Bonita Springs is a city in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 53,644 at the 2020 census, up from 43,914 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, on the state's southwest coast.

History

Bonita Springs' history dates back approximately 8,000 years, with evidence of early inhabitants including the Calusa Indians. In the 1870s, the US Army Corps of Engineers surveyed the area, establishing a camp along what is now the Imperial River. This site became known as Survey, and the river was called Surveyor's Creek.

In the 1880s, Braxton Comer bought 6,000 acres around Survey and brought indentured families to work on his plantation. By the early 20th century, developers decided to rename the area Bonita Springs to make it more appealing to settlers and investors. By 1912, streets and avenues were laid out, and the names Survey and Surveyor's Creek were changed to Bonita Springs and the Imperial River, respectively.

The completion of a road to Fort Myers in 1917 and the extension of the Fort Myers-Southern Railroad to Bonita Springs in the 1920s spurred significant growth. The Tamiami Trail, completed in 1928, further contributed to this development. During this time, Bonita Springs experienced a land boom, leading to the establishment of citrus groves and various tourist attractions, including the Everglades Wonder Gardens and the Shell Factory.

The advent of air conditioning, the construction of Interstate 75, and the opening of Southwest Florida International Airport in the late 20th century brought more tourists and retirees to Bonita Springs. Today, it is known for its beautiful beaches, luxury golf courses, and a thriving community, attracting both residents and businesses.

Geography

Bonita Springs's approximate coordinates are 26°20′59″N 81°47′27″W / 26.34972°N 81.79083°W / 26.34972; -81.79083.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 41.0 square miles (106 km²), of which 35.3 square miles (91 km²) is land and 5.7 square miles (15 km²) (13.95%) is water.

The city is on both Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The area called Bonita Beach is on Little Hickory Island, a road-accessible barrier island that lies between the Gulf of Mexico and Estero Bay. The Imperial River flows through the city's downtown district and empties into Estero Bay.

Climate

The city lies in the tropical climate zone, more specifically a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification: Am), having a mean January temperature of 65 °F (18 °C).

Hurricane Charley made landfall north of Bonita Springs on August 13, 2004. Hurricane Wilma made landfall south of Bonita Springs on October 24, 2005. On September 9–10, 2017, Hurricane Irma, at the time a slow-moving Category 3 storm, passed over Florida's southwest coast. The eyewall/eye passed overhead in Bonita Springs. Many structures were damaged or destroyed and the city experienced significant flooding.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1940	356	—
1970	1,932	—
1980	5,435	181.3%
1990	13,600	150.2%
2000	32,797	141.2%
2010	43,914	33.9%
2020	53,644	22.2%
source:

2010 and 2020 census

Bonita Springs racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(*NH = Non-Hispanic*)
Race	Pop 2010	Pop 2020	% 2010	% 2020
White (NH)	32,980	39,703	75.10%	74.01%
Black or African American (NH)	289	470	0.66%	0.88%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	58	53	0.13%	0.09%
Asian (NH)	433	754	0.99%	1.41%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH)	14	30	0.03%	0.06%
Some other race (NH)	36	199	0.08%	0.37%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH)	227	1,063	0.52%	1.98%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	9,877	11,372	22.49%	21.20%
Total	43,914	53,644	100.00%	100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 53,644 people, 24,377 households, and 16,267 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 43,914 people, 19,137 households, and 12,917 families residing in the city.

Arts and Culture

Bonita Springs boasts a rich cultural scene with institutions like the Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs, which offers art classes, exhibitions, and performances. The city hosts several annual events, including the Celebrate Bonita festival and various arts and craft fairs.

The Bonita Springs Historical Society offers walking tours that highlight the city’s historical sites, such as the Liles Hotel and the Bonita Springs Elementary School. These tours provide insights into the area's past and its development over the years.

Public art is an integral part of the city’s cultural landscape, with numerous sculptures and murals adorning public spaces. The Everglades Wonder Gardens, a historic attraction, continues to draw visitors with its botanical garden and wildlife exhibits.

