History of Miami Gardens, Florida in Timeline

Miami Gardens, Florida, is a suburb of Miami located in north-central Miami-Dade County. Situated approximately 16 miles north of downtown Miami, the city's boundaries extend from I-95 and Northeast 2nd Avenue in the east to Northwest 47th and 57th Avenues in the west, and from the Broward County line in the north to 151st Street in the south. Named after the major roadway, Miami Gardens Drive (Florida State Road 860), the city had a population of 111,640 as of 2020.

1971: Opening of Calder Race Course in 1971

The Calder Race Course officially opened in 1971.

September 1979: Opening of North Dade Regional Library

In September 1979, the North Dade Regional Library, operated by the Miami-Dade Public Library System, opened.

1985: Norland Middle School Magnet Program

In 1985, Norland Middle School started a magnet program in dance, music, theatre and art.

2000: Census Designated Places in 2000

In 2000, various parts of what would become Miami Gardens appeared as census-designated places.

May 13, 2003: Incorporation of Miami Gardens

On May 13, 2003, Miami Gardens was incorporated, incorporating previously unincorporated areas within Miami-Dade County.

2003: Merchandize Liquidators Founded in 2003

In 2003, Merchandize Liquidators, based in Miami Gardens, was founded.

2003: Incorporation of Miami Gardens

In 2003, the city of Miami Gardens was incorporated.

December 16, 2007: Miami Gardens Police Department Becomes Operational

On December 16, 2007, the Miami Gardens Police Department became operational with 159 sworn officers.

2007: Low-Income Housing Policy Change in 2007

In 2007, Mayor Shirley Gibson announced the city would no longer allow low-income housing developments due to resident concerns about crime and recreational drugs.

2008: Stops in Miami Gardens

Between 2008 and 2013, 99,980 stops occurred in Miami Gardens, involving 56,922 people.

2010: Miami Gardens Demographics in 2010

As of the 2010 United States census, the population of Miami Gardens was 107,167 people residing in 32,000 households, with 23,749 families. 6.0% of households were vacant in 2010.

2012: Proposal for Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) in 2012

In 2012, Mayor Oliver Gilbert proposed forming a community redevelopment agency (CRA) to address slum and blight issues in Miami Gardens.

2012: Florida Marlins Relocation in 2012

In 2012, the Florida Marlins relocated to Miami and changed their name to the Miami Marlins, leaving Hard Rock Stadium.

2012: Oliver Gilbert as Mayor in 2012

Since 2012, Oliver Gilbert has been the mayor of Miami Gardens, leading a seven-member city council.

2013: Stops in Miami Gardens

Between 2008 and 2013, 99,980 stops occurred in Miami Gardens, involving 56,922 people.

2013: Allegations of Law Enforcement Abuses in 2013

In 2013, several news outlets reported allegations of law enforcement abuses regarding the Miami Gardens Police Department, including the repeated arrest of a convenience store employee for trespassing.

2016: Crime Statistics for 2016

In 2016, Miami Garden's violent crime rate was 63.64% higher than the national violent crime rate, and the property crime rate was 30.99% higher than the national property crime rate.

2016: Reported Crime Cases in 2016

In 2016, Miami Gardens saw 432 reported cases of aggravated assault, 22 of arson, 509 of burglary, 24 of forcible rape, 2,743 of larceny and theft, 419 of motor vehicle theft, 22 of murder and manslaughter, and 265 of robbery.

2016: Crime rates compared to Florida in 2016

In 2016, Miami Gardens' violent crime rate was higher than that in Florida by 50.99%, and the property crime rate was 19.49% higher.

2016: Age and gender Distribution in 2016

In 2016, the age distribution in Miami Gardens varied across different age groups, with a nearly equal gender split of 46.9% male and 53.1% female. The average household size was 3.52 members.

2018: Crime Rate Prediction for 2018

The crime rate for Miami Gardens for 2018 was expected to be lower than in 2016, with decreases in both property crimes and violent crimes.

2018: Projected Crime Data for 2018

The projected crime data for 2018 included 286 reported cases of aggravated assault, 26 of arson, 435 of burglary, 7 of forcible rape, 2,139 of larceny and theft, 205 of motor vehicle theft, 18 of murder and manslaughter, and 102 of robbery.

2020: Miami Gardens Population in 2020

According to the 2020 census, the population of Miami Gardens was 111,640.

2020: Demographics of Miami Gardens in 2020

As of the 2020 United States census, Miami Gardens had a population of 111,640 people, 30,946 households, and 23,158 families.

2020: Miami Gardens Demographics and Metropolitan Area in 2020

In 2020, Miami Gardens was Florida's most populous city with a majority African American population, and the Miami metropolitan area, of which Miami Gardens is a principal city, had a population of 6.158 million people.