Jump to content

Homestead, Florida: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Orly4489 (talk | contribs)
194 edits
Orly4489 (talk | contribs)
194 edits
Line 304: Line 304:
* Redland Middle School
* Redland Middle School
* Redondo Elementary School
* Redondo Elementary School
* School for Advance Studies-Homestead
* South Dade Middle School (Grades 4–8)
* South Dade Middle School (Grades 4–8)
* West Homestead Elementary School
* West Homestead Elementary School

Revision as of 06:11, 13 January 2014

Homestead, Florida
City
Official seal of Homestead, Florida
Seal
Motto: 
"Discover The Opportunities "
Location in Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida
Location in Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida
U.S. Census Bureau map showing city limits
U.S. Census Bureau map showing city limits
CountryUnited States
StateFlorida
County Miami-Dade
Incorporated1913
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • MayorJeffrey D. "Jeff" Porter
 • Vice MayorStephen R. Shelley
 • CouncilJon Burgess, Elvis Maldonado, Judy Waldman, Jimmie L. Williams, III, Patrica Fairclough-McCormick
Area
 • Total14.4 sq mi (37.2 km2)
 • Land14.3 sq mi (37.0 km2)
 • Water0.1 sq mi (0.2 km2)  0.63%
Elevation
3 ft (1 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total60,512
 • Density4,322.3/sq mi (1,635.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
33000-33099
Area code305
FIPS code12-32275Template:GR
GNIS feature ID0284214Template:GR
Websitehttp://www.cityofhomestead.com

Homestead is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States nestled between Biscayne National Park to the east and Everglades National Park to the west. Homestead is primarily a Miami suburb and a major agricultural area.

Homestead was incorporated in 1913 and is the second oldest city in Miami-Dade County next to the city of Miami. It is located approximately 35 miles (56 km) southwest of Miami, and 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Key Largo. The name originates from when the Florida East Coast Railway extension to Key West was being built. The rail line was passing through an area opened up for homesteading, 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.[1] The population was 60,512 at the 2010 census.

The city of Homestead is located near the southern terminus of the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike where it ends at its junction with U.S. 1. Homestead is immediately north and east of Florida City, and these two cities comprise the greater Homestead-Florida City area. Some of the notable unincorporated communities in the area are Redland, Leisure City, Naranja, and Princeton.

Homestead bore the brunt of Hurricane Andrew, a Category 5 hurricane, which hit South Florida on August 24, 1992. The city of Homestead made national headlines due to the sheer devastation wrought by Hurricane Andrew. Since 2002, the city has experienced a building and housing boom due to the scarcity of developable land elsewhere in Miami-Dade County.[citation needed]

Geography

Homestead is located at 25°28′16″N 80°28′5″W / 25.47111°N 80.46806°W / 25.47111; -80.46806 (25.471190, -80.468122).Template:GR

According to the United 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).[citation needed]

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).[citation needed]

The original Homestead 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 is the mysterious Coral Castle, built by a jilted lover, Edward Leedskalnin, over the course of 28 years from 1923 to 1951.[2] The Fruit and Spice Park is also of interest.[citation needed]

Climate

Homestead experiences a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification Am) that borders on a tropical savanna climate. Summers are hot and humid and high temperatures average between 88° and 92°F (31° to 33°C). Winters are mild, but average cooler than nearby coastal areas. The all-time record high temperature is 100°F (38°C), on 21 July 1942. Lows in summer average between 70° and 75°F (21° to 24°C), with low temperatures in all times of year averaging 5–15 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. In the farm areas west of downtown, frosts and freezes are common 5–10 times per year. 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).[3] 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 little if any rain, with most of it coming with the passing of cold fronts. Snowfall has been recorded once at Homestead Air Force Base, on January 20, 1977, and marked the farthest south that snowfall has ever been reported in the lower 48 United States.

Hurricanes pose a threat to the area, and even though it is not located on the immediate coast, Homestead has been affected by hurricanes before. The only recent strong one was Hurricane Andrew, in 1992, which devastated the town. It took 5 to 10 years for things to recover. Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma brushed by in 2005, but did not pass directly over Homestead.

Climate data for Homestead, Florida
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 75
(24) 		77
(25) 		80
(27) 		84
(29) 		87
(31) 		89
(32) 		90
(32) 		90
(32) 		89
(32) 		86
(30) 		82
(28) 		76
(24) 		84
(29)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 56
(13) 		57
(14) 		60
(16) 		63
(17) 		68
(20) 		72
(22) 		73
(23) 		73
(23) 		73
(23) 		69
(21) 		64
(18) 		59
(15) 		66
(19)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.94
(49) 		1.78
(45) 		1.88
(48) 		2.74
(70) 		5.77
(147) 		9.51
(242) 		6.82
(173) 		9.16
(233) 		8.90
(226) 		5.49
(139) 		2.59
(66) 		1.61
(41) 		58.19
(1,478)
Source: [4]

Surrounding areas

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19201,307—
19302,31977.4%
19403,15436.0%
19504,57345.0%
19609,152100.1%
197013,67449.4%
198020,66851.1%
199026,86630.0%
200031,90918.8%
201060,51289.6%
Homestead Demographics[5]
2010 Census Homestead Miami-Dade County Florida
Total population 60,512 2,496,435 18,801,310
Population, percent change, 2000 to 2010 +89.6% +10.8% +17.6%
Population density 3,996.9/sq mi 1,315.5/sq mi 350.6/sq mi
White or Caucasian (including White Hispanic) 66.9% 73.8% 75.0%
(Non-Hispanic White or Caucasian) 16.0% 15.4% 57.9%
Black or African-American 20.4% 18.9% 16.0%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 62.9% 65.0% 22.5%
Asian 1.2% 1.5% 2.4%
Native American or Native Alaskan 0.4% 0.2% 0.4%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian 0.1% 0.0% 0.1%
Two or more races (Multiracial) 3.8% 2.4% 2.5%
Some Other Race 7.2% 3.2% 3.6%

As of 2010, there were 23,419 households out of which 18.9% were vacant.[5] As of 2000, 42.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples living together, 22.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.10 and the average family size was 3.54.