Education

Bonita Springs is served by the Lee County School District.

Elementary schools

Bonita Springs Elementary School
Spring Creek Elementary School

Middle school

Bonita Springs Middle School

High school

Bonita Springs High School

Charter schools

Bonita Springs Charter School
Oak Creek Charter School

Private schools

Bonita Springs Preparatory School
Royal Palm Academy Catholic School
Discovery Day Academy Private School

Higher learning

Florida Institute of Music

Transportation

Airports

Southwest Florida International Airport in nearby South Fort Myers serves over 8 million passengers annually.
Naples Municipal Airport in Naples is a smaller airport primarily for private aviation

Major highways

Interstate 75
U.S. Route 41 "South Tamiami Trail"
(County Road 865) Bonita Beach Road / Hickory Boulevard

Mass transportation

Fixed-route bus and trolley service is provided by the Lee County Transit Department, operated as LeeTran.

Rail

Seminole Gulf Railway owns and operates a line that passes through the city. The company offers freight service and local, daytime excursions.

Media

Newspapers

Bonita Springs is served by local editions of the Fort Myers News-Press and Naples Daily News.

Radio

The metropolitan area is home to 36 radio stations. With an Arbitron-assigned 879,600 listening area population, the metropolitan area of which Bonita Springs is one part ranks 61/274 for the fall of 2013. Arbitron Standard Radio Market: Ft. Myers-Naples-Marco Island.

Television

Nielsen Media Research designated market area: Ft. Myers-Naples.

2013 - 2014 estimate U.S. rank: 62/210 (517,920 TV Homes)

WBBH – NBC affiliate
WFTX – Fox affiliate
WGCU – PBS member station
WINK – CBS affiliate
WXCW – CW affiliate
WZVN – ABC affiliate
BTV 98 – Government-access television operated by the city of Bonita Springs

Points of interest

Barefoot Beach, a former recipient of a top beach award, is located within the community.

Bonita Beach, as seen from the Gulf of Mexico

Barefoot Beach Preserve Park, a 342-acre (1.38 km²) park on the border of Collier and Lee Counties. In 2013, Forbes ranked the park's beach the sixth-best in the country.
Bonita Beach Park, a 2.5-acre (10,000 m²) beachfront park with a boardwalk and swimming area
Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs, an arts organization that hosts local, regional, and national traveling art exhibitions. The organization has two campuses, the 10-acre Center for Visual Arts with galleries, studios, classrooms, art library, and offices; and 1.8 miles south, the four-acre Center for Performing Arts, which has two auditoriums, a black box theater, a film center, music rooms, and studios for study of performing arts. The organization's Bonita Springs Art Festivals are held January, February, and March in downtown Bonita Springs.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, a bald cypress reserve under management of the National Audubon Society
Bonita Spring's Wonder Gardens features a large collection of Florida wildlife, including exotic birds, alligators, and flamingos. It opened in 1936 as both a wildlife exhibition and a refuge for injured animals and has a botanical garden and a natural history museum.
Little Hickory Island Beach Park
Lover's Key State Park, a 1,616-acre (6.54 km²) park made up of four barrier islands, is within the city, just north of Bonita Beach. It has nature trails for hiking and bicycling, a canoe launch, kayak and canoe rentals, acres of unspoiled mangroves and miles of pristine beaches. A haven for wildlife, the islands and their waters are home to West Indian manatees, bottlenose dolphins, roseate spoonbills, marsh rabbits and bald eagles.
There are also 10 beach accesses with public parking up and down Bonita Beach.
Everglades Wonder Gardens, established in 1936, is a historic botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary. Originally created as a roadside attraction, it features a variety of exotic and native plants, as well as wildlife exhibits. The gardens have become an integral part of Bonita Springs' history and culture, providing educational and recreational opportunities for visitors.

Sister cities

Gruenstadt, Germany
Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Notable people

Glenn Steil Sr., member of the Michigan Senate

Bonita Springs, Florida facts for kids

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