Homestead, Florida | |
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| Motto(s): "Gateway to Everglades & Biscayne National Parks" & "Discover the Opportunities" | |
 Location inMiami-Dade County and the U.S. state ofFlorida | |
  Homestead Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates:25°28′07″N80°28′39″W / 25.4687224°N 80.4775569°W /25.4687224; -80.4775569 | |
| Country |  United States of America |
| State |  Florida |
| County |  Miami-Dade |
| Incorporated | February 8, 1913 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| • Mayor | Steven D. Losner |
| • Vice Mayor | Sean L. Fletcher |
| • Councilmembers |
|
| • City Manager | Nzeribe (Zerry) Ihekwaba |
| • City Clerk | Elizabeth Sewell |
| Area | |
• Total | 15.58 sq mi (40.36 km2) |
| • Land | 15.09 sq mi (39.07 km2) |
| • Water | 0.50 sq mi (1.29 km2) 0.63% |
| Elevation | 3.3 ft (1 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 80,737 |
| • Density | 5,352.5/sq mi (2,066.63/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 33030–33035, 33039, 33090, 33092 |
| Area codes | 305,786,645 |
| FIPS code | 12-32275[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0284214[2] |
| Website | https://www.homesteadfl.gov www.homesteadfl.gov] |
Homestead is a city withinMiami-Dade County in theU.S. state ofFlorida, betweenBiscayne National Park to the east andEverglades National Park to the west. Homestead is primarily aMiami suburb and a major agricultural area. It is a principal city of theMiami metropolitan area ofSouth Florida, which was home to 6,138,333 people at the2020 census. It is located approximately 26 miles (42 km) southwest of Miami, and 25 miles (40 km) northwest ofKey Largo. The population was 80,737 as of the 2020 census.
The city of Homestead is located near the southern terminus of theHomestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike where it ends at its junction withU.S. 1. Homestead is immediately north and east ofFlorida City, and these two cities comprise the greater Homestead–Florida City area. Some of the notable unincorporated communities in the area areRedland,Leisure City,Naranja, andPrinceton.
In 1898, the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) planned an extension from Miami to Key West, proposing a station 30 miles south of Miami.Henry Flagler, founder of the FEC, agreed and suggested naming the station "Ingraham" after James E. Ingraham who was the vice president and land commissioner for the FEC at the time. Ingraham declined and suggested naming it "Homestead" instead, even though no one had homesteaded in the area at the time. At this time homesteading was ongoing north and northwest of the proposed station in the area that is now known as Redland.[4]
Before the Homestead station was built a railway surveyor named John S. Fredricks laid out a town site around the planned station site on land owned by the FEC. At the time, it was common to plan towns around rail stations in undeveloped areas.[4]
In July 1904, the Florida East Coast Railway opened the first station in what would later become Homestead. In October 1904, a settler and entrepreneur named William D. Horne arrived to homestead and was the first person to buy a lot at the new town site surrounding the railway. Shortly after his arrival, Mr. Horne constructed the first privately owned building in homestead & used it as a store, rooming house & post office. Today that building still stands as the historic Redland Hotel.[5]
Homestead was incorporated in 1913 and is the second oldest city inMiami-Dade County next to the city of Miami. The name originates from when theFlorida East Coast Railway extension toKey West was being built. The rail line was passing through an area opened up forhomesteading, and as the construction camp at the end of the line did not have a particular name, construction materials and supplies for the workers were consigned to "Homestead Country", shortened to "Homestead" by the engineers who mapped the area.[6]
The1926 hurricane and real estate downturn caused many small businesses and banks in Florida to fail. A lot of people left because their homes were destroyed or flooded, and most did not have insurance, facing hefty mortgage payments.[7]
Homestead and neighboring SouthMiami-Dade County communities bore the brunt of Category 5Hurricane Andrew on August 24, 1992.
In 2013, Homestead officially designated itself thegateway community for Biscayne and Everglades National Parks.[8][9]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.4 square miles (37 km2). 14.3 square miles (37 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (0.63%) is water.
