Hialeah, Florida

Hialeah is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, it is the sixth-largest city in Florida with a population of 223,109 people. It is also the second largest city in Miami-Dade County, located in the busy Miami metropolitan area of South Florida.

What makes Hialeah special is its strong Hispanic community. In 2020, about 94% of the people living there were of Hispanic background, which is one of the highest percentages in the United States. Most people, about 84%, are of Cuban or Cuban-American descent, and Spanish is spoken at home by almost 90% of families.

The city has its own numbered street grid, different from the rest of the county. Hialeah was officially created, or incorporated, in 1925. It has several train stations, including the Okeechobee, Hialeah, and Tri-Rail/Metrorail Transfer stops, making it easy for people to travel to Downtown Miami, Miami International Airport, and even up to West Palm Beach.

History

See also: Timeline of Hialeah, Florida

The city of Hialeah got its name from Muskogee or Seminole words meaning "pretty prairie." It is located between Biscayne Bay and the Everglades.

In 1921, Glenn Curtiss and James H. Bright started developing the town and built Hialeah Park Race Track. In the 1920s, Hialeah became known for sports like jai alai and greyhound racing, as well as movies. A big storm in 1926 changed the city.

Hialeah became a home for many people after Cuba's revolution in 1959. Waves of Cuban families helped the city grow. From just 1,500 people in 1925, Hialeah grew to become Florida's sixth-largest city today.

Geography

Hialeah is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida. According to the United States Census Bureau, it covers a total area of 19.7 square miles (51 km²). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

The city has a tropical monsoon climate. It is surrounded by several areas, including Miami Lakes, Opa-locka, Hialeah Gardens, Medley, Miami Springs, Westview, West Little River, Gladeview, and Brownsville.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 223,109 people, 76,459 households, and 56,047 families living in the city.

2010 census

From 2015 to 2016, the number of people in Hialeah grew a little, from 234,714 to 235,626. In 2010, there were 224,669 people, 73,826 households, and 56,896 families living in the city.

In 2010, Hialeah was one of the most crowded cities in the United States.

Census data

In 2000, many families had children under 18 living with them. Most adults were married, and some households had only one person living alone. The average family size was about 3.4 people.

In 2000, most people were between 25 and 44 years old. The median age was 43.5 years. In 2000, the median income for a family was $31,621. Many families and people lived below the poverty line.

By 2022, most people spoke Spanish at home, while a smaller group spoke only English.

Economy

Hialeah is a busy commercial center in Miami-Dade County. You can find many big stores that sell things all over the city.

The city also has many small shops run by families. These shops are strong competitors to the big stores. Because of this, big companies have changed how they do business to better fit what local people need. You can find supermarkets on the main streets, including ones that serve Latin American and Hispanic families. Although many old factories and cloth-making businesses from the 1970s–1980s are gone, new businesses in electronics and technology have helped the local economy grow again. Westland Mall has over 100 stores and several restaurants. Telemundo, a big Spanish-language TV network in the United States, had its main office at 2340 West 8th Avenue in Hialeah until 2018.

Parks and recreation

In 2009, a big project began to bring back Hialeah Park Race Track. After some changes, the park reopened for horse races and added fun machines for visitors. The full plan includes building a huge entertainment area with hotels, restaurants, shops, and more.

Hialeah has many places to play and stay active. There are three tennis centers, five public pools, and over 14 parks covering more than 100 acres. Milander Park has a big football stadium and an auditorium. Amelia Earhart Park, south of Opa Locka Airport, is a large park with trails, soccer fields, a special area for dogs, and a place for water sports like wakeboarding and paddleboarding.

Since 2022, the city has been creating the "Leah Arts district" around Factory Town, a place for concerts and entertainment.

Government and infrastructure

The University of Florida College of Dentistry runs a dental clinic in Hialeah. This clinic opened in 1997 to help people in South Florida.

Hialeah is part of Florida's 26th congressional district. It is represented in the House of Representatives by Mario Díaz-Balart, who is a Republican. The current mayor of Hialeah is Bryan Calvo.

In recent years, Hialeah has tended to support Republican leaders. In the 2016 United States presidential election in Florida, votes were split between the two main candidates. By the 2020 United States presidential election in Florida, most people in Hialeah voted for Trump. This support grew even more in the next election.

Education

Public primary and secondary schools

Miami-Dade County Public Schools provides education for students in Hialeah.

Two high schools in Hialeah, Mater Academy Charter High School and Miami Lakes Tech, received "Silver" awards in U.S. News & World Report’s "Best High Schools 2008 Search".

Private schools

• Champagnat Catholic School – serves mainly southern and south-central Hialeah
• Edison Private School
• Horeb Christian School
• Immaculate Conception School
• Our Lady of Charity School – a private Catholic school not formally associated with the Roman Catholic Church, located in Hialeah
• St. John the Apostle School – serves mainly southern and south-central Hialeah

Post-secondary

Public colleges

• Miami-Dade College Hialeah Campus has been the city's academic center since 1980. In addition to teaching, the campus also organizes many cultural and community events.

Private colleges and universities

• ASA College
• College of Business and Technology
• Florida National University

Public library

Hialeah's public library began in 1924, a year before the city was officially created. Even though most libraries in the county are part of the Miami-Dade Public Library System, Hialeah's libraries work separately. The first library was given by the Hialeah Women's Club and was housed in one of the club members’ homes. The latest branch, John F. Kennedy Library, is now the main library for Hialeah. In 2017, the library was renovated with new furniture, beautiful murals, polished terrazzo floors, and new sculptures. The library offers books, digital resources, and a special collection about Hialeah's history.

Transportation

Further information: Transportation in South Florida

In 2013, Hialeah was named one of the top five cities with the worst drivers by Slate and Allstate.

Rail

Hialeah has many ways to travel by train. It is served by Miami-Dade Transit with buses, and by the Miami Metrorail, Tri-Rail, and Amtrak at certain stops.

Metrorail:

•      Tri-Rail/Metrorail Transfer (North 79th Street and West 37th Avenue)
•      Hialeah (East 21st Street and East 1st Avenue)
•      Okeechobee (West 19th Street and South Okeechobee Road)

Tri-Rail:

•      Tri-Rail/Metrorail Transfer (North 79th Street and West 37th Avenue)
•      Hialeah Market (North 41st Street and West 38th Avenue)

Amtrak:

•      Amtrak-Miami: Silver Star and Silver Meteor service (North 79th Street and West 37th Avenue)

Road

Hialeah is easy to reach by car. The city is linked by several major roads, including:

• Interstate 75
• State Road 826 (Palmetto Expressway)
• Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
• U.S. Route 27 (Okeechobee Road)
• State Road 924 (Gratigny Parkway)

Notable people

Hialeah is home to many famous people. Some of them are Agustin Anello, a soccer player, and Alex Avila, a baseball player for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Others include Jacqueline Becerra, a federal judge, and Terry Borcheller, a racing driver. The city has also been home to actors, musicians, and athletes who have made their mark in various fields.