Coral Gables, Florida

Coral Gables, Florida
City
City of Coral Gables

Downtown Coral Gables in April 2010

Flag

Seal
Nickname(s): "The City Beautiful", "The Gables"

Location in Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida

U.S. Census Bureau map showing city limits
Coordinates: 25°43′00″N 80°16′20″W / 25.71667°N 80.27222°W / 25.71667; -80.27222Coordinates: 25°43′00″N 80°16′20″W / 25.71667°N 80.27222°W / 25.71667; -80.27222
Country  United States of America
State  Florida
County Miami-Dade
Incorporated April 29, 1925[1]
Government
  Type Council-Manager
  Mayor James Cason
  Vice Mayor Frank C. Quesada
  Commissioners Patricia Keon, Vince Lago, and Jeannett Slesnick
  City Manager Cathy Swanson-Rivenbark
  City Clerk Walter Foeman
Area
  City 37.2 sq mi (96.2 km2)
  Land 13.1 sq mi (62.2 km2)
  Water 24.1 sq mi (34.0 km2)
Elevation 10 ft (2.8 m)
Population (2013)
  City 49,631
  Density 3,621.2/sq mi (1,398.2/km2)
  Metro 5,422,200
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
  Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
Area code(s) 305, 786
FIPS code 12-14250[2]
GNIS feature ID 0280801[3]
Website www.CityBeautiful.net

Coral Gables (/ˌkɔːrəl ˈɡbəlz/), officially the City of Coral Gables, is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States, located southwest of Downtown Miami. The United States Census Bureau estimates conducted in 2013 yielded the city had a population of 49,631.[4] Coral Gables is home to the University of Miami.

Media

The city of Coral Gables has its own newspaper, "Coral Gables News, which is published bi-weekly and is part of Miami Community Newspapers.

History

Further information: History of Miami, Florida

Coral Gables was one of the first planned communities, and prefigured the development of the gated community and the homeowners association. It is infamous for its strict zoning regulations.[5] The city was developed by George Merrick during the Florida land boom of the 1920s. The city's architecture is almost entirely Mediterranean Revival style, including the Coral Gables Congregational Church, donated by Merrick. The domed, Catholic Church of the Little Flower was built somewhat later, in a similar Spanish Renaissance style. By 1926, the city covered 10,000 acres (4,000 ha) and had netted $150 million in sales, with over $100 million spent on development.[6]

A section of historic Coral Gables Rapid Transit track on Segovia Avenue.

Merrick meticulously designed the downtown commercial district to be only four blocks wide and more than two miles (3 km) long. The main artery bisected the business district. Merrick could boast that every business in Coral Gables was less than a two-block walk. The city used to have an electric trolley system, which was replaced by the popularity of modern automobiles, but now a new free circulator trolley system, initiated in November 2003, runs down Ponce de León Boulevard.

In 1925, roughly simultaneous to the founding of Coral Gables, the city was selected as the home to the University of Miami, which was constructed that year on 240 acres (97 ha) of land just west of U.S. Route 1, approximately two miles south of downtown Coral Gables.

During World War II many Navy pilots and mechanics were trained and housed in Coral Gables.

Geography

Coral Gables is located at 25°43′42″N 80°16′16″W / 25.728228°N 80.270986°W / 25.728228; -80.270986.[7] It is bordered on the west by Red Road (West 57th Avenue) north of Sunset Drive (South 72nd Street) and West 49th Avenue and Old Cutler Roads south of Sunset Drive. It is bordered on the north by Tamiami Trail/U.S. Route 41 (South 8th Street), except for a small section that extends north of 8th Street for eight blocks between Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Douglas Road (West 37th Avenue). On the east, it is bordered by Douglas Road (West 37th Avenue) north of South 26th Street, Monegro Street south of South 26th Street to Cadima Avenue, Ponce De Leon Boulevard south of Cadima Avenue to South Dixie Highway (U.S. Route 1), LeJeune Road (West 42nd Avenue) south of U.S. 1 to Battersea Road, and by Biscayne Bay south of Battersea Road. On the south, it is bordered by the Charles Deering Estate.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 37.2 square miles (96 km2). 13.1 square miles (34 km2) of it is land and 24.0 square miles (62 km2) of it (64.64%) is water.

