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Fort Lauderdale, FL


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Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Introduction to Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is a city located on the coast in southeast Florida. Fort Lauderdale is located a half an hour north of Miami. It is part of the South Florida metropolitan area which the U.S. Census bureau estimates has a population in excess of 5.4 million people.

Fort Lauderdale is known as the "Venice of America" because of its extensive canal system. The economy of Fort Lauderdale relies heavily on tourism. Even with its heavy reliance on tourism, as of 2006, Fort Lauderdale is also home to three Fortune 1000 company headquarters. Several more Fortune 1000 company headquarters are located in nearby Miami.

Fort Lauderdale is ranked as the 48th "Most Fun U.S City" in a survey conducted in 2003 by Cranium Inc. Factors taken into account in the ranking include: the number of sports teams, restaurants, dance performances, toy stores, the amount of a city's budget that is spent on recreation, and other factors. Fort Lauderdale was also a National Civic League "All-America City" award finalist.

Fort Lauderdale has a hot, sub-tropical climate. Average daily temperature ranges from a low of 76 in January to a high of 90 in July and August. Fort Lauderdale occasionally experiences brief periods of cold during the winter, but otherwise is warm or hot.

Fort Lauderdale History

Fort Lauderdale was originally settled by Seminole Indians. New River Fort was built on the site of the current city in 1838 during the the Second Seminole War. The first trading post was established in 1893 in a house that also served as the first post office, bank and town hall. Fort Lauderdale was officially incorporated as a town in 1911.

Fort Lauderdale Arts and Culture

Fort Lauderdale has easy access to all of the cultural attractions of nearby Miami. In addition, Fort Lauderdale has cultural attractions of its own, including the following museums:

  • The IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum in nearby Danea Beach
  • The Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum
  • The International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum and Aquatic Complex
  • The Museum of Art
  • The Museum of Discovery and Science/Blockbuster IMAX Theater
  • The Old Fort Lauderdale Village and Museum

For patrons of the performing arts, Fort Lauderdale offers the following:

  • The Bailey Concert Hall in nearby Davie
  • The Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Fort Lauderdale Sports and Leisure

Most of the major professional sports teams available to Fort Lauderdale play in nearby Miami. Fort Lauderdale residents have easy access to the the following major sports teams:

  • Baseball - The Major League Baseball (MLB) Florida Marlins. For individuals who like Minor League Baseball (MiLB) action, the Jupiter Hammerheads and the Palm Beach Cardinals play an hour north in Jupiter, Florida. The Hammerheads are a Class A Advanced affiliate of the Florida Marlins, and the Cardinals are a Class A Advanced affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.
  • Basketball - The National Basketball League (NBA) Miami Heat.
  • Football - The National Football League (NFL) Miami Dolphins.
  • Hockey - The National Hockey League (NHL) Florida Panthers play in nearby Sunrise.
  • Soccer - The United Soccer League (USL) USL First Division Miami FC.

Nearby, Miami also plays host to the NCAA College Bowl game, the Orange Bowl.

Fort Lauderdale is home to the International Swimming Hall of Fame as well as the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex.

With such a warm climate, Fort Lauderdale is home to many outdoor activities. It is a yachting and fishing resort, and has long been a favorite spot for college students during spring break. Fort Lauderdale is also home to the world-famous Fort Lauderdale Beach which offers many opportunities for recreation and relaxation

Fort Lauderdale "Must See" Attractions

Fort Lauderdale has attractions too numerous to do justice in a simple list. Some of Fort Lauderdale's more unique attractions include:

  • Fort Lauderdale Beach
  • The IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum in nearby Danea Beach
  • The Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum
  • The International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum and Aquatic Complex
  • The Riverwalk

Fort Lauderdale at Night

Fort Lauderdale's beach front is home to upscale shops, restaurants, and nightclubs. Good guides to local attractions, events, nightclubs, and restaurants include the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Friday Broward edition of the Miami Herald, City Link - a youth culture magazine, and the Broward-Palm Beach New Times.

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High Points

Fort Lauderdale strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Florida):

CategoryTrophy
Public Transportation Use
(vs. State)
Top 5%trophyFort Lauderdale Public Transportation Use
Well-Paid Single Men
(vs. Peers)
Top 9%Fort Lauderdale Well-Paid Single Men
Racial Diversity
(vs. State)
Top 17%Fort Lauderdale Racial Diversity
Walking and Biking to Work
(vs. State)
Top 18%Fort Lauderdale Walking and Biking to Work

Comparative Profile of Fort Lauderdale, FL

Comparing Fort Lauderdale to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Florida (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Male Share of the Population1010
Age of the Population106
Senior Citizens104
Well-Paid Single Men109
Racial Diversity79
Well-Paid Single Women78
Children Under 5 Years Old14
Female Share of the Population11

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Portion of People Married21
Average Household Size13

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
College Educated Adults78
Median Family Income67
People in Middle Class or Better55
People Above Poverty44

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Working at Home97
Walking and Biking to Work89
Public Transportation Use710
Short Commute Times56

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Seasonal and Vacation Housing108
People Living Alone1010
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals810
Affordability of Rents55
Housing Recently Built42
Affordability of Property Taxes23

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Low Property Crime43
Low Violent Crime34

Detailed pages on related topics: Fort Lauderdale collegesFort Lauderdale travelFort Lauderdale mortgage and property.

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Additional Details

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Fort Lauderdale Hotels & TravelFort Lauderdale Hotels & Travel
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Fort Lauderdale MortgageFort Lauderdale Mortgage
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