History of Miami in Timeline

Miami is a major coastal city located in Florida, United States. As of 2020, it has a population of over 442,000, making it the second-most populous city in Florida. Miami is the central hub of a large metropolitan area with an estimated 6.46 million residents, making it the sixth-largest in the U.S. Known for its impressive skyline, Miami boasts over 300 high-rises. It is the county seat of Miami-Dade County.

1900: Miami's population in 1900

In the 1900 census, Miami's population was 1,681.

February 3, 1917: Lowest temperature recorded in Miami

On February 3, 1917, Miami recorded its lowest temperature of 27 °F (-2.8 °C).

1922: Building of Coral Way in 1922

Coral Way, a historic residential neighborhood was built in 1922 between Downtown and Coral Gables.

1925: Tornado strike in Miami in 1925

A tornado struck Miami in 1925.

1925: Annexation of Coconut Grove in 1925

Coconut Grove was annexed into Miami in 1925 and is a historic neighborhood with narrow, winding roads and a heavy tree canopy.

1926: The 1926 Miami Hurricane

The 1926 Miami Hurricane slowed development in Miami.

1940: Miami's population in 1940

By 1940, Miami's population increased to 172,172 people as it became a base for U.S. defense during World War II.

July 21, 1942: Highest temperature recorded in Miami

On July 21, 1942, Miami recorded its highest temperature of 100 °F (38 °C).

1950: Miami's population in 1950

By the 1950 census, Miami's population grew to 249,276.

1956: Start date for measuring summer in Miami

From 1956, summer start date was tracked in Miami.

1959: Cuban Revolution in 1959

After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, many wealthy Cubans sought refuge in Miami, increasing the city's population.

1970: Miami population at 1970 census

According to the 1970 census, Miami's population reached 334,859.

1970: Racial Demographics in Miami in 1970

In 1970, Miami's population was reported as 45.3% Hispanic, 32.9% non-Hispanic White, and 22.7% Black.

1972: Miami in 1972

Miami's national profile expanded dramatically in the 1970s, particularly in 1972 when the region hosted both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, and the Miami Dolphins had their undefeated season.

January 19, 1977: Snow flurries in Miami in 1977

On January 19, 1977, some parts of Miami experienced snow flurries.

1978: Calle Ocho Festival Began

The Calle Ocho Festival, the largest Latin music festival in the country, has been running since 1978 in Miami.

1985: Election of the first Cuban-born mayor

In 1985, Miami elected its first Cuban-born mayor, Xavier Suarez.

1988: Trump wins Miami-Dade County

In the 2024 presidential election in Florida, Donald Trump won Miami-Dade County by eleven points, the first time a Republican candidate had won the county since 1988.

December 1989: Coldest daytime maximum temperature in Miami in 1989

In December 1989, Miami had its coldest daytime maximum temperature of 45 °F (7 °C) during the December 1989 United States cold wave.

1990: Peak of non-Hispanic Black population in 1990

In 1990, Miami's non-Hispanic Black population peaked at almost 90,000, making up nearly a quarter of the city's population.

1996: Miami Jewish Film Festival Established

The Miami Jewish Film Festival (MJFF) was established in 1996 as an annual event held in January, screening films relating to Jewish history and culture.

1997: Tornado strike in Miami in 1997

A tornado struck Miami in 1997.

1997: End date for measuring summer in Miami

Until 1997, the end date of summer was tracked in Miami.

2000: Nadir of non-Hispanic White population in 2000

At the time of the 2000 census, the non-Hispanic White population was at its lowest point, comprising 11.8% of Miami's population.

2000: Miami's population in 2000

By the time of the 2000 census, Miami's population stood at 362,470.

2000: Population growth from 1970 to 2000

From 1970 to 2000, Miami experienced stagnant population growth due to the departure of non-Hispanic White residents and immigration from Latin America.

2001: Miami Government Bankrupt

In 2001, Miami's local government declared bankruptcy.

2002: Ron DeSantis wins Miami-Dade County

In the 2022 Florida gubernatorial election, Ron DeSantis won Miami-Dade County, the first Republican candidate to do so since 2002.

2003: Miami Hosts Free Trade Area of the Americas Negotiations

Miami was the host city of the 2003 Free Trade Area of the Americas negotiations.

2007: Miami identified as having rudest drivers

In 2007, Miami was identified as having the rudest drivers in the United States for the second year in a row, according to a poll commissioned by AutoVantage.

