South Miami, Florida
Encyclopedia
South Miami is a Miami suburban city
in Miami-Dade County
, Florida
, United States
. The population was 10,741 at the 2000 census and as of 2007, according to the U.S. Census Bureau is 10,769.
South Miami's central business district
is directly served by the Miami Metrorail
at the South Miami
on Sunset Drive, connecting the suburb to downtown Kendall
, Downtown Miami
, and Miami Central Station
at Miami International Airport
in 2012
.
.
In 1926, area residents wanted to incorporate their area, and because of the booming city to the north of them, they chose the name of "South Miami". The original town boundaries were Red Road on the east, Kendall Drive to the south, Palmetto Road to the west (now Palmetto Expressway), and Bird Road to the north. The year 1926 also saw the first incoming class of freshmen at the newly chartered University of Miami
campus, which abuts the city of South Miami eastern boundary along Red Road (SW 57th Avenue). Also founded with a university theme that same year was the Cambridge Lawns
neighborhood of South Miami, situated just 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from the university campus. The neighborhood's Cambridge Lawns Historic District, some 30 homes in the Tudor Revival and Mediterranean revival style completed in 1928, were granted historic recognition by the City of South Miami in 2005.
In 1933, the original six square miles of South Miami were reduced to just over three miles (5 km) due to an effort to reduce municipal responsibilities. The city's size was reduced again in 1937, and many of the northern city residents sued to get out of the city. This is why the city of South Miami has the most irregular boundaries of any city in Miami-Dade County today.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6 km²), all land.
, Unincorporated Miami-Dade County
, Coral Terrace
Coral Terrace
Coral Gables
of 2000, there were 10,741 people, 4,301 households, and 2,593 families residing in the city. The population density
was 4,680.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,811.0/km²). There were 4,457 housing units at an average density of 1,942.2 per square mile (751.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.84% White (38.9% were Non-Hispanic Whites,) 24.70% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.75% from other races
, and 2.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 34.37% of the population.
There were 4,301 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were married couples
living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.7% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.7% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,488, and the median income for a family was $57,791. Males had a median income of $37,250 versus $29,772 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $24,526. About 8.9% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.0% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2000, speakers of English
as a first language
accounted for 59.69% of residents, while Spanish
speakers consisted of 37.45%, and speakers of French
as the mother tongue made up 1.25% of the population.
As of 2000, South Miami had the twenty-sixth highest percentage of Cuba
n residents in the US, with 19.58% of the populace, while it had the fortieth highest percentage of Nicaragua
n residents in the US, at 1.04% of the city's population (tied with Richmond Heights, FL
and Lake Butler, FL
.) It's also home to the ninety-third highest percentage of Colombia
ns, which was 1.77% of all residents (tied with Princeton, FL
and Westchester, FL
.)
in South Miami, and by the Red Sunset Merchants Association of South Miami.
The Consulate-General of Mexico in Miami
is located at 5975 Southwest 72nd Street (Sunset Drive) in South Miami.
}} South Miami
(SW 72nd Street and U.S. 1)
serves South Miami
South Miami is also home to the Miami Conservatory
. Founded in 1949, it is Miami's oldest and best known ballet school.
South Miami City Government as of February 9, 2010
Mayor of South Miami
Horace G. Feliu(i) 634
Philip K. Stoddard 910
Commissioner Group I
Levy Kelly 484
Valerie Newman(i) 914
Commissioner Group IV
Javier Baños 301
Walter A. Harris 806
Janet Launcelott 383
Charter Amendment
Changing the process by which members of boards and committees are chosen:
Yes 1037
No 346
Also, Valerie Newman was also appointed as the Vice Mayor until the next General Election, scheduled for February 14, 2012, because she was elected with the most votes.
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County, Florida
Miami-Dade County is a county located in the southeastern part of the state of Florida. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 2,496,435, making it the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 10,741 at the 2000 census and as of 2007, according to the U.S. Census Bureau is 10,769.
