History of Miami in Timeline

Miami is a major coastal city located in South Florida, serving as the core of its metropolitan area. It's the second-most populous city in Florida with over 442,000 residents and forms part of a larger metropolitan area of over 6 million residents, second only to Atlanta in the Southeast. Known for its impressive skyline, Miami boasts over 300 high-rises, making it a prominent urban center in the United States.

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, Miami recorded its historical temperature extreme low of 27 °F (-2.8 °C).

1922: Establishment of Coral Way

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

1925: Coconut Grove annexed into Miami

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

1925: Tornado strike in Miami

In 1925, a tornado struck Miami.

1926: The 1926 Miami Hurricane

The 1926 Miami Hurricane slowed the city's development.

1940: Miami population in 1940

By 1940, Miami's population had reached 172,172 people, due to World War II.

July 21, 1942: Record high temperature

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

1950: Miami population in 1950

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

1956: Range of Summer Start Dates

From 1956, the date summer began ranged from April 16 to June 3.

1959: Cuban Revolution

Following the Cuban Revolution in 1959, many wealthy Cubans sought refuge in Miami, which increased the city's population.

1970: Census Bureau report on Miami's population

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

1970: Miami's population

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

1972: Miami Hosts National Conventions and Dolphins' Perfect Season

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

January 19, 1977: Snow flurries in Miami

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

1985: Miami's first Cuban-born mayor

In 1985, Xavier Suarez was elected as Miami's first Cuban-born mayor.

1988: Republican candidate had won Miami-Dade County in the presidential election

In the 1988 presidential election in Florida, a Republican candidate had won Miami-Dade County.

December 1989: Coldest daytime temperature

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

1991: Coldest temperature average

Between 1991 and 2020, the coldest maximum temperature average stood at 59 °F (15 °C).

1997: Tornado in Miami

In 1997, a tornado struck Miami.

1997: Range of Summer End Dates

Until 1997, the date summer ended ranged from September 24 to November 1.

2000: Nadir of non-Hispanic White population

At the time of the 2000 census, the non-Hispanic White population reached a low point 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

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

2001: Miami's local government bankrupted

In 2001, Miami became one of the very few cities in the U.S. where the local government has gone bankrupt.

2002: Republican candidate lost Miami-Dade County in the gubernatorial election

In the 2002 Florida gubernatorial election, a Republican candidate lost Miami-Dade County.

2003: Miami hosted Free Trade Area of the Americas negotiations

In 2003, Miami was the host city for the Free Trade Area of the Americas negotiations, underscoring its role in international business and trade.

2007: Miami identified as having the rudest drivers in the United States

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

2007: Housing market crash and foreclosure crisis

The housing market crash of 2007 caused a foreclosure crisis in Miami, reflecting a broader economic downturn affecting metro areas across the United States.

September 2008: Student enrollment of Miami-Dade County Public Schools

In September 2008, Miami-Dade County Public Schools had a student enrollment of 385,655 and over 392 schools and centers, making it the largest school district in Florida.

2009: Univision announced plans to build a new production studio in Miami

In 2009, Univision announced plans to build a new production studio in Miami, named Univision Studios, to produce programming for all of Univision Communications' television networks.

2010: Rise of non-Hispanic White population

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

2010: Miami's population growth

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

2010: American and Arab ancestry

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

2010: Origins of city residents

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, 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: City residents of West Indian origin

In 2010, 5.6% of city residents were West Indian or Afro-Caribbean American origin, 3.0% were Black Hispanics, and 0.4% were Subsaharan African origin.

2010: Miami ranked as the 44th-most bike-friendly city in the U.S.

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

2010: 28,000 students graduated from Miami's four largest colleges and universities

In 2010, the city's four largest colleges and universities, Miami Dade College, Florida International University, University of Miami, and Barry University, graduated 28,000 students.

2010: Population of asian ancestry

In 2010, those of Asian ancestry were 1.0% of Miami's population.

2010: European ancestry

In 2010, those of non-Hispanic white European ancestry were 11.9% of Miami's population.

2010: Completion of Miami Intermodal Center

The Miami Intermodal Center, a massive transportation hub, was completed in 2010, serving about 150,000 commuters and travelers in the Miami area.

November 2011: Norwegian Seamen's Church

In November 2011, Crown Princess of Norway Mette-Marit opened a new building for the Norwegian Seamen's church.

2011: Miami ranked the eighth-most walkable of the 50 largest cities in the U.S.

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

2011: Telemundo's original programming filmed in Miami

In 2011, 85% of Telemundo's original programming was filmed in Miami, highlighting the city's importance as a television production center, especially for Spanish-language media.

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2012: Miami had the fourth highest percentage of family incomes below the federal poverty line

In 2012, Miami had the fourth highest percentage of family incomes below the federal poverty line out of all large cities in the United States, behind Detroit, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.

