Florida City, Florida

"Florida City" redirects here. For the film, see Florida City (film).

Florida City
City
City of Florida City
Motto(s):  Gateway to the Florida Keys and the Everglades [1]
Location in Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida
U.S. Census Bureau map showing city limits
Coordinates: 25°27′05″N80°29′04″W / 25.45139°N 80.48444°W / 25.45139; -80.48444
Country	United States of America
State	Florida
County	Miami-Dade
Incorporated	December 29, 1914
Government
• Type	Mayor-Council
•  Mayor	Otis T. Wallace
•  Vice Mayor	Walter Thompson Sr.
•  Commissioners	James Gold, Sharon Butler, and Eugene D. Berry
•  City Manager	Mayor Otis T. Wallace
•  City Clerk	Jennifer A. Evelyn
Area [2]
• Total	6.06 sq mi (15.69 km2)
• Land	5.99 sq mi (15.51 km2)
• Water	0.07 sq mi (0.18 km2)  0%
Elevation	5 ft (2 m)
Population  (2020) [3]
• Total	13,085
• Density	2,184.47/sq mi (843.49/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes	33034, 33035
Area code(s)	305, 786, 645
FIPS code	12-22975 [4]
GNIS feature ID	0282605 [5]
Website	www.floridacityfl.gov

Florida City is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. It is the southernmost municipality in the South Florida metropolitan area. Florida City is primarily a Miami suburb and a major agricultural area. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 13,085, ^[3] up from 11,245 in 2010.

The city lies to the south and west of, and is contiguous with, Homestead. Both cities suffered catastrophic damage in August 1992 when Hurricane Andrew struck South Florida.

The city originated as a land promotion named "Detroit". There were no buildings in the area when the first thirty families arrived in 1910, and they had to stay in Homestead until their houses could be built. The name was changed to "Florida City" when the town incorporated in 1914. ^[6] It has a small historic area, but much of the city is hotels and other tourist facilities.

The city is at the eastern end of the only road running through the Everglades National Park, which terminates at Flamingo. Florida City is the southernmost city in the United States which is not on an island. It is also the last stop on the mainland north of the Florida Keys. The southern terminus of the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike where it ends at its junction with U.S. 1 is located in Florida City. Homestead is immediately north and east of Florida City, and these two cities comprise the greater Homestead-Florida City area. Some of the notable unincorporated communities in the area are Redland, Leisure City, Naranja, and Princeton.

Physiography and natural history

Florida City is situated mostly atop a limestone ridge called the Miami Rock Ridge ^[7] that extends south from present day North Miami Beach ^[8] to a location in Everglades National Park. ^[9] The ridge, consisting of Miami limestone, ^[10] serves as the higher ground within the community. The ridge extended from northeast to southwest across the city. The old location of the Florida East Coast Railway track marks the approximate boundary of the location of the limestone ridge south of Davis Parkway. The range of elevation of the ridge is from 5 to 8 feet (1.5–2.4 meters) above sea level.

Before settlement, the ridge was vegetated by South Florida Slash Pine trees, which were alternatively known as Dade County Pine (Pinus elliottii var. densa). (Remnants of these pines can be seen today in local parks and in Everglades National Park at the Long Pine Key picnic area.) These pine rocklands ^[7] were crushed by equipment and converted to farmland during the 1900s. ^[11] Tomatoes, squash, and other truck crops were grown in the area during the winter months and packed at the Florida City State Farmers' Market ^[12] near Krome Avenue and Palm Drive, driving the local economy throughout the 1900s.

East of the natural ridge was a broad area of marshlands surrounding the area. Old timers of Florida City called these coastal glades the "East Glade". ^[11] This was an extension of Everglades that extended from areas west and south of Florida City to its east. East of the East Glade, marshlands gave way to mangrove swamp ^[13] prior to reaching Biscayne Bay. ^[14] Soils in the East Glade primarily consisted of a limey soil called Biscayne Marl. ^[15]

Development schemes in the East Glade led to the construction of canals in the early 1900s. ^[16] This led to a lowering of water tables. Although development the East Glade was not extensive prior to the 1980s, agricultural development did occur. Potatoes were the primary crop grown in the East Glade before the construction of extensive housing developments within the areas annexed by the City of Homestead ^[17] in the late 1970s. Potatoes mostly were harvested from February to March.

Florida City was historically bisected by a slough. Sloughs commonly were found crossing the limestone ridge at a roughly perpendicular angle from Miami to Florida City. Florida City's slough (officially called "Long Slough" or "Long Glade Slough") entered the city near Redland Road and Lucy Street, and extended across the city to the southeast to a location near today's NW 3rd Street and NW 3rd Avenue. East of this point, the slough entered the East Glade.