South Miami's central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
is directly served by the Miami Metrorail
Metrorail (Miami)
The Miami Metrorail, officially Metrorail and commonly called the Metro, is the heavy rail rapid transit system of Miami, Florida, United States, serving the Miami metropolitan area. The Metro is operated by Miami-Dade Transit, a departmental agency of Miami-Dade County...
at the South Miami
South Miami (Metrorail station)
South Miami is a Metrorail station in Miami, Florida, immediately east of South Miami city proper.This station is located at the intersection of South Dixie Highway and Sunset Drive , opening to service May 20, 1984....
on Sunset Drive, connecting the suburb to downtown Kendall
Dadeland, Florida
Dadeland is an urban neighborhood in the metropolitan Miami suburb of Kendall, Florida, United States.-History:Development in the-then desolate area began in earnest in 1960 with the completion of Palmetto Expressway and Dadeland Mall, the largest shopping mall in Greater Miami at the time...
, Downtown Miami
Downtown Miami
Downtown Miami is an urban residential neighborhood, and the central business district of Miami, Miami-Dade County, and South Florida in the United States...
, and Miami Central Station
Miami Central Station
Miami Central Station, also called Miami Airport Station, is a rapid transit, commuter rail, intercity rail, and intercity bus union station currently under construction in Miami, Florida, United States, in the Grapeland Heights neighborhood....
at Miami International Airport
Miami International Airport
Miami International Airport , also known as MIA and historically Wilcox Field, is the primary airport serving the South Florida area...
in 2012
2012 in rail transport
- Events : 14 January – Construction is expected to be completed on the Marina Bay Extension of the Circle MRT Line. 31 January – First Group/Keolis' First TransPennine Express franchise, First TransPennine Express, expires 4 February – National Express's East Anglia franchise expires 31 March –...
.
History
An early land owner of the area, W.A. Larkins owned property west of Red Road and Sunset Drive. He built the first grocery store in the area, and as the community grew, a post office was placed in the community. Larkins became the first Postmaster, and the community took the name of "Larkins". A depot was placed along the Florida East Coast RailwayFlorida East Coast Railway
The Florida East Coast Railway is a Class II railroad operating in the U.S. state of Florida; in the past, it has been a Class I railroad.Built primarily in the last quarter of the 19th century and the first decade of the 20th century, the FEC was a project of Standard Oil principal Henry Morrison...
.
In 1926, area residents wanted to incorporate their area, and because of the booming city to the north of them, they chose the name of "South Miami". The original town boundaries were Red Road on the east, Kendall Drive to the south, Palmetto Road to the west (now Palmetto Expressway), and Bird Road to the north. The year 1926 also saw the first incoming class of freshmen at the newly chartered University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
campus, which abuts the city of South Miami eastern boundary along Red Road (SW 57th Avenue). Also founded with a university theme that same year was the Cambridge Lawns
Cambridge Lawns
Cambridge Lawns is a residential neighborhood of single-family homes near the University of Miami and joined by proximity and a common front onto tree-lined Broad Canal , a waterway of the City of South Miami in Miami-Dade County, Florida....
neighborhood of South Miami, situated just 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from the university campus. The neighborhood's Cambridge Lawns Historic District, some 30 homes in the Tudor Revival and Mediterranean revival style completed in 1928, were granted historic recognition by the City of South Miami in 2005.
In 1933, the original six square miles of South Miami were reduced to just over three miles (5 km) due to an effort to reduce municipal responsibilities. The city's size was reduced again in 1937, and many of the northern city residents sued to get out of the city. This is why the city of South Miami has the most irregular boundaries of any city in Miami-Dade County today.
Geography
South Miami is located at 25°42′37"N 80°17′43"W (25.710279, -80.295170).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6 km²), all land.
Surrounding areas
Glenvar HeightsGlenvar Heights, Florida
Glenvar Heights is a census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 16,898 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Glenvar Heights is located at ....