Homestead is a small-sized city. At its greatest north–south points – along SW 137th Avenue (Speedway Boulevard) – its city limits extend only 4 miles (6 km) – from SW 288th Street (Biscayne Drive) at the north end to (theoretical) SW 352nd Street at the south end. At its greatest east–west points – along SW 328th Street (North Canal Drive / Lucy Street) – its city limits extend 6 miles (10 km) – from (theoretical) SW 132nd Avenue at the east end to SW 192nd Avenue at the west end. U.S. 1 – known as Homestead Boulevard within the city limits – extends through a rather narrow northeast / southwest corridor of the city from SW 304th Street (Kings Highway) at the north end to SW 328th Street (Lucy Street) at the south end. It is at this point at the south end that Homestead and Florida City share a common border. (North of the north end at SW 304th Street is known as Unincorporated Miami-Dade County, but it is locally known as the community of Leisure City).
Major east–west streets within Homestead include SW 304th Street / NE & NW 15th Street (Kings Highway), SW 312th Street / NE & NW 8th Street (Campbell Drive), SW 320th Street (Mowry Drive), SW 328th Street / SE & SW 8th Street (North Canal Drive / Lucy Street), and SW 344th Street / SE 24th Street (Palm Drive).
The originalHomestead Air Force Base was once located several miles to the northeast of Homestead, but due to annexation of formerly unincorporated land immediately to the east and northeast of the original city limits during the late-1990s the city and the far southwestern perimeter of the (now)Homestead Air Reserve Base share a common border for a small portion along SW 137th Avenue (Speedway Boulevard).
A noteworthy tourist attraction within Leisure City isCoral Castle, built by a jilted lover,Edward Leedskalnin, over the course of 28 years from 1923 to 1951.[10] TheFruit and Spice Park is also of interest.
Homestead experiences atropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classificationAm) that borders on atropical savanna climate (Aw). Summers are hot and humid and high temperatures average between 90° and 92 °F (32° to 33 °C). Winters are warm and dry. The all-time record high temperature is 100 °F (37.8 °C), on July 10, 2023, and August 11, 2023. Lows in summer average between 70 °F (21.1 °C) and 75 °F (23.9 °C), with low temperatures in all times of year averaging 5 degrees cooler than coastal Miami, mainly because of its inland and rural location. In winter, the area sees cold fronts bring cold weather for short periods from November to March. The lowest temperature ever recorded is 26 °F (–3 °C), on 13 December 1934, which was recorded at Homestead Air Force Base, some 10 miles east of the town. High temperatures in winter average between 68° and 80 °F (18° to 26 °C), and lows average between 57° and 64 °F (8° to 14 °C).[11] Summer is the season when most of the rain occurs. Homestead has a wet season lasting from mid-May to early October. The dry season sees some rain, with most of it coming with the passing of cold fronts. Snow flurries were reported to have been observed in the air at Homestead Air Force Base, on January 20, 1977, and marked the farthest south that snow flurries have ever been reported in the lower 48 United States.
| Climate data for Homestead, Florida (Miami Homestead General Aviation Airport), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1910–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 89 (32) | 92 (33) | 93 (34) | 97 (36) | 100 (38) | 100 (38) | 100 (38) | 100 (38) | 98 (37) | 99 (37) | 92 (33) | 90 (32) | 100 (38) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 85.0 (29.4) | 86.7 (30.4) | 89.0 (31.7) | 91.4 (33.0) | 93.4 (34.1) | 94.7 (34.8) | 95.5 (35.3) | 95.7 (35.4) | 94.0 (34.4) | 92.3 (33.5) | 87.5 (30.8) | 85.3 (29.6) | 96.5 (35.8) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 77.5 (25.3) | 79.5 (26.4) | 81.8 (27.7) | 85.5 (29.7) | 88.4 (31.3) | 90.8 (32.7) | 92.0 (33.3) | 92.1 (33.4) | 91.0 (32.8) | 87.5 (30.8) | 82.5 (28.1) | 79.2 (26.2) | 85.6 (29.8) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 66.4 (19.1) | 68.0 (20.0) | 70.4 (21.3) | 74.3 (23.5) | 78.2 (25.7) | 81.7 (27.6) | 82.9 (28.3) | 83.2 (28.4) | 82.4 (28.0) | 78.9 (26.1) | 73.0 (22.8) | 69.0 (20.6) | 75.7 (24.