Punta Gorda named 5th fastest growing city; residents question sustainability

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (WINK)—The U.S. Census Bureau ranked Punta Gorda as the fifth fastest-growing city in the United States.

"I could sell Florida all day long," said Sue Davis, a 6-year resident. "It's really the great best place to be."

Davis moved to Florida searching for sunshine and a great community.

"We still feel like I'm on vacation every day," Davis said. "Florida is where you need to be."

Maureen Haas and her husband bought a condo for part-time living in 2004. The pair moved to Punta Gorda full-time after retiring in 2021.

"The waterways are beautiful and the people are friendly," Haas said.

What was once a small community is now experiencing rapid expansion. Haas noticed a significant influx of new residents during the pandemic.

"You know the COVID rush was crazy, So many people came down here." Haas said. "It was like the Oregon Trail south out of New York."

Whether residents have lived in Punta Gorda for six years or more than 20, the city has become home to a growing population. Davis enjoys the local entertainment options that come with living in the area.

"You go to eat, you have live entertainment, you didn't pay for any of that," Davis said.

Long-time Southwest Florida residents have watched the area boom over the last five years. Traffic, limited water supply and long-term infrastructure sustainability are all concerns for neighbors as the quiet town continues to grow.

"Explosive growth," said Vince Verdone, a part time resident for 8 years. "I won't say uncontrolled, but I will say that I'm not sure that it was well planned."

While growth can mean progress, it also creates concerns for long-time residents. Traffic has become a major issue in recent years.

"Traffic's already crazy," Marshall Fernholz, a 10 year resident, said. "I mean, I've seen it grow tremendously in the last two or three years. Aqui Esta gets backed up for blocks, many blocks, and that happens every single day."

The city of Punta Gorda has a comprehensive plan for growth over the next 20 years that considers land and water use while preserving the area. However, residents like Verdone still question the long-term sustainability as the population booms.

"The water situation is real serious," Verdone said. "There's an aquifer that's north of here that we're depleting at a pretty rapid rate. The droughts have not helped in any way, shape or form."

The pair wants the small-town character of Punta Gorda to be respected and preserved as the city continues to change.

"Small town atmosphere, that was one of the big draws to come down here," Verdone said. "And a lot of that has disappeared."

Many residents knew the area was growing but were shocked to learn Punta Gorda ranked fifth in the nation for growth.