Naples, Florida
Naples is a city in Collier County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,115, down from 19,539 at the 2010 census. Naples is a principal city of the Naples–Marco Island metropolitan area, which had a population of about 375,752 as of 2020.
Naples is the self-titled "Golf Capital of the World" with the second-most golf holes per capita and the most holes of any city in Florida. The city is also known for being appealing to retirees, who make up a large percentage of the population.
History
Before the period of European colonization, the indigenous Calusa lived in Florida for thousands of years, from Charlotte Harbor to Cape Sable. In 1513, Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León explored the region and encountered the Calusa, who resisted attempts by de León to establish a Spanish colony in Florida. This initiated nearly two hundred years of conflict between the Spanish and the Calusa. In the early 18th century, following slave raids from Muscogee and Yamasee raiders allied with European settlers in Carolina, the majority of the remaining Calusa moved south and east to escape the raids.The city of Naples was founded in 1886 by former Confederate general and Kentucky U.S. Senator John Stuart Williams and his partner, Louisville businessman Walter N. Haldeman, the publisher of the Louisville Courier-Journal. Throughout the 1870s and 1880s, magazines and newspapers ran stories about the area's mild climate and abundant fish and likened it to the sunny Italian peninsula. The name Naples caught on when promoters described the bay as "surpassing the bay in Naples, Italy". With a population of approximately 80 in 1888, Naples saw the opening of its pier that year and welcomed its first hotel the following year. Major development was anticipated after Collier County was established in 1923, the completion of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad extension in 1927, and the completion of the Tamiami Trail linking Naples to Miami in 1928, but did not begin until after the 1929 Stock market crash, the Great Depression, and World War II. During the war the U.S. Army Air Forces built a small airfield and used it for training purposes; it is now the Naples Municipal Airport.
In 1938, John Glenn Sample, a pioneer in radio advertising from Chicago, came to Naples. He had read about the fame and fortune of Palm Beach; however, he decided to look elsewhere and discovered the relaxed atmosphere that Naples had to offer on the Gulf of Mexico and soon began buying property on the south end of Naples below 5th Avenue and along Naples Bay, which consisted mostly of marshland.
In 1949, Naples officially became a city, and the Bank of Naples, the city's first banking service, opened on 5th Avenue. In the early 50's, Sample began dredging to create numerous peninsulas and canals with lots overlooking the Naples Bay. He nicknamed the project "Port Royal", which was conceived after the 17th century Jamaican city of Port Royal. The neighborhood's streets are all named in pirate tradition, examples being names like Gin Lane, Rum Row, Treasure Lane, and Galleon Drive. Works to pave streets in the neighborhood were completed in the late 1970s.
In March 1956, the first modern medical facility was opened in Naples with the name Naples Community Hospital. In the 1960s the historic Cove Inn on Naples Bay was built, as well as the Collier County Public Library, and Cambier Park on 8th Avenue.
In May 1971 passenger train service to the city was discontinued by Amtrak; the station is now called Naples Depot Museum, and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places three years later.
Sample's dredging project with Port Royal also spurred developments in the 60s and 70s like Aqualane Shores, Park Shore, and Moorings, all affluent neighborhoods in Naples with large, waterfront homes that have boat access. In 1977, the city's first mall, the Coastland Center, was opened.
Geography
Naples is located in southwest Florida on U.S. Highway 41 between Miami to the east and Fort Myers to the north.According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and, or 25.09%, is water.
Hurricanes
records that date back to 1851, indicate 74 tropical storms have passed within of Naples, or once every 2.2 years.2005 Hurricane Wilma – Wilma reached maximum wind strength of, but its winds were when it made landfall near Cape Romano. Wilma caused 87 deaths and $22.4 billion in damage.
2017 Hurricane Irma – Irma had maximum wind strength of, but when it made landfall near Marco Island, its winds were. As Irma hit Florida, tropical-storm-force winds extended out to from the center and hurricane-force winds extended up to. This storm left over 7.5 million homes without electricity for days. Irma caused 134 deaths and $50 billion in damage.