, Unincorporated Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County, Florida
Miami-Dade County is a county located in the southeastern part of the state of Florida. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 2,496,435, making it the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States...
, Coral Terrace
Coral Terrace, Florida
Coral Terrace is an unincorporated suburban community and census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 24,376 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Coral Terrace is located at ....
Coral Terrace
Coral Terrace, Florida
Coral Terrace is an unincorporated suburban community and census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 24,376 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Coral Terrace is located at ....
Coral GablesCoral Gables, Florida
Coral Gables is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, southwest of Downtown Miami, in the United States. The city is home to the University of Miami....
- Unincorporated Miami-Dade CountyMiami-Dade County, FloridaMiami-Dade County is a county located in the southeastern part of the state of Florida. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 2,496,435, making it the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States...
, Glenvar HeightsGlenvar Heights, FloridaGlenvar Heights is a census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 16,898 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Glenvar Heights is located at ....
Coral GablesCoral Gables, FloridaCoral Gables is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, southwest of Downtown Miami, in the United States. The city is home to the University of Miami....
, Unincorporated Miami-Dade CountyMiami-Dade County, FloridaMiami-Dade County is a county located in the southeastern part of the state of Florida. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 2,496,435, making it the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States...
Glenvar HeightsGlenvar Heights, FloridaGlenvar Heights is a census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 16,898 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Glenvar Heights is located at ....
, PinecrestPinecrest, FloridaPinecrest is a suburban village in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States of America. The population was 19,055 as of the census of 2000. Pinecrest is governed by a five-member Village Council and operates under the Council-Manager form of government....
Coral GablesCoral Gables, FloridaCoral Gables is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, southwest of Downtown Miami, in the United States. The city is home to the University of Miami....
Glenvar HeightsGlenvar Heights, FloridaGlenvar Heights is a census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 16,898 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Glenvar Heights is located at ....
, PinecrestPinecrest, FloridaPinecrest is a suburban village in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States of America. The population was 19,055 as of the census of 2000. Pinecrest is governed by a five-member Village Council and operates under the Council-Manager form of government....
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 10,741 people, 4,301 households, and 2,593 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 4,680.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,811.0/km²). There were 4,457 housing units at an average density of 1,942.2 per square mile (751.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.84% White (38.9% were Non-Hispanic Whites,) 24.70% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.75% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 34.37% of the population.
There were 4,301 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.7% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.7% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,488, and the median income for a family was $57,791. Males had a median income of $37,250 versus $29,772 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $24,526. About 8.9% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.0% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2000, speakers of English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
as a first language
First language
A first language is the language a person has learned from birth or within the critical period, or that a person speaks the best and so is often the basis for sociolinguistic identity...
accounted for 59.69% of residents, while Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
speakers consisted of 37.45%, and speakers of French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
as the mother tongue made up 1.25% of the population.
As of 2000, South Miami had the twenty-sixth highest percentage of Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n residents in the US, with 19.58% of the populace, while it had the fortieth highest percentage of Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
n residents in the US, at 1.04% of the city's population (tied with Richmond Heights, FL
Richmond Heights, Florida
Richmond Heights is a census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 8,479 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Richmond Heights is located at ....
and Lake Butler, FL
Lake Butler, Florida
Lake Butler, Florida may refer to the following places:* Lake Butler, Orange County, Florida* Lake Butler, Union County, Florida...
.) It's also home to the ninety-third highest percentage of Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
ns, which was 1.77% of all residents (tied with Princeton, FL
Princeton, Florida
Princeton is a census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 10,090 at the 2000 census.- History :...
and Westchester, FL
Westchester, Florida
Westchester is a census-designated place in suburban Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 29,862 at the 2010 census....
.)
Economy
The South Miami business community is served by Chamber South, with offices at 6410 S.W. 80 Streetin South Miami, and by the Red Sunset Merchants Association of South Miami.
