City of Homestead
County
Miami-Dade
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Boundaries
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Community Type
Municipality
History
In 1898, the southern portion of Dade County is opened to homesteading. Mainly populated by farmers, a single road, nicknamed "Homesteaders Trail," leads in and out of the area. In 1904, Henry Flagler begins construction the Key West extension to his railroad. The settlement for his workers becomes a center of commerce and by 1913 it is incorporated as the City of Homestead. As railroad traffic increased, so did the city's population and economy. Many of the businesses were directly related to agriculture. In subsequent years, Homestead gains the Royal Palm State Park (now Everglades National Park), its first gas station, town hall, electrical plant, fire truck, and Chamber of Commerce. The 1920s boom ended with the Hurricane of 1926. By 1930, the population declines by 1,000 residents.
The Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 destroys the railroad to Key West. Three years later a highway is built on the railroad’s foundations. In 1942, Lt. Col. William Plummer converts Pan Am’s airfield into the Homestead Army Air Field. It is closed by the Hurricane of 1945. Due to the an increase in World War II veterans the city’s population increases to over 4,500 by 1950. Three years later, the airfield is reopened as Homestead Air Force Base. The base generates millions for the local economy. The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 prompts an increase in personnel and construction of missile silos in the Homestead area. City population reaches 25,000 by 1983. Although directly hit by Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the city gained a motor speedway and nearly tripled its population in the two decades that followed.
Community Dynamics
According to the 2015 5-year estimate of the American Community Survey, Homestead had a population of 64,676, with a median household income of $40,959. The 2015 median property value was $116,400. Non-White Hispanics made up 60.8% of the population, followed by Blacks at 19.4%, and Whites at 16.8%. The most common countries of origin are Cuba, Haiti, Mexico and the Bahamas. There is a high percentage of native-born youth, and as a result, the median age is 31.5.
Many identify Homestead with the destruction resulting from Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Although the economy is largely based in the agricultural sector, Hurricane Andrew set economic development back greatly, as it destroyed Homestead Air Force Base, which was a vital part of the local economy. Although the Homestead Air Force Base was already listed as one of several bases to be downsized, the immediate loss of a functioning Air Force base resulted in a concentrated economic loss to the local economy within a single fiscal year. In March of 1995, the Homestead Economic and Rebuilding Organization (HERO) used $30 million in federal and state funds to restore Homestead’s downtown area. This project received criticism from locals because of the inability of residents to afford the new homes. Homestead’s community goals are to sustain organizational performance, to stimulate growth, motivate economic development, stress community values, and increase the quality of life for its citizens. The City has a Mayor’s Youth Council comprised of 30 youths from the area in grades 9-12. The purpose of this council is to allow the youth to have a voice in the decision making process, as well as providing them with opportunities for self-growth and leadership development. Homestead wants to maintain a small town atmosphere, but with urban amenities.
Business Landscape
The Homestead/Florida City Empowerment Zone attracts new businesses with lucrative incentives. This area has Miami-Dade County’s largest inventory of inexpensive undeveloped land zoned for industrial and commercial use. Many fruit and food processing facilities operate in the Zone, along with several satellite communication firms.
Agriculture is still a great source of revenue and serves as a mainstay of the economy. Nearly half of the winter vegetables consumed in the United States are grown in the area (Miami-Dade County's agriculture, which represents nearly $1 billion annually in local economic impact, is centered on just six percent of the county's available land). The former Homestead Air Force Base remains underutilized, but could be developed as a major attractor within a relatively short time frame. Recent developments include an expansion of the nuclear power facilities at Turkey Point, and the arrival of big box retail chains such as Wal-Mart, Sedano's, Home Depot, and Office Depot. Sprawl and encroachment upon the urban development boundary are issues that the City continues to address. Homestead-Miami Speedway hosts the annual finale of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
Transportation Characteristics
The principal roadways linking Homestead with the rest of Miami-Dade County are US 1, the Florida Turnpike and State Road 997. US 1 (Homestead Blvd.) runs northeast to southwest, roughly through the middle of the City, and is the only way to the Florida Keys. State Road 997 (Krome Ave.) runs north-south through the western end of Homestead and through the historic downtown district.
In addition to the Metrobus and the Dade-Monroe Express service operated by Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW), the City of Homestead has two local circulator lines, the Homestead Trolley. This free service operates daily and transits principal residential and commercial areas, as well as the historic downtown district and Miami-Dade College's Homestead Campus. The Trolley connects with the Metrobus system at the Busway
The City has focused on the revitalization of its downtown and the SW 4th St. corridor, while working with the county on enhancement of regional access. It encourages a multi-modal transportation system, including bicycle and pedestrian ways, in its Urban Transit Village project and the Greenway Network Demonstration project, which encompasses the Biscayne Wilderness Trail and the Everglades Trail.
