Broward County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2016, the population was 1,909,632, making it the second-most populous county in Florida and the 17th-most populous in the United States. Its county seat is Fort Lauderdale. Broward County is part of the Miami metropolitan area, which was home to an estimated 6,012,331 people at the 2015 census.
History
Although the area has been settled since about 1400 B.C., Broward County was founded on April 30, 1915. It was originally intended to be named Everglades County, but then-Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Ion Farris amended the bill that established the county to be named in honor of Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, Governor of Florida from 1905 to 1909. Throughout his term as Governor, Broward championed Everglades drainage and was later remembered for his campaign to turn the Everglades into “useful landâ€. This opened up much of today's urban Broward County for development, first as agricultural land and later as residential. A year before Broward became Governor, Dania became the first incorporated community of what is now Broward County, followed by Pompano during his term in 1908, and Fort Lauderdale in 1911 shortly after his term had ended.
In 1915, Palm Beach County and Dade County contributed nearly equal portions of land to create Broward County. Broward County began a huge development boom after its incorporation, with the first "tourist hotel", in Fort Lauderdale, opening in 1919. A year later, developers began dredging wetlands in the county in order to create island communities. By 1925, the boom was considered to have reached its peak, but a 1926 hurricane caused economic depression in the county. The County saw another population and development boom post-World War II where the transformation from agricultural to urbanized residential area began, and another boom between the 1950's and the late 1960's. The effects of a national recession hit the county in 1974 and the population growth finally slowed. The structure of county government was signed into law in 1975 with the passage of the Broward County charter. In 1977 a Land Use Plan was passed and was a major step in limiting urban sprawl.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,323 square miles (3,430Â km2), of which 1,210 square miles (3,100Â km2) is land and 113 square miles (290Â km2) (8.5%) is water.
Broward County has an average elevation of six feet (1.8 m) above sea level. It is rather new geologically and located at the eastern edge of the Florida Platform, a carbonate plateau created millions of years ago. Broward County is composed of Oolite limestone while western Broward is composed mostly of Bryozoa. Broward is among the last areas of Florida to be created and populated with fauna and flora, mostly in the Pleistocene.
Of developable land in Broward County, approximately 471 square miles (1,219.9Â km2), the majority is built upon, as the urban area is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Everglades Wildlife Management Area to the west. Within developable land, Broward County has a population density of 3740 per square mile (1,444 per square kilometer).
Broward approved the construction of Osborne Reef, an artificial reef made of tires off the Fort Lauderdale beach, but it has proven an environmental disaster.
Adjacent counties
- Palm Beach County - north
- Miami-Dade County - south
- Collier County - west
- Hendry County - northwest
Demographics
2015 5-Year American Community Survey
HOUSEHOLDS & FAMILIES
As of the 2015 5-year ACS, Broward County had 1,843,152 people, 670,284 households, and 425,680 families. Of the 670,284 households in Broward County, 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.43.
AGE
In the county, the population was spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.7 males.
RACE, ANCESTRY & NATIONALITY
The racial makeup of the county was 62.3% White, 17.1% Hispanic, 12.2% Black or African American, 5.07% Asian, 2.20% from two or more races, 0.66% Native American, 0.16% Pacific Islander, and 0.20% from some other race. The racial makeup of the total Hispanic population in Broward County was: 65.8% White, 2.06 % Black or African American, 0.90% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.86% Pacific Islander, 26.23% were some other race and 4.57% were from two or more races. In 2015, with relation to ancestry (excluding the various Hispanic and Latino ancestries), 7.38% were Italian, 7.70% American, 6.44% German, 6.54% Irish, and 0.68% English ancestry. Also, among West Indians, 6.33% were Haitian and 5.96% were Jamaican. In 2015, 32.2% of the county’s population was foreign born, with 18.14 % being naturalized American citizens. Of foreign born residents, 78.9% were born in Latin America, 7.88% were born in Europe, 8.52% born in Asia, 3.11% in North America, 1.34% born in Africa and 0.15 were born in Oceania.
