Sweetwater, Florida
Encyclopedia
Sweetwater is a Miami suburban city in Miami-Dade County
, Florida
, United States
. The population was 14,226 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 13,992. Sweetwater is home to the largest concentration of Nicaraguan
s and Nicaraguan American
s in the U.S., as a result it is locally known as "Little Managua".
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²), all land, until December 2010. The city tripled in size upon the annexation of additional areas, including where Dolphin Mall is located.
The annexed area is roughly bounded by Northwest Seventh and 25th streets, 107th Avenue and Florida's Turnpike extension.
and subsequent South Florida real estate
"bust
" put an abrupt end to the development venture.
In 1938, Clyde Andrews acquired most of the "Sweetwater Groves" tract and began to market lots. Among his buyers was a troupe of Russia
n dwarves
seeking a place to retire
after a career with the circus
. They built several mini-scaled homes suited to their needs. For years, Sweetwater was known as the "midget
" community.
In 1941, Sweetwater held a successful election for incorporation. The new town's first mayor was Joe Sanderlin, the midgets' guardian and manager. By 1959, Sweetwater had attracted 500 residents and contained a town hall, church, grocery store, service station and 183 homes. It also had a two-man police force and a volunteer fire department. Sweetwater was the filming location for the 1969 movie, "Midnight Cowboy
". In 1970, Sweetwater was still a relatively small community of about 3,000 residents.
During the 1970s, however, several events were to happen which would dramatically change the hitherto "sleepy little country town" of Sweetwater forever. These events included the establishment of a major new state university, Florida International University
, to the south of the city, the construction of the two major expressways to the north and west, and the discovery of Sweetwater by Miami-Dade County's Hispanic
community. The growth and development which was precipitated by these occurrences caused Sweetwater to more than double in population and lead all other Miami-Dade cities in growth during the 1970s.
In March 1996, Sweetwater made national news as 69 animals were found dead on 2 properties in the city. Miami police and the local zoologist blamed a large dog, while many residents blamed the killings on the Chupacabra
. In August 2007, an episode of a Mexican novela was filmed in Sweetwater.
Presently, there are only a few vacant lots left to develop. The City's population has burgeoned to over 14,200 persons of which more than 93 % are of Hispanic origin. The City can now boast of having their own full-service police and fire department, as well as its own city hall complex, four parks, an elementary school, a county fire station, 4,353 residential housing units, 14 shopping centers, over 600 businesses, several churches and a bank. There are two 24 hour diners in Sweetwater, which are Rey's Pizza (Cuban Style Pizza) and La Esquinita Havanera (Cuban Cuisine). Both are located a short distance from each other off 107th Avenue. Sweetwater is also located near Miami International Mall
. After a December 2010 vote, Dolphin Mall
is now part of the city.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 14,226 people, 4,267 households, and 3,550 families residing in the city. The population density
was 17,439.7 inhabitants per square mile (6,698.4/km²). There were 4,353 housing units at an average density of 5,336.3 per square mile (2,049.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.15% White (6.2% were Non-Hispanic Whites,) 0.89% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 7.17% from other races
, and 4.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 93.16% of the population.
There were 4,267 households out of which 39.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples
living together, 19.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.8% were non-families. 12.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.33 and the average family size was 3.55.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,333, and the median income for a family was $30,823. Males had a median income of $22,378 versus $17,020 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $11,098. About 08.4% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.3% of those under age 18 and 21.7% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2000, 16.63% of Sweetwater residents identified as being of Nicaragua
n heritage. This was the highest percentage of Nicaraguan
s and Nicaraguan American
s of any place in the country. As a result, Sweetwater is locally known as "Little Managua" after Managua
, the Nicaraguan capital. It had the tenth highest percentage of Cuba
n residents in the US, at 49.92% of the city's population, and the ninety-sixth highest percentage of Colombia
n residents in the US, at 1.72% of its population (tied with Davie
and Maywood, New Jersey
.) It also had the twenty-ninth most Hondurans
in the US, at 1.31% of all residents.
