died-in-cape-coral/ |website=NBC-2.com |date=February 5, 2021 |publisher=WBBH}}
• Earnest Graham, NFL running back
• Mike Greenwell, MLB player
• Jessica Holmes, TV host and news anchor
• Hilary Hemingway, author and niece of Ernest Hemingway {{cite web|url=http://www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com/page/content.detail/id/539032/Writing-duo-share-thoughts-on-careers--life-in-the-spotlight.html?nav=5011 |title=Writing duo share thoughts on careers, life in the spotlight |last=Garrett |first=Craig |date=March 27, 2014 |publisher=Cape Coral Daily Breeze |access-date=4 August 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821023339/http://www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com/page/content.detail/id/539032/Writing-duo-share-thoughts-on-careers--life-in-the-spotlight.html?nav=5011 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |df=mdy }}
• Jeff Lindsay, author{{cite news|url=http://www.news-press.com/story/entertainment/2015/10/26/dexter-jeff-lindsay-red-tide-tropical-depression-cape-coral/74622488/|title='Dexter' author returns with new character, book series|last=Runnells|first=Charles|date=October 26, 2015|newspaper=News-Press|access-date=4 August 2016}}
• Shane McClanahan, MLB pitcher{{Cite web |date=June 5, 2015 |title=McClanahan not stressing over MLB draft |last=Regan |first=Adam |url=https://usatodayhss.com/2015/mcclanahan-not-stressing-over-mlb-draft |access-date=9 March 2023 |website=USA TODAY High School Sports |language=en-US}}
• Joseph Mercola, physician and alternative medicine proponent
• Seth Petruzelli, mixed martial arts fighter
• Niko Price, mixed martial arts fighter
• Jason Smith, Olympic curler
• Greg Spires, NFL player
• Angela Watson, actress
• Michael Wendler, German singer
• Karey Lee Woolsey, singer-songwriter
• Mike Zunino, MLB catcher
• Tony Bruno, radio personality{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

{{Div col end}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

{{wikivoyage|Cape Coral}}

• {{Official website|http://www.capecoral.net/}}
• [http://www.capecoralchamber.com Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce]

{{Lee County, Florida}}

{{Geography of Florida}}

{{USPopulousCities}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Cities in Lee County, Florida

Category:Populated places on Charlotte Harbor

Category:Cities in Florida

Category:Former census-designated places in Florida

Category:Planned communities in Florida

Category:1957 establishments in Florida

Category:Populated places established in 1957