2022 Hurricane Ian – Ian had a maximum wind strength of while approaching Florida, and it made landfall at Cayo Costa slightly below peak strength as a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of. Power was lost to much of the Naples area including Pelican Bay and Bay Colony for several days, but repairs allowed power to be turned back on, beginning on October 1, 2022. Ian caused 149 deaths in the state of Florida and an estimated $989 million in damages to the city of Naples and approximately $2.2 billion in damages to buildings in Collier County.
2024 Hurricane Milton – Milton had a maximum wind strength of 180 miles per hour just north of the Yucatan Peninsula and made landfall near Siesta Key as a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 120 miles per hour. Much of the Naples area including Grey Oaks and Estuary lost electricity for a number of days, but power was restored beginning on October 16, 2024. Milton caused 35 deaths and $34.3 billion in damage.
Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification, Naples has a tropical savanna climate. Naples is normally frost-free and the growing season is 365 days. Like much of central and southern Florida there are two basic seasons in Naples; From May through October there is a hot and wet season in Naples, when hot temperatures and frequent thundershowers are common. From November through April, is the dry season, when sunshine, dry weather, and milder temperatures with daily highs around. Naples is in USDA hardiness zone 10b.Demographics
2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 19,115 people, 10,453 households, and 6,193 families residing in the city. Median household income, 2018-2022 $135,657. The Per capita income in past 12 months, 2018-2022 is $141,245As of the 2010 United States census, there were 19,537 people, 9,991 households, and 6,041 families residing in the city.
In 2010, the largest self-identified ancestry and ethnic groups in Naples were German-American 20.0%, English-American 19.2%, Irish-American 17.8%, and Italian-American 9.2%.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 20,981 people, 10,803 households, and 6,568 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 16,957 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city is 92.50% White, 4.65% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 2.07% from two or more races. 2.23% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.In 2000, there were 10,803 households, out of which 10.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.92 and the average family size was 2.38.
In 2000, 10.9% of the population was under the age of 18, 2.3% was from 18 to 24, 14.5% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64, and 42.3% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 61 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.0 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 83.9 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the city is $65,641, and the median income for a family is $83,831. Males have a median income of $50,092 versus $30,948 for females. The per capita income for the city is $61,141. 5.9% of the population and 3.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 15.1% of those under the age of 18 and 3.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Economy
The economy of Naples is based largely on tourism and was historically based on real estate development and agriculture. Due to its proximity to the Everglades and Ten Thousand Islands, Naples is also popular among ecotourists.Companies based in Naples include Beasley Broadcast Group and ASG Technologies in addition to numerous small businesses. Due to the wealth present in Collier County, Naples is also home to many small non-profit organizations. The surrounding Naples metro area is also home to major private employers such as Fortune 1000 company Health Management Associates and technology company NewsBank.
In 2009, Naples was placed 10th in a report by U.S. News & World Report titled "10 Pricey Cities That Pay Off." The report ranked cities by its "amenity value", a measurement based on the amount of satisfaction an asset brings to its owner. In 2012, a report by Kiplinger ranked Naples with the sixth-highest per capita income in the country, along with the second-highest proportion of millionaires per capita in the US.
Arts and culture
Attractions
The Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens was founded in 1919. It started as a garden but officially became a zoo in September 1969.Downtown Naples is home to The Naples Players, the 5th Avenue South, and 3rd Street South shopping districts, which feature a variety of antique luxury shops and fine dining restaurants. Gallery Row is a concentration among the numerous art galleries spread throughout the downtown area. Near downtown Naples Bay and the Gordon River is the shopping district of Tin City. This open-air shopping center specializes in antiques and handmade local novelties, as well as several seafood restaurants.
The Naples Half Marathon is a half marathon held every year in Naples since 1989, with record participation in 2013 of 2,038 runners.
In 2019, Baker Park, a $15 million park close to the intersection of 5th Avenue and Goodlette-Frank Road, was opened. The park also includes the Gordon River Greenway, which links to the Naples Airport.