Punta Gorda, Florida | |
|---|---|
 Punta Gorda City Hall | |
| Etymology: Spanish: punta gorda, lit. 'fat point' | |
 Location in Charlotte County and the state of Florida | |
| Coordinates: 26°54′57″N 82°2′52″W / 26.91583°N 82.04778°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Charlotte |
| Settled | 1882 |
| Incorporated (city) | 1887 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-manager |
| • Mayor | Lynne Matthews |
| • City Manager | Greg Murray |
| Area | |
| • Total | 21.87 sq mi (56.64 km2) |
| • Land | 15.50 sq mi (40.13 km2) |
| • Water | 6.37 sq mi (16.51 km2) 28.52% |
| Elevation | 6 ft (2 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 19,471 |
| • Density | 1,256.52/sq mi (485.14/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes | 33950-33951, 33955 , 33980 |
| Area code | 941 |
| FIPS code | 12-59200[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0289380[4] |
| Website | www |
Punta Gorda (/ˌpʌntə ˈɡɔːrdə/; English: Fat Point)[5] is a city located in Southwest Florida and is the county seat of Charlotte County, Florida, United States.[6] As of the 2020 U.S. Census the city had a population of 19,471, up from 16,641 at the 2010 census. Punta Gorda is the principal city of the Punta Gorda, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, part of the North Port-Bradenton Florida Combined Statistical Area.[7]
Punta Gorda was the scene of massive destruction after Charley, a Category 4 hurricane, came through the city on August 13, 2004. Charley was the strongest tropical system to hit Florida since Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and the first hurricane since Hurricane Donna in 1960 to make a direct hit on Florida's southwest coast.[8] In the years following the storm, buildings were restored or built to hurricane-resistant building codes. The new buildings, restorations and amenities concurrently preserved the city's past while showcasing newer facilities. During this time, Laishley Park Municipal Marina was built and the Harborwalk, Linear Park and various trails were created throughout the city for bicycle and pedestrian traffic.[9]
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Punta Gorda 7.5-minute topographic map (2012)
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce: About Punta Gorda". PuntaGordaChamber.com. 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses" (PDF). Office of Management and Budget. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 25, 2007. Retrieved October 13, 2007.
- ^ Richard J. Pasch; Daniel P. Brown; Eric S. Blake (October 18, 2004). "Tropical Cyclone Report". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 15, 2008.
- ^ City of Punta Gorda History