2012: Completion of Phase I of MiamiCentral Station

In 2012, Phase I of MiamiCentral Station was completed, enhancing transportation infrastructure in Miami.

2012: Miami Central Station expected to be completed

In 2012, the Miami Central Station was initially expected to be completed, aiming to centralize Amtrak operations and connect them with other transportation modes.

2013: The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald left Downtown Miami

In 2013, The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald newspapers left their longtime home in Downtown Miami, relocating to the former home of U.S. Southern Command in Doral.

2014: Miami Central Station expected to be completed

In 2014, the Miami Central Station was again expected to be completed in late 2014, after previous delays.

2014: The Port of Miami Tunnel opened

In 2014, the Port of Miami Tunnel opened, connecting the MacArthur Causeway to PortMiami, improving transportation infrastructure and access to the port.

2014: Religious affiliations in Miami

In a 2014 Pew Research Center study, Christianity was the most-practiced religion in Miami (68%), followed by Judaism (9%). Atheism or no self-identifying organized religious affiliation was practiced by 21%.

2015: Percentage of city of Miami households were without a car

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

2015: Miami hosted a one-off Formula E race

In 2015, Miami hosted a one-off Formula E race, adding to its history of hosting various professional auto races.

2015: Miami Central Station expected to be completed

In 2015, the Miami Central Station expected to be completed in early 2015.

2015: Tri-Rail part of Phase II of MiamiCentral Station was completed

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

2016: Closure of Archbishop Curley-Notre Dame High School

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

2016: Miami attracted the second-highest number of foreign tourists of any city in the United States

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

2016: Commuting data in Miami

In the 2016 American Community Survey, 72.3% of working city of Miami residents commuted by driving alone, 8.7% carpooled, 9% used public transportation, and 3.7% walked.

2016: Presidential election shift to the right

In the 2016 presidential election there was a 21 point shift to the right from 2016 in the Miami-Dade county.

2017: Miami's Gross Domestic Product

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

2017: PortMiami served 5,340,559 cruise passengers

In 2017, PortMiami served 5,340,559 cruise passengers and imported 9,162,340 tons of cargo, maintaining its status as a leading cruise and cargo port.

2017: ParkScore ranking of the park system in the City of Miami

In 2017, 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.

2017: Miami welcomed over 15.9 million visitors, contributing $26.1 billion to the economy

In 2017, more than 15.9 million visitors arrived in Miami, adding $26.1 billion to the economy, underscoring the importance of tourism to the city's economic vitality.

2018: UBS study of world cities

According to a 2018 UBS study of 77 world cities, Miami was the third-richest city in the U.S. and the third-richest globally in purchasing power.

2018: Downtown population growth

Between 2010 and 2018, the downtown population of Miami grew nearly 40%.

2019: Miami Open moved 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 from its previous location in Key Biscayne.

2020: Climate change report

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

2020: Hispanic and Latino population

As of 2020, Miami has a Hispanic and Latino population of 310,472, making up 70.2 percent of the city's total population.

2020: Coldest temperature average

Between 1991 and 2020, the coldest maximum temperature average stood at 59 °F (15 °C).

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

In 2020, Miami's first boat-in movie theater opened, adding a unique entertainment option to the city's cultural landscape.

2020: Miami is considered a Beta + level world city

In 2020, according to the Globalization and World Cities Research Network (GaWC), Miami was considered a Beta + level world city, along with Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston, based on the level of presence of global corporate service organizations.

2020: Miami population

In 2020, the census recorded Miami's population as 442,241, making it the second-most populous city in Florida, after Jacksonville.

2020: ParkScore ranking of the park system in the City of Miami

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: Miami's non-Hispanic Black population

In the 2020 census, Miami's non-Hispanic Black population was 52,447, only 11.7% of the population.

2020: Growth of non-Hispanic White population

In the 2020 census, non-Hispanic Whites were 14.0% of the population of Miami and numbered 61,829, the highest number since the 1980s.

2020: Trump made substantial gains among Hispanic voters

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

2021: City of Miami Homeless Population

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

2022: Tourism in Miami

In 2022, the Miami metropolitan area was the second-most visited city or metropolitan statistical area in the U.S. after New York City, attracting over four million visitors.

2022: Miami-Dade County Homeless Count

In a 2022 Point-In-Time Homeless Count, there were 3,440 homeless people in Miami-Dade County, 970 of which were on the streets.

2022: Ron DeSantis won Miami-Dade County in the gubernatorial election

In the 2022 Florida gubernatorial election, Ron DeSantis won Miami-Dade County for the first time for a Republican candidate since 2002 and only lost the city of Miami by one-and-a-half points, highlighting a shift in the area's political landscape.

July 2024: Miami hosted the 2024 Copa América final

In July 2024, Miami hosted the 2024 Copa América final, solidifying its position as a major venue for international sports events.

2024: Trump won Miami-Dade County in the presidential election

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