Miami Metropolitan Area

The Miami metropolitan area, officially designated as the Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area, is a sprawling coastal conurbation situated in southeastern Florida. It holds the distinction of being the sixth-largest metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in the entire United States, the third-largest in the Southern United States, and unequivocally the largest metropolitan area within the state of Florida. Colloquially, it's known by a variety of monikers, including South Florida, SoFlo, SoFla, the Gold Coast, Southeast Florida, the Tri-County Area, or Greater Miami. As of 2023, its population stands at a formidable 6.45 million, a figure that surpasses the populations of 31 of the nation's 50 states. The region is anchored by the three most populous counties in Florida: Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County. Miami-Dade County, in particular, is a titan in its own right, boasting a population of 2,701,767 as of the 2020 census, making it the seventh-most populous county in the United States.

At the heart of this dynamic region lies Miami, serving as its financial and cultural epicenter and its most populous city. Recognized globally, Miami is classified as an "Alpha minus" city by the Global and World Cities Research Network (GaWC), signifying its crucial role in connecting the significant economic landscape of South Florida to the broader global economy. The Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 37) further underscored its importance, ranking Miami as the world's 26th most significant financial hub in May 2025, and the 7th within the United States, trailing only New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Boston. Beyond Miami, a constellation of other principal cities, as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, shape the metropolitan identity. These include Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Pompano Beach, Boca Raton, Sunrise, Deerfield Beach, Miami Beach, Kendall, Doral, Delray Beach, Jupiter, and Palm Beach Gardens. The Miami metropolitan area is an integral part of the larger South Florida region, a geographical expanse that also encompasses the unique ecosystems of the Everglades and the iconic Florida Keys.

With an extensive urban landmass spanning 1,279.2 square miles (3,313 km²), the Miami metropolitan area ranks among the most densely populated urban agglomerations worldwide. The region's development is largely dictated by its geography, confined to a strip of land nestled between the vast Atlantic Ocean and the untamed Everglades. The urbanized expanse stretches approximately 100 miles (160 km) from north to south, with its east-west width rarely exceeding 20 miles (32 km) and narrowing to as little as 5 miles (8 km) in certain sectors. This unique configuration makes the Miami metropolitan statistical area the second-longest urbanized area in the United States, surpassed only by the New York metropolitan area. As per the 2000 census, it was also noted as the eighth-most densely populated urbanized area in the nation.

By the 2020 census, the Miami-Fort Lauderdale urbanized area covered a land area of 1,244.18 square miles (3,222.4 km²), supporting a population of 6,077,522. This translates to a population density of 4,884.78 inhabitants per square mile (1,886.02/km²). The census also identified an additional urban cluster within the broader metropolitan region, the Belle Glade urban cluster, which housed 23,009 residents across 7.21 square miles (18.7 km²), resulting in a density of 3,191.41 inhabitants per square mile (1,232.21/km²). Miami itself, the region's core city, exhibited a population density exceeding 10,000 per square mile (over 3,800/km²) in 2000. The Miami Urbanized Area was recognized as the fourth-largest urbanized area in the United States during the 2010 census.

The educational landscape of the Miami metropolitan area is robust, featuring several notable institutions of higher learning. Among these are Barry University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, St. Thomas University (Florida), and the prestigious University of Miami. Complementing these universities are three prominent community colleges: Broward College, Miami Dade College, and Palm Beach State College. Institutions like Florida International University and Miami Dade College stand out as some of the largest higher education providers in the United States.

Other Names

The Miami metropolitan area is also recognized under several other designations: South Florida, SoFlo, SoFla, the Gold Coast, the Tri-County Area, or Greater Miami. For official U.S. government statistical purposes, it is known as the Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Definitions

Miami Metropolitan Area

As of 2023, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget defines the Miami metropolitan area as the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). This area, with a 2020 population of 6,138,333, is further subdivided into three "metropolitan divisions":

Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall Metropolitan Division: This division is coterminous with Miami-Dade County and had a 2020 population of 2,701,767.
Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Sunrise Metropolitan Division: This division comprises Broward County and recorded a 2020 population of 1,944,375.
West Palm Beach-Boca Raton-Delray Beach Metropolitan Division: This division is coterminous with Palm Beach County and had a 2020 population of 1,492,191.

This MSA ranks as the second most populous metropolitan area in the Southeastern United States and covers an expansive area of 6,137 square miles (15,890 km²).

The initial MSA for Miami, as established by the OMB, encompassed solely Dade County (now Miami-Dade County). By 1995, the Miami-Hialeah and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood-Pompano Beach MSAs had been unified into the Miami-Fort Lauderdale Consolidated MSA, which included the Miami Primary MSA (Dade County) and the Fort Lauderdale Primary MSA (Broward County). In 2003, the West Palm Beach-Boca Raton-Boynton Beach MSA was integrated into this consolidated MSA, creating the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area. This expanded entity comprised the Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deefield Beach Metropolitan Division (Broward County), the Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall Metropolitan Division (Miami-Dade County), and the West Palm Beach-Boca Raton-Boynton Beach Metropolitan Division (Palm Beach County).

Miami-Port Saint Lucie-Fort Lauderdale Combined Statistical Area

In addition to the MSA, the Census Bureau defines a broader commercial region based on commuting patterns: the Miami-Port Saint Lucie-Fort Lauderdale Combined Statistical Area (CSA). As of 2020, this CSA had a population of 6,887,655.

As of 2023, the CSA encompasses three constituent metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and one Micropolitan statistical area (μSA):

The Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach MSA (2020 population: 6,138,333)
The Port Saint Lucie MSA (2020 population: 486,660), which itself consists of Martin County (2020 population: 158,431) and Saint Lucie County (2020 population: 329,226).
The Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor MSA, coterminous with Indian River County (2020 population: 159,788).
The Key West-Key Largo μSA, coterminous with Monroe County (2020 population: 82,874).
The Okeechobee μSA, coterminous with Okeechobee County.

