History of Miami in Timeline

Miami is a major coastal city located in South Florida. As of 2020, it has a population of over 442,000, making it Florida's second-most populous city. Its metropolitan area, home to approximately 6.46 million residents, is the third-largest in the Southeast and sixth-largest nationwide. Known for its impressive skyline, Miami boasts over 300 high-rises, with a significant number exceeding 491 feet in height. It also serves as the county seat of Miami-Dade County.

1900: Miami Population in 1900

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

February 3, 1917: Record Low Temperature on February 3, 1917

The historical temperature extreme low reached 27 °F (−2.8 °C) on February 3, 1917.

1922: Coral Way Built in 1922

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

1925: Coconut Grove Annexed into Miami in 1925

Coconut Grove, settled in 1825, was annexed into Miami in 1925.

1925: Tornado in 1925

In 1925, Miami was struck by a tornado.

1926: 1926 Miami Hurricane

The 1926 Miami Hurricane slowed development in Miami.

1940: Miami Population in 1940

By 1940, Miami's population had grown to 172,172 people, spurred by its role as a base for U.S. defense during World War II.

July 21, 1942: Record High Temperature on July 21, 1942

On July 21, 1942, Miami recorded a temperature of 100 °F (38 °C), which is the record high.

1950: Miami Population in 1950

By the 1950 census, Miami's population had grown to 249,276, making it Florida's largest city.

1956: Start Date of Summer 1956-1997

From 1956 to 1997, the date summer began ranged from April 16 to June 3, with a median date of May 21.

1959: Cuban Revolution in 1959

In 1959, following the Cuban Revolution, many wealthy Cubans sought refuge in Miami, leading to a population increase.

1970: Miami's Population Demographics in 1970

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

1970: Miami Population in 1970

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

1972: Miami in 1972

In 1972, Miami hosted both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions during the Presidential election. The Miami Dolphins also had their undefeated "perfect" season.

January 19, 1977: Snow Flurries in 1977

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

1985: Election of Xavier Suarez in 1985

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

December 1989: Coldest Daytime Temperature in December 1989

In December 1989, Miami recorded 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, the non-Hispanic Black population of Miami peaked at almost 90,000, making up nearly a quarter of the city's population.

1997: End Date of Summer 1956-1997

From 1956 to 1997, the date summer ended ranged from September 24 to November 1, with a median date of October 17.

1997: Tornado in 1997

In 1997, a tornado struck Miami.

2000: Non-Hispanic White Population in 2000

At the time of the 2000 census, the non-Hispanic White population reached a nadir of 11.8%.

2000: Miami Population in 2000

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

2000: Population Growth in Miami from 1970 to 2000

From 1970 to 2000, population growth in Miami was stagnant, as non-Hispanic White Miamians left and significant immigration from Latin America made up the balance.

2010: Non-Hispanic White Population in 2010

At the time of the 2010 census, the non-Hispanic White population grew to 11.9%.

2010: City Residents of American and Arab Ancestry in 2010

In 2010, 1.9% of Miami's population considered themselves to be of only American ancestry (regardless of race or ethnicity), while 0.5% were of Arab ancestry.

2010: City Residents Origin Breakdown in 2010

In 2010, 34.4% of city residents were of Cuban origin, 15.8% had a Central American background (7.2% Nicaraguan, 5.8% Honduran, 1.2% Salvadoran, and 1.0% Guatemalan), 8.7% were of South American descent, 4.0% had other Hispanic or Latino origins, 3.2% descended from Puerto Ricans, 2.4% were Dominican, and 1.5% had Mexican ancestry.

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 Intermodal Center Completion

In 2010, the Miami Intermodal Center, a large transportation hub serving various modes of transport, was completed. It serves approximately 150,000 commuters and travelers in the Miami area.

2010: City Residents European Ancestry Breakdown in 2010

In 2010, those of (non-Hispanic white) European ancestry were 11.9% of Miami's population. Of the city's total population, 1.7% were German, 1.6% Italian, 1.4% Irish, 1.0% English, 0.8% French, 0.6% Russian, and 0.5% were Polish.

2010: Miami Population in 2010

Miami's population grew by 10.2% from 2000 to 2010 and reached 399,457 in 2010.

November 2011: Opening of New Norwegian Seamen's Church in November 2011

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

2011: Miami Ranked Eighth-Most Walkable City

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

2012: MiamiCentral Station Phase I Completion

In 2012, Phase I of MiamiCentral Station was completed.

2012: Miami Central Station Completion Delay

In 2012, the expected completion of the Miami Central Station, intended to move Amtrak operations to a centralized location, experienced delays.

2014: Pew Research Center study in 2014

According to a 2014 Pew Research Center study, Christianity was the most practiced religion in Miami at 68%, with 39% professing Protestantism and 27% Catholicism. Judaism was practiced by 9%, and atheism or no self-identifying organized religious affiliation was practiced by 21%.

2014: Miami Central Station Completion Further Delay

In 2014, the completion of the Miami Central Station was pushed back again to early 2015 after experiencing several delays.

2015: Tri-Rail part of Phase II Completion

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

2015: Miami Central Station Completion Delayed Again

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

2017: Miami's GDP in 2017

In 2017, Miami's metropolitan area had a gross domestic product of $344.9 billion, making it the largest urban economy in Florida.

2018: Downtown Population Growth by 2018

By 2018, the downtown population of Miami, from Brickell north to Midtown Miami, had grown nearly 40% since 2010, according to an estimate by the American Community Survey.

2018: UBS Study of World Cities in 2018

In a 2018 study by UBS of 77 world cities, Miami was ranked as the third-richest city in the U.S. and third-richest globally in terms of purchasing power.

2020: 2020 Report by Resources for the Future

According to a 2020 report by Resources for the Future, Miami is one of the most at-risk cities globally in terms of climate change.

2020: Miami Population Identifying as Hispanic and Latino in 2020

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

2020: Miami Population in 2020

In 2020, the city proper of Miami had a population of 442,241 according to the census. Furthermore, 70.2 percent of the city's population identified as Hispanic and Latino in 2020.