Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Miami beach

Miami Beach is a city located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Originally incorporated as the city of Ocean Beach in 1915, the city changed its name to Miami Beach in 1917. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 87,933. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 89,104

Geography

Miami Beach is located at 25°48′47″N, 80°8′3″W (25.813025, -80.134065)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 48.5 km² (18.7 mi²). 18.2 km² (7.0 mi²) of it is land and 30.2 km² (11.7 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 62.37% water.

Description

In 1979 Miami Beach's Art Deco Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Art Deco District is the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world and is comprised of hundreds of hotels, apartments and other structures erected between 1923 and 1943. Mediterranean, Streamline Moderne and Art Deco are all represented in the District. The Historic District is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the East, Lenox Court on the West, 6th Street on the South and Dade Boulevard along the Collins Canal to the North. The movement to preserve the Art Deco District's architectural heritage was led by former interior designer Barbara Capitman, who now has a street in the District named in her honor.
South Beach is one of the most popular areas of Miami Beach. Topless sunbathing is tolerated on the beaches in this area.
Lincoln Road is a nationally known spot for great outdoor dining, bike riding, and shopping.
Miami Beach is one of the top 30 destinations in the United States for gay tourism.
Miami Beach and environs is home to a number of growing Orthodox Jewish communities with a network of well-established and growing synagogues and yeshivas. It is also a magnet for thousands of Jewish retirees and people who own second homes when the cold winter sets in to the north. They range from the Modern Orthodox to the Haredi and Hasidic - including many rebbes who vacation there during the North American winter. There are a number of kosher restaurants and even kollels for post-graduate Talmudic scholars.

Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 87,933 people, 46,194 households, and 18,339 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,829.5/km² (12,502.1/mi²). There were 59,723 housing units at an average density of 3,280.1/km² (8,491.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.74% White, 4.03% African American, 0.23% Native American, 1.37% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 4.05% from other races, and 3.53% from two or more races. 53.45% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Corner of Washington Avenue and Lincoln Road, in the heart of Miami Beach
There were 46,194 households out of which 14.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.4% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 60.3% were non-families. 48.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.87 and the average family size was 2.76.
In the city the population was spread out with 13.4% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 38.2% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 105.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,322, and the median income for a family was $33,440. Males had a median income of $33,964 versus $27,094 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,853. 21.8% of the population and 17.0% of families were below the poverty line. 25.2% of those under the age of 18 and 24.5% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.