The CSA's composition has seen adjustments. When initially defined in 2013, it included the Okeechobee μSA but not the Key West μSA. By 2018, the Okeechobee μSA was removed, and the Key West μSA was added. However, in 2023, the Okeechobee μSA was reinstated into the CSA.

Gold Coast

The Miami metropolitan area is often referred to as the "Gold Coast," a designation shared with other coastal regions of Florida, such as the Space Coast, Treasure Coast, Sun Coast, Nature Coast, Forgotten Coast, Emerald Coast, Fun Coast, and First Coast. The term "Gold Coast" appears to have emerged during the period of significant growth in the region and has become one of Florida's most recognized vernacular regions, evoking images of wealth and a lavish tropical lifestyle that characterizes the area.

Climate and Geography

Climate

The region is characterized by a tropical climate, bearing a strong resemblance to that found in much of the Caribbean. It is unique among metropolitan areas in the 48 contiguous states for falling under this classification. More specifically, its climate is generally described as a tropical monsoon climate under the Köppen climate classification (Am). The South Florida metropolis experiences its heaviest rainfall during the summer months, which constitute the wet season, while the winter is notably drier. The wet season, marked by heat and humidity, typically runs from May to October. During this period, daily thunderstorms and occasional weak tropical systems bring significant downpours, often in the late afternoon. The dry season generally commences in late October and extends through late April. In the peak of the dry season, from February to April, South Florida can experience very dry conditions, leading to issues with brush fires and water restrictions. Occasionally, cold fronts can penetrate as far south as South Florida, providing some modest rainfall even during the dry season. The hurricane season largely overlaps with the wet season.

Several factors contribute to the area's warm, humid climate: its sea-level elevation, its coastal proximity, its location near the Tropic of Cancer, and its proximity to the Caribbean. Crucially, the Gulf Stream plays a significant role in moderating temperatures year-round. Typical summer days rarely see temperatures drop below 75 °F (24 °C). Highs in the upper 80s to low 90s (30–35 °C), coupled with high humidity, are often alleviated by afternoon thunderstorms or a refreshing sea breeze that emanates from the Atlantic Ocean. These phenomena can lower temperatures, though the air generally remains quite muggy.

During the winter months, dry air masses frequently dominate, resulting in low dew points. Average daily high temperatures across South Florida in winter hover around 74–77 °F (23–25 °C). However, temperatures can occasionally reach 82–85 °F (28–29 °C) even in January and February. Daily low temperatures during winter typically range from 55–63 °F (13–17 °C). Each winter, cold fronts can occasionally extend southward, reaching the northern Bahamas and South Florida. This can cause daytime high temperatures in South Florida to only reach about 65 °F (18 °C) or less. During these cold spells, early morning low temperatures might dip into the 40s before quickly warming up by late morning or early afternoon. It is uncommon for temperatures to fall below 40 °F (4 °C), though lows around 35 °F (2 °C) have been recorded in some years. South Florida typically experiences these cold snaps only about twice each winter, and they usually last just a day or two before temperatures rebound to the mid-70s. On average, South Florida is frost-free, although light frost can occur in inland communities about once a decade.

The hurricane season officially spans from June 1 to November 30, though hurricanes can form outside this window. The period of highest statistical probability for South Florida to be impacted is during the peak of the Cape Verde season, which runs from mid-August through the end of September. Given its location between two major bodies of water known for tropical storm activity, South Florida is statistically the most likely major populated area in the world to be struck by a hurricane, with Nassau, Bahamas, and Havana, Cuba closely following. Numerous hurricanes have impacted the metropolis, including Betsy in 1965, Andrew in 1992, Irene in 1999, Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma in 2005, and Irma in 2017. Additionally, a tropical depression in October 2000 traversed the area, resulting in record rainfall and significant flooding. This storm is locally remembered as the No Name Storm of 2000, although the depression later intensified into Tropical Storm Leslie upon entering the Atlantic Ocean.

The following tables provide detailed climate data for various locations within the metropolitan area:

Climate data for West Palm Beach Airport, Florida (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1888–present)

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	75.2	76.3	80.0	84.1	87.0	90.7	92.0	91.3	88.3	84.3	82.3	76.7	84.3
	(24.0)	(24.6)	(26.7)	(28.9)	(30.6)	(32.6)	(33.3)	(32.9)	(31.3)	(29.1)	(27.9)	(24.8)	(29.1)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	57.4	58.6	61.7	65.0	71.1	75.0	75.2	75.4	74.3	70.9	63.4	60.0	66.8
	(14.1)	(14.8)	(16.5)	(18.3)	(21.7)	(23.9)	(24.0)	(24.1)	(23.5)	(21.6)	(17.4)	(15.6)	(19.3)
Average rainfall inches (mm)	2.18	2.09	2.05	2.03	5.76	9.02	9.27	9.83	9.93	9.57	5.07	2.27	60.35
	(55)	(53)	(52)	(52)	(146)	(229)	(235)	(250)	(252)	(243)	(129)	(58)	(1,533)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.01 in)	7.8	6.7	5.0	5.8	14.1	16.0	18.1	19.0	16.7	17.1	10.2	7.1	132.6

Source: NOAA

Climate data for Fort Lauderdale Int'l Airport, Florida (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1912–present)

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	75.5	76.7	78.5	82.9	85.6	89.8	91.9	90.5	88.8	85.8	81.0	76.9	83.3
	(24.2)	(24.8)	(25.8)	(28.3)	(29.8)	(32.1)	(33.3)	(32.5)	(31.6)	(29.9)	(27.2)	(24.9)	(28.5)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	59.0	60.5	63.4	66.9	72.0	74.4	75.9	75.8	75.2	71.8	65.7	61.3	67.7
	(15.0)	(15.8)	(17.4)	(19.4)	(22.2)	(23.6)	(24.4)	(24.3)	(24.0)	(22.1)	(18.7)	(16.3)	(19.8)
Average rainfall inches (mm)	3.63	2.96	3.36	2.89	4.65	10.16	5.98	7.44	8.59	6.82	3.24	2.46	62.18
	(92)	(75)	(85)	(73)	(118)	(258)	(152)	(189)	(218)	(173)	(82)	(62)	(1,579)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.01 in)	5.0	6.1	6.9	5.4	8.8	15.9	15.9	15.7	15.8	10.6	8.1	8.1	122.3