INCOME
As of the 2015 5-year ACS, the median income for a household in the county was $51,968, and the median income for a family was $61,809. Of full-time workers, males had a median income of $46,372 versus $39,690 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,381. About 11.2Â % of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.9% of those under the age 18 and 12.6% of those aged 65 or over.
2010 Census
U.S. Census Bureau 2010 Ethnic/Race Demographics:
- White (non-Hispanic)Â : 42.5% (8.7% Irish, 8.2% Italian, 7.9% German, 5.0% English, 3.2% Polish, 2.7% Russian, 1.9% French, 1.0% Scottish, 0.8% Dutch, 0.8% Scotch-Irish, 0.8% Hungarian, 0.6% Swedish, 0.6% French Canadian, 0.5% Greek)(63.1% when including White Hispanics)
- Black (non-Hispanic) (136.7% when including Black Hispanics): 137.7%(12.8% West Indian/Afro-Caribbean American [5.7% Haitian, 5.3% Jamaican, 0.4% Trinidadian and Tobagonian, 0.4% Other or Unspecified West Indian, 0.3% Bahamian, 0.2% British West Indian, 0.1% Barbadian,] 0.8% Subsaharan African)
- Hispanic or Latino of any race: 26.1% (4.8% Cuban, 4.3% Puerto Rican, 3.8% Colombian, 1.7% Mexican, 1.6% Dominican, 1.4% Peruvian, 1.3% Venezuelan, 0.7% Ecuadoran, 0.7% Honduran, 0.6% Argentinean, 0.5% Nicaraguan, 0.5% Salvadoran)
- Asian: 3.2% (1.2% Indian, 0.6% Chinese, 0.5% Other Asian, 0.4% Filipino, 0.3% Vietnamese, 0.1% Japanese, 0.1% Korean)
- Two or more races: 2.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3%
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0.1%
- Other Races: 3.7% (0.7% Arab)
In 2010, 4.7% of the population considered themselves to be of only "American" ancestry (regardless of race or ethnicity.)
As of 2010, Haitians made up the largest population of immigrants, with Jamaicans coming in second, Colombians in third, followed by Cuban exiled refugees in fourth place, then Peruvians, Venezuelans, Brazilians, Dominicans, Canadians, and Mexicans being the tenth highest group of expatriates. The county also houses many British, French, German, and Spanish expatriates.
There were 810,388 households out of which 28.61% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.80% were married couples living together, 15.28% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.67% were non-families. 28.79% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.07% (3.31% male and 7.76% female) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.14.
The age distribution is 22.4% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.7 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $51,694, and the median income for a family was $62,619. Males had a median income of $44,935 versus $36,813 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,631. About 9.1% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.2% of those under age 18 and 12.2% of those aged 65 or over.
In 2010, 30.9% of the county's population was foreign born, with 49.2% being naturalized American citizens. Of foreign born residents, 77.4% were born in Latin America, 9.0% were born in Europe, 8.4% born in Asia, 3.5% in North America, 1.6% born in Africa, and 0.1% were born in Oceania.
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Broward County is the 9th largest county with same sex households. As of the 2010 Census, there were 9,125 same sex households out of a total of 686,047 households (1.33%).
2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,623,018 people, 654,445 households, and 411,645 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,346 people per square mile (520/km²). There were 741,043 housing units at an average density of 615 per square mile (237/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 70.57% White (58% were Non-Hispanic), 20.54% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 2.25% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 3.00% from other races, and 3.35% from two or more races. 16.74% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
In 2000, with relation to ancestry (excluding the various Hispanic and Latino ancestries), 9.4% were Italian, 7.4% American, 6.8% German, 6.7% Irish, and 4% English ancestry. Also, among West Indians, 5.99% were Haitian and were 5.91% Jamaican. Broward was the only county in the nation outside the Northeast in which Italian-Americans formed the largest ethnic group in 2000. They are concentrated mainly in the Pompano Beach area.