.
Percentage of College Graduates
13% of Sweetwater residents age 25 and older have a bachelor's or advanced college degree.
Elementary Schools
Public Middle Schools
Public High Schools
Universities
Miami-Dade County, Florida
Miami-Dade County is a county located in the southeastern part of the state of Florida. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 2,496,435, making it the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 14,226 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 13,992. Sweetwater is home to the largest concentration of Nicaraguan
Nicaraguan
Nicaraguans are people inhabiting in, originating or having significant heritage from Nicaragua. Most Nicaraguans live in Nicaragua, although there is also a significant Nicaraguan diaspora, particularly in Costa Rica and the United States with smaller communities in other countries around the world...
s and Nicaraguan American
Nicaraguan American
Nicaraguan American are Americans of Nicaraguan ancestry who were born in or have immigrated to the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 177,684 Americans of full or partial Nicaraguan ancestry living in the U.S...
s in the U.S., as a result it is locally known as "Little Managua".
Geography
Sweetwater is located at 25°45′58"N 80°22′25"W (25.765977, -80.373624).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²), all land, until December 2010. The city tripled in size upon the annexation of additional areas, including where Dolphin Mall is located.
The annexed area is roughly bounded by Northwest Seventh and 25th streets, 107th Avenue and Florida's Turnpike extension.
Surrounding areas
FountainbleauFountainbleau, Florida
Fountainbleau is a census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 59,764 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Fountainbleau is located at ....
- TamiamiTamiami, FloridaTamiami is a census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 55,271 at the 2010 census. Tamiami is a portmanteau of the words "Tampa" and "Miami". The Tamiami Trail, a roadway that connects the two cities, was the reason for this unique combination...
FountainbleauFountainbleau, FloridaFountainbleau is a census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 59,764 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Fountainbleau is located at .... - TamiamiTamiami, FloridaTamiami is a census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 55,271 at the 2010 census. Tamiami is a portmanteau of the words "Tampa" and "Miami". The Tamiami Trail, a roadway that connects the two cities, was the reason for this unique combination...
FountainbleauFountainbleau, FloridaFountainbleau is a census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 59,764 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Fountainbleau is located at .... - TamiamiTamiami, FloridaTamiami is a census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 55,271 at the 2010 census. Tamiami is a portmanteau of the words "Tampa" and "Miami". The Tamiami Trail, a roadway that connects the two cities, was the reason for this unique combination...
University ParkUniversity Park, FloridaAccording to the census of 2000, there were 26,538 people, 8,646 households, and 6,501 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 6,535.1 people per square mile . There were 9,047 housing units at an average density of 2,227.9/sq mi...
University ParkUniversity Park, FloridaAccording to the census of 2000, there were 26,538 people, 8,646 households, and 6,501 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 6,535.1 people per square mile . There were 9,047 housing units at an average density of 2,227.9/sq mi...
History
The history of Sweetwater actually began during the Florida land boom of the 1920s when the Miami-Pittsburgh Land Company purchased land and laid out the original plat of "Sweetwater Groves." However, the 1926 Miami Hurricane1926 Miami Hurricane
The 1926 Miami hurricane was a Category 4 hurricane that devastated Miami in September 1926. The storm also caused significant damage in the Florida Panhandle, the U.S. state of Alabama, and the Bahamas...
and subsequent South Florida real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
"bust
Boom and bust
A credit boom-bust cycle is an episode characterized by a sustained increase in several economics indicators followed by a sharp and rapid contraction. Commonly the boom is driven by a rapid expansion of credit to the private sector accompanied with rising prices of commodities and stock market index...
" put an abrupt end to the development venture.