Climate

Climate data for Coral Gables, Florida
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 88
(31)
89
(32)
93
(34)
96
(36)
96
(36)
98
(37)
100
(38)
98
(37)
97
(36)
95
(35)
91
(33)
89
(32)
100
(38)
Average high °F (°C) 76
(24)
78
(26)
80
(27)
83
(28)
87
(31)
90
(32)
91
(33)
91
(33)
89
(32)
86
(30)
82
(28)
78
(26)
84
(29)
Daily mean °F (°C) 68
(20)
70
(21)
73
(23)
76
(24)
80
(27)
83
(28)
84
(29)
84
(29)
83
(28)
80
(27)
75
(24)
71
(22)
77
(25)
Average low °F (°C) 60
(16)
62
(17)
65
(18)
68
(20)
73
(23)
76
(24)
77
(25)
77
(25)
77
(25)
74
(23)
68
(20)
63
(17)
70
(21)
Record low °F (°C) 28
(−2)
27
(−3)
32
(0)
39
(4)
50
(10)
60
(16)
66
(19)
67
(19)
62
(17)
51
(11)
36
(2)
30
(−1)
27
(−3)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.62
(41.1)
2.33
(59.2)
3.00
(76.2)
3.14
(79.8)
5.34
(135.6)
9.67
(245.6)
6.50
(165.1)
8.88
(225.6)
9.86
(250.4)
6.33
(160.8)
3.27
(83.1)
2.04
(51.8)
61.98
(1,574.3)
Source: The Weather Channel (Monthly Averages)[8]

Surrounding areas

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
19305,697
19408,29445.6%
195019,837139.2%
196034,79375.4%
197042,49422.1%
198043,2411.8%
199040,091−7.3%
200042,2495.4%
201046,78010.7%
Est. 201551,117[9]9.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
Coral Gables Demographics
2010 CensusCoral GablesMiami-Dade CountyFlorida
Total population46,7802,496,43518,801,310
Population, percent change, 2000 to 2010+10.7%+10.8%+17.6%
Population density3,621.2/sq mi1,315.5/sq mi350.6/sq mi
White or Caucasian (including White Hispanic)91.0%73.8%75.0%
(Non-Hispanic White or Caucasian)40.1%15.4%57.9%
Black or African-American3.0%18.9%16.0%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)53.6%65.0%22.5%
Asian2.7%1.5%2.4%
Native American or Native Alaskan0.1%0.2%0.4%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian0.0%0.0%0.1%
Two or more races (Multiracial)1.8%2.4%2.5%
Some Other Race1.4%3.2%3.6%

As of 2010, there were 20,266 households, of which 11.4% were vacant. In 2000, 24.45% had children under the age of 18 living with them. In Coral Gables, 61.11% were family households, 17.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.89% were non-families. The average household size was 2.36, and the average household had 1.68 vehicles.

In 2000, the city population was spread out with 17.4% under the age of 18, 14.58% from 18 to 24, 25.02% from 25 to 44, 27.01% from 45 to 64, and 16% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.44 years. The population consisted of 51.31% females and 48.69% males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $77,890, and the average household income was $125,899. The per capita income for the city was $48,811. About 5.94% of families and 3.55% of families with children were below the poverty line.

