Weston is a master planned suburban community in Broward County, Florida, United States. Established as a city in 1996, much of the community was developed by Arvida/JMB Realty (known for developing Walt Disney World) and is located near the western developmental boundary of Broward County. It is the most western city in Broward County, and its entire west side is next to the Everglades. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 65,333. Weston is a principal city of the Miami metropolitan area, which was home to an estimated 6,012,331 people at the 2015 census.
In 2010, Money magazine ranked Weston 19th in America in the "Biggest Earners" category, with a median family income of $119,689. In 2006, it was ranked as the city with the largest job growth in Florida and 18th largest in the nation. BusinessWeek ranked Weston as one of the "best affordable suburbs" in the United States in November 2006.
Weston consistently ranks high annually in CNN Money magazine's "Biggest Earners" category. In 2008, Money magazine ranked Weston as the 73rd best place to live in America, making it the best place to live in the state of Florida. In 2012, Weston moved up eleven slots to the 62nd best place to live in America, once again topping the list in the state of Florida. It was recently named by Family Circle Magazine one of the Ten Best Towns for Families for 2015.
Climate
South Florida winters are usually dry and warm during La Niña conditions, while El Niño conditions usually bring cool and wet conditions to the region. ENSO effects on South Florida are rather minimal during the summer months, with the exception of tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic Basin.
Geography
Weston is located at 26°6'27" north, 80°23'17" west (26.107534, âˆ'80.388151), at the western edge of development in Broward County. It is bordered by:
On its northeast: Sunrise
On its east: Davie
On its south: Southwest Ranches On its West and North: The Everglades
According to the United States Census Bureau the city has a total area of 26.3 square miles (68.2Â km2), of which 25.2 square miles (65.2Â km2) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1Â km2) is water. The total area is 4.49% water.
Demographics
As of 2010, there were 24,394 households, with 13.0% being vacant. In 2000, there were 16,576 households out of which 51.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.0% are married couples living together, 9.0% have a female householder with no husband present and 17.6% are non-families. 13.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 3.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.97 and the average family size is 3.29.
In 2000, the age distribution of the city was as follows: 32.4% were under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 36.1% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64 and 6.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.2 males.
In 2000, English was the sole language spoken at home by 62.5% of the residents, while Spanish speakers comprised 31.40% of the population, Portuguese speakers comprised 1.3% of the population, and French speakers 0.82%.
As of 2010, Weston had the highest number and highest percentage of Venezuelans in the United States, at 9.4% of the city's residents, the fourteenth highest percentage of Colombian residents in the US, at 6.19% of the city's population, seventy-fifth highest percentage of Cubans, at 4.05% of Weston residents, and had the forty-seventh highest percentage of Peruvians in the US, with 1.19% of the population (tied with Orange, New Jersey.) Also, Puerto Ricans (who are born U.S. citizens), made up 4.1% of residents.
Economy
According to a 2010 estimate, the median income for a household in the city is $93,553 and the median per capita income is $40,432. Males have a median income of $63,135 versus $38,119 for females. 2.3% of the population is below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 0.8% of those under the age of 18 and 8.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Companies with operations in Weston include Ultimate Software, DHL, Marriott International, Abbott Laboratories, Mondelez, Cleveland Clinic, Wendy's LATAM & Caribbean, among others.
Transportation
Major highways in Weston include:
- Interstate 75, which travels North and South along the Eastern Edge of the City, and East and West along the Northern edge of the City as "Alligator Alley".
- U.S. Highway 27, which travels along the western edge of the city.
Other major roads and Arterial Streets include:
- Griffin Road (State Road 818)
- South Post Road
- Weston Road
- Royal Palm Boulevard and then renamed Glades Parkway north of Saddle Club Road
- Indian Trace
- Bonaventure Boulevard
The city is served by bus routes of Broward County Transit, e.g. route 23.
Education
Public elementary schools
- Country Isles Elementary School
- Eagle Point Elementary School
- Everglades Elementary School
- Gator Run Elementary School
- Indian Trace Elementary School
- Manatee Bay Elementary School
Public middle schools
- Falcon Cove Middle School
- Tequesta Trace Middle School
Public high schools
- Cypress Bay High School
Private schools
- Sagemont School
- Weston Christian Academy
Institutions of higher learning
- American InterContinental University South Florida Campus is located in Weston.
- Broward College has a small campus on the second floor of the Broward County Public Library -Weston Branch.
Charter schools
- Imagine Charter School of Weston
Sports
The City contracts with the Weston Sports Alliance, Inc., Weston's own all volunteer organization, to manage its organized league athletics. The alliance is formed by six charter organizations, baseball/softball/t-ball, basketball, football, soccer, lacrosse and rugby, with more than 9,000 participants each year.
