The city is notable for its highHispanic proportion, which was 94% in 2020; this wasthe second-highest proportion of Hispanic Americans in the contiguous United States,[6] and the highest proportion among incorporated communities outside of Puerto Rico. Hialeah also has the highest proportion ofCuban andCuban-American residents of any city in the United States, at 84.1% of the population, making them a prominent feature of the city's culture. In 2023, 89.5% of residents reported speaking Spanish at home,[7] and the language is an important part of daily life in the city.
The city's name is most commonly attributed toMuskogee origin, "Haiyakpo" (prairie) and "hili" (pretty) combining in "Hialeah" to mean "pretty prairie". Alternatively, the word is ofSeminole origin meaning "Upland Prairie". The city is located upon a large prairie betweenBiscayne Bay and theEverglades.
This "high prairie" caught the eye of pioneer aviatorGlenn Curtiss and Missouri cattleman James H. Bright in 1921.[8][9] Together, they developed not only the town of Hialeah but alsoHialeah Park Race Track. In 1921, the first plat was drawn up, and the town was named.[10]
Downtown Hialeah in 1921Group of tour buses sponsored by real estate developers in Hialeah in 1921
In the early "Roaring '20s", Hialeah produced significant entertainment contributions. Sporting included the Spanish sport ofjai alai and greyhound racing, and media included silent movies likeD.W. Griffith'sThe White Rose which was made at the Miami Movie Studios located in Hialeah. However, the1926 Miami hurricane brought many of these activities to an end.[8][9]
In the years since its incorporation in 1925,[8] many historical events and people have been associated with Hialeah. The opening of the horse racing course atHialeah Park Race Track in 1925 (which was nicknamed the "Grand Dame") received more coverage in the Miami media than any other sporting event in the history of Dade County up to that time and since then there have been countless horse racing histories played out at the world-famous 220-acre (0.89 km2) park.[8] It was considered one of the most grand thoroughbred horse racing parks with its majestic Mediterranean style architecture and was considered the Jewel of Hialeah at the time.[9][11]
The park's grandeur has attracted millions, included among them are names known around the world such as theKennedy family,Harry Truman, GeneralOmar Bradley,Winston Churchill, andJ.P. Morgan. The Hialeah Park Race Track also holds the dual distinction of being an Audubon Bird Sanctuary due to its famous pink flamingos and being listed on theNational Register of Historic Places. The famous aviatorAmelia Earhart in 1937 said her final good-byes to the continental U.S. from Hialeah as she left on her ill-fated flight around the world in 1937.[8][9]
While Hialeah was once envisioned as a playground for the elite,Cuban exiles fleeingFidel Castro's 1959 revolution, as well as World War II veterans and city planners, transformed the city into a working-class community. Hialeah historian Patricia Fernández-Kelly explained, "It became an affordable Eden." She further describes the city as "a place where different groups have left their imprint while trying to create a sample of what life should be like." Several waves of Cuban exiles, starting after theCuban Revolution in 1959 and continuing through to the Freedom Flights from 1965 to 1973, theMariel boatlift in 1980, and theBalseros or boat people of the late 1990s, created what at least one expert has considered the most economically successful immigrant enclave in U.S. history as Hialeah is the only Americanindustrial city that continues to grow.[11]
From a population of 1,500 in 1925, Hialeah has grown faster than most of the 10 larger cities in the state of Florida since the 1960s and holds the rank of Florida's sixth-largest city, with more than 224,000 residents. The city is also one of the largest employers in Dade County.
In January 2009,Forbes magazine listed Hialeah as one of the most "boring" cities in the United States;Forbes defined this by low media presence in the city.[12]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.7 square miles (51 km2). 19.2 square miles (50 km2) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) of it (2.53%) is water.
Hialeah, Florida – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
In 2015 through 2016, the population in Hialeah grew from 234,714 to 235,626, a 0.4% increase. The median household income grew from $29,249 to $29,817, a 1.9% increase.
