Broward County in South Florida is home to almost 2 million residents spread across 30 cities, each with its own unique characteristics. Some regions enjoy safety, wealth, and a high quality of life, while others face problems such as crime, poverty, and social issues. This article explores the top five most troubled neighborhoods in Broward County, identified by the Distressed Communities Index (DCI), a tool that evaluates the economic health of communities across the country.
The DCI examines seven important factors: high school education levels, housing vacancies, unemployment, poverty rates, median income disparities, employment changes, and business establishment trends. A higher DCI score indicates more significant community distress.
North Lauderdale
Located in the heart of Broward County, North Lauderdale has a population of approximately 43,000. Created in 1963 as an ambitious urban development project by architect Morris Lapidus, famous for designing iconic Miami Beach hotels, North Lauderdale did not fully achieve its goal of becoming a modern and glamorous city. It turned into a low-income, high-crime neighborhood, receiving a DCI score of 70.9. The city is facing challenges with a high poverty rate of 19.8%, unemployment rate of 11.9%, and housing vacancies at 12.9%. The median income ratio is 0.64, showing that residents earn much less than the Florida average.
Lauderhill
Located in central Broward County, Lauderhill was established in 1959 by developer Herbert Sadkin and is now home to around 71,000 residents. The city was named after Herbert’s friend, Lauralee, who was the wife of New York real estate magnate William Zeckendorf. Lauderhill has a significant Caribbean community, with Jamaicans making up approximately 36% of the population. Lauderhill is experiencing significant distress with a DCI score of 71.4, indicated by high poverty (21.9%), unemployment (12.7%), and housing vacancies (15.1%). The median income ratio is only 0.62, indicating that residents earn significantly less than the state average.
Lauderdale Lakes
Lauderdale Lakes, a city with around 35,000 residents in central Broward County, was first planned in 1961 as a retirement community for seniors. Over time, it transformed into a primarily African American neighborhood, with around 77% of its residents being Black. Lauderdale Lakes has a DCI score of 72.7, indicating significant distress. The city faces challenges with a high poverty rate of 24.7%, unemployment at 13%, and housing vacancies at 16%. The median income ratio is 0.59, showing that residents’ earnings are notably lower than the Florida average.
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West Park
West Park, a city with approximately 15,000 residents located in the southern part of Broward County, became the county’s newest city in 2005 after residents chose to incorporate their unincorporated neighborhoods into a municipality. West Park has a diverse population, with around 48% Black, 37% Hispanic, and 12% White residents. The city has a DCI score of 73, indicating significant distress due to high poverty (25%), unemployment (14%), and housing vacancies (17%). The median income ratio is 0.58, showing that residents earn considerably below the Florida average.
Hallandale Beach
Located in the southern part of Broward County, Hallandale Beach was founded in 1895 by Swedish immigrant Lars Anderson Halland, for whom the city and county were named. The city is home to approximately 39,000 residents. Hallandale Beach is famous for its beaches, casinos, and racetracks, but also faces challenges with crime and poverty. The city is facing severe distress with a DCI score of 75.6. Hallandale Beach faces challenges with high poverty (27%), unemployment (15%), and housing vacancies (18%). The median income ratio is 0.56, showing that residents earn much less than the Florida average.
In conclusion
Broward County showcases a wide range of landscapes with different levels of prosperity and well-being in its neighborhoods. While certain regions are flourishing, others are grappling with issues like crime, poverty, joblessness, and lack of housing. Local and state governments, along with private and nonprofit sectors, must focus their attention and resources on these distressed neighborhoods. By taking this step, Broward County can start moving towards more fairness and diversity, guaranteeing an improved quality of life for all its residents.
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