On October 16â€"18, 2013, Weston hosted the World Hardcourt Bike Polo Championship. Weston currently has an agreement with American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) to use Regional and Vista Park soccer fields. Soccer has become a very popular sport in the area, where Weston FC has grown into one of the largest and most respected competitive soccer clubs in the nation., even fielding a semi-pro Premier Development League team. Home to the Weston Hawks and Weston Rattlers travel baseball team and Weston Warriors football and lacrosse teams.
Weston is also home to several golf facilities, the Weston Hills Country Club with two 18-hole courses, and Bonaventure Country Club with a championship 18-hole golf course.
Parks
There are many parks located in Weston. Additionally, Markham Park, a large County Park is located in Sunrise just north of the City. Sawgrass Recreation Park is located in the Everglades, north of the City on US 27. An 8,000-year-old paleo-Indian and Tequesta Indian burial mound is located in the city.
Weston Regional Park
Weston Regional Park consists of the Sheinberg YMCA of Weston along with swimming pools, a skate park, baseball fields, outdoor hockey rinks, basketball courts, turf soccer fields, natural grass soccer fields, playgrounds, and hiking trails. Home of the Weston Hawks.
Broward County Public Library Park
Located across from Cypress Bay Highschool. The park serves as a bridge between Cypress Bay Highschool and the Broward County Public Library. Many Cypress Bay students take college courses from the Weston Branch of Broward College that is located in the second floor of the Broward County Public Library. The park provides outdoor classroom space, and has many walkways that connect gazebos with stepped seating.
Vista Park
Vista Park is located next to Cypress Bay High School and Falcon Cove Middle School. It has 30 acres of community park, four baseball/softball fields and four soccer fields.
Tequesta Trace Park
Tequesta Trace Park is adjacent to Tequesta Trace Middle School. It has 42 acres of community park, baseball fields, football fields, one hockey rink, and a main football field with a track, followed with a trail.
Home of the Weston Rattlers and Weston Warriors.
Gator Run Park
Gator Run Park is located next to Gator Run Elementary School. It's a 7-acre community park with one shaded playground and three pavilions.
Weston Town Center
Weston Town Center is a shopping center located on the corner of Royal Palm Boulevard and Bonaventure Boulevard. It features salons and boutiques such as Weston Jewelers and Via Moda. Also, it provides casual and fine dinning options for its visitors like Graziano's, The Cheese Course and Prime Time.
Notable people
- Will Allen, professional football player for the Miami Dolphins
- José Canseco, former professional baseball player
- Alan Cohen, former owner of the NHL's Florida Panthers
- Bartolo Colón, professional baseball player for the New York Mets
- Jeff Conine, retired baseball player who played for the Miami Marlins
- Daniel Dickey, comedian, published humorist and political activist
- Angelo Dundee, professional boxing trainer/corner man who trained Sugar Ray Leonard and Muhammad Ali
- A. J. Feeley, professional football player
- Sami Gayle, American television and theater actress who is best known for her role on the CBS series Blue Bloods
- Art Ginsburg, “Mr. Food†cookbook author and television personality
- Andre Goodman, professional football player for the Denver Broncos
- Dudley Hart, professional golfer
- Udonis Haslem, player for the Miami Heat
- Brandon Jackson, professional football player for the Cleveland Browns
- Eddie Jones, former professional NBA player
- Bernie Kosar, former professional quarterback for Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins and college quarterback for University of Miami Hurricanes
- Al Leiter, former Major League Baseball player with the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Miami Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays
- Gucci Mane, hip-hop recording artist
- Dan Marino, All-time great NFL Hall of Fame quarterback for the Miami Dolphins
- Brandon Marshall, professional football player for the New York Giants
- Randy McMichael, professional football player for the San Diego Chargers
- Jake Miller, hip-hop recording artist
- Roberto Moreno, Brazilian racecar driver ace for Formula One, IRL and Champcars
- John Offerdahl, former professional football player for the Miami Dolphins
- Bárbara Palacios, Miss Universe 1986
- Joey Porter, professional football player for the Arizona Cardinals
- Pretty Ricky, hip hop group
- Hanley RamÃrez, professional baseball player (Boston Red Sox shortstop)
- Manny Ramirez, professional baseball player for the EDA Rhinos
- Rodney Rogers, former professional NBA player for the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers
- Debbie Wasserman Schultz, US Representative
- Jason Taylor, former professional football player for the Miami Dolphins
- Ronald "Slim" Williams, co-owner and founder of Cash Money Records
References
External links
- City of Weston official site
- Weston Photo Blog
- Weston Florida Community Information Guide