Broward County, located in South Florida and home to almost 2 million people across 30 towns, has striking contrasts in its communities. While some regions have safety, luxury, and a high quality of life, others struggle with crime, poverty, and social difficulties.
This article digs into the five most disadvantaged areas in Broward County, as determined by the Disadvantaged Communities Index (DCI), which measures the economic well-being of communities throughout the country.
The DCI takes into account seven major factors: high school education levels, housing vacancies, unemployment, poverty rates, median income inequalities, job shifts, and company establishment patterns. A higher DCI score indicates increased community suffering.
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1. North Lauderdale
North Lauderdale, which has a population of roughly 43,000, is centrally located in Broward County. North Lauderdale, conceived in 1963 as an ambitious urban development project by architect Morris Lapidus, famed for constructing famous Miami Beach hotels, failed to meet its goal of a contemporary and attractive metropolis.
Instead, it became a low-income, high-crime region, with a DCI score of 70.9. The city faces high poverty rates (19.8%), unemployment (11.9%), and housing vacancies (12.9%). The median income ratio is 0.64, showing that inhabitants earn much less than the Florida average.
2. Lauderhill
Herbert Sadkin, a developer, built Lauderhill in 1959, which now has around 71,000 inhabitants in central Broward County. The city was named after Herbert’s friend, Lauralee, the wife of New York real estate billionaire William Zeckendorf.
Lauderhill has a large Caribbean population, mainly Jamaicans, who account for around 36% of the population. Lauderhill has a DCI score of 71.4, indicating significant distress, as seen by high poverty (21.9%), unemployment (12.7%), and housing vacancies (15.1%). The median income ratio is merely 0.62, indicating that inhabitants earn significantly less than the state average.
3. Lauderdale Lakes
Lauderdale Lakes, a city of around 35,000 people in central Broward County, was originally envisioned in 1961 as a retirement community for seniors. However, it has evolved into a largely African American neighborhood, with around 77% of the inhabitants identifying as Black.
Lauderdale Lakes has a DCI score of 72.7, which indicates significant discomfort. The city is dealing with high poverty (24.7%), unemployment (13%), and housing vacancies (16%). Its median income ratio is 0.59, showing that inhabitants earn much less than the Florida average.
4. West Park
West Park, a city with around 15,000 people in southern Broward County, became the county’s newest city in 2005 after citizens decided to consolidate their unorganized communities into a municipality. West Park has a mixed population, with around 48% black, 37% Hispanic, and 12% white individuals.
The city has a DCI score of 73, indicating significant distress as seen by high poverty (25%), unemployment (14%), and housing vacancies (17%). The median income ratio is 0.58, showing that inhabitants make much less than the Florida average.
5. Hallandale Beach.
Hallandale Beach, which has around 39,000 people in the southern section of Broward County, was founded in 1895 by Swedish immigrant Lars Anderson Halland, after whom the city and county are named. Hallandale Beach is well-known for its beaches, casinos, and racetracks, but it also deals with crime and poverty.
With a DCI score of 75.6, the city is in serious peril. Hallandale Beach faces significant poverty (27%), unemployment (15%), and housing vacancies (18%). The median income ratio is 0.56, showing that inhabitants earn much less than the Florida average.
Conclusion
The Disadvantaged neighborhoods Index (DCI) has named North Lauderdale, Lauderhill, Lauderdale Lakes, West Park, and Hallandale Beach as the most economically disadvantaged neighborhoods in Broward County. High poverty, unemployment, housing vacancies, and low median income ratios all add to their anguish, highlighting the difficulties that inhabitants confront in these areas despite the county’s general diversity and differences.