In 1938, Clyde Andrews acquired most of the "Sweetwater Groves" tract and began to market lots. Among his buyers was a troupe of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n dwarves
Dwarfism
Dwarfism is short stature resulting from a medical condition. It is sometimes defined as an adult height of less than 4 feet 10 inches , although this definition is problematic because short stature in itself is not a disorder....
seeking a place to retire
Retirement
Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to...
after a career with the circus
Circus
A circus is commonly a travelling company of performers that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists and other stunt-oriented artists...
. They built several mini-scaled homes suited to their needs. For years, Sweetwater was known as the "midget
Midget
A midget is a short person with relatively average bodily proportions in comparison with other human beings. The term is often improperly used to describe a person with the medical condition dwarfism. The two terms are often used synonymously because both terms originate as words defining small...
" community.
In 1941, Sweetwater held a successful election for incorporation. The new town's first mayor was Joe Sanderlin, the midgets' guardian and manager. By 1959, Sweetwater had attracted 500 residents and contained a town hall, church, grocery store, service station and 183 homes. It also had a two-man police force and a volunteer fire department. Sweetwater was the filming location for the 1969 movie, "Midnight Cowboy
Midnight Cowboy
Midnight Cowboy is a 1969 American drama film based on the 1965 novel of the same name by James Leo Herlihy. It was written by Waldo Salt, directed by John Schlesinger, and stars Dustin Hoffman and newcomer Jon Voight in the title role. Notable smaller roles are filled by Sylvia Miles, John...
". In 1970, Sweetwater was still a relatively small community of about 3,000 residents.
During the 1970s, however, several events were to happen which would dramatically change the hitherto "sleepy little country town" of Sweetwater forever. These events included the establishment of a major new state university, Florida International University
Florida International University
Florida International University is an American public research university in metropolitan Miami, Florida, in the United States, with its main campus in University Park...
, to the south of the city, the construction of the two major expressways to the north and west, and the discovery of Sweetwater by Miami-Dade County's Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
community. The growth and development which was precipitated by these occurrences caused Sweetwater to more than double in population and lead all other Miami-Dade cities in growth during the 1970s.
In March 1996, Sweetwater made national news as 69 animals were found dead on 2 properties in the city. Miami police and the local zoologist blamed a large dog, while many residents blamed the killings on the Chupacabra
Chupacabra
The chupacabras is a legendary cryptid rumored to inhabit parts of the Americas. It is associated more recently with sightings of an allegedly unknown animal in Puerto Rico , Mexico, and the United States, especially in the latter's Latin American communities...
. In August 2007, an episode of a Mexican novela was filmed in Sweetwater.
Presently, there are only a few vacant lots left to develop. The City's population has burgeoned to over 14,200 persons of which more than 93 % are of Hispanic origin. The City can now boast of having their own full-service police and fire department, as well as its own city hall complex, four parks, an elementary school, a county fire station, 4,353 residential housing units, 14 shopping centers, over 600 businesses, several churches and a bank. There are two 24 hour diners in Sweetwater, which are Rey's Pizza (Cuban Style Pizza) and La Esquinita Havanera (Cuban Cuisine). Both are located a short distance from each other off 107th Avenue. Sweetwater is also located near Miami International Mall
Miami International Mall
Miami International Mall is a shopping mall in Doral, Florida in western Metropolitan Miami, and so named because it is close to Miami International Airport. It has over 140 stores including anchors Macy's, Kohls, Dillard's, JC Penney and Sears...
. After a December 2010 vote, Dolphin Mall
Dolphin Mall
Dolphin Mall is a popular shopping mall just west of Doral proper in metropolitan Miami, Florida. There are over 240 retail outlets and name brand discounters as anchors.The Mall opened on March 1, 2001, the first of four Taubman Malls to open that year...
is now part of the city.
Demographics
Sweetwater is a city in Miami-Dade County, in the South Florida metro area.As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 14,226 people, 4,267 households, and 3,550 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 17,439.7 inhabitants per square mile (6,698.4/km²). There were 4,353 housing units at an average density of 5,336.3 per square mile (2,049.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.15% White (6.2% were Non-Hispanic Whites,) 0.89% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 7.17% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 4.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 93.16% of the population.
