Fort Myers

Fort Myers and Cape Coral from space, July 1997

Fort Myers is the county seat^GR6 and commercial center of Lee County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 48,208. According to the 2004 U.S. Census Bureau's Estimates, the city had a population of 52,901 (pushing past the 50,000 mark in 2003).

The city is one of two major cities that make up the Cape Coral-Fort Myers MSA, the other being Cape Coral. As of July 1, 2004, the population estimate for the metropolitan area was 514,295.

Established in 1886, Fort Myers is the historical and governmental hub of Lee County. It is the gateway to the Southwest Florida region, which is a major tourist destination in Florida, as well as being a popular place to live for retirees. The winter homes of Thomas Edison (Seminole Lodge) and Henry Ford (The Mangoes), which are both primary tourist attractions in the region, are located on McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers.

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is located southeast of the city in South Fort Myers, and serves greater Fort Myers, as well as neighboring Charlotte and Collier counties.

Fort Myers is located at 26°37′54″N, 81°51′26″W (26.631750, -81.857096)^GR1

Interesting facts

The first known resident of Fort Myers was Manuel Gonzalez, a Cuban immigrant who settled there in the 19th century.

Fort Myers High School, an International Baccalaureate school, was ranked as one of the best schools in the nation by Newsweek magazine.

American Idol runner-up Vonzell Solomon graduated from Cypress Lake High School's Center for the Arts.

On August 13, 2004, Fort Myers was hit hard by Hurricane Charley, a Category 4 hurricane that made landfall north of the area.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 104.7 km² (40.4 mi²). 82.4 km² (31.8 mi²) of it is land and 22.2 km² (8.6 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 21.25% water.

Fishermen wading Lovers Key, Fort Myers

Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there are 48,208 people, 19,107 households, and 10,738 families residing in the city. The population density is 584.8/km² (1,514.6/mi²). There are 21,836 housing units at an average density of 264.9/km² (686.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 56.35% White, 33.39% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.98% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 5.69% from other races, and 3.11% from two or more races. 14.49% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 19,107 households out of which 28.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.3% are married couples living together, 18.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 43.8% are non-families. 33.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.40 and the average family size is 3.10.

In the city the population is spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $28,514, and the median income for a family is $32,477. Males have a median income of $26,292 versus $20,529 for females. The per capita income for the city is $17,312. 21.8% of the population and 18.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 32.3% of those under the age of 18 and 13.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Points of interest

• Edison and Ford Winter Estates
• The city is the home of the Fort Myers Miracle baseball club of the Florida State League, and is the spring training locale for the Boston Red Sox. The Minnesota Twins hold their spring training in suburban South Fort Myers.
• Fort Myers shares the Florida Everblades ECHL hockey team and Florida Firecats af2 arena football team with nearby Naples.

Famous people from Fort Myers

• Phillip Buchanon - NFL player
• Jevon Kearse - NFL player
• Deion Sanders - NFL player

External links

• City of Fort Myers

• Maps and aerial photos
  • Street map from Google Local or Yahoo! Maps
  • Topographic map from TopoZone
  • Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
  • Satellite image from Google Local or Microsoft Virtual Earth