As of the2010 United States census, there were 224,669 people, 73,826 households, and 56,896 families residing in the city.[26]
In 2010, Hialeah was the tenth-largest city in the United States among cities with a population density of more than 10,000 inhabitants per square mile (3,900 inhabitants per square kilometer).
As of 2000, 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.7% were non-families. 14.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.15 and the average family size was 3.39.
In 2000, the age distribution of the population showed 23.0% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $29,492, and the median income for a family was $31,621. Males had a median income of $23,133 versus $17,886 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $12,402. About 16.0% of families and 18.6% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 22.2% of those under age 18 and 22.4% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2022, 89.5% of the population spoke Spanish at home, while those who spoke only English made up 9.0% of the population. All other languages spoken were below 1% of the population.[27]
Hialeah is also home to vibrant community of mom-and-pop stores.[29] These shops have successfully competed against national name brand retailers, outfitters, and franchises.[29] In order to remain competitive national businesses have altered their traditional business strategy to meet the demands of the local community. Supermarkets operate on the city's main streets including those which cater to Latin American and Hispanic clientele.[30][31]
While most of the manufacturing and cloth industries that made Hialeah an industrial city in the 1970s–1980s have disappeared, new electronics and technology businesses have reinvigorated the local economy.[32]Westland Mall contains over 100 stores and several restaurants.Telemundo, the second largest Spanish-language TV network in the United States, was headquartered at 2340 West 8th Avenue in Hialeah until 2018.[33][34]
In March 2009, it was announced that a $40–$90 million restoration project was set to begin within the year on theHialeah Park Race Track.[35] On May 7, 2009, the Florida legislature agreed to a deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida that allowed Hialeah Park to operate slot machines and runQuarter Horse races.[36] The historic racetrack reopened on November 28, 2009, but only for Quarter Horse races. The park installed slot machines in January 2010 as part of a deal to allow for two calendar seasons of racing. The races went on all the way until February 2, 2010.[37] Only a portion of the park has been restored, and an additional $30 million will be needed to complete this first phase of the project. The full transformation is expected to cost $1 billion since the plan includes a complete redevelopment of the surrounding area including the construction of an entertainment complex to include a hotel, restaurants, casinos, stores and a theater. In June 2010 concerns were raised over the preservation of Hialeah Park's historical status, as the planned development threatens to hurt Hialeah Park's status as aNational Historic Landmark.
"Hialeah Park, Fla., the world's greatest race course, Miami Jockey Club"
The City of Hialeah is home to three tennis centers, five public swimming pools and aquatic centers, and more than 14 public parks totaling more than 100 acres (0.40 km2) combined. Milander Park features a municipal auditorium and a 10,000 seat football stadium.[8][38]
Amelia Earhart Park also serves the Hialeah community.[39] Located just south of the Opa Locka Airport, the park consists of 515 acres, including a five-acre Bark Park for dogs. It offers a variety of amenities, programs and activities including mountain biking, soccer, Tom Sawyer's Play Island and Bill Graham Farm Village. It also houses the new Miami Watersports Complex, which offers cable and boat wakeboarding, waterskiing, wake surfing, kneeboarding and paddleboarding.
Starting in 2022 the city has worked on developing the "Leah Arts district" centered around theFactory Town concert venue including bars, music venues, and other entertainment themed businesses.[40]
Hialeah is located withinFlorida's 26th congressional district. It is currently represented in the House of Representatives byMario Díaz-Balart, aRepublican.[42] A 2005 study by the nonpartisan Bay Area Center for Voting Research (BACVR) ranked Hialeah, Florida as the fourth most conservative city in the United States.[43] The current mayor of Hialeah isEsteban Bovo.