As of 2000, Spanish was spoken at home by 51.06% of residents, while English was the only language spoken at home by 43.83%. Other languages spoken by the population were French 1.09%, Portuguese 0.80%, Italian 0.72%, and German speakers made up 0.53% of the populace.[11]

As of 2000, Coral Gables had the eighteenth highest percentage of Cuban residents in the US, with 28.72% of the populace.[12] It also had the sixty-fourth highest percentage of Colombian residents in the US, at 2.27% of the city's population,[13] and the sixteenth highest percentage of Venezuelan residents in the US, at 1.17% of its population.[14]

Today

Coral Way, one of the many scenic roads through the Gables

Coral Gables is known as a pedestrian-friendly destination. Located four miles from Miami International Airport, the "City Beautiful" has around 140 dining establishments and gourmet shops, and many notable international retailers. Among the landmarks in Coral Gables are the Venetian Pool, Douglas Entrance, the Miami Biltmore hotel, and many fine residences.

Alhambra Circle is Coral Gables' primary financial street with numerous high-rise office buildings

Media

Coral Gables is covered by several local and regional radio and television stations, several Coral-Gables-focused websites, and one weekly printed newspaper.

The Gables one remaining printed newspaper, The Coral Gables News Tribune, is still published twice monthly and is part of Miami's Community Newspapers, now also online.

At the University of Miami in Coral Gables, The Miami Hurricane, the official student newspaper, is published twice weekly.

Portions of the 1995 film Fair Game were filmed in Coral Gables.

Economy

Major Coral Gables intersection at Coral Way (Miracle Mile) and Ponce de Leon Boulevard

Transportation

Coral Gables is served by Metrobus throughout the area, and by the Miami Metrorail at:

The City of Coral Gables also provides a free trolley service, with a trolley running a continuous circuit up and down Ponce de Leon Boulevard during the day.

Coral Gables is served by rapid transit on Douglas Road at Douglas Road station, at the University of Miami at University station, and near Sunset Drive and Red Road at South Miami station, connecting the city with Downtown Miami and Miami International Airport.

Further information: Transportation in South Florida

Diplomatic missions

Several countries operate consulates in Coral Gables. They include Barbados, Colombia,[25] El Salvador,[26] Italy,[27] Spain,[28] the Principality of Monaco, St. Lucia, and Uruguay.[29]

Several countries have honorary consulates located in Coral Gables, including Australia, Belize, Hungary, Senegal, St. Kitts & Nevis, Togo, and Thailand.

In addition, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami, of the Republic of China, is located in Suite 610 at 2333 Ponce De Leon Boulevard.[30]

Education

University of Miami

Main article: University of Miami

Coral Gables is the location of the University of Miami, a university ranked in the top tier of national universities,[31] with particular national status in the fields of business, engineering, law, marine science, medicine, communications, and music.[32]

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools

Coral Gables schools are part of the Miami-Dade School District, which serves almost all of metropolitan Miami. The district has one high school in Coral Gables, Coral Gables Senior High School, which educates students in grades nine through 12. It also has an elementary school, Coral Gables Elementary located on Ponce de Leon Boulevard. Finally it has two middle schools: George Washington Carver Middle School located on Lincoln Dr, and Ponce de Leon Middle School located across from The University of Miami on the East side of U.S. Route 1 on Augusto Street. Present day George Washington Carver Middle was moved to the current location on Grand Avenue on land donated by George Merrick. When Carver died in 1942 the school was renamed in his honor.[33]

Private schools

The management offices of Gulliver Schools are located in Coral Gables.[34] Gulliver Academy, a PreK-8 school that is a member of Gulliver Schools, is within Coral Gables.[35] The historic St. Theresa Catholic School, a PreK-8 school is located near Coral Gables Biltmore Hotel. St. Philip's Episcopal and Riviera Day School, both PreK-5 schools, are also located in Coral Gables.

Public libraries

Miami-Dade Public Library System operates the Coral Gables Branch.[36]

Notable people

Places of interest

Festivals and events

Sister cities

Coral Gables has six sister cities, according to the Coral Gables website:[45]

The 2014 indie point and click adventure game, A Golden Wake, is based on the founding and development of Coral Gables in the 1920s.[46]

The 2014 American comedy-drama television series, Looking, features a character named Augustin, who is from Coral Gables.

