Ojus, Florida

Ojus, Florida
Census-designated place
Location in Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida
U.S. Census Bureau map showing CDP boundaries
Coordinates: 25°57′24″N80°9′29″W / 25.95667°N 80.15806°W / 25.95667; -80.15806
Country	United States of America
State	Florida
County	Miami-Dade
Area [1]
• Total	3.16 sq mi (8.18 km2)
• Land	2.65 sq mi (6.86 km2)
• Water	0.51 sq mi (1.32 km2)
Elevation	10 ft (3 m)
Population  (2020) [2]
• Total	19,673
• Density	7,426.58/sq mi (2,867.48/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes	33163 (Ojus) 33160 (North Miami Beach) 33179 (Miami) 33180 (Miami)
Area code(s)	305, 786, 645
FIPS code	12-51125 [3]
GNIS feature ID	0288066 [4]

Ojus is a census-designated place and formerly incorporated town in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Miami metropolitan area of South Florida. The population was 19,673 at the 2020 census, ^[2] up from 18,036 in 2010. ^[5]

History

People have been living in the Ojus area for thousands of years. Paleo-Indians have been documented in South Florida dating back to over 13,000 years ago. ^[6] Archaeologists have uncovered ancient sites at Arch Creek ^[7] and along the Oleta River. ^[8] According to archaeologist Robert Carr, although the largest Tequesta settlement was located at the mouth of the Miami River, by 750 BCE approximately 100 Native Americans routinely inhabited the local area which was just a one-hour canoe trip north of the main settlement. ^[9] The Oleta River, which cuts through Ojus, was one of the Tequesta's primary "roadways" for millennia. ^[10] Subsequent people, to include Seminoles, European explorers, and early settlers, would also use the Oleta River to traverse from Miami to the New River in Ft. Lauderdale.

During the late nineteenth century, settlers established farms along the Oleta River. These settlers grew peas, beans, sugar cane, and tomatoes. ^[11] Seminoles set up a trading post near present-day Greynolds Park to conduct business with the Ojus settlers. ^[12] In 1897, Albert Fitch named the area "Ojus" after the Seminole word for "plenty" or "lots of". ^[11] After the turn of the century, rock was discovered in the area that was ideal for road building. ^[11] Many of the neighborhood lakes were created during the early part of the twentieth century to support the construction of the area's infrastructure.

State representative Graham W. King lived in Ojus. ^[13]

Voters initially approved the Town of Ojus on 4/12/1926 ^{[14] [15]} only to have this set aside by the state supreme court due to invalid boundary specifications. ^{[16] [17]} A second vote for incorporation was approved by voters on 8/31/1926. ^[18] In 1927, the Town of Ojus was abolished by the state ^[19] as a municipal government and re-established as a municipal corporation, along with other charter changes. ^[20] In 1929, a court upheld the city council's refusal of the mayor's order for a charter election. ^[21] Subsequently the state passed a bill calling for the abolishment of the town, ^[22] which was rejected by voters. ^[23] In 1931, the state abolished the Town of Ojus ^[24] with voter approval on 7/15/1931. ^[25] A court rescinded this on 10/26/1933 ^[26] due to the outstanding debt associated with the town. The town was dissolved on 8/8/1935 ^[27] after the state again abolished the town ^[28] with voters approving on 8/6/1935. ^[27] This time, the state was explicit regarding the handling of, and a mechanism to eliminate, the town's debt.

Two landmarks were created in the early part of the twentieth century, but only one survives. In 1925, Carl Fischer constructed the Fulford–Miami Speedway in the present-day Sky Lake neighborhood. ^[11] The wooden race track was then billed as the world's fastest. It was unfortunately destroyed by the devastating 1926 hurricane. ^[11] One of the region's most notable features, Greynolds Park, was established in 1936 as part of President Franklin Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) "New Deal" programs. ^[29] The park was named after Mr. A.O. Greynolds, owner of the Ojus Rock Company, who donated 110 acres (45 ha) of his property in exchange for naming the park after him. Over the years, the park has expanded to include a golf course and a boathouse, and even hosted popular musical acts during the 1960s such as the Grateful Dead. Greynolds Park was declared a historic site in 1983. ^[29]

On June 6, 2006, the Ojus Urban Area District (OUAD) was formed ^[30] as a result of recommendations in the Ojus Charrette Report ^{[31] [32] [33]} to plan for the future of the Ojus Area in response to a request for a planning report for Ojus. ^[34]

