Learn More About Hialeah, Florida
Learn More About Hialeah, Florida
Positioned about 20 minutes west-northwest of Miami, Hialeah is a major city in Miami-Dade County in the southeastern part of Florida. It is one of the largest cities in the state and an important city in the Miami metro area. Its neighboring areas include Miami Lakes, Medley, West Little River, Gladeview, Opa-Locka, Brownsville and unincorporated Miami-Dade County. It is the only place in the county, excluding Homestead, to have street grid numbers distinct from the remaining parts of the county.
The name of the city is said to be of Muskogee origin. It is a combination of the words “Haiyakpo” and “hili” which together mean “pretty prairie.” Hialeah lies on a large prairie sandwiched between the Everglades and Biscayne Bay. Its name has also been traced to the Seminole tribe, in which case it means “upland prairie” or “high prairie.” The terrain caught the attention of Glenn Curtiss, a pioneer aviator, and James H. Bright, a Missouri cattleman. The two came together in 1921 to develop and incorporate the Town of Hialeah. The community has grown in leaps and bounds ever since.
Hialeah has experienced one of the faster paces of expansion among the biggest cities in Florida since the 1960s. The population has grown from about 2,600 people in the 1930 census to around 240,000 today. It has a very high number of Cubans and Cuban-Americans as residents. The influx of World War II veterans, city planners and Cubans trying to escape the 1959 revolution of Fidel Castro kicked off the transformation of Hialeah into a community of hard-working and diverse residents. Affordable housing and family-focused neighborhoods were big draws. The most popular neighborhood in the city is Bellagio.
In addition to being a family-friendly community, Hialeah is an important commercial center in Miami-Dade County. It has a high number of mom and pop stores that hold their own well against popular national brands and franchises. National businesses have often had to adapt their strategy to better compete. Westland Mall houses more than 100 stores and restaurants. National retailers in this major city include Target, Walmart, Kohl’s, The Home Depot and Best Buy. Hialeah is home to the headquarters of Telemundo, the US’s second-largest, Spanish-language television network.
Residents enjoy convenient access to all major routes connected by Interstate 75, the Palmetto Expressway (State Road 826), State Road 924, U.S. Route 27 and Homestead Extension of the Florida Turnpike. There is superb access to virtually all parts of the Miami-Dade County. Rail and Metrorail services are also available. Air transport can be accessed at the Miami and Opa-Locka airports.
Hialeah offers a lot for leisure and recreation. The Hialeah Park Race Track, whose history is traced to the founding of the community, is still used for quarter horse races. The city has several public parks extending across more than 100 acres as well as three tennis centers. It also features several public swimming pools and aquatic complexes. Golfing action can also be enjoyed around the area. The nearby Miami expands your arts and entertainment options even further.
With highly-rated schools, good transportation system, and numerous options for recreation, Hialeah is a city to live, work or just have fun. It boasts diverse and hard-working residents. The city was in 2004 ranked by Inc. Magazine among the top big cities in America perfect for doing business.