Source: 26 27 28

Climate data for Miami International Airport, 1991−2020 normals, a extremes 1895−present b

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	88	89	93	97	98	98	100	98	97	95	91	89	100
	(31)	(32)	(34)	(36)	(37)	(37)	(38)	(37)	(36)	(35)	(33)	(32)	(38)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	84.4	85.8	89.0	90.7	92.8	94.2	94.7	94.5	93.2	90.9	87.0	84.9	95.8
	(29.1)	(29.9)	(31.7)	(32.6)	(33.8)	(34.6)	(34.8)	(34.7)	(34.0)	(32.7)	(30.6)	(29.4)	(35.4)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	76.2	78.2	80.6	83.6	86.7	89.3	90.6	90.7	89.0	85.9	81.3	78.2	84.2
	(24.6)	(25.7)	(27.0)	(28.7)	(30.4)	(31.8)	(32.6)	(32.6)	(31.7)	(29.9)	(27.4)	(25.7)	(29.0)
Daily mean °F (°C)	68.6	70.7	73.1	76.7	80.1	82.8	84.1	84.2	83.0	80.1	74.8	71.2	77.4
	(20.3)	(21.5)	(22.8)	(24.8)	(26.7)	(28.2)	(28.9)	(29.0)	(28.3)	(26.7)	(23.8)	(21.8)	(25.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	61.0	63.2	65.6	69.8	73.4	76.3	77.5	77.7	76.9	74.2	68.3	64.3	70.7
	(16.1)	(17.3)	(18.7)	(21.0)	(23.0)	(24.6)	(25.3)	(25.4)	(24.9)	(23.4)	(20.2)	(17.9)	(21.5)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	45.1	48.5	52.3	59.6	66.7	71.5	72.5	72.8	72.7	65.0	55.7	49.7	42.5
	(7.3)	(9.2)	(11.3)	(15.3)	(19.3)	(21.9)	(22.5)	(22.7)	(22.6)	(18.3)	(13.2)	(9.8)	(5.8)
Record low °F (°C)	28	27	32	39	50	60	66	67	62	45	36	30	27
	(−2)	(−3)	(0)	(4)	(10)	(16)	(19)	(19)	(17)	(7)	(2)	(−1)	(−3)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	1.83	2.15	2.46	3.36	6.32	10.51	7.36	9.58	10.22	7.65	3.53	2.44	67.41
	(46)	(55)	(62)	(85)	(161)	(267)	(187)	(243)	(260)	(194)	(90)	(62)	(1,712)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	7.7	6.5	6.3	6.9	10.8	17.6	17.3	19.4	18.1	13.8	8.6	8.0	141.0
Average relative humidity (%)	72.7	70.9	69.5	67.3	71.6	76.2	74.8	76.2	77.8	74.9	73.8	72.5	73.2
Average dew point °F (°C)	57.6	57.6	60.4	62.6	67.6	72.0	73.0	73.8	73.2	68.7	63.9	59.2	65.8
	(14.2)	(14.2)	(15.8)	(17.0)	(19.8)	(22.2)	(22.8)	(23.2)	(22.9)	(20.4)	(17.7)	(15.1)	(18.8)
Mean monthly sunshine hours	219.8	216.9	277.2	293.8	301.3	288.7	308.7	288.3	262.2	260.2	220.8	216.1	3,154
Percentage possible sunshine	66	69	75	77	72	70	73	71	71	73	68	66	71
Average ultraviolet index	5.1	6.7	8.6	10.2	10.5	10.7	10.8	10.5	9.3	7.1	5.3	4.5	8.2

Source 1: NOAA (relative humidity, dew point and sun 1961–1990), 29, 30, 31 The Weather Channel 32 Source 2: UV Index Today (1995 to 2022), 33 Thunderstorm days (1961 to 1990) 34

Climate data for Miami Beach, 1981−2010 normals

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	73.8	74.9	76.3	79.4	82.8	86.5	88.1	88.5	87.0	83.7	79.3	75.7	81.3
	(23.2)	(23.8)	(24.6)	(26.3)	(28.2)	(30.3)	(31.2)	(31.4)	(30.6)	(28.7)	(26.3)	(24.3)	(27.4)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	61.4	63.0	65.3	69.2	73.9	77.0	78.3	78.6	77.7	74.7	69.5	64.3	71.1
	(16.3)	(17.2)	(18.5)	(20.7)	(23.3)	(25.0)	(25.7)	(25.9)	(25.4)	(23.7)	(20.8)	(17.9)	(21.7)
Average rainfall inches (mm)	2.09	2.33	3.00	3.20	4.98	8.27	4.35	6.37	7.88	4.47	2.74	2.05	51.73
	(53)	(59)	(76)	(81)	(126)	(210)	(110)	(162)	(200)	(114)	(70)	(52)	(1,313)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.01 in)	6.7	6.0	6.9	6.0	8.9	14.5	12.1	14.0	14.9	11.2	8.1	6.9	116.2

Source: NOAA (extremes 1927−present) 29

Component Counties, Subregions, and Cities

Largest Cities

The following table lists the twenty largest cities within the Miami metropolitan area, ranked by their 2020 population:

City	County	2000 Population	2010 Population	2020 Population	2010 to 2020 % Change
Miami	Miami-Dade	362,470	399,457	442,241	+10.71%
Hialeah	Miami-Dade	226,419	224,669	223,109	−0.69%
Fort Lauderdale	Broward	152,397	165,521	182,760	+10.41%
Pembroke Pines	Broward	137,427	154,750	171,178	+10.62%
Hollywood	Broward	139,357	140,768	153,067	+8.74%
Miramar	Broward	72,739	122,041	134,721	+10.39%
Coral Springs	Broward	117,549	121,096	133,394	+10.16%
Miami Gardens	Miami-Dade	100,758	107,167	111,640	+4.17%
Pompano Beach	Broward	78,191	99,845	112,046	+12.22%
West Palm Beach	Palm Beach	82,103	99,919	117,415	+17.51%
Davie	Broward	75,720	91,922	105,691	+14.98%
Boca Raton	Palm Beach	74,764	84,392	97,422	+15.44%
Sunrise	Broward	85,779	84,439	97,335	+15.27%
Plantation	Broward	82,934	84,955	91,750	+8.00%
Miami Beach	Miami-Dade	87,933	87,779	82,890	−5.57%
Deerfield Beach	Broward	64,583	75,018	86,859	+15.78%
Boynton Beach	Palm Beach	60,389	68,217	80,380	+17.83%
Lauderhill	Broward	57,585	66,887	74,482	+11.35%
Doral	Miami-Dade	20,438	45,704	75,874	+66.01%
Homestead	Miami-Dade	31,909	60,512	80,737	+33.42%

Sources: 35, 36, 37

Areas with between 10,000 and 100,000 inhabitants

Areas with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants

Demographics

The demographic composition of the Miami metropolitan area is remarkably diverse, reflecting its status as a major gateway for international migration and a melting pot of cultures.

Miami MSA (Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach) Census Population and Percentage Change

Census Year	Population	Note	%±
1920	66,542	—	—
1930	214,830		222.8%
1940	387,522		80.4%
1950	693,705		79.0%
1960	1,497,099		115.8%
1970	2,236,885		49.4%
1980	3,220,844		44.0%
1990	4,056,100		25.9%
2000	5,007,564		23.5%
2010	5,564,635		11.1%
2020	6,138,333		10.3%
2023 (est.)	6,183,199		0.7%

U.S. Decennial Census

Historical Racial Composition

Race/Ethnicity	2020 2	2010 42	2000 41	1990 40	1980 39
White (non-Hispanic)	29.1%	34.8%	44.1%	54.5%	64.6%
Hispanic or Latino	45.9%	41.6%	34.0%	27.8%	20.2%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	18.7%	19.7%	18.1%	16.3%	14.2%
Asian and Pacific Islander (non-Hispanic)	2.6%	2.2%	1.7%	1.2%	1.1%
Native American (non-Hispanic)	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%
Other Race (non-Hispanic)	0.8%	0.3%	0.3%	0.1%
Two or more races (non-Hispanic)	2.8%	1.2%	1.8%	N/A	N/A
Population	6,138,333	5,564,635	5,007,564	4,056,100	3,220,844

Demographic Characteristics

Characteristic	2020 43, 44, 45	2010 46, 47, 48	2000 49, 50, 51	1990 40	1980 39, 52
Households	2,641,002	2,464,417	2,149,749	1,586,355	1,261,686
Persons per household	2.32	2.26	2.33	2.56	2.55
Sex Ratio	92.8	93.8	93.4	92.1	90.1
Ages 0–17	19.6%	21.7%	23.6%	22.0%	22.6%
Ages 18–64	61.5%	62.4%	59.9%	59.7%	59.3%
Ages 65 +	18.9%	15.9%	16.4%	18.3%	18.1%
Median age	42.2	39.9	37.7	36.4	36.9
Population	6,138,333	5,564,635	5,007,564	4,056,100	3,220,844

Economic Indicators

Indicator	2017–21 American Community Survey	Miami Metro Area
Median income 53	$34,644
Median household income 54	$62,855	$61,777
Poverty Rate 55	13.6%	13.1%
High school diploma 56	86.5%	89.0%
Bachelor's degree 56	34.1%	31.5%
Advanced degree 56	13.0%	11.7%

Language Spoken at Home

Language	2015 d	2010 e	2000 59	1990 60	1980 61
English	46.9%	49.2%	55.3%	64.0%	72.9%
Spanish or Spanish Creole	41.6%	39.7%	34.6%	27.8%	20.2%
French or Haitian Creole	5.9%	5.8%	4.9%	3.0%	1.3%
Other Languages	5.5%	5.3%	5.3%	5.1%	5.7%

There's a pronounced linguistic divide within the region. In 2010, English was the primary household language for 73.1% of residents in Palm Beach County and 63.4% in Broward County. However, in Miami-Dade County, English was spoken at home by only 28.1% of residents, while Spanish was the dominant language for 63.8%.

