The city of Punta Gorda, Florida experiences a year-round warm, monsoon-influenced climate that is classified by NOAA as subtropical or tropical savanna by the Köppen classification system. Regardless of the terminology used, the Punta Gorda area has short, mild to warm winters, and long, hot, humid summers. Monthly temperatures average from highs in the mid-60 degrees Fahrenheit in January to mid-80 degrees in August, with the yearly average being approximately 75. Temperature records range from 25°F to 104°F. Most of Punta Gorda’s yearly rainfall falls during the months from June to September.
As mentioned, the winters are relatively warm to mild, an not nearly as hot as the summer season. Punta Gorda rarely experiences frost or snow; therefore, plants such as palm, citrus and many broadleaf evergreens flourish. Punta Gorda was the scene of massive destruction after Hurricane Charley devastated the Gulf Coast region. Charley was a Category 4 hurricane when the storm came through the city of Punta Gorda on August 13, 2004. As a matter of fact, Hurricane Charley was the strongest tropical system to hit Florida in over a decade. The most recent catastrophic storm that hit the state before Charley was Hurricane Andrew, that struck and caused vast destruction throughout Florida in August of 1992.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
City of Punta Gorda, Florida: General Information
Punta Gorda, Florida is a city in Charlotte County, with a population of 16,762 according to the U.S. Census Bureau estimates of 2007. It is the county seat of Charlotte County, as the only incorporated municipality in Charlotte County. Punta Gorda is the principal city of the Punta Gorda, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area and of Sarasota-Bradenton-Punta Gorda Combined Statistical Area for census purposes.
As of the official census figures recorded in 2000, there were 14,344 people living in 7,165 Punta Gorda households, and 5,187 families residing in the city. The amounts to a population density of 1,012.8 per square mile, with 8,907 housing units at an average density of 628.9 per square mile. Of the 7,165 households, 8.3% had children under the age of 18, and 66.8% were married couples. Non families comprised 27.6% and 4.3% households were headed by a female with no husband present. Individuals resided in 24.1% of all households and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size had 1.97 people and the average family size was 2.27.
In Punta Gorda, the population was distributed with 8.2% under the age of 18 and 2.1% from 18 to 24 years old. In the 25 to 44 year old age group there were 9.9% of residents, 33.4% were aged from 45 to 64, and 46.4% of Punta Gorda residents were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 64 years. The median income for a household in the city of Punta Gorda was $48,916, and the median income for a family was $54,879. Males out earned females with a median income of $34,054 versus $26,125 for females. The per capita income for residents of the city was $32,460. About 4.7% of families and 6.5% of the entire population had incomes that fell below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.
As of the official census figures recorded in 2000, there were 14,344 people living in 7,165 Punta Gorda households, and 5,187 families residing in the city. The amounts to a population density of 1,012.8 per square mile, with 8,907 housing units at an average density of 628.9 per square mile. Of the 7,165 households, 8.3% had children under the age of 18, and 66.8% were married couples. Non families comprised 27.6% and 4.3% households were headed by a female with no husband present. Individuals resided in 24.1% of all households and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size had 1.97 people and the average family size was 2.27.
In Punta Gorda, the population was distributed with 8.2% under the age of 18 and 2.1% from 18 to 24 years old. In the 25 to 44 year old age group there were 9.9% of residents, 33.4% were aged from 45 to 64, and 46.4% of Punta Gorda residents were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 64 years. The median income for a household in the city of Punta Gorda was $48,916, and the median income for a family was $54,879. Males out earned females with a median income of $34,054 versus $26,125 for females. The per capita income for residents of the city was $32,460. About 4.7% of families and 6.5% of the entire population had incomes that fell below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.
History of the City of Punta Gorda, Florida
Punta Gorda, Florida is a city that lies along the Peace River where it joins Charlotte Harbor. The first residents were the Howard brothers, who arrived about a decade after the end of the Civil War. Since that time, the rate of growth in the area has remained steady. The railroad network entered the town known as of Trabue in summer of 1886, bringing the first land developers and Southwest Florida’s first batch of tourists from the chillier north. A year later, the town was incorporated and renamed Punta Gorda. Mayoral elections soon took place and a council was formed, with four of the five council members elected not having American citizenship.
Meanwhile, phosphate rock was discovered on the banks of the Peace River just north of the city of Punta Gorda. At the time, phosphate was a valuable mineral for use as fertilizers, and was in great demand worldwide. Initially, the phosphate was barged down the Peace River to Port Boca Grande, where it was loaded onto ships for delivery throughout the world. However, by 1905 it became clear that building a railroad to Port Boca Grande and carrying the phosphate to it by rail would improve the method of shipment. The early years of Punta Gorda’s history show that it was a pretty rough town, as its location at the end of the railway line made it a popular destination for some shady characters. Approximately 40 murders were recorded between the years of 1890 and 1904.
In 1925, a bungalow was built in Punta Gorda by Joseph Blanchard, a successful sea captain and fisherman. The Blanchard House still stands today as a museum, and representation of middle-class African-American life in the area in the early 20th century. The Blanchard House exhibits cover political, civic and religious life; founding families; education; and, the Civil Rights Movement. The attraction highlights the community that thrived from the town’s founding until integration led residents to move away and businesses to close.
The current boundaries of Charlotte County were formed in 1921 after DeSoto County was split. That same year, the first bridge was constructed connecting Punta Gorda and Charlotte Harbor. A decade later, this small bridge was replaced by the Barron Collier Bridge, and then by the current bridge crossing the Peace River.
Meanwhile, phosphate rock was discovered on the banks of the Peace River just north of the city of Punta Gorda. At the time, phosphate was a valuable mineral for use as fertilizers, and was in great demand worldwide. Initially, the phosphate was barged down the Peace River to Port Boca Grande, where it was loaded onto ships for delivery throughout the world. However, by 1905 it became clear that building a railroad to Port Boca Grande and carrying the phosphate to it by rail would improve the method of shipment. The early years of Punta Gorda’s history show that it was a pretty rough town, as its location at the end of the railway line made it a popular destination for some shady characters. Approximately 40 murders were recorded between the years of 1890 and 1904.
In 1925, a bungalow was built in Punta Gorda by Joseph Blanchard, a successful sea captain and fisherman. The Blanchard House still stands today as a museum, and representation of middle-class African-American life in the area in the early 20th century. The Blanchard House exhibits cover political, civic and religious life; founding families; education; and, the Civil Rights Movement. The attraction highlights the community that thrived from the town’s founding until integration led residents to move away and businesses to close.
The current boundaries of Charlotte County were formed in 1921 after DeSoto County was split. That same year, the first bridge was constructed connecting Punta Gorda and Charlotte Harbor. A decade later, this small bridge was replaced by the Barron Collier Bridge, and then by the current bridge crossing the Peace River.
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