Community Background Report

Indian Creek Village

County

Miami-Dade

Boundaries

See interactive map

Community Type

Municipality

History

The area known as Indian Creek was first developed in 1928. The island is located alongside other exclusive municipalities such as Bal Harbor and Surfside on Biscayne Bay. Midwestern socialites purchased lots from the government with the objective of building a country club and selling the lots surrounding the club and its courses. Creators of the island planned the development to serve as an enclave for the rich and famous. The atmosphere would resemble the English countryside and it would be one of the most exclusive communities in the nation. Indian Creek Village incorporated officially in 1938. Since incorporation, the Village and has surpassed all of its early expectations.

At the time of its incorporation, 17 residents lived on the island, while the country club had 180 members. Today, the island is comprised of estate residences, a private country club, and a golf course. The only way on and off the island is by boat or ferry bridge on 91st Street. A guard protects the island with 24-hour surveillance, and police officers patrol the island’s main thoroughfare. The only way to gain entrance onto the island is to be a resident or invited by a resident. No bridges connect Indian Creek Village with other islands or any portions of Miami-Dade County. Only one road winds around the community, connecting its residents. According to the 2000 census, the Village had a 29 percent poverty rating, a statistic which Village officials deny, blaming it on the low response rate of it citizens and the high seasonal population.

Community Dynamics

Indian Creek Village is one of the most affluent communities in the nation. Its 86 residents include four of America’s top 500 richest people, according to Forbes: activist investor Carl Icahn; hedge fund manager Eddie Lampert; car dealership owner Norman Braman and mutual fund mogul Charles Johnson. It serves as home to former Miami Dolphins Coach, Don Shula, and popular Latin singer Julio Iglesias. The island’s unique location adds to its exclusiveness. The 2015 American Community Survey reported that the Village’s median household income was $250,001. The demographics of Indian Creek differ greatly from many of Miami-Dade County’s other municipalities, with 70.5% of the population defined as white non-Hispanic. Indian Creek is one of only two municipalities in Miami-Dade County with less than 100 citizens.

Indian Creek residents pay the second highest property tax in the county, largely due to the high property values. One property was recently bought by a Russian billionaire at $47 million. These taxes contribute to the Village’s budget, which primarily funds the public safety police department. The department, which has been in existence since incorporation, currently employs ten full time and four reserve officers and four civilians public service aides to provide law enforcement and medical services for residents. As a result, the community has one of the highest police-resident ratios in the country. Along with the security guards, Tthere is also a security system set up to detect anyone attempting to climb the Village’s gates. There are plans to create an invisible perimeter around the island to prevent anyone from entering undetected. As expected, crime is almost non-existent in the community. The Village reported one crime between 2002 and 2004, a stolen cellular phone. The Village Council has voted to outlaw six breeds of dogs, including Doberman Pinschers and Pit Bulls. Little has changed in this community since its incorporation; Indian Creek Village remains a municipality limited to its residents and their guests, off limits to all uninvited visitors.

Transportation Characteristics

This small island in between North Beach and Biscayne Park bay has only one street, 91st Street, linking the island with the larger barrier island of Miami Beach. The semi-circular Indian Creek Island Road is the only peripheral road that hugs the large country club and golf course on the island.