Long Slough was a slow flowing body of water that originated in the Everglades just south of the Miami Homestead General Aviation Airport. ^[18] As canals were constructed in the 1900s, and especially the 1960s, the slough was drained and became a low valley in the limestone ridge. Roadways (such as Redland Road near West Homestead Elementary School, ^[19] NW 6th Avenue north of Davis Parkway, and NW 3rd Avenue about fifty feet north of NW 3rd Street) had culverts constructed under them to allow water to pass through the slough. NW 4th Street east of NW 5th Avenue dead ended near the approximate location where a fictional NW 4th Avenue would intersect that street. During the late 1980s, the street was constructed to reach NW 3rd Avenue since water in the slough had been drained away. Eventually fill was added to the slough and it was destroyed.

Extensive filling operations were conducted in Long Slough near NW 3rd Avenue in the late 1970s. Fill was obtained as waste rock from a nearby rock cutting operation (utilizing Key Largo Limestone, ^[20] a local coral rock) and was allowed to be dumped in the location by the landowners. Today, this portion of Long Slough serves as a housing development.

An additional natural feature existed along Davis Parkway, extending into the Florida City Camper Park. This feature was a live oak hammock. ^[21] The understory of the hammock was cleared for the camper park, but much of the hammock remained undisturbed to the south of Davis Parkway and NW 1st Road before the late 1970s.

Florida City today serves as the southern terminus of the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike. ^[22] Motels and eateries are located along US 1 before taking the highway south into the Florida Keys. Along with serving as the mainland entrance to the Florida Keys, ^[23] Florida City also serves as the gateway to the main section of Everglades National Park. ^[24]

Geography

Florida City is located at 25°27′05″N80°29′04″W / 25.451331°N 80.484383°W / 25.451331; -80.484383 . ^[25]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.1 square miles (16 km²), of which 0.07 square miles (0.18 km²), or 1.14%, are water. ^[2]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	355		—
1930	452		27.3%
1940	752		66.4%
1950	1,547		105.7%
1960	4,114		165.9%
1970	5,133		24.8%
1980	6,174		20.3%
1990	5,806		−6.0%
2000	7,843		35.1%
2010	11,245		43.4%
2020	13,085		16.4%
2022 (est.)	12,644	[26]	−3.4%
U.S. Decennial Census [27]

Florida City, Florida – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.

Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000 [28]	Pop 2010 [29]	Pop 2020 [30]	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	549	625	498	7.00%	5.56%	3.81%
Black or African American alone (NH)	4,374	5,674	5,786	55.77%	50.46%	44.22%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	5	6	13	0.06%	0.05%	0.10%
Asian alone (NH)	45	36	24	0.57%	0.32%	0.18%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	0	4	3	0.00%	0.04%	0.02%
Other race alone (NH)	18	24	56	0.23%	0.21%	0.43%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	333	113	182	4.25%	1.00%	1.39%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	2,519	4,763	6,523	32.12%	42.36%	49.85%
Total	7,843	11,245	13,085	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 13,085 people, 3,050 households, and 2,247 families residing in the city. ^[31]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 11,245 people, 2,883 households, and 2,216 families residing in the city. ^[32]

Based on 2010 data, the ancestries of only the Hispanic and Latino population from highest to lowest were as follows: Mexicans made up the 42.52%, Cubans were at 19.13%, Central Americans accounted for 13.37%, Puerto Ricans totaled 12.87%, and South Americans were 3.74% of all residents. ^[33]

2000 census

In 2000, 46.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.6% were married couples living together, 34.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.1% were non-families. 18.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.48 and the average family size was 3.95.

In 2000, the city population was spread out, with 39.7% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $14,923, and the median income for a family was $18,777. Males had a median income of $23,622 versus $20,060 for females. The per capita income for the city was $8,270. 43.3% of the population and 41.7% of families were below the poverty line. 57.1% of those under the age of 18 and 25.6% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

As of 2000, English was spoken as a first language by 65.64% of the population, Spanish speakers made up 28.33% of all residents, and French Creole was spoken by 6.03% of the populace. ^[34]

Crime

As of 2020, Florida City was rated as the number one "most dangerous" city in the state of Florida. Within a population of 11,826, it had a violent crime rate of 2,908.8 per 100,000. The poverty rate of the city was listed at 14%. ^[35]

Government and infrastructure

The Florida Department of Corrections operates the Dade Correctional Institution and the Homestead Correctional Institution in an unincorporated area near Florida City. ^{[36] [37] [38] [39]} The Dade CI was originally the Dade Correctional Institution Annex, and the Homestead CI was originally the Dade Correctional Institution; the two received their current names on July 1, 2003. ^[40]

The United States Postal Service operates the Florida City Post Office. ^[41]

Education

Florida City is a part of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools system.

