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Coral Gables
Coral Gables (in foreground) with Downtown Miami barely visible (in background) in 2010
Coral Gables (in foreground) with Downtown Miami barely visible (in background) in 2010
Official seal of Coral Gables
Seal
Nicknames: 
"The City Beautiful", "The Gables"
Location of Coral Gables in Miami-Dade County, Florida (left) and of Miami-Dade County in Florida (right)
Location of Coral Gables in Miami-Dade County, Florida (left) and of Miami-Dade County in Florida (right)
U.S. Census Bureau map showing city limits
U.S. Census Bureau map showing city limits
Country  United States
State  Florida
County Miami-Dade
Incorporated April 29, 1925
Government
 • Type Commission-Manager
Area
 • Total 37.31 sq mi (96.64 km2)
 • Land 12.93 sq mi (33.48 km2)
 • Water 24.38 sq mi (63.16 km2)
Elevation
10 ft (2.8 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 49,248
 • Estimate 
(2022)
49,193
 • Rank 61st in Florida
 • Density 3,804.56/sq mi (1,469.32/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
Area codes 305, 786, 645
FIPS code 12-14250
GNIS feature ID 0280801
Website www.coralgables.com

Coral Gables is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The city is part of the Miami metropolitan area of South Florida and is located 7 miles (11 km) southwest of Downtown Miami. As of the 2020 U.S. census, it had a population of 49,248.

Coral Gables is known globally due to being home to the University of Miami, one of the nation's private research universities whose main campus spans 240 acres (0.97 km2) in the city. With 16,479 faculty and staff as of 2021, the University of Miami is the largest employer in Coral Gables and second-largest employer in all of Miami-Dade County.

The city is a Mediterranean-themed planned community known for its historic and affluent character reinforced by its strict zoning, popular landmarks, and tourist sights.

History

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. 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.

Coral Gables Rapid Transit track n plaque
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. 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)
Mean daily maximum °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)
Mean daily minimum °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)
2.33
(59)
3.00
(76)
3.14
(80)
5.34
(136)
9.67
(246)
6.50
(165)
8.88
(226)
9.86
(250)
6.33
(161)
3.27
(83)
2.04
(52)
61.98
(1,574)
Source: The Weather Channel (Monthly Averages)

Surrounding areas

Climate

Coral Gables has a tropical climate, similar to the climate found in much of the Caribbean. It is part of the only region in the 48 contiguous states that falls under that category. More specifically, it generally has a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification, Am).

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1930 5,697
1940 8,294 45.6%
1950 19,837 139.2%
1960 34,793 75.4%
1970 42,494 22.1%
1980 43,241 1.8%
1990 40,091 −7.3%
2000 42,249 5.4%
2010 46,780 10.7%
2020 49,248 5.3%
2022 (est.) 49,193 5.2%
U.S. Decennial Census
1930–1970 1980 1990
2000 2010 2020 2022
Historical demographics 2020 2010 2000 1990 1980
White (Non-Hispanic) 30.6% 40.1% 47.7% 53.2% 65.1%
Hispanic or Latino 58.8% 53.6% 46.6% 41.8% 29.6%
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) 4.8% 2.5% 3.1% 3.1% 4.0%
Asian and Pacific Islander (Non-Hispanic) 2.6% 2.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.3%
Native American (Non-Hispanic) < 0.1% < 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%
Some other race (Non-Hispanic) 0.7% 0.2% 0.2% 0.1%
Two or more races (Non-Hispanic) 2.5% 0.9% 0.7% N/A N/A
Population 49,248 46,780 42,249 40,091 43,241
Demographic characteristics 2020 2010 2000 1990 1980
Households 21,868 20,266 17,849 15,460 16,429
Persons per household 2.25 2.31 2.37 2.59 2.63
Sex Ratio 87.6 89.7 87.6 90.0 88.0
Ages 0–17 16.6% 17.9% 17.4% 15.5% 17.2%
Ages 18–64 63.3% 66.5% 66.8% 67.1% 66.0%
Ages 65 + 20.1% 15.6% 15.8% 17.4% 16.8%
Median age 41.9 38.8 38.1 37.0 36.1
Population 49,248 46,780 42,249 40,091 43,241
Economic indicators
2017–21 American Community Survey Coral Gables Miami-Dade County Florida
Median income $63,061 $32,513 $34,367
Median household income $113,623 $57,815 $61,777
Poverty Rate 7.5% 15.7% 13.1%
High school diploma 97.2% 82.5% 89.0%
Bachelor's degree 71.5% 31.7% 31.5%
Advanced degree 37.8% 11.9% 11.7%
Language spoken at home 2015 2010 2000 1990 1980
English 40.0% 39.4% 43.1% 51.8% 63.4%
Spanish or Spanish Creole 53.5% 54.7% 50.2% 42.8% 30.3%
Other Languages 6.5% 5.9% 6.7% 5.4% 6.3%
Nativity 2015 2010 2000 1990 1980
% population native-born 61.5% 62.3% 62.1% 64.4% 69.9%
... born in the United States 57.5% 58.3% 58.8% 61.2% 67.9%
... born in Puerto Rico or Island Areas 2.0% 2.0% 1.8% 1.6% 2.0%
... born to American parents abroad 2.0% 2.0% 1.5% 1.7%
% population foreign-born 38.5% 37.7% 37.9% 35.6% 30.1%
... born in Cuba 15.0% 16.4% 19.2% 20.3% 15.1%
... born in other countries 23.5% 21.3% 18.7% 15.3% 15.0%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 49,248 people, 18,457 households, and 11,087 families residing in the city.