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 55.3 (12.9) | 56.6 (13.7) | 59.0 (15.0) | 63.2 (17.3) | 68.1 (20.1) | 72.7 (22.6) | 73.8 (23.2) | 74.3 (23.5) | 73.9 (23.3) | 70.4 (21.3) | 63.4 (17.4) | 58.7 (14.8) | 65.8 (18.8) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 39.6 (4.2) | 42.7 (5.9) | 46.5 (8.1) | 52.1 (11.2) | 60.9 (16.1) | 69.0 (20.6) | 70.7 (21.5) | 71.3 (21.8) | 70.5 (21.4) | 60.5 (15.8) | 51.4 (10.8) | 45.0 (7.2) | 37.4 (3.0) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 27 (−3) | 26 (−3) | 26 (−3) | 39 (4) | 47 (8) | 56 (13) | 63 (17) | 64 (18) | 61 (16) | 42 (6) | 30 (−1) | 26 (−3) | 26 (−3) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 1.70 (43) | 2.01 (51) | 2.05 (52) | 2.92 (74) | 5.77 (147) | 9.34 (237) | 7.14 (181) | 10.17 (258) | 8.63 (219) | 5.86 (149) | 2.34 (59) | 1.97 (50) | 59.90 (1,521) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 7.1 | 6.6 | 5.9 | 6.2 | 11.4 | 18.1 | 17.2 | 18.8 | 18.5 | 12.4 | 8.0 | 8.7 | 138.9 |
| Source: NOAA[12][13] | |||||||||||||
In August 1992, theCategory 5hurricane Andrew devastated the town, as well as nearby Homestead Air Force Base.Hurricane Katrina caused flooding in Homestead in August 2005.[14] The following October,Hurricane Wilma damagedlight poles,grandstands, garages, and sections ofcatch fence at theHomestead–Miami Speedway, a motor racetrack built in the years following Hurricane Andrew.[15] After Hurricane Wilma, a Homestead man was killed in a tractor accident while clearing debris.[16]
WhenHurricane Irma struck Florida in September 2017, parts of Homestead lost electric power. South Dade Center, alow-income housing project forfarmworkers, was flooded with rainwater. Residents were without electricity andwaste collection for about a week without relief.[17]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 261 | — | |
| 1920 | 1,307 | 400.8% | |
| 1930 | 2,319 | 77.4% | |
| 1940 | 3,154 | 36.0% | |
| 1950 | 4,573 | 45.0% | |
| 1960 | 9,152 | 100.1% | |
| 1970 | 13,674 | 49.4% | |
| 1980 | 20,668 | 51.1% | |
| 1990 | 26,866 | 30.0% | |
| 2000 | 31,909 | 18.8% | |
| 2010 | 60,512 | 89.6% | |
| 2020 | 80,737 | 33.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[18] | |||
| Historical demographics | 2020[19] | 2010[20] | 2000[21] | 1990[22] | 1980[23] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 10.9% | 16.0% | 22.9% | 41.8% | 57.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 68.2% | 62.9% | 51.8% | 35.3% | 16.0% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 17.3% | 18.4% | 21.6% | 22.0% | 24.9% |
| Asian andPacific Islander (non-Hispanic) | 1.1% | 1.2% | 0.8% | 0.7% | 1.3% |
| Native American (non-Hispanic) | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.2% | |
| Some other race (non-Hispanic) | 0.6% | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.1% | |
| Two or more races (non-Hispanic) | 1.8% | 1.1% | 2.6% | N/A | N/A |
| Population | 80,737 | 60,512 | 31,909 | 26,866 | 20,688 |
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[24] | Pop 2010[25] | Pop 2020[26] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 7,295 | 9,684 | 8,768 | 22.86% | 16.00% | 10.86% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 6,886 | 11,132 | 14,006 | 21.58% | 18.40% | 17.35% |
| Native American orAlaska Native (NH) | 75 | 77 | 65 | 0.24% | 0.13% | 0.08% |
| Asian (NH) | 234 | 684 | 877 | 0.73% | 1.13% | 1.09% |
| Pacific Islander orNative Hawaiian (NH) | 14 | 64 | 39 | 0.04% | 0.11% | 0.05% |
| Some other race (NH) | 44 | 136 | 495 | 0.14% | 0.22% | 0.61% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 824 | 657 | 1,436 | 2.58% | 1.09% | 1.78% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 16,537 | 38,078 | 55,051 | 51.83% | 62.93% | 68.19% |
| Total | 31,909 | 60,512 | 80,737 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 80,737 people, 19,392 households, and 15,601 families residing in the city.[27]
As of the2010 United States census, there were 60,512 people, 17,397 households, and 12,278 families residing in the city.[28]
The city of Homestead is served by the Miami market for local radio and television. Homestead has its own newspaper, theSouth Dade News Leader, which has been serving the South Dade community since 1913. TheNews Leader is published on Fridays.