2007: Housing Market Crash

The housing market crash of 2007 resulted in a foreclosure crisis in the Miami area.

September 2008: Miami-Dade County Public Schools Enrollment

In September 2008, Miami-Dade County Public Schools had a student enrollment of 385,655 across 392 schools and centers.

2009: Univision Plans New Production Studio in Miami

In 2009, Univision announced plans to build a new production studio in Miami, to be called Univision Studios.

2010: Non-Hispanic White population in 2010

At the time of the 2010 census, the non-Hispanic White population rose slightly to 11.9% of Miami's population.

2010: American and Arab Ancestry Population in 2010

In 2010, 1.9% of the population considered themselves to be of only American ancestry, and 0.5% were of Arab ancestry.

2010: Origins of city residents in 2010

In 2010, 34.4% of city residents were of Cuban origin, 15.8% had a Central American background, 8.7% were of South American descent, and 4.0% had other Hispanic or Latino origins.

2010: City resident origin in 2010

In 2010, 5.6% of city residents were West Indian or Afro-Caribbean American origin.

2010: Miami Colleges Graduation

In 2010, Miami Dade College, Florida International University, University of Miami, and Barry University graduated 28,000 students.

2010: Miami ranked 44th most bike-friendly city

In 2010, Miami was ranked as the 44th most bike-friendly city in the U.S., according to Bicycling Magazine.

2010: Miami population at 2010 census

In 2010, Miami's population reached 399,457 according to the census.

2010: Asian Ancestry Population in 2010

In 2010, people of Asian ancestry accounted for 1.0% of Miami's population.

2010: Completion of Miami Intermodal Center

In 2010, the Miami Intermodal Center, a transportation hub servicing various transport options like Metrorail, Amtrak, and Miami International Airport, was completed, serving approximately 150,000 commuters and travelers.

November 2011: Norwegian Seamen's church opens new building

In November 2011, Crown Princess of Norway Mette-Marit opened a new building for the Norwegian Seamen's Church in Miami. The church serves as a center for the approximately 10,000 Scandinavians living in Florida.

2011: Miami ranked eighth-most walkable city

A 2011 study by Walk Score ranked Miami the eighth-most walkable of the 50 largest cities in the U.S.

2011: Telemundo Filming in Miami

In 2011, 85% of Telemundo's original programming was filmed in Miami.

2012: Phase I of MiamiCentral Station Completed

In 2012, Phase I of MiamiCentral Station was completed.

2012: Expected completion of Miami Central Station

In 2012, the Miami Central Station was expected to be completed, but the project experienced delays.

2012: Miami Ranks Fourth in Poverty

In the 2012 census, Miami had the fourth-highest percentage of family incomes below the federal poverty line out of all large cities in the United States.

2013: Miami's Gross Metropolitan Product

In 2013, Miami had a Gross Metropolitan Product of $257 billion, ranking 11th in the United States and 20th worldwide.

2013: Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald Move Headquarters

In 2013, The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald newspapers moved from Downtown Miami to Doral.

2014: Religion in Miami in 2014

According to a 2014 Pew Research Center study, Christianity was the most-practiced religion in Miami (68%), followed by Judaism (9%), with smaller followings for Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and other religions. Atheism or no religious affiliation was practiced by 21% of the population.

2014: Port of Miami Tunnel Opens

In 2014, the Port of Miami Tunnel opened, connecting the MacArthur Causeway to PortMiami.

2014: Miami Central Station completion delayed

In late 2014, the completion of the Miami Central Station was again pushed back.

2015: U.S. census shows Miami lacks in owner-occupied housing, computer and internet usage, education, income, and poverty

According to the U.S. census between 2015 and 2019, Miami has shortcomings in owner-occupied housing, computer and internet usage, education, income, and poverty.

2015: Miami Transportation Statistics

In 2015, 19.9% of city of Miami households were without a car.

2015: Miami Hosts Formula E Race

In 2015, Miami hosted a one-off Formula E race.

2015: Tri-Rail part of Phase II Completed

In 2015, the Tri-Rail part of Phase II of MiamiCentral Station was completed.

2015: Miami Central Station completion further delayed

In early 2015, the completion of the Miami Central Station was further delayed.

2016: Archbishop Curley-Notre Dame High School Closure

Archbishop Curley-Notre Dame High School, located in the Miami city limits, closed in 2016.