There were 4,267 households out of which 39.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 19.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.8% were non-families. 12.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.33 and the average family size was 3.55.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,333, and the median income for a family was $30,823. Males had a median income of $22,378 versus $17,020 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $11,098. About 08.4% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.3% of those under age 18 and 21.7% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2000, 16.63% of Sweetwater residents identified as being of Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
n heritage. This was the highest percentage of Nicaraguan
Nicaraguan
Nicaraguans are people inhabiting in, originating or having significant heritage from Nicaragua. Most Nicaraguans live in Nicaragua, although there is also a significant Nicaraguan diaspora, particularly in Costa Rica and the United States with smaller communities in other countries around the world...
s and Nicaraguan American
Nicaraguan American
Nicaraguan American are Americans of Nicaraguan ancestry who were born in or have immigrated to the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 177,684 Americans of full or partial Nicaraguan ancestry living in the U.S...
s of any place in the country. As a result, Sweetwater is locally known as "Little Managua" after Managua
Managua
Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua as well as the department and municipality by the same name. It is the largest city in Nicaragua in terms of population and geographic size. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Xolotlán or Lake Managua, the city was declared the national capital in...
, the Nicaraguan capital. It had the tenth highest percentage of Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n residents in the US, at 49.92% of the city's population, and the ninety-sixth highest percentage of Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
n residents in the US, at 1.72% of its population (tied with Davie
Davie, Florida
Davie is a town in Broward County, Florida, United States. The town's population was 91,992 at the 2010 census.- History :Davie was founded by Jake Tannebaum and Tamara Toussaint. The original name of the town was Zona. In 1909 R.P. Davie assisted then Governor Broward by draining the swamplands...
and Maywood, New Jersey
Maywood, New Jersey
Maywood is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 9,555.Maywood was incorporated as a borough on June 29, 1894, from portions of Midland Township, based on the results of a referendum held that day, at the height of the...
.) It also had the twenty-ninth most Hondurans
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
in the US, at 1.31% of all residents.
Education
Sweetwater is within the Miami-Dade County Public SchoolsMiami-Dade County Public Schools
Miami-Dade County Public Schools is a public school district serving Miami-Dade County, Florida. Founded in 1885, it is the largest school district in Florida and the Southeastern United States, and the fourth largest in the United States, with a student enrollment of 380,006 as of July 5, 2010...
.
Percentage of College Graduates
13% of Sweetwater residents age 25 and older have a bachelor's or advanced college degree.
Elementary Schools
- Sweetwater Elementary School serves residents for grades K-5, It is within the city limits.
Public Middle Schools
- Ruben Dario Middle School (1,305 students in 2006) serves residents for grades 6-8.
Public High Schools
- Miami Coral Park High SchoolMiami Coral Park High SchoolMiami Coral Park Senior High School is a secondary school, located at 8865 S.W. 16th Street in the Westchester neighborhood of Miami, Florida, United States. The school was opened in 1963. It was the first school with A/C in south Florida. The principal is Dr. Nick JacAngelo...
(4,421 students in 2006), serves Sweetwater for grades 9-12. - G. Holmes Braddock High SchoolG. Holmes Braddock High SchoolG. Holmes Braddock Senior High School is a secondary school located in Miami, Florida, USA. The school is named after a former 38-year member of the school board, who, as chairperson from 1969–1970, led the district's efforts to desegregate its schools....
(4,662 students in 2006) also serves Sweetwater for grades 9-12.
Universities
- The main campus of Florida International UniversityFlorida International UniversityFlorida International University is an American public research university in metropolitan Miami, Florida, in the United States, with its main campus in University Park...
is located just south of the city limit.
External links
- City of Sweetwater official website
- Florida International University official website