Nativity

Status	2015 f	2010 g	2000 66, 67	1990 60	1980 61
% population native-born	60.0%	61.8%	65.0%	71.0%	76.7%
... born in the United States	57.0%	59.1%	62.3%	68.4%	75.0%
... born in Puerto Rico or Island Areas	1.8%	1.7%	1.9%	2.2%	1.8%
... born to American parents abroad	1.2%	1.1%	0.8%	0.9%
% population foreign-born h	40.0%	38.2%	35.0%	29.0%	23.3%
... born in Cuba	13.0%	12.0%	11.5%	11.3%	10.6%
... born in Haiti	3.7%	3.5%	2.9%	1.8%	N/A i
... born in Colombia	2.9%	2.8%	2.5%	1.4%	N/A i
... born in Jamaica	2.3%	2.3%	2.1%	1.4%	0.7%
... born in Venezuela	1.6%	1.2%	0.7%	0.3%	N/A i
... born in Nicaragua	1.5%	1.7%	1.8%	1.7%	N/A i
... born in the Dominican Republic	1.2%	1.1%	1.0%	0.5%	0.2%
... born in Mexico	1.1%	1.1%	1.0%	0.5%	0.2%
... born in Honduras	1.1%	1.1%	0.9%	0.4%	N/A i
... born in Peru	1.1%	1.1%	0.9%	0.5%	N/A i
... born in Brazil	0.8%	0.7%	0.6%	0.2%	N/A i
... born in Guatemala	0.7%	0.7%	0.4%	0.2%	N/A i
... born in Argentina	0.7%	0.6%	0.5%	0.3%	N/A i
... born in Canada	0.6%	0.6%	0.7%	0.7%	0.9%
... born in Ecuador	0.5%	0.5%	0.4%	0.2%	N/A i
... born in El Salvador	0.5%	0.5%	0.4%	0.2%	N/A i
... born in India	0.4%	0.3%	0.2%	0.1%	0.1%
... born in [Trinidad and Tobago](/Trinidad_and_ Tobago)	0.4%	0.4%	0.4%	0.2%	N/A i
... born in the United Kingdom	0.3%	0.3%	0.4%	0.5%	0.6%
... born in China	0.3%	0.2%	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%
... born in the Philippines	0.3%	0.2%	0.2%	0.1%	0.1%
... born in Italy	0.2%	0.2%	0.3%	0.3%	0.5%
... born in Chile	0.2%	0.2%	0.3%	0.2%	N/A i
... born in the Bahamas	0.2%	0.2%	N/A i	0.3%	N/A i
... born in Spain	0.2%	0.2%	0.2%	0.3%	N/A i
... born in Germany	0.2%	0.2%	0.4%	0.5%	0.6%
... born in Panama	0.2%	0.2%	0.2%	0.2%	N/A i
... born in Russia	0.2%	0.1%	0.2%	0.3% j	0.9% j
... born in Poland	0.1%	0.2%	0.3%	0.5%	0.7%
... born in Hungary	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.2%
... born in Austria	< 0.1%	< 0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.2%
... born in other countries	3.4%	3.7%	3.3%	3.6%	6.7%

Religion

According to a 2014 study by the Pew Research Center, Christianity is the most prevalent religion in the Miami metropolitan area, with 68% of the population identifying as Christian. Within this group, 39% attend a variety of churches considered Protestant, while 27% identify as Roman Catholic. Judaism follows as the second-largest religious group, with 9% of the population identifying as Jewish. Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and various other religions have smaller followings. Notably, 21% of the population reported no religious affiliation.

The Miami area hosts one of the largest Jewish communities in the United States. In the 2000 Census, 10.2% of the population identified as Jewish. A 2011 survey on American Judaism indicated that Palm Beach County had the highest number of Jewish residents in Florida, both in absolute terms (205,850) and as a percentage of the county's population (15.8%). Broward County ranked second with 170,700 Jewish residents (9.8% of the population), followed by Miami-Dade County with 106,300 Jewish residents (4.3% of the population).

Housing

Fluctuations in house prices for the region are closely monitored through the Case–Shiller index, a statistic published by Standard & Poor's and a component of their 10-city composite index tracking the residential real estate market.

As of 2005, the Miami area contained a total of 2.3 million housing units, with 13% of them being vacant. Of these units, 52% were single-family structures, 45% were in multi-unit buildings, and 3% were mobile homes. A significant portion, 25%, of the housing stock was constructed after 1990. By 2019, over 70% of Miami residents were renters, with the median rent standing at $1,355, which was$ 180 above the national average.

In terms of household composition, there were 2,338,450 households, with an average size of 2.6 people. Families constituted 65% of these households, comprising both married-couple families (45%) and other family types (20%). Nonfamily households accounted for the remaining 35%, primarily consisting of individuals living alone.

Regarding occupied housing unit characteristics in 2005, the Miami area had 2.0 million occupied units. Of these, 1.3 million (66%) were owner-occupied, and 688,000 (34%) were renter-occupied.

As of 2010, housing costs in the Miami area typically represented 40% of household income, a figure notably higher than the national average of 34%.

In March 2009, lawmakers in the Miami area approved a 5–10% increase in property tax millage rates across the metropolitan region. This measure was intended to fund the construction of new schools and support understaffed educational institutions, leading to an increase in property tax bills for residents beginning in the 2009 tax year.

Politics

Politically, the Miami metropolitan area aligns with most large metropolitan regions in the United States by leaning Democratic. Broward County stands out as the second-most heavily Democratic county in Florida, surpassed only by the smaller Gadsden County. This contrasts with the broader political landscape of Florida, which, influenced by its significant Southern demographic and a large elderly voting population, tends to be a swing or Republican-leaning state. Miami-Dade County, while urban, exhibits a relatively high percentage of Republican voters for such a county. This is partly attributed to its substantial Cuban-American population, whose strong anti-communist sentiments often translate into Republican affiliation. Nevertheless, Miami-Dade County remains predominantly Democratic when compared to most other Florida counties. Even Palm Beach County, known for its suburban and affluent character, reliably votes Democratic. In the 2020 presidential election, it supported Democratic candidate Joe Biden by a wider margin than Miami-Dade County did.

2024 Miami Metropolitan Presidential Election

In the 2016 presidential election, a significant 62.3% of voters in the Miami metropolitan area cast their ballots for the Democratic candidate. This represented the sixth-highest proportion among all U.S. metro areas. However, recent electoral trends indicate a notable shift towards the Republican party. Former President Donald Trump saw his margin of defeat in the metro area narrow considerably in 2020, losing by 16 points compared to a 30-point loss in 2016. This shift was particularly pronounced in Miami-Dade County, which moved 22 percentage points to the right between 2016 and 2020. Furthermore, Governor Ron DeSantis secured a victory in the metro area during the 2022 Florida gubernatorial election, winning both Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties (the former by double digits), while losing Broward County by less than 16 points.