In 2022, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the median household income in the city was $118,203; the estimated per capita income, $74,780. Some 9.5 of citizens were estimated to be living below the poverty line.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 46,780 people, 16,453 households, and 10,377 families residing in the city. In 2010, 11.4% of households were vacant.

In 2000, 24.45% had children under the age of 18 living with them. As of 2000, 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.

Tourism

-CITY LIGHTS- CORAL GABLES - panoramio
Coral Gables at night in January 2014
Matheson Hammock Clouds
Matheson Hammock Park in July 2015

Coral Gables is 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 Coral Gables landmarks are the Venetian Pool, Douglas Entrance, and Miami Biltmore hotel.

Media

The Miami Herald is the region's predominant daily newspaper. Coral Gables has one newspaper, Coral Gables News Tribune, which is published twice monthly and covers local and regional news and one weekly newspaper that is part of the portfolio of Miami Community Newspapers publications.

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

Coral Gables is part of the Miami-area media market.

In popular culture

.....

The city also is featured in television and video games, including:

  • The 2014 indie point-and-click adventure game A Golden Wake is based on the founding and development of Coral Gables in the 1920s.
  • Also, in 2014, the comedy-drama television series Looking features a character named Augustin who is from Coral Gables.
  • Coral Gables is the birthplace of Scott Lang (Ant-Man) and Dr. Curt Connors in Marvel Universe.

Economy

Coral Gables Miracle Mile 20100403
Miracle Mile and Ponce de Leon Boulevard in Coral Gables in April 2010

Coral Gables holds several of the wealthiest Zip Codes (33156, 33143, 33133, and 33146) and neighborhoods in the United States, such as Hammock Oaks, Old Cutler Bay, Gables Estates, Tahiti Beach, Snapper Creek and Lakes, Cocoplum, and Gables By The Sea.

Major economic contributors to Coral Gables include:

  • The University of Miami, the largest employer in Coral Gables since the city's founding (16,479 faculty and staff employees as of 2022).
  • Baptist Hospital of Miami, the second-largest employer in Coral Gables.
  • Bacardi, which has its United States headquarters with 300 employees at 2701 Le Jeune Road.
  • Capital Bank Financial
  • Intelsat has its Latin American headquarters in Suite 1100 at One Alhambra Plaza.
  • Fresh Del Monte Produce has its headquarters in Coral Gables.
  • ExxonMobil has marine fuels operations in Suite 900 at One Alhambra Plaza in Coral Gables.
  • MasTec, Inc., the second-largest Hispanic-owned company in the nation, is located at 800 South Douglas Road.
  • Odebrecht has over 300 employees at its location at 201 Alhambra Circle.
  • American Airlines maintains Ponce de Leon Travel Center at 901 Ponce De Leon Boulevard.
  • Dolphin Entertainment is an independent film studio that is located in Coral Gables.
  • FIFA opened up its North American headquarters in Coral Gables to help prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will include Miami.

Transportation

Douglas Road Metrorail Station 2020-03 05
Douglas Road station in Coral Gables in March 2020

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

  •      Douglas Road (SW 37th Avenue and U.S. 1)
  •      University (Stanford Drive and U.S. 1)

Coral Gables 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 near Sunset Drive and Red Road at South Miami station, which connects the city with Downtown Miami and Miami International Airport.

Diplomatic missions

Several countries operate consulates in Coral Gables. They include Barbados, Colombia, El Salvador, Italy, Spain, the Principality of Monaco, St. Lucia, and Uruguay.

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.

Education

University of Miami Otto G. Richter Library
The University of Miami, the largest employer in Coral Gables, in April 2006
CoralGablesSHS
Coral Gables Senior High School in October 2006
Coral Gables Library
Coral Gables Branch Library in November 2014

University of Miami

The University of Miami, a private university ranked in the top tier of national universities, with particular national status in the fields of business, engineering, law, marine science, medicine, communications, and music, is located in Coral Gables.

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools

Coral Gables schools are part of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, which serves Miami-Dade County. The district has several high schools in Coral Gables, most notably Coral Gables Senior High School and International Studies Preparatory Academy, both of which educate students in grades nine through 12. It also has a K–8 school, Coral Gables Preparatory Academy (formerly Coral Gables Elementary School), with two campuses, including a historic campus located on Ponce de Leon Boulevard. Henry S. West Laboratory Elementary is another school for K–6. Finally it has two middle schools: George Washington Carver Middle School located on Lincoln Drive 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.

Private schools

Gulliver Academy, Marian C. Krutulis Campus, a PreK–8 school that is a member of Gulliver Schools, is within Coral Gables. The management offices of Gulliver Schools were formerly located in Coral Gables. The lower campus of Riviera Schools is located in Coral Gables.

The historic St. Theresa Catholic School, a Pre-K–8 school is located near Coral Gables Biltmore Hotel. St. Philip's Episcopal School, French-American School of Miami, and St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School, all Pre-K–5 schools, are also located in Coral Gables. Coral Gables Preparatory Academy, a private K-8 school, is located in Coral Gables.

Public libraries

Miami-Dade Public Library System operates Coral Gables Branch Library in Coral Gables.

Notable people

Places of interest

Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, Florida
Miami Biltmore Hotel, built in 1926 in Coral Gables, March 2011

Festivals and events

  • Festival of Art, University of Miami, held in January
  • Carnival on the Mile, Miracle Mile, held in February/March
  • Junior Orange Bowl Festival, held in December–January

Gallery

Sister cities

Coral Gables' sister cities are:

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Coral Gables para niños

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