In 2018, county referendum 6 narrowly failed ^[35] to form a new municipality from portions of Ojus, Skylake and Highland Lakes. ^{[36] [37] [38]}

Geography

Ojus is located in northeastern Miami-Dade County at 25°57′24″N80°9′29″W / 25.95667°N 80.15806°W / 25.95667; -80.15806 (25.956720, -80.157917), ^[39] 15 miles (24 km) north-northeast of downtown Miami. Its northern boundary is the Broward County line. Ojus is bordered in Miami-Dade County by Aventura to the east, North Miami Beach to the south, and Ives Estates to the west, while neighboring Broward County communities are Pembroke Park to the northwest and Hallandale Beach to the north.

Interstate 95 forms the western border of the community and provides access via Exit 16 (Ives Dairy Road). U.S. Route 1 (Biscayne Boulevard) runs parallel to the eastern border, just inside the Aventura city limits.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Ojus CDP has a total area of 3.16 square miles (8.2 km²), of which 2.65 square miles (6.9 km²) are land and 0.51 square miles (1.3 km²), or 16.14%, are water. The Oleta River drains the east side of the community. Elevation ranges from 0 to 12 feet (0.0 to 3.7 m) above sea level.

It is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone.

Surrounding areas

• Hallandale Beach
• Aventura
• North Miami Beach
• Ives Estates

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1980	17,344		—
1990	15,519		−10.5%
2000	16,642		7.2%
2010	18,036		8.4%
2020	19,673		9.1%
U.S. Decennial Census [40]

2020 census

Ojus CDP, 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 2010 [41]	Pop 2020 [42]	% 2010	% 2020
White (NH)	7,772	6,737	43.09%	34.24%
Black or African American (NH)	1,611	1,544	8.93%	7.85%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	4	9	0.02%	0.05%
Asian (NH)	364	397	2.02%	2.02%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH)	6	0	0.05%	0.00%
Some other race (NH)	76	172	0.42%	0.87%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	221	630	1.23%	3.20%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	7,979	10,184	44.24%	51.77%
Total	18,036	19,673	100.00%	100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 19,673 people, 6,690 households, and 4,257 families residing in the CDP. ^[43]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 18,036 people, 6,263 households, and 4,138 families residing in the CDP. ^[44]

2000 census

As of the census ^[3] of 2000, there were 16,642 people, 7,089 households, and 4,345 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 5,973.2 inhabitants per square mile (2,306.3/km²). There were 8,035 housing units at an average density of 2,883.9 per square mile (1,113.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 85.09% White (59.5% were Non-Hispanic White), ^[45] 7.05% African American, 0.13% Native American, 1.74% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.08% from other races, and 2.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 30.60% of the population.

As of 2000, there were 7,089 households, out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.7% were non-families. Of all households, 33.1% were made up of individuals, and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.98.

In 2000, in the CDP, the population was spread out, with 21.5% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the CDP was $33,294, and the median income for a family was $41,693. Males had a median income of $34,773 versus $28,781 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $25,392. About 11.1% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.2% of those under age 18 and 15.8% of those age 65 or over.

As of 2000, speakers of English as a first language accounted for 47.42% of residents, while Spanish made up 32.70%, Russian was at 3.35%, Yiddish was at 2.96%, Hebrew at 2.92%, and the mother tongue of French Creole was 2.41% of the population's speakers. Both Portuguese and French tied with 2.11% of the populace. Arabic made up 0.74% of speakers, while both Chinese and German were spoken by 0.55% of all residents. Also, both Greek and Hungarian were a mother tongue of 0.52% of the population. ^[46]

Education

Miami-Dade County Public Schools operates public schools. ^[47] Ojus Elementary School is in Ojus. ^[48] Students are zoned to Krop High School. ^[49]

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami operates Catholic schools. St. Lawrence K-8 School is in Ojus. ^{[47] [50]}

Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School is in Ojus. ^{[47] [51]}

