City Town Info

West Miami, FL


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West Miami, Florida

Introduction to West Miami, Florida

West Miami, Florida, in Miami Dade county, is 6 miles N of Kendall, Florida (center to center) and 6 miles W of Miami, Florida. There are 5,863 residents in the city.

West Miami History

In the early 1900s, the area now known as West Miami, was an unincorporated part of Miami-Dade County. In 1947, the county banned gambling and reduced the number of cocktail hours. As a result, four businessmen invested in the incorporation of the city. They collected $400, and thought of names for the community including "West Gate", "West Haven", and "West Miami". At roughly the same time, the government donated land to encourage settlement in the area. As World War II was drawing to a close, soldiers returning from the war built their homes on these free lots in West Miami. When the city incorporated, there were only 700 residents. West Miami experienced significant growth and development in the 1990s.

West Miami and Nearby Attractions

  • Historical Museum of Southern Florida
  • Coral Castle
  • Barnacle State Historic Site
  • Miami Metrozoo
  • Biscayne National Park
  • Fairchild Tropical Garden

Things To Do In West Miami

The Historical Museum of Southern Florida, and Gold Coast Railroad Museum showcase exhibits reflecting the history and folklife of the area. The city of West Miami also has numerous art museums such as the Frost Art Museum, the Art Museum at Florida International University, Lowe Art Museum, and Miami Art Museum of Dade County. Coral Castle, a castle of coral rock built by Latvian immigrant Edward Leedskalnin, is a historical site near the city. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, one of the top 10 beaches according to Dr. Beach's Annual Top 10 Beaches list of 2002, offers facilities for fishing, swimming, biking, picnicking, and scuba diving. Other popular attractions include the Fairchild Tropical Garden, Miami Seaquarium, and Miami Metrozoo.

West Miami Transportation

Miami International Airport is the closest major airport.

West Miami Higher Education

Colleges near the city of West Miami include Barry University, Miami-Dade Community College, and University of Miami.

High Points

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

CategoryTrophy
Public Transportation Use
(vs. State)
Top 16%West Miami Public Transportation Use
Racial Diversity
(vs. Peers)
Top 16%West Miami Racial Diversity

Comparative Profile of West Miami, FL

Comparing West Miami 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
Senior Citizens108
Female Share of the Population1010
Age of the Population107
Racial Diversity96
Children Under 5 Years Old13
Male Share of the Population11
Well-Paid Single Men12

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Average Household Size99
Portion of People Married68

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
People Above Poverty57
College Educated Adults55
People in Middle Class or Better56
Median Family Income35

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Public Transportation Use89
Working at Home44
Short Commute Times44
Walking and Biking to Work21

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals109
Affordability of Property Taxes43
Affordability of Rents44
People Living Alone22
Housing Recently Built21
Seasonal and Vacation Housing21

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Low Property Crime78
Low Violent Crime36
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