Miami
RANK #890 / 996 NAT · #31 / 41 FL · POP 2,688,237
1YR FORECAST: -1.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +12%
Miami-Dade County, located at Florida's southeastern tip, is a large region known for its diverse international culture and tropical climate. A local might first mention the vibrant atmosphere of areas like South Beach, famous for its Art Deco architecture and beaches, or the distinct Cuban-American community in Hialeah. The county is bounded by Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Everglades National Park to the west, offering extensive outdoor recreation opportunities including beaches, parks, and nature reserves for hiking, kayaking, and birdwatching. Commute options include Metrorail, Metrobus, and the free Metromover in Downtown Miami, along with various trolley services.
Life in Miami-Dade County is characterized by its multicultural environment, with over 54% of its population being foreign-born. The public school system, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, is one of the largest in the nation and offers diverse programs, including magnet schools. The economy is driven by tourism, international trade, and finance, with Miami serving as a gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean. Recent economic developments focus on fostering innovation, supporting small businesses, and investing in resilience. However, the county has faced challenges with high living costs and housing unaffordability.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Prices declining
Housing is fairly valued at 5.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Amazon Fulfillment Center (Naranja)
Amazon
|
$100M | Operating |
|
FPL Miami-Dade Solar Energy Center
Florida Power & Light (FPL)
|
$75M | Operating |
|
Everglades Solar Energy Center
Florida Power & Light (FPL)
|
$74M | Operating |
|
Redlands Solar Farm
Florida Power & Light (FPL)
|
$74M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Miami-Dade County scores just 10/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #890 of 996 counties. Job growth at +1.9% and median household income of $64,215 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Miami-Dade County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $387,000 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.17 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,623/month on average.
Employers in Miami-Dade County are hiring — job growth of +1.9% — but the population is close to flat (-0.1% YoY). Home values moved -3.4% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
Not particularly — 0.94% of Miami-Dade County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.