There were 654,445 households out of which 29.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and % had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $41,691, and the median income for a family was $50,531. Males had a median income of $36,741 versus $28,529 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,170. About 8.7% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.3% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2005, Broward County led the nation's metropolitan areas in new AIDS diagnoses, with a reported rate 58.4 new AIDS diagnoses per 100,000 people. County officials think the numbers may stem from a new and successful HIV testing campaign that has resulted in many people being diagnosed with AIDS at the same time they've been diagnosed with HIV. Without the implementation of the new testing campaign, the reported numbers of new diagnoses would have probably been lower.
Languages
As of 2010, 63.44% of all residents spoke English as their first language, while 22.22% spoke Spanish, 5.42% French Creole (mostly Haitian Creole,) 1.48% Portuguese, 1.41% French, and 0.59% of the population spoke Italian as their mother language. In total, 36.56% of the population spoke languages other than English as their primary language. Since many immigrants are coming from the Anglophone Caribbean, where English is spoken, the change is not as fast as the rate of immigration would suggest.
Education
Primary and secondary schools
Broward County Schools has the sixth largest school district in the country and the second largest in the state after Dade.
Regionally accredited Colleges and universities
- Broward College
- Florida Atlantic University Campus Locations - Main Campus in Palm Beach County
- Nova Southeastern University
- Keiser University
Other Adult Education Providers
- DeVry University
- University of Phoenix
- The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale
- Florida Career College
- Brown Mackie College
- Atlantic Technical Center and Technical High School
- McFatter Technical College and Technical High School
- Sheridan Technical College and Technical High School
Public libraries
The Broward County Library is one of the largest public library systems in the country, comprising 41 branch locations. There are also five municipal public libraries in the county that are not part of the Broward County Library: Ethel M. Gordon Oakland Park Library, Lighthouse Point Library, Helen B. Hoffman Plantation Library, and Parkland Public Library.
Government
The Broward County Charter provides for a separation between the legislative and administrative functions of government. The Board of County Commissioners is the legislative branch of Broward County Government. The County Commission is composed of nine members elected by district. Each Commissioner must be a resident of the district for which he or she seeks election. Each year the Commission elects a Mayor and Vice Mayor. The Mayor's functions include serving as presiding officer, and as the County's official representative. The Commission appoints the County Administrator, County Attorney and County Auditor. The Commission also appoints numerous advisory and regulatory boards.
The County Commission meets in formal session the first four Tuesdays of each month at 10:00Â a.m. in Room 422 of the Broward County Governmental Center. Over 507,000 cable subscribers in Broward County have access to Government-access television (GATV) coverage of Commission meetings, which are broadcast live beginning at 10:00Â a.m. each Tuesday, and rebroadcast at 5:30Â p.m. the following Friday. Meetings can also be viewed via webcasting at www.broward.org.
Economy
Silver Airways has its headquarters on the property of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in an unincorporated area. Other companies with headquarters in unincorporated areas include Locair.
When Chalk's International Airlines existed, its headquarters was on the grounds of the airport in an unincorporated area. When Bimini Island Air existed, its headquarters were in an unincorporated area.
Politics
Voter Registration
According to the Secretary of State's office, Democrats maintain a majority among registered voters in Broward County. The county is also one of the few counties in the state where Independents outnumber Republicans among registrants.
Statewide Elections
Over the past 50 years, Broward County has gone from solidly Republican to solidly Democratic. In the 1964 presidential election for example, the county supported Barry Goldwater by a 56-44 margin, even as he lost in a landslide nationwide, and in the 1972 presidential election, Broward County voters strongly backed Richard Nixon over George McGovern. From the 1976 presidential election onward, however, voters of Broward County have supported the Democratic presidential nominee over the Republican nominee by increasing majorities, except in the three Republican landslide elections of the 80s. Broward County is now the most reliably Democratic county in the state, with the exception of the much less populous and majority African American Gadsden County in North Florida. This change in voting tendencies can be attributed to the large migrations of middle and upper-class snowbirds and transplants from more liberal states, a growing LGBT community, liberal positions on social issues such as abortion and gun control, and naturalized U.S. citizens born in places such as Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, and Asia.