References

  1. "History". Coral Gables Garden Club. Retrieved 2013-05-16.
  2. "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. "Table 4: Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places in Florida, Listed Alphabetically: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2013". Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau. 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  5. "Third District Court of Appeal" (PDF). 22 August 2007. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  6. Williams, Linda K.; George, Paul S. "South Florida: A Brief History". Historical Museum of Southern Florida. Archived from the original on 29 April 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  7. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  8. "Climate Statistics for Coral Gables, Florida". Retrieved February 19, 2012.
  9. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  10. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  11. "MLA Data Center Results of Coral Gables, FL". Modern Language Association. Retrieved 2015-01-04.
  12. "Ancestry Map of Cuban Communities". Epodunk.com. Retrieved 2007-11-02.
  13. "Ancestry Map of Colombian Communities". Epodunk.com. Retrieved 2007-11-02.
  14. "Ancestry Map of Venezuelan Communities". Epodunk.com. Retrieved 2007-11-02.
  15. "City of Coral Gables Web Site". Coralgables.com. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  16. "Bacardi U.S.A. Marks Opening of State-of-the Art South Florida Headquarters." Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  17. "Corporate web site." Retrieved on October 18, 2010.
  18. Walker, Elaine. "Machines to sell food that's good for you." Miami Herald. September 26, 2009. Retrieved on October 2, 2009.
  19. "Contact us marine." ExxonMobil. Retrieved on January 26, 2009.
  20. "MasTec website - about us." MasTec. Retrieved on September 5, 2012.
  21. "Odebrecht Construction, Inc.". Inside View. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  22. "Miami And Coral Gables, Florida Travel Center." American Airlines. Retrieved on April 9, 2009.
  23. "Other Locations." MoneyGram. Retrieved on May 11, 2010.
  24. "Welcome to Dolphin Entertainment". Dolphin Entertainment. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  25. "Contáctenos." Consulate-General of Colombia in Miami. Retrieved on January 30, 2009.
  26. "Norte América." Consulate-General of El Salvador in Miami. Retrieved on January 31, 2009.
  27. "Welcome to the web site of the Consulate General of Italy in Miami." Consulate-General of Italy in Miami. Retrieved on January 30, 2009.
  28. Home page. Consulate-General of Spain in Miami. Retrieved on January 30, 2009.
  29. "Consular in US." Embassy of Uruguay Washington D.C. Retrieved on January 30, 2009.
  30. "Contact Us." Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami. Retrieved on January 30, 2009.
  31. "Best Colleges 2010: University of Miami". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  32. "UM Featured in 2007 Edition of the Princeton Review Annual College Guide – "The Best 361 Colleges"". .University of Miami. 23 August 2006. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  33. "GWC web site." Retrieved on September 12, 2010.
  34. "About Our Campuses." Gulliver Schools. Retrieved on September 28, 2009.
  35. "Gulliver Academy." Gulliver Schools. Retrieved on September 28, 2009.
  36. "Coral Gables." Miami-Dade Public Library System. Retrieved on September 28, 2009.
  37. Lewine, Edward (April 28, 2010). "Dave Barry's Fun House". The New York Times.
  38. "Bruce Berkowitz: The megamind of Miami". CNN.
  39. Por Carole Joseph (2007-07-27). "José José se recupera de parálisis facial". Peopleenespanol.com. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  40. Jonathan Vilma at New Orleans Saints web site.
  41. "Festival of Art". Beaux Arts. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  42. "Carnaval Miami". Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  43. "Festival Miami". Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  44. "Junior Orange Bowl". Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  45. " Coral Gables Sister Cities Program. Retrieved October, 7 2016.
  46. A Golden Wake: Local Game Designer Creates First PC Game Based On Nostalgic Coral Gables
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