Miami Metropolitan Presidential Election Results

Year	Democratic	Republican	Third parties
2024	49.95% 1,360,195	48.89% 1,331,378	1.15% 31,387
2020	57.73% 1,670,188	41.51% 1,200,953	0.76% 22,014
2016	62.32% 1,552,139	34.82% 867,352	2.86% 71,300
2012	62.53% 1,399,403	36.84% 824,480	0.63% 14,089

Source: 80

Government

The governance of the metropolitan area is structured around its three constituent counties. Collectively, there are 107 municipalities, or incorporated places, within the metropolis. Each of these municipalities operates its own city, town, or village government, with no functional distinction between these designations. A significant portion of the metropolitan area's landmass remains unincorporated, meaning it does not fall under the jurisdiction of any municipality and is therefore directly governed by the county in which it is located.

Congressional Districts

The Miami metropolitan area is divided among nine Congressional districts: the 18th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th districts. As of 2017 (the 113th Congress), the Cook Partisan Voting Index classified four districts as Republican-leaning: the 18th, 25th, 26th, and 27th, with the 25th being the most Republican-leaning at R+5. Five districts were classified as Democratic-leaning: the 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, with the 24th being the most Democratic-leaning at D+34, making it the ninth-most Democratic-leaning district in the nation.

Economy

The economic landscape of the Miami metropolitan area is diverse and dynamic. Among the employed population, management, professional, and related occupations constitute the largest sector at 32%. Sales and office occupations follow closely at 30%, with service occupations accounting for 18%. The construction, extraction, maintenance, and repair sectors employ 11%, while production, transportation, and material moving occupations represent 9%. The vast majority of employed individuals, 81%, are classified as private wage and salary workers. Government employees at federal, state, and local levels make up 12%, and 7% are self-employed.

The median income for households in the Miami area was $43,091. A significant majority of households, 78%, reported earnings, while 13% received retirement income other than Social Security. Social Security benefits were received by 30% of households, with an average monthly amount of$ 13 (source citation needed). It's important to note that these income sources are not mutually exclusive, and many households benefit from multiple streams of income.

In 2005, for the employed population aged 16 and older, the leading industries were educational services, health care, and social assistance, accounting for 18% of employment. Professional, scientific, and management, administrative, and waste management services followed, representing 13%. Commuting patterns reveal that 79% of Miami area workers drove alone to work in 2005. Carpooling was utilized by 10%, public transportation by 4%, and other means by 4%. The remaining 3% worked from home. For those who commuted, the average travel time to work was 28.5 minutes.

GDP

County/MSA	GDP (billion US$)
Miami-Dade County	239.652 83
Broward County	162.924 84
Palm Beach County	131.097 85
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL (MSA)	533.674 86

Culture

Miami Dialect

In Miami-Dade County, a distinct dialect, commonly known as the Miami accent, is widely spoken. This dialect emerged among second and third-generation Hispanics, particularly Cuban-Americans, whose first language was English. Elements of this accent have also been adopted by some non-Hispanic white, black, and individuals of other races who were born and raised in Miami-Dade. The accent is rooted in a relatively standard American accent but incorporates distinctive features influenced by dialects of the Mid-Atlantic, especially those found in the New York area dialect, Northern New Jersey English, and New York Latino English. Unlike certain other American dialects, the Miami accent is rhotic. It also integrates a rhythm and pronunciation heavily influenced by Spanish, a language characterized by its syllable-timed rhythm.

Distinguishing the Miami accent from the interlanguages spoken by second-language learners is possible. The Miami accent typically does not exhibit the addition of /ɛ/ before initial consonant clusters with /s/, speakers do not confuse /dʒ/ with /j/ (e.g., saying "jail" instead of "yale"), and the sounds /r/ and /rr/ are pronounced as an alveolar approximant [ɹ] rather than the alveolar tap [ɾ] or alveolar trill [r] found in Spanish.

The Miami accent is considerably less prevalent in Broward County and Palm Beach County, areas where the majority of the population is non-Hispanic.

Area Codes

The Miami metropolitan area is served by a complex system of area codes:

305: Covers Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys; overlaid by 786.
786: Also covers Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys; overlays with 305.
954: Encompasses all of Broward County, including Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Coral Springs, and Pompano Beach; overlaid by 754.
754: Also covers all of Broward County; overlays with 954.
561: Covers all of Palm Beach County, including West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, and Delray Beach; overlaid by 728.
728: Also covers all of Palm Beach County; overlays with 561.

Media

Greater Miami is a significant media market, served by multiple English-language and two major Spanish-language daily newspapers. The Miami Herald, headquartered in Doral, is the region's primary newspaper, boasting over a million readers. It maintains news bureaus in Broward County, Monroe County, and Nassau, Bahamas. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel primarily circulates in Broward and southern Palm Beach counties and also has a news bureau in Havana, Cuba. The Palm Beach Post focuses on Palm Beach County, particularly its central and northern regions, and the Treasure Coast. The Boca Raton News publishes five days a week, serving southern Palm Beach County. El Nuevo Herald, an affiliate of the Miami Herald, and Diario Las Americas, are prominent Spanish-language daily newspapers circulating mainly in Miami-Dade County. Weekly Spanish newspapers, La Palma and El Sentinel, published by the Palm Beach Post and Sun-Sentinel respectively, cover the same geographical areas as their English counterparts.

Several university student newspapers also contribute to the local media landscape, including The Miami Hurricane at the University of Miami, University Press) at Florida Atlantic University, PantherNOW at Florida International University, and The Current) at Nova Southeastern University.

Greater Miami is divided into two distinct television and radio markets: the Miami-Fort Lauderdale market, which serves Miami-Dade, Broward, and the Florida Keys; and the West Palm Beach market, covering Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast region.

