History and Establishment
– Miami-Dade County is located in the southeastern part of Florida.
– It is the most populous county in Florida and the seventh-most populous county in the United States.
– The county is the third largest in Florida in terms of land area.
– Miami is the county seat and the core of a large metropolitan area.
– The county has a significant economic impact, with a GDP of $154.9 billion.
– Native American settlement in the Miami region dates back approximately 12,000 years.
– The Tequesta people were the inhabitants at the time of European contact.
– The Tequesta engaged in fishing, hunting, gathering, and some agriculture.
– They created the Miami Circle, an archaeological site.
– The Tequesta population declined due to European-introduced diseases.
– Juan Ponce de León was the first European to visit the area in 1513.
– Pedro Menéndez de Avilés made the first recorded landing in 1566.
– Spanish soldiers built a Jesuit mission at the mouth of the Miami River.
– Permanent European settlers arrived in the early 19th century.
– The area was affected by the Second Seminole War.
– Dade County was created in 1836 and named after Major Francis L. Dade.
– The county seat was initially at Indian Key and later moved to Miami.
– The Florida Keys were part of Dade County but later returned to Monroe County.
– Palm Beach County was formed from northern Dade County in 1909.
– Broward County was created from portions of Dade and Palm Beach Counties in 1915.
– Hurricane Andrew struck Miami in 1992, causing significant damage.
– It was the third-costliest natural disaster in U.S. history at the time.
– The southern part of the county was most affected by the hurricane.
– Recovery took years in the hardest-hit areas.
– Hurricane Andrew was surpassed as the costliest natural disaster by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
– On November 13, 1997, voters changed the name of the county from Dade County to Miami-Dade County.
Geography and Communities
– Miami-Dade County has an area of 2,431 square miles, with 1,898 square miles of land and 533 square miles of water.
– It is the third-largest county in Florida by land area and second-largest by total area.
– The county is mostly surrounded by the Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
– Miami-Dade County is located on the eastern edge of the Florida Platform.
– The region is geologically new and composed of Oolite limestone and Bryozoa.
– Miami-Dade County includes 34 incorporated areas, 38 census-designated places, and 16 unincorporated regions.
– The county is home to diverse communities with different cultural backgrounds.
– Each community has its own unique characteristics and attractions.
– The county offers a wide range of residential, commercial, and recreational opportunities.
– The communities contribute to the vibrant and diverse culture of Miami-Dade County.
– Miami-Dade County is bordered by Broward County to the north.
– The southwest part of the county is adjacent to Monroe County.
– Collier County is located to the northwest of Miami-Dade County.
– These adjacent counties have their own distinct features and attractions.
– Miami-Dade County shares borders with other counties, providing opportunities for regional collaboration and development.
– Miami-Dade County is home to several national protected areas.
– Big Cypress National Preserve is one of the protected areas in the county.
– Biscayne National Park is another important natural area in Miami-Dade County.
– Everglades National Park, known for its unique ecosystem, is partially located in the county.
Demographics and 2010 U.S. Census
– Miami-Dade County has experienced significant population growth over the years.
– The county’s population has become more diverse, with various racial and ethnic groups.
– The majority of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
– The county has a higher foreign-born population compared to the national average.
– Miami-Dade County has a mix of age groups, with a significant proportion of residents in the working-age range.
– Hispanic or Latino of any race: 65.0%
– White (non-Hispanic): 15.4%
– Black (non-Hispanic): 17.1%
– Asian: 1.5%
– Two or more races: 2.4%
– Cubans: largest population of immigrants
– Colombians: second largest population of immigrants
– Haitians: third largest population of immigrants
– Nicaraguans: fourth largest population of immigrants
– Dominicans, Venezuelans, Peruvians, Jamaicans, Mexicans, and Argentinians: among the highest group of immigrants
– Small communities of Brazilians, Portuguese, Spaniards, Ukrainians, and Poles
– Canadians (including Francophone from Quebec), French, Germans, and other Europeans
– British expatriates and Israelis
– Diverse range of ethnicities and cultures present in Miami-Dade County
– 30.6% of households have children under 18
– 43.8% of households are married couples living together
– 18.8% of households have a female householder with no husband present
– 30.5% of households are non-families
– 23.6% of households are made up of individuals
– 21.9% of the population is under 18 years old
– 9.9% of the population is between 18 and 24 years old
– 28.6% of the population is between 25 and 44 years old
– 25.6% of the population is between 45 and 64 years old
– 14.1% of the population is 65 years old or older
– Median household income: $43,605
– Median family income: $50,065
– Median income for males: $35,096
– MedianSources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami-Dade_County,_Florida