2016: Miami Attracts Foreign Tourists

In 2016, Miami attracted the second-highest number of foreign tourists of any city in the United States, after New York City.

2016: Miami Transportation Statistics

In the 2016 American Community Survey, 72.3% of working city of Miami residents commuted by driving alone, and 18.6% of households were without a car.

2016: Trump makes gains in Miami-Dade County

In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump made gains among Hispanic voters in Miami-Dade County, losing the county by seven points and the city by 19 points.

2017: Miami's GDP in 2017

In 2017, Miami's metropolitan area had a gross domestic product of $344.9 billion.

2017: PortMiami Cruise Passengers

In 2017, PortMiami served 5,340,559 cruise passengers and imported 9,162,340 tons of cargo.

2017: ParkScore ranking

In the 2017 ParkScore ranking, The Trust for Public Land reported that the park system in the City of Miami was the 48th best park system among the 100 most populous U.S. cities.

2018: Miami's ranking in UBS study in 2018

According to a 2018 UBS study, Miami was the third-richest city in the U.S. and globally in purchasing power.

2018: Downtown population growth between 2010 and 2018

Between 2010 and 2018, downtown Miami's population grew nearly 40% according to an estimate by the American Community Survey.

2019: U.S. census shows Miami lacks in owner-occupied housing, computer and internet usage, education, income, and poverty

According to the U.S. census between 2015 and 2019, Miami has shortcomings in owner-occupied housing, computer and internet usage, education, income, and poverty.

2019: Miami Open moves to Hard Rock Stadium

In 2019, the Miami Open, an annual tennis tournament, was purchased by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and moved to Hard Rock Stadium.

2020: Miami's risk from climate change in 2020

According to a 2020 report, Miami is one of the most at-risk cities globally due to climate change.

2020: Miami Beta + level world city

According to the 2020 Globalization and World Cities Research Network ranking, Miami is considered a Beta + level world city.

2020: Hispanic and Latino population in 2020

As of 2020, 70.2 percent of Miami's population identified as Hispanic and Latino.

2020: Miami population at 2020 census

By the 2020 census, Miami's population grew to 442,241.

2020: Miami Park System Ranking

In its 2020 ParkScore ranking, The Trust for Public Land reported that the park system in the City of Miami was the 64th best park system among the 100 most populous U.S. cities.

2020: Non-Hispanic White population in 2020

In the 2020 census, non-Hispanic Whites made up 14.0% of Miami's population, numbering 61,829, the highest since the 1980s.

2020: Trump makes gains in Miami-Dade County

In the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump made gains among Hispanic voters in Miami-Dade County, losing the county by seven points and the city by 19 points.

2020: Miami's First Boat-In Movie Theater Opens

Miami's first boat-in movie theater opened in 2020.

2021: Homeless count in Miami

In 2021, within the city limits of Miami, there were 555 unsheltered homeless people on the streets.

2022: Citadel Relocates Headquarters to Miami

In 2022, Citadel LLC and Citadel Securities moved their headquarters from Chicago to Miami.

2022: Homeless count in Miami-Dade County

In 2022, a Point-In-Time Homeless Count found 3,440 homeless individuals in Miami-Dade County, with 970 of them living on the streets.

2022: Visitors to Miami in 2022

In 2022, the Miami metropolitan area had over four million visitors, making it the second-most visited metropolitan statistical area in the U.S. after New York City.

2022: Ron DeSantis wins Miami-Dade County

In the 2022 Florida gubernatorial election, Ron DeSantis won Miami-Dade County, the first Republican candidate to do so since 2002.

July 2024: Miami Hosted Copa América Final

Miami hosted the 2024 Copa América final in July 2024.

2024: Working in the Magic City: Moral Economy in Early Twentieth-Century Miami

According to Bennett, Evan P. (2024) “Working in the Magic City: Moral Economy in Early Twentieth-Century Miami,” Labour / Le Travail, 21(1): 123-152.

2024: Trump wins Miami-Dade County

In the 2024 presidential election in Florida, Donald Trump won Miami-Dade County by eleven points, the first time a Republican candidate had won the county since 1988.

2025: MJFF Film Awards

As of 2025, the Miami Jewish Film Festival awards a number of film awards: Critics Jury Prize, Next Wave Jury Prize, Kadima Jury Prize, Torchbearer Award, Emerging Filmmaker Award, and the Audience Awards for Best Narrative Film, Documentary Film, and Short Film.