The Miami-Fort Lauderdale market ranks as the 12th largest radio market and the 16th-largest television market in the U.S. Key television stations serving this area include WAMI-TV (UniMas), WBFS-TV (The CW), WSFL-TV (Independent), WFOR-TV (CBS), WHFT-TV (TBN), WLTV (Univision), WPLG (Independent), WPXM (ION), WSCV (Telemundo), WSVN (FOX, with ABC on DT2), WTVJ (NBC), WLRN-TV (PBS), and WPBT (also PBS). The latter two PBS stations are unique in serving the entire metropolitan area.

Beyond the Miami-Fort Lauderdale market, West Palm Beach has its own distinct media landscape. It ranks as the 49th largest radio market and the 38th-largest television market in the U.S. Television stations broadcasting in the West Palm Beach area include WPTV (NBC), WHDT (Independent), WPEC (CBS), WPBF (ABC), WFLX (FOX), WTVX (The CW), WXEL (PBS), and WPXP (ION). Both the West Palm Beach and Miami-Fort Lauderdale markets share access to WSCV and WLTV for Telemundo and Univision programming, respectively. Additionally, programming from both markets is often available interchangeably across areas. In 2015, WPBT and WXEL merged their operations to form South Florida PBS, maintaining separate programming schedules and social media platforms while sharing the same subchannel lineup.

Education

In Florida, each county functions as its own school district, overseen by an elected school board. The day-to-day management of each district is handled by a professional superintendent, appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the school board.

The Miami-Dade County Public School District is recognized as the 4th-largest public school district in the nation. Similarly, the School District of Palm Beach County ranks as the 4th-largest in Florida and the 11th-largest nationally. Broward County Public School District holds the distinction of being the 6th-largest in the United States.

The University of Miami, a private research institution, is consistently ranked among the top universities in the United States and possesses the most selective admissions criteria among Florida's 171 colleges and universities.

As of 2023, Florida International University, with an enrollment exceeding 55,000 students, ranks as the eighth-largest public university by enrollment nationwide.

Other notable colleges and universities within the Greater Miami area include:

Barry University (private/Catholic)
Broward College (public)
Carlos Albizu University (private)
Chamberlain University (private)
Florida Atlantic University (public)
Florida International University (public)
Florida Memorial University (private/Baptist)
Florida National University (private)
Jersey College (private)
Keiser University (private)
Lynn University (private)
Miami Dade College (public)
Miami International University of Art & Design (private)
Nova Southeastern University (private)
Palm Beach Atlantic University (private/Christian)
Palm Beach State College (public)
St. Thomas University (private/Catholic)
University of Fort Lauderdale (private/Christian)
University of Miami (private)

In 2005, 82% of individuals aged 25 and over had completed high school, with 28% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. Among those aged 16 to 19, 7% were considered dropouts, meaning they were not enrolled in school and had not completed high school. The total student enrollment in the Miami metropolitan area was 1.4 million in 2005. Nursery school and kindergarten enrollment accounted for 170,000 students, while elementary and high school enrollment was 879,000. Enrollment in college or graduate school programs reached 354,000.

Transportation

The Miami metropolitan area is a major transportation hub, with extensive infrastructure for road, air, and sea travel.

Roads

The region is served by five interstate highways managed by the Florida Department of Transportation in conjunction with local authorities. I-95 traverses the area north to south along the coast, terminating just south of Downtown Miami at South Dixie Highway (US 1). I-75 runs east to west, curving south in western Broward County and linking suburban north Miami-Dade to Naples on the Southwest Coast via Alligator Alley, a route that cuts through the Florida Everglades before heading north. I-595, also known as the Port Everglades Expressway, connects the Broward coast and Downtown Fort Lauderdale to I-75 and Alligator Alley. In Miami, I-195, the Airport Expressway, and I-395, the Dolphin Expressway, divert traffic from the main I-95 route eastward toward Biscayne Boulevard (US 1) and Miami Beach, crossing Biscayne Bay via the Julia Tuttle and MacArthur causeways. Gratigny Parkway connects northern Miami suburbs to the southern terminus of I-75. The Palmetto Expressway, a crucial beltway road for urban Miami, links I-95 and Florida's Turnpike at the Golden Glades Interchange near northeastern North Miami Beach to the southern inland suburbs of Kendall and Pinecrest. The Don Shula Expressway and the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike form the southernmost section of the beltway, connecting the Palmetto Expressway to the bedroom communities of Homestead and Florida City. The Snapper Creek Expressway provides a connection from the Don Shula Expressway to South Dixie Highway (US 1).

In Greater Fort Lauderdale, the Sawgrass Expressway (SR 869) serves as the primary urban bypass route, linking the northern Broward County coast at I-95 and Deerfield Beach to I-595 and I-75 near Sunrise.

Express lanes have been implemented on I-95, extending from Miami-Dade County into Broward County. With increasing traffic congestion in South Florida, express lane projects have also been initiated in southern Palm Beach County.

Major Freeways and Tollways:

I-95
I-75
I-195 / SR 112 (Airport Expressway)
I-395 / SR 836 (Dolphin Expressway)
I-595 (Port Everglades Expressway)
Florida's Turnpike, including the Homestead Extension
SR 924 (Gratigny Parkway)
SR 874 (Don Shula Expressway)
SR 878 (Snapper Creek Expressway)
SR 869 (Sawgrass Expressway)
SR 826 (Palmetto Expressway)

Major Airports

The metropolitan area is served by three principal commercial airports, which collectively form the fourth-largest domestic origin and destination market in the United States, following New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

Airport	IATA code	County	FAA Category
Miami International Airport	MIA	Miami-Dade	Large Hub
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport	FLL	Broward	Large Hub
Palm Beach International Airport	PBI	Palm Beach	Medium Hub

Additionally, several smaller general aviation airports operate within the metro area:

Airport	IATA code	ICAO code	County
Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport	TNT	KTNT	Miami-Dade
Miami Homestead General Aviation Airport			Miami-Dade
Homestead Joint Air Reserve Base	HST	KHST	Miami-Dade
Miami Executive Airport	TMB	KTMB	Miami-Dade
Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport	OPF	KOPF	Miami-Dade
Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport	FXE	KFXE	Broward
North Perry Airport	HWO	KHWO	Broward
Pompano Beach Airpark	PPM	KPMP	Broward
North Palm Beach County General Aviation Airport			Palm Beach
Palm Beach County Park Airport	LNA	KLNA	Palm Beach
Boca Raton Airport	BCT	KBCT	Palm Beach

Seaports

The metropolitan area is home to four significant seaports. The most prominent among these is the Port of Miami, which holds the distinction of being the world's busiest cruise ship port. Other key ports in the area include Port Everglades, the Port of Palm Beach, and the Miami River Port. In a significant development, PortMiami and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed a Partnership Agreement in August 2012 for the Deep Dredge project. This project aims to deepen the port's existing channels to a depth of minus 50/52 feet, preparing it to accommodate larger vessels following the expansion of the Panama Canal, which was slated for completion in early 2015. The deepened channel will provide ships with an efficient, reliable, and safe navigational route into the port. PortMiami is projected to be the only U.S. port south of Norfolk, Virginia, capable of handling such depths concurrently with the expanded canal. The Deep Dredge project is anticipated to generate over 30,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs in Florida and support the port's objective of doubling its cargo traffic within a decade.

Public Transportation

Miami-Dade Transit stands as Florida's largest public transit agency, operating a comprehensive network of rapid transit lines, people movers, and an intercity bus system. Metrorail, Florida's sole rapid transit system, currently features 23 stations along a 24.4-mile (39.3 km) track. The Downtown Miami people mover, known as Metromover, comprises 20 stations across three lines on a 4.4-mile (7.1 km) track, serving the neighborhoods of the Arts & Entertainment District, the Central Business District, and Brickell. Metrobus provides service throughout Miami-Dade County, extending into Monroe County as far south as Marathon, and into Broward County, reaching as far north as Downtown Fort Lauderdale. In Broward County, Broward County Transit operates the public bus system, while Palm Tran serves Palm Beach County. Additionally, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority manages Tri-Rail, a commuter rail service connecting the major cities of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, along with intermediate stations. Brightline offers intercity rail service to Miami, Aventura, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and connects to Central Florida's Orlando. Discussions are also underway for potential expansions to Tampa and Jacksonville.

Sports

Professional

The Miami metropolitan area is home to five major professional sports franchises:

Professional Team	League	Sport	Venue	City	Established	Championships
Miami Dolphins	National Football League (NFL)	Football	Hard Rock Stadium	Miami Gardens	1966	2
Inter Miami CF	Major League Soccer (MLS)	Soccer	Chase Stadium	Fort Lauderdale	2020	0
Miami Heat	National Basketball Association (NBA)	Basketball	Kaseya Center	Downtown Miami	1988	3
Miami Marlins	Major League Baseball (MLB)	Baseball	LoanDepot Park	Little Havana	1993	2
Florida Panthers	National Hockey League (NHL)	Hockey	Amerant Bank Arena	Sunrise	1993	2

College Sports

The most prominent collegiate sports program in the Miami metropolitan area belongs to the Miami Hurricanes, representing the University of Miami in Coral Gables. They compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the highest level of collegiate athletics. The University of Miami's football team has secured five national championships since 1983, and its baseball team has won four national championships since 1982.

Other notable collegiate sports programs in the metropolitan area include the Florida Atlantic Owls from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, the FIU Panthers of Florida International University in University Park, the Nova Southeastern Sharks from Nova Southeastern University in Davie, and the Barry Buccaneers of Barry University in Miami Shores.

Minor League and Other Sports

The Miami area also hosts several minor league sports teams and other sporting events:

The Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals conduct their spring training in Jupiter at Roger Dean Stadium.
The Houston Astros and Washington Nationals hold their spring training in West Palm Beach at Cacti Park of the Palm Beaches. 100, 101, 102
Inter Miami CF fields a reserve team that competes in MLS Next Pro.
The Homestead-Miami Speedway, an oval track, has hosted events for the NASCAR Cup Series and IndyCar Series. Temporary street circuits at Museum Park were used for various races, including CART, IMSA GT, and American Le Mans Series events between 1986 and 1995, as well as a Formula E race in 2015. The Palm Beach International Raceway is a smaller road course facility.
The Miami Sharks, a team in Major League Rugby, plays at AutoNation Sports Field in Fort Lauderdale.

Major Professional and D-I College Teams (Attendance > 10,000)

Club	Sport	League	Venue (Capacity)	Attendance	League Championships
Miami Dolphins	Football	National Football League	Hard Rock Stadium (64,767)	70,035	Super Bowl (2) — 1972, 1973
Miami Heat	Basketball	National Basketball Association	Kaseya Center (19,600)	19,710	NBA Finals (3) — 2006, 2012, 2013
Miami Marlins	Baseball	Major League Baseball	LoanDepot Park (36,742)	21,386	World Series (2) — 1997, 2003
Inter Miami CF	Soccer	Major League Soccer	Chase Stadium (21,550)	21,550	None
Florida Panthers	Hockey	National Hockey League	Amerant Bank Arena (19,250)	19,250	Stanley Cup (2) — 2024, 2025
Miami Hurricanes	Football	NCAA D-I (ACC)	Hard Rock Stadium (64,767)	53,837	National titles (5) — 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2001
Florida Atlantic Owls	Football	NCAA D-1 (AAC)	Flagler Credit Union Stadium (29,571)	18,948	None
FIU Panthers	Football	NCAA D-I (Conference USA)	Pitbull Stadium (23,500)	15,453	None

Chase Stadium, home stadium of Inter Miami of MLS
Kaseya Center, home of the Miami Heat of the NBA
LoanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins of MLB
Amerant Bank Arena, home of the Florida Panthers
Flagler Credit Union Stadium, home of the Florida Atlantic Owls
Pitbull Stadium, home of the FIU Panthers