Miami Herald FL

South Florida’s source for the latest breaking local news, plus sports, weather, business, jobs, real estate, shopping, health, travel, entertainment and more.

The Miami-Ft. Lauderdale DMA makes up nearly a quarter (23%) of Florida’s total population with 4.6 million residents and growing, with a projected population growth of 7% in the next five years. South Florida ranks as the 15th largest market in the United States. It boasts an affluent market with plenty of spending power, bringing in over $86 billion in annual retail sales. It is one of the most culturally diverse regions in the country, with a Hispanic composition (49%) that is nearly three times higher than the national average (18%). Currently, Miami-Dade County has 1.7 million Hispanics; Broward County, 524,200 Hispanics. The African-American population in South Florida makes up 20% of the total population. Currently, Miami-Dade County has 440,500 African-Americans; Broward County, 495,400 African-Americans. And the Caribbean population makes up 9% of South Florida, with 426,200.