Miami-Dade College Hialeah Campus has served as the city's academic center since 1980. Besides its academic mission, the campus also sponsors numerous cultural and community events.[70]
Hialeah's public library was founded in 1924, one year prior to the incorporation of the city.[71] While over the years the county-wideMiami-Dade Public Library System has taken over the libraries of most of the cities in the county, Hialeahpublic libraries function independently from the county-wide system.[72][73]The first branch was a donation by the Hialeah Women's Club. It was actually located in the house of one of the Hialeah Women's Club's home. The home of Ms. J Sommers Garwood. The club was founded by Ms. Lua Adams Curtiss, who was the late mother of the famous aviator Glenn Curtiss.[74] The club asked for donations to get the library started and was fortunate enough to receive enough to get the system started. The latest branch, John F. Kennedy Library is now the main library for Hialeah and is easily recognizable for its grand murals.[75] In 2017, the branch set out to renovate the entire library and they added new furniture, the art murals, polished terrazzo floors, and new sculptures.[a] The library hosts a print collection, digital resources, and a Hialeah History Collection which collects, preserves and provides access to information about the City of Hialeah's history.[76]
A projection from 1922 that reads "A projection of the town of Hialeah at the Curtiss-Bright Ranch: Gateway to the Everglades, the first town west of Miami, Florida"The intersection of Palm Avenue (nowPresidentDonald J. Trump Avenue) and County Road (nowOkeechobee Road / U.S. 27) in 1921Tri-Rail and Metrorail Transfer Station
"All Ways Lead to Hialeah" was one of the city's first slogans. At the time,Glenn Curtiss andJames Bright could not have imagined the important link in the transportation chain provided by Hialeah's location. Sitting in the heart of northwest Dade, Hialeah has access to several major thoroughfares, linked by:
Nick Esasky, MLB infielder for Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves
J.C. Escarra, MLB Catcher for the New York Yankees
Bobby Estalella, MLB catcher for Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks and Toronto Blue Jays
^In 2017, the branch set out to renovate the entire library and they added new furniture, the art murals, polished terrazzo floors, and new sculptures.
^"DRA 2020".Daves Redistricting.Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. RetrievedDecember 8, 2024.
^"John Grethen, Hialeah Mayor, Dies Suddenly".Miami Herald. June 30, 1930. p. 1. RetrievedMarch 23, 2022.Mr. Grethen had been mayor of Hialeah since its incorporation in 1925, being re-elected to that office last September.
^DeLoach, Daniel F. (2006).Hialeah: What's in a Name. Hialeah, FL: City of Hialeah. p. 18.Robert W. Marshall, President of the Council became the acting Mayor due to a vacancy in the office.
^"Sparks Park".HialeahFL.gov. City of Hialeah. RetrievedApril 4, 2022.Sparks Park was named after G.C. Sparks who served as mayor of the City of Hialeah from 1933-1935.
^"Medical News".JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association.105 (23): 1920. December 7, 1935.doi:10.1001/jama.1935.02760490104017. RetrievedMarch 23, 2022.Dr. Leon H. O'Quinn has been elected mayor of Hialeah.
^DeLoach, Daniel F. (2006).Hialeah: What's in a Name. Hialeah, FL: City of Hialeah. pp. 67–69.
^"Elections Overview".HialeahFL.gov. City of Hialeah. RetrievedMarch 23, 2022.Carl Ault ran unopposed twice in the 1937 and 1941 elections.
^"Milander Park".Hialeah. City. RetrievedMarch 23, 2022.Milander Park was named after Henry Milander who served as Mayor of the City of Hialeah from 1941-1945 and again from 1947-1974.
^Bennett, Dale G. (May 28, 1974)."Letter to Rep. Herman Badillo"(PDF).Congressional Record, June 3, 1974. p. 17394. RetrievedMarch 23, 2022.I am taking the liberty of answering your letter to the late Henry Milander as the new Mayor of Hialeah.
^DeLoach, Daniel F. (2006).Hialeah: What's in a Name. Hialeah, FL: City of Hialeah. pp. 85–87.
^Rohter, Larry (November 1, 1991)."Where Politics Is Down and Dirty".The New York Times. p. 14.Archived from the original on November 30, 2022. RetrievedApril 4, 2022.Mayor Raul Martinez, was convicted of extortion and racketeering in March after a jury found he had accepted $1 million in cash and property from land developers.
^DeLoach, Daniel F. (2006).Hialeah: What's in a Name. Hialeah, FL: City of Hialeah. p. 93.
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