Weston, Florida

Weston is a planned city in Broward County, Florida, in the United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 68,107 people.

The city is located just west of Fort Lauderdale and about 31 miles northwest of Miami. It is part of the busy Miami metropolitan area, which is full of cities and towns close together.

History

In the 1950s, a businessman named Arthur Vining Davis bought a large piece of land where Weston is today. Plans were made to build a community there. Part of this land, called Bonaventure, was built separately. The rest was developed by a company that also helped build Walt Disney World, and this area was called Indian Trace.

In the early 1980s, the name was changed to Weston. The first homes were built in 1984. In 1994, people in Weston decided whether to become their own city or join a nearby town. After discussing it, they chose to become a city in 1996, allowing them to make their own rules and keep their taxes to improve their community. The Bonaventure area also chose to join Weston in 1997.

Geography

Weston has a total area of 26.3 square miles (68.2 km²), with 25.2 square miles (65.2 km²) of land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²) of water. It is bordered by Sunrise to the northeast, Davie to the east, Southwest Ranches to the south, and the Everglades to the north and west. Weston is located about 31 miles (50 km) northwest of Miami.

The city has two main development districts: the Bonaventure Development District and the Indian Trace Development District. Weston has a tropical monsoon climate, meaning it is usually very humid and sunny. Winters can be dry and warm, while some weather patterns can bring cooler, wetter conditions.

Economy

Weston is home to many big companies, such as UKG, DHL, Marriott International, Abbott Laboratories, Flex Seal, Mondelez, Cleveland Clinic, Royal Caribbean, Rockwell Automation, and American Express.

The area is quite wealthy, with a median household income of about $122,774 in 2021.

Demographics

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Weston had a population of 68,107 people. The median age was 41.4 years. About 27% of the residents were under the age of 18, and about 12% were 65 years or older. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males.

Almost all residents, 99.8%, lived in urban areas.

There were 21,845 households in Weston, and about half, 49.1%, had children under 18 living in them. Most households, 68.8%, were made up of married couples. There were also many households with only one parent, either male or female.

There were 23,118 housing units, and a small number, 5.5%, were empty. The rate of empty homes for sale was 1.2%, and the rate of empty homes for rent was 6.6%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 65,333 people living in Weston.

In 2010, the median income for a household in the city was $93,553. About 2.3% of the population lived below the poverty line.

2000 census

In 2000, there were 16,576 households in Weston, and about half, 51.3%, had children under 18 living in them. Most households, 71.0%, were made up of married couples.

In 2000, the median age in Weston was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.1 males.

As of 2000, English was the main language spoken at home by most residents, while many others spoke Spanish, Portuguese, or French.

Weston had many people from certain countries. It had the highest number and percentage of Venezuelans in the United States. It also had large percentages of people from Colombia, Cuba, Peru, and Puerto Rico.

Government

City government

As of January 2022, the Mayor of Weston is Margaret "Peggy" Brown. The city commissioners are Chris Eddy, Byron L. Jaffe, Henry Mead, and Mary Molina-Macfie.

Representation in higher government

State representation

Florida State House

Weston is in the Florida State House's 104th district. As of January 2022, it is represented by Robin Bartleman (D–Weston).

Florida State Senate

Weston is in the Florida State Senate's 32nd district. As of January 2022, it is represented by Lauren F. Book (D–Plantation).

Federal representation

United States Congress

As of January 2022, Weston is represented in the United States Congress by Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D–Weston).

United States Senate

Weston is represented in the United States Senate by Marco Rubio (R–Miami) and Rick Scott (R–Naples).

Sports

The City of Weston works with the Weston Sports Alliance, a group of volunteers that helps manage sports leagues. The alliance includes teams for baseball, softball, basketball, football, soccer, lacrosse, and rugby, with about 9,000 players each year.

The Weston FC is based in Weston and is one of the biggest soccer clubs in Florida and the United States. In 2013, Weston hosted the World Hardcourt Bike Polo Championship.

Parks and recreation

The City of Weston has 15 parks and recreational facilities. The biggest park is Weston Regional Park, which opened in 2000 and is home to the Weston Hawks. One special spot is Peace Mound Park, which has a Peace Mound linked to the Tequesta people from long ago.

Weston also has many bicycle paths for riding. The city is home to two country clubs: the Weston Hills Country Club and the Bonaventure Golf Club.

Infrastructure

Weston has several important roads that help people get around. Interstate 75 runs along the edges of the city, and is also called "Alligator Alley." U.S. Highway 27 passes through the western part of Weston. There is also a bus system that helps people travel within the city.

The city has many paths and lanes for people who like to ride bicycles. Water and trash services are provided by nearby cities and special districts, helping keep Weston clean and supplied.

Education

Broward County Public Schools runs the public schools in Weston. The city has several elementary schools, including Country Isles, Eagle Point, Everglades, Gator Run, Indian Trace, and Manatee Bay. Middle schools in Weston are Falcon Cove and Tequesta Trace.

Cypress Bay High School serves most of Weston, while a few areas go to Western High School in nearby Davie. There are also private schools such as Sagemont School and Weston Christian Academy, as well as one charter school called Imagine Charter School at Weston.

Broward College has a small campus at the Weston Branch Library, and there used to be a campus of American InterContinental University before it closed in 2015. The Weston Branch Library, part of the Broward County Library system, is located on Bonaventure Boulevard.

Weston Town Center

The Weston Town Center is a big shopping place found where Royal Palm Boulevard meets Bonaventure Boulevard. Building it started in November 1999. This area covers 32 acres and cost $42 million to make. Besides shops and places to eat, it also has a bell tower, a park that goes around a lake, and a spot outdoors for holding town events.

Notable people

Weston, Florida, is home to many interesting people from different fields. Some well-known individuals include Nina Ansaroff, a mixed martial artist, and Carlos Asuaje, a professional baseball player for the San Diego Padres.

Other notable figures are Robin Bartleman, a former Florida State Congresswoman and Weston City Commissioner, and Rafael Furcal, a former baseball player. The city has also been home to Sami Gayle, an actress known for her role on the CBS series Blue Bloods, and Art Ginsburg, a cookbook author and television personality.