In 2000, the city the population was spread out with 33.2% under the age of 18, 12.8% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 15.0% from 45 to 64, and 7.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 107.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.2 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $26,775, and the median income for a family was $26,409. Males had a median income of $23,118 versus $20,261 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,357. About 29.1% of families and 31.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.9% of those under age 18 and 20.0% of those age 65 or over.

As of 2000, speakers of Spanish as a first language accounted for 51.10%, while English was at 43.22%, and French Creole made up 4.71% of the population.[6]

Media

The city of Homestead is served by the Miami market for local radio and television. Homestead has its own newspaper, the South Dade News Leader, which has been serving the South Dade community since 1912. The News Leader is published on Fridays.

Government and infrastructure

The Florida Department of Corrections operates the Dade Correctional Institution and the Homestead Correctional Institution in an unincorporated area near Homestead.[7][8][9] 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.[10]

The United States Postal Service operates the Homestead Post Office.[11]

The Homestead Police Department located at 4 South Krome Avenue in Homestead.

Points of interest

Seminole Theatre in downtown Homestead

Education

Homestead is within the Miami-Dade County Public Schools district.

Homestead is zoned to the following elementary, middle and K-8 center schools:

  • Air Base K-8 Center
  • Avocado Elementary School
  • Campbell Drive K-8 Center
  • Campbell Drive Middle School
  • Coconut Palm K-8 Academy
  • Gateway Environmental K-8 Learning Center
  • Homestead Middle School
  • Irving & Beatrice Peskoe K-8 Center
  • Laura C. Saunders Elementary School
  • Leisure City K-8 Center
  • Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy
  • Miami MacArthur South
  • Neva King Cooper Education
  • Redland Elementary School
  • Redland Middle School
  • Redondo Elementary School
  • School for Advance Studies-Homestead
  • South Dade Middle School (Grades 4–8)
  • West Homestead Elementary School
  • William A. Chapman Elementary School
  • MAST (Medical Academy for Science and Technology) @ Homestead

Most of Homestead is zoned to Homestead High School, while a northwest portion is zoned to South Dade High School, located outside the city limits in unincorporated Miami-Dade County.

Homestead is zoned to South Dade Adult Center and South Dade Skills Center.


Homestead also has the following charter schools:

The School for Integrated Academics and Technologies (SIATech), a charter high school located within the Homestead Job Corps Center, is also open for enrollment.


Homestead is also home to Miami-Dade College (Homestead Campus).

Parks and recreation

  • Angelo Mistretta Park
  • Audubon Park
  • Biscado Park
  • Blakey Park
  • Camp Owaissa Bauer
  • Ernesitne Jackson Seymore Park
  • Harris Field Park
  • Homestead Air Reserve Park
  • James Archer Smith Park
  • JD Redd Park
  • Leisure Park
  • Leisure Lake Park
  • Losner Park
  • Mayor Roscoe Warren Municipal Park
  • Modello Park
  • Musselwhite Park
  • Palmland Park
  • Roby George Park
  • Royal Colonial Park
  • Seminole Wayside Park
  • South Dade Park
  • William F. "Bill" Dickinson Community Center
  • Wittkop Park

References

  1. ^ Taylor, Jean. (1986) The Villages of South Dade. St. Petersburg, Florida. ISBN 0-04-107212-6. LCCN 88-132899. OCLC 18906834. p. 157.
  2. ^ F A Q
  3. ^ Weather History for Homestead retrieved August 6, 2006
  4. ^ "Average weather for Homestead". Weather.com. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  5. ^ a b American FactFinder, United States Census Bureau. "Homestead city, Florida – Census 2010:Florida – USATODAY.com –". USA Today. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  6. ^ "MLA Data Center Results of Homestead, FL". Modern Language Association. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
  7. ^ "Homestead Correctional Institution." Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  8. ^ "Dade Correctional Institution at Homestead."
  9. ^ "Dade Correctional Institution." Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  10. ^ "FACILITIES ON JUNE 30, 2003." Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  11. ^ "Post Office Location – HOMESTEAD." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  12. ^ ArtSouth Artist's Community at Homestead Florida
  13. ^ Eveglades Alligator Farm
  14. ^ Miami-Dade Public Library System – Homestead Branch
  15. ^ Homestead Rodeo Association
  16. ^ Air Force Reserve – List of Bases
  17. ^ Schnebly Redland's Winery
  18. ^ Keys Gate Charter School
  19. ^ Home
  20. ^ [1] Rise Academy-South Dade Charter School is a tuition-free, college preparatory school that serves students in grades K-8 and provides a rigorous, college preparatory education
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Homestead,_Florida&oldid=590468928"