References

1. "2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Florida". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
2. "P1. Race – Ojus CDP, Florida: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. "P1. Race – Ojus CDP, Florida: 2010 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
6. Robert S. Carr, Digging Miami, Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012, 29.
7. Robert S. Carr, Digging Miami, Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012, 8, 26.
8. Robert S. Carr, Digging Miami, Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012, 18.
9. Robert S. Carr, Digging Miami, Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012, 112.
10. Robert S. Carr, Digging Miami, Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012, 95.
11. "Our History | North Miami Beach, FL". City of North Miami Beach. September 30, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
12. Miami-Dade Parks, "Greynolds Park History". Retrieved 2016 -12-21.
13. Report of the Secretary of State of the State of Florida. Tallahassee: Capital Publishing Co., State Printers. December 31, 1904. p. 15.
14. Bramson, Seth H. (2009). From Farms and Fields to the Future: The Incredible History of North Miami Beach. The History Press. pp. 63–64. ISBN   978-1596298705.
15. "Ojus Will Petition for Charter as Town". The Miami Herald. August 8, 1926. p. 2, Section A.
16. "Incorporation of Ojus Held Illegal In Suit By Developers". The Miami Herald. June 6, 1926. p. 5.
17. "State Jurists Issue Ouster Writ For Ojus Officials". The Miami Herald. August 22, 1926. p. 10, Section A.
18. "Ojus Factions Divide on Issue". The Miami Herald. September 1, 1926. p. 7.
19. "Chapter 13161 - (No. 1356)". Special Acts Adopted by the Legislature of Florida (PDF). Vol. 3. State of Florida. 1927. pp. 3096–3133.
20. Leyshon, Hal (April 24, 1927). "Bills Number Almost Score". The Miami News. p. 14.
21. "Mandamus Writ for Ojus Election Denied". The Miami Herald. May 22, 1929. p. 2.
22. "Chapter 14620 – (No. 138)". Special Acts Adopted by the Legislature of Florida. Vol. 2, Part 2. State of Florida. 1929. pp. 2141–2142.
23. "Ojus Corporation Faction Elected". The Miami News. August 14, 1929. p. 2.
24. "Chapter 15375 - (No. 737)". Special Acts Adopted by the Legislature of Florida (PDF). Vol. 2, Part 1. State of Florida. 1931. pp. 1125–1127.
25. "Ojus Surrenders Title by Vote". The Miami Herald. July 16, 1931. p. 1.
26. "Ojus Must Pay Its Bonds Also". The Miami Herald. October 27, 1933. p. 2.
27. "Election Dissolves Ojus Town Charter". The Miami Herald. August 9, 1935. pp. 2–A.
28. "Chapters 17620 - (No. 849) and 17621 - (No. 850)". Special Acts Adopted by the Legislature of Florida (PDF). Vol. 2. State of Florida. 1935. pp. 331–338.
29. Miami-Dade Parks, "Greynolds Park History."
30. Ojus Urban Area Zoning District Regulations (Final) (OUA District) (PDF). Miami-Dade County. 2006.
31. A Vision for the Ojus Area, Ojus Charette Report. Miami-Dade County Department of Planning and Zoning. May 2001.
32. Executive Summary of the Vision for the Ojus Area Charrette Report (PDF). Miami-Dade County. 2006.
33. "Legislative Matter". Miami Dade County. February 3, 2004. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
34. "Legislative Matter". Miami-Dade County. June 21, 1998. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
35. "Miami-Dade County, Florida, County Referendum 6, New Municipality (November 2018) - Ballotpedia". Ballotpedia. November 7, 2018. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
36. "Legislative Matter". Miami Dade County. June 5, 2018. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
37. "Legislative Matter". Miami Dade County. June 13, 2018. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
38. Hanks, Douglas (June 6, 2018). "Miami-Dade County may have a new city near Aventura | Miami Herald". Miami Herald. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
39. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
40. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
41. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Ojus CDP, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
42. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Ojus CDP, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
43. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Ojus CDP, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
44. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Ojus CDP, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
45. "Demographics of Ojus, FL". MuniNetGuide.com. Retrieved November 7, 2007.
46. "MLA Data Center Results of Ojus, FL". Modern Language Association . Retrieved November 7, 2007.
47. "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Ojus CDP, FL" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved May 6, 2020.
48. "Home". Ojus Elementary School. Retrieved May 6, 2020. Address: 18600 West Dixie Highway, Miami, Fl 33180
49. "SS_QQQ1_1-24-09.pdf." Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High Biscayne Bay Campus. Retrieved on May 6, 2012.
50. "Home". St. Lawrence School. Retrieved May 6, 2020. Saint Lawrence Elementary School 2200 N.E. 191st Street North Miami Beach, FL 33180
51. "Home". Scheck Hillel Community School. Retrieved October 18, 2020. 19000 NE 25th Avenue North Miami Beach, FL 33180 - The school is not in the North Miami Beach city limits.

External links

• Ojus Elementary School