The Consulate-General of Mexico in Miami
Diplomatic missions of Mexico
This is a list of diplomatic missions of Mexico, excluding honorary consulates. Mexico's foreign service started in 1822, the year after the signing of the Treaty of Cordoba which marked the beginning of Mexico's independence...
is located at 5975 Southwest 72nd Street (Sunset Drive) in South Miami.
Transportation
South Miami is served by Metrobus throughout the area, and by the Miami Metrorail at:}} South Miami
South Miami (Metrorail station)
South Miami is a Metrorail station in Miami, Florida, immediately east of South Miami city proper.This station is located at the intersection of South Dixie Highway and Sunset Drive , opening to service May 20, 1984....
(SW 72nd Street and U.S. 1)
Media
South Miami is served by the Miami market, for local Radio and Television. South Miami is served by two newspapers: the daily Miami Herald, which publishes a weekly zoned "Neighbors" section, serving South Miami and adjacent communities; and, the weekly The South Miami News, part of the Community Newspapers chain.Education
Miami-Dade County Public SchoolsMiami-Dade County Public Schools
Miami-Dade County Public Schools is a public school district serving Miami-Dade County, Florida. Founded in 1885, it is the largest school district in Florida and the Southeastern United States, and the fourth largest in the United States, with a student enrollment of 380,006 as of July 5, 2010...
serves South Miami
- South Miami Elementary SchoolSouth Miami Elementary SchoolSouth Miami Elementary School is a primary school for grades kindergarten-K5 in South Miami, Florida. It offers magnet programs in art, music, dance and drama for grades 3-5. In 2005 the enrollment was 573 students....
- South Miami Middle School
- South Miami High SchoolSouth Miami High SchoolSouth Miami Senior High School is a high school located at 6856 SW 53rd Street in Miami, Florida, in the United States. Its principal is Gilberto Bonce.The school is about a mile and a half west of the University of Miami...
South Miami is also home to the Miami Conservatory
Miami Conservatory
The Miami Conservatory is a school of ballet and classical dance, located in South Miami, Florida. Founded in 1949 by Thomas Armour, it is the oldest school of ballet in South Florida....
. Founded in 1949, it is Miami's oldest and best known ballet school.
Structure
South Miami uses a city manager form of government. The Commission sets the policies and the City Manager acts as the chief executive. Commissioners are elected to four-year terms and the Mayor is elected to a two-year term. The Mayor heads the meeting and previously made appointments, with approval by the commission, to various city boards; however this provision was modified to give all commissioners the right to appoint with consent of the board on February 9, 2010. Elections are held on the second Tuesday in February in even numbered years for the Mayor and half of the Commissioners. The Commissioner receiving the most votes is also given the title of Vice Mayor for the first two years of the term. The next election is scheduled for Valentine's Day, 2012.South Miami City Government as of February 9, 2010
- Mayor: Philip Stoddard
- Vice Mayor: Valerie Newman (Vice Mayor till 2012, Commissioner until 2014)
- Commissioner: Velma Palmer (Election 2012)
- Commissioner: Brian Beasley (Election 2012)
- Commissioner: Walter Harris (Election 2014)
- Acting City Manager: Buford R. "Randy" Witt
Recent Election Results
Elections Results for February 9, 2010Mayor of South Miami
Horace G. Feliu(i) 634
Philip K. Stoddard 910
Commissioner Group I
Levy Kelly 484
Valerie Newman(i) 914
Commissioner Group IV
Javier Baños 301
Walter A. Harris 806
Janet Launcelott 383
Charter Amendment
Changing the process by which members of boards and committees are chosen:
Yes 1037
No 346
Also, Valerie Newman was also appointed as the Vice Mayor until the next General Election, scheduled for February 14, 2012, because she was elected with the most votes.
External links
- City of South Miami official website
- South Miami Green Task Force South Miami Green Task Force