Transportation
Street grid
A street grid stretches throughout Broward County. Most of this grid is loosely based on three primary eastern municipalities, (from South to North) Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, and Pompano Beach. Deerfield Beachâ€"another primary eastern municipalityâ€"has its own street grid, as do two smaller municipalitiesâ€"Dania and Hallandale.
Major expressways
- Interstate 95
- Interstate 75
- Interstate 595 (Port Everglades Expressway)
- Florida's Turnpike
- Homestead Extension
- State Road 869 (Sawgrass Expressway)
Railroads
- Tri-rail and Amtrak run through Broward.
Airports
- Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport
- North Perry Airport
- Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport
- Pompano Beach Airpark
- Downtown Fort Lauderdale Heliport
Public transportation
- Broward County Transit
- Tri-Rail
- Sun Trolley
Greenways System
Construction is underway on a network of recreational trails to connect cities and points of interest in the county.
Communities
Municipality populations are based on the 2015 5-year American Community Survey.
Formerly unincorporated neighborhoods
Points of interest
Museums & Historical Collections
- Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, Fort Lauderdale
- Coral Springs Museum of Art, Coral Springs
- Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum, Fort Lauderdale
- Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, Fort Lauderdale
- Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum, Fort Lauderdale
- NSU Art Museum, Fort Lauderdale
- Plantation Historical Museum, Plantation
- Stranahan House Museum, Fort Lauderdale
- The African-American Research Library & Cultural Center, Fort Lauderdale
- The International Game Fish Association, including the Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, in Dania Beach
- The International Swimming Hall of Fame, located near the Atlantic Ocean, in Fort Lauderdale
- The Museum of Discovery and Science, Downtown Fort Lauderdale
- Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts, Dania Beach
- Young at Art Museum, Davie
Nature & Wildlife Areas
- Anne Knolb Nature Center, Hollywood
- Butterfly World, a botanical sanctuary in Coconut Creek
- Fern Forest Nature Center, Coconut Creek
- Flamingo Gardens, a botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary
- Secret Woods Nature Center, Dania Beach
- Sawgrass Recreation Park
- The Everglades parks, which have multiple entrances in Broward County
Other Areas & Attractions
- Beach Place, a strip of stores, restaurants, and bars across the street from the beach along the Atlantic coast, in Ft. Lauderdale
- Broward Center for the Performing Arts
- Hollywood Boardwalk
- Florida Grand Opera
- Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop (colloquially known to locals as simply the Swap Shop)
- Sawgrass Mills, a large outlet shopping mall in Sunrise
- The BB&T Center in Sunrise, where the NHL's Florida Panthers play their games
- The Festival Flea Market Mall in Pompano Beach, America's largest indoor flea market
- Riverwalk (Fort Lauderdale)
Additionally, with 23 miles of beach, Broward County is a popular destination for scuba diving, snorkeling, and droves of young Spring break tourists from around the world.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Broward County, Florida
- List of tallest buildings in Fort Lauderdale
References
External links
Government links/Constitutional offices
- Broward County Government / Board of County Commissioners
- Broward County Supervisor of Elections
- Broward County Property Appraiser
- Broward County Sheriff's Office
Special Districts
- Broward County Public Schools
- Broward Health (formerly North Broward Hospital District)
- South Broward Hospital District(Memorial Healthcare System)
- South Florida Water Management District
Judicial branch
- Broward County Clerk of Courts
- Broward County Clerk of Courts Records
- Broward County Public Defender
- Broward State Attorney's Office, 17th Judicial Circuit
- Circuit and County Court for the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida
Tourism links
- Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau
- The Waterfront News local newspaper for Broward County, Florida fully and openly available in the Florida Digital Newspaper Library
Official sites
- The Broward Alliance (Broward County's official public/private partnership for economic development)