Florida City is zoned to:

• Florida City Elementary School (Florida City)
• Homestead Middle School (Homestead)
• Homestead High School (Homestead)

In addition Rise Academy-South Dade Charter School is in the area. ^[42]

Florida City also has the following Charter Schools:

• Lawrence Academy Charter
• Lincoln Marti International Campus
• Miami Community Charter

Climate

The Köppen Climate Classification sub-type for this climate is "Aw". (Tropical Savanna Climate) with long, hot summers and short, warm winters. ^[43]

Climate data for Florida City
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	78 (26)	80 (27)	82 (28)	85 (29)	88 (31)	90 (32)	91 (33)	92 (33)	90 (32)	87 (31)	83 (28)	79 (26)	85 (29)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	54 (12)	56 (13)	58 (14)	61 (16)	66 (19)	71 (22)	73 (23)	73 (23)	73 (23)	69 (21)	63 (17)	57 (14)	65 (18)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	1.6 (41)	1.8 (46)	2 (51)	2.7 (69)	5.9 (150)	9.1 (230)	7 (180)	8.1 (210)	8.7 (220)	5.5 (140)	2.3 (58)	1.4 (36)	56.1 (1,420)
Source: Weatherbase [44]

Notable people

• James Burgess, American football player
• Rashad Smith, American football player
• Sean Taylor, American Football Player
• Glenn Simmons, outdoorsman and guide

References

1. "City of Florida City (Website)". City of Florida City (Website has had its motto on its website since June 3, 2013) via Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
2. "2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Florida". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
3. "P1. Race – Florida City city, Florida: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
6. Taylor, Jean (1985). Villages of South Dade. St. Petersburg, Fla: B. Kennedy. pp. 203–205. LCCN   88132899. OCLC   18906834.
7. "Miami-Dade County - Ecosystems". www.miamidade.gov. Archived from the original on July 28, 2003.
8. City of North Miami Beach, Florida - North Miami Beach
9. Everglades National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
10. DRAM, FGS, Miami Limestone
11. "PowerPoint Presentation". Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved October 14, 2006.
12. Florida City State Farmers' Market: Marketing Florida Agriculture
13. Mangrove
14. Biscayne National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
15. Detailed Soil Map Units (SS of Dade, Florida) | NRCS Soils
16. "PowerPoint Presentation". Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved October 14, 2006.
17. City of Homestead - Online
18. "Homestead General". Archived from the original on October 18, 2006. Retrieved October 14, 2006.
19. Welcome to West Homestead Elementary
20. DRAM, FGS, Key Largo Limestone
21. Tropical Hammocks
22. Florida's Turnpike - The Less Stressway
23. The Official Tourism Council Web Site for the Florida Keys! Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Lower Keys, Key West
24. Everglades National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
25. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
26. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
27. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
28. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Florida City city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
29. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Florida City city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
30. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Florida City city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
31. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Florida City city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
32. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Florida City city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
33. "Florida City, FL Population and Races". usatoday.com. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
34. "MLA Data Center Results of Florida City, Fla". Modern Language Association . Retrieved November 3, 2007.
35. "25 Most Dangerous Cities in Florida". MSN .
36. "STATE'S PRISON INMATES SHUFFLED MOVES BENEFIT FEMALE PRISONERS." Miami Herald . August 12, 1999. B1. Broward. Retrieved on May 15, 2010. "Nearly 500 male youthful offenders at Dade Correctional Institution in Florida City..."
37. "Dade Correctional Institution Archived April 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine ." Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
38. "Homestead Correctional Institution Archived May 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine ." Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
39. "THEFT CHARGE PUTS CORDES BACK IN COURT." Bradenton Herald . June 10, 2004. 1C Local & State. Retrieved on May 15, 2010. "Jackie Postma who was convicted of seconddegree murder is serving her sentence at Homestead Correctional Institution in Florida City just south of Miami."
40. "FACILITIES ON JUNE 30, 2003 Archived February 29, 2012, at the Wayback Machine ." Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
41. "Post Office Location - FLORIDA CITY Archived 2010-05-12 at the Wayback Machine ." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
42. "Rise Schools". Archived from the original on June 14, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
43. Climate Summary for Florida City, FL
44. "Weatherbase.com". Weatherbase. 2013. Retrieved on August 2, 2013.

External links

• Official website
• Florida City Elementary School