History of Miami Gardens, Florida in Timeline

Miami Gardens, located in north-central Miami-Dade County, Florida, is a city with a population of 111,640 as of 2020. Its boundaries extend from I-95 and Northeast 2nd Avenue eastward to Northwest 47th and Northwest 57th Avenues westward, and from the Broward County line northward to 151st Street southward. The city's name originates from Florida State Road 860, also known as Miami Gardens Drive. Notably, Miami Gardens boasts the largest African American population percentage among Florida cities, making it the state's most populous city with an African American majority, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. As a principal city in the Miami metropolitan area of South Florida, it contributes to the region's status as the nation's ninth-largest and the world's 65th-largest metropolitan area, with a population exceeding 6.158 million as of 2020. Miami Gardens is home to the renowned Hard Rock Stadium, a multipurpose stadium with a seating capacity of 64,767. This stadium serves as the home turf for both the Miami Dolphins, a National Football League team, and the Miami Hurricanes, the University of Miami's NCAA Division I college football team, which has achieved five national championship victories since 1983.

1971: Calder Race Course Opening

The Calder Race Course opened in 1971.

September 1979: North Dade Regional Library Opens

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

1983: Miami Hurricanes Win National Championship

The Miami Hurricanes football team, which has won five national championships since 1983, is based in Miami Gardens.

1985: Norland Middle School Magnet Program Begins

In 1985, Norland Middle School, in the Miami Gardens area, began a magnet program in dance, music, theatre and art.

2000: 2000 Census Data

The 2000 census recorded the population of the Miami Gardens CDP as 2,706.

May 13, 2003: Miami Gardens Incorporation

Miami Gardens was incorporated on May 13, 2003.

2003: City Incorporation and Previous Censuses

The city was incorporated in 2003, but various parts of the city appeared as census designated places in the 2000 census and previous censuses.

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: Ban on Low-Income Housing Developments

In 2007, Mayor Shirley Gibson said that the city would no longer allow any low-income housing developments.

2008: Start of period with high rates of police stops in Miami Gardens

In 2008, a period began in Miami Gardens where there was an exceptionally high rate of police stops.

2010: 2010 Census Data

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 107,167 people, 32,000 households, and 23,749 families residing in the city. In 2010, 6.0% of households were vacant.

2012: Oliver Gilbert becomes Mayor of Miami Gardens

In 2012, Oliver Gilbert became the Mayor of Miami Gardens.

2012: Proposal for a Community Redevelopment Agency

In 2012, Oliver Gilbert, only the second mayor the city has had, proposed forming a community redevelopment agency (CRA).

2012: Relocation of the Florida Marlins

The Florida Marlins of Major League Baseball shared Hard Rock Stadium with the Dolphins for almost two decades until, in 2012, they relocated to Miami and changed their name to the Miami Marlins.

2013: Reports of High Rate of Police Stops in Miami Gardens

In 2013, it was reported that, between 2008 and 2013, 99,980 stops occurred in Miami Gardens, involving 56,922 people, over half of the city's population.

2013: Allegations of Law Enforcement Abuses in Miami Gardens Police Department

In 2013, several news outlets alleged law enforcement abuses regarding the Miami Gardens Police Department. The abuses were first uncovered when it became public that a convenience store employee, Earl Sampson, was arrested 27 times for trespassing, while working at and around the store at which he was employed. Video evidence was gathered by the owner of the store, Ali Saleh, showing Miami Garden police involved in clear and repeated misconduct involving his employee, and customers. It appeared Sampson had been arrested in this way due to police quotas, a department culture, and that Sampson was easy to arrest.

2016: 2016 Age Distribution and Demographics

As of 2016, the age distribution was 5.6% under the age of 5, 6.7% from 5 to 9, 6.5% from 10 to 14, 15.5% from 15 to 24, 14.6% from 25 to 34, 12.7% 35 to 44, 13.1% 45 to 54, 12.6% 55 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The population was 46.9% male and 53.1% female. Families made up 72% of households, while 28% were non-families. The average household size was 3.52 members, and the city covered 20 square miles (52 km).

2016: Comparison of Crime Rates: Miami Gardens and Florida

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: Reported Crime Cases in 2016

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

2016: 2016 Crime Statistics

Miami Garden's 2016 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.

2018: Projected 2018 Crime Data

The crime rate for Miami Gardens for 2018 is expected to be lower than in 2016. Miami Garden's 2016 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.