"Inside Homestead TV" is a television program where viewers can find out about all the happenings in Homestead. Each month, a news show is released offering Homestead residents updates on local events as well as other developments throughout the region. Also, the program has in-depth interviews with the local Mayor & Council and City Staff, special events coverage, and how-to videos.
These monthly news reports vary in topic every month. For instance, the March 2015 video describes the new City Hall, education and National Parks news.[29]
TheFlorida Department of Corrections operates theDade Correctional Institution and theHomestead Correctional Institution in anunincorporated area near Homestead.[30][31][32] The Dade CI was originally the Dade Correctional Institution Annex, and the Homestead CI was originally the Dade Correctional Institution; the two received their current names on July 1, 2003.[33] In June 2018,Homestead Temporary Shelter for Unaccompanied Children, a federal facility operated byComprehensive Health Services, Inc., was estimated to hold 1,000 minor detainees.[34]
TheUnited States Postal Service operates the Homestead Post Office.[35]
TheHomestead Police Department located at 45 Northwest First Avenue in Homestead.
On October 11, 1957, an Air ForceB-47 Stratojet carrying anuclear bomb crashed on takeoff at Homestead Air Force Base, present-dayHomestead Air Reserve Base.[36]
The principal roadways linking Homestead with the rest of Miami-Dade County areUS 1, theFlorida Turnpike andState Road 997. The Florida Turnpike has three exits (6, 5 and 2) as it runs south through eastern Homestead before eventually terminating at US 1 in Florida City. US 1 (Homestead Blvd.) runs northeast-to-southwest roughly through the middle of the city, and is the only way to continue to theFlorida Keys. State Road 997 (Krome Ave.) runs north–south through the western end of Homestead and through the historic downtown district.
Miami-Dade Transit (MDT) runs severalMetrobus routes connecting the Homestead/Florida City area to the rest of Miami-Dade County. Express routes run along theSouth Miami-Dade Busway, connecting the area withMetrorail and the rest of the Metrobus network and on toTri-Rail,Amtrak andMiami International Airport. In addition, MDT operatesDade-Monroe Express service from Florida City to theUpper Keys.
The City of Homestead operates two local circulator lines.[37] This free service operates daily and transits principal residential, business and commercial areas, as well as the historic downtown district andMiami-Dade College's Homestead Campus. The Trolley connects with Metrobus at the Busway and other Metrobus stops throughout the city.[38]
Starting in 2014 the Homestead Trolley began seasonal service toEverglades National Park andBiscayne National Park. The free Homestead National Parks Trolley[39]] is offered by the City of Homestead in partnership with theNational Park Service. Operating on weekends between January and April, the service is the only public transportation option available to these two parks.[40][41][42][43]
TheHomestead General Aviation Airport is located just northwest of the city's central business district.
There are public marinas atHomestead Bayfront Park and Marina, on Biscayne Bay east of the city and adjacent to Biscayne National Park's Convoy Point Visitor Center, and atBlack Point Park and Marina to the northeast. Convoy Point also has a limited number of marina slips for day visitors to dock.
Most major national car and truck rental companies have rental locations in Homestead or its immediate surroundings.
Homestead is within theMiami-Dade County Public Schools district.
Homestead and the region are zoned to the following elementary, middle and K–8 center schools:
Most of Homestead is zoned toHomestead High School, while a northwest portion is zoned toSouth Dade High School, located outside the city limits in unincorporated Miami-Dade County.
Homestead is zoned to South Dade Educational Center.[which?]
Homestead also has the followingcharter schools:
TheRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami previously operated Sacred Heart School in Homestead.[47] It closed in 2009.[48]
Homestead is also home toMiami-Dade College Homestead Campus.
300 SE 1st Drive [...] Homestead, Florida 33030
Places adjacent to Homestead, Florida | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofMiami-Dade County, Florida,United States | ||
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| Indian reservation | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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