West Miami, Florida
Encyclopedia
West Miami is a city
in Miami-Dade County
, Florida
, United States
. The population was 5,863 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²), all land.
(Miami)
In 1947 four businessmen decided to incorporate the city when Dade County wanted to reduce the cocktail hours and ban gambling rooms. The four businessmen, along with a group of residents, decided they didn't want to lose their extended cocktail hours and gambling rooms. They each invested approximately $400 then debated on a name for the city.
Among the suggested names were West Haven, West Gate and West Miami.
However, these businessmen weren't the only ones that contributed to the birth of the city. Towards the end of World War II, when Florida was beginning to develop, land was being given away by the government as an incentive for people to settle there. Many soldiers returning from the war took advantage of the free lots and built their homes in West Miami.
Incorporated as a town with only 700 residents, West Miami now stands as a city with 6,132 residents, a 4% increase since the 2000 census. Like the Little Havana neighborhood of the city of Miami, the majority of the city of West Miami, 84% according to the U.S. census, consists of Hispanics.
Since its modest beginnings, West Miami has maintained a high standard for residential and business community.
“The city is unique because of its residential component and family atmosphere,” said Yolanda Aguilar, a City Manager.
Though a small city, during the 1990s West Miami accomplished many capital projects such as sidewalk replacement projects, tree beautification projects, new parking in front of City Hall and the purchase of a new storm water truck.
The small city is surrounded by the larger neighbors: Coral Gables and Miami.
of 2000, there were 5,863 people, 2,062 households, and 1,587 families residing in the city. The population density
was 8,241.5 inhabitants per square mile (3,188.3/km²). There were 2,112 housing units at an average density of 2,968.8 per square mile (1,148.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.98% White (15% were Non-Hispanic White,) 0.82% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.04% Asian, 3.41% from other races
, and 3.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 84.04% of the population.
There were 2,062 households out of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples
living together, 17.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.0% were non-families. 18.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city the population was spread out with 18.4% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 25.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 83.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,910, and the median income for a family was $39,000. Males had a median income of $26,875 versus $26,013 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,850. About 7.6% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2000, Spanish
as a first language
was at 87.38% of residents, while English
spoken as the mother tongue was 12.61% of the population.
As of 2000, West Miami had the fourth highest percentage of Cuba
n residents in the US, with 61.61% of the populace. It had the tenth highest percentage of Nicaragua
n residents in the US, at 2.98% of the city's population, and the eighty-first highest percentage of Colombia
n residents in the US, at 1.91% of its population (tied with Palm Springs, FL
.) It also had the thirty-first most Hondurans
in the US, at 1.25%, while it had the fifty-eighth highest percentage of Peru
vians, at 1.04% of all residents.
Vice Mayor: Juan M. Blanes
City Commission:
Luciano L. Suarez
Candida Blanca
Elsa J. Vasquez
City Manager: Yolanda Aguilar
City Clerk: Annery Gonzalez
City Attorney: Jose A. Villalobos
Solid Waste Department - Garbage Collection Days: Tuesday & Friday
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 5,863 at the 2000 census.
Geography
West Miami is located at 25°45′26"N 80°17′48"W (25.757177, -80.296772).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 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²), all land.
Surrounding areas
FlagamiFlagami, Florida
Flagami is a neighborhood in the Miami, Florida, United States, roughly defined as south and east of the Tamiami Canal, north of the Tamiami Trail , and west of Red Road , bisected by Flagler Street....
(Miami)
- FlagamiFlagami, FloridaFlagami is a neighborhood in the Miami, Florida, United States, roughly defined as south and east of the Tamiami Canal, north of the Tamiami Trail , and west of Red Road , bisected by Flagler Street....
(Miami)
FlagamiFlagami, FloridaFlagami is a neighborhood in the Miami, Florida, United States, roughly defined as south and east of the Tamiami Canal, north of the Tamiami Trail , and west of Red Road , bisected by Flagler Street....
(Miami) Coral TerraceCoral Terrace, FloridaCoral 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, 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....
Coral TerraceCoral Terrace, FloridaCoral 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, 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....
Coral TerraceCoral Terrace, FloridaCoral 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 ....
History
The city of West Miami, which is only three-quarters of a square mile, is nestled between Tamiami Trail and Coral Way.In 1947 four businessmen decided to incorporate the city when Dade County wanted to reduce the cocktail hours and ban gambling rooms. The four businessmen, along with a group of residents, decided they didn't want to lose their extended cocktail hours and gambling rooms. They each invested approximately $400 then debated on a name for the city.
Among the suggested names were West Haven, West Gate and West Miami.
However, these businessmen weren't the only ones that contributed to the birth of the city. Towards the end of World War II, when Florida was beginning to develop, land was being given away by the government as an incentive for people to settle there. Many soldiers returning from the war took advantage of the free lots and built their homes in West Miami.
Incorporated as a town with only 700 residents, West Miami now stands as a city with 6,132 residents, a 4% increase since the 2000 census. Like the Little Havana neighborhood of the city of Miami, the majority of the city of West Miami, 84% according to the U.S. census, consists of Hispanics.
Since its modest beginnings, West Miami has maintained a high standard for residential and business community.
“The city is unique because of its residential component and family atmosphere,” said Yolanda Aguilar, a City Manager.
Though a small city, during the 1990s West Miami accomplished many capital projects such as sidewalk replacement projects, tree beautification projects, new parking in front of City Hall and the purchase of a new storm water truck.
The small city is surrounded by the larger neighbors: Coral Gables and Miami.
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 5,863 people, 2,062 households, and 1,587 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 8,241.5 inhabitants per square mile (3,188.3/km²). There were 2,112 housing units at an average density of 2,968.8 per square mile (1,148.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.98% White (15% were Non-Hispanic White,) 0.82% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.04% Asian, 3.41% 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 3.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 84.04% of the population.
There were 2,062 households out of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% 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, 17.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.0% were non-families. 18.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city the population was spread out with 18.4% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 25.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 83.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,910, and the median income for a family was $39,000. Males had a median income of $26,875 versus $26,013 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 $17,850. About 7.6% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2000, 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...
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...
was at 87.38% of residents, while 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...
spoken as the mother tongue was 12.61% of the population.
As of 2000, West Miami had the fourth 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 61.61% of the populace. It had the tenth 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 2.98% of the city's population, and the eighty-first 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...
n residents in the US, at 1.91% of its population (tied with Palm Springs, FL
Palm Springs, Florida
Palm Springs is a village in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The population was 11,699 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 14,690.-Geography:Palm Springs is located at ....
.) It also had the thirty-first most Hondurans
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
in the US, at 1.25%, while it had the fifty-eighth highest percentage of Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
vians, at 1.04% of all residents.
Leadership
City Mayor: Eduardo H. MuhiñaVice Mayor: Juan M. Blanes
City Commission:
Luciano L. Suarez
Candida Blanca
Elsa J. Vasquez
City Manager: Yolanda Aguilar
City Clerk: Annery Gonzalez
City Attorney: Jose A. Villalobos
Crime
The number of violent crimes recorded by the FBI in 2003 was 22. The number of murders and homicides was 0. The violent crime rate was 3.6 per 1,000 people.City Information
- West Miami City Hall—Website under construction -- (305) 266-1122. 901 Sw 62nd Ave, West Miami, FL 33144
- City of West Miami Police Department
Solid Waste Department - Garbage Collection Days: Tuesday & Friday