Weston, Florida

Weston is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States, just west of Fort Lauderdale. It is 31 mi to the northwest of Miami and part of the Miami metropolitan area. The population was 68,107 at the 2020 census.

History
In the 1950s, industrialist and philanthropist Arthur Vining Davis took control of the approximately 15,000 acre which Weston is now located on; Davis was Arvida's first owner. In the following years, plans were made to develop the land, and the area which is known as Bonaventure was sold and subsequently developed independently from the Arvida development; this area forms Weston's Bonaventure Development District. The large, remaining portion of the master-planned community was developed by Arvida/JMB Realty (known for developing Walt Disney World), and the community was originally named Indian Trace; the area developed by Arvida forms Weston's Indian Trace Development District.

The community's name of Indian Trace was changed to Weston in the early 1980s, and in 1984, the first homes in the Arvida-developed section of Weston were completed in the Country Isles and Windmill Ranch sections of the community.

In 1994, the Board of Supervisors of Weston began discussing the possibility of either incorporating as a municipality, being annexed into a neighboring municipality, or remaining an unincorporated area of Broward County. In April 1994, the Board of Supervisors initiated an Incorporation Feasibility Study, and a nine-member Steering committee consisting of residents and consultants was established by the Board.

By November 1995, after ruling out remaining an unincorporated area or being annexed to the neighboring municipalities of Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, or Sunrise (all four of which received Requests for Proposals on the matter from the Board of Supervisors), it was concluded by both the Board of Supervisors and the Steering Committee that the best option was for Weston to incorporate itself as a city. This was determined to be the best option because the community would be able to govern itself on a local level through home rule, and because the local tax revenues generated by the residents would stay in Weston, remain in Weston's control, and be used by and for Weston. Shortly thereafter, the Board of Supervisors formally requested to the State of Florida to let the Indian Trace Development District's residents vote on whether or not their district should incorporate as a city.

On May 6, 1996, the State Legislature approved the Local Bill, and a vote on the matter was subsequently scheduled for that summer. Weston ultimately incorporated itself as a city on September 3, 1996. Roughly 90% of the voters in voted in favor of incorporation.

The Bonaventure section was given the choice of becoming a part of Weston or a part of the City of Sunrise, located adjacent to Weston, as part of the Local Bill. On April 1, 1997, by a nearly two-to-one margin, the voters residing in the Bonaventure area voted in favor of becoming part of the City of Weston.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 68.2 km2, of which 65.2 km2 is land and 3.1 km2 is water, or 4.49% of the total area.

Weston is bordered by Sunrise to the northeast, Davie to the east, Southwest Ranches to the south, and the Everglades to the north and west. It is the most western city in Broward County, and the entirety of its western edge is located next to the Everglades.

Weston consists of two development districts: the Bonaventure Development District and the Indian trace Development District.

Weston is located roughly 31 mi to the northwest of Miami.

Climate
Weston has a tropical rainforest climate (Af). The weather is typically very humid and sunny during the majority of the year. Winters are usually dry and warm during La Niña conditions, while El Niño conditions usually bring cool and wet conditions to the region. ENSO effects on South Florida are rather minimal during the summer months, with the exception of tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic Basin.

Economy
Companies with large operations in Weston include UKG, DHL, Marriott International, Abbott Laboratories, Mondelez, Cleveland Clinic, Royal Caribbean, Rockwell Automation, and American Express. Weston is a very wealthy area, with an estimated median household income of $122,774 in 2021.

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 68,107 people, 21,297 households, and 18,843 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 65,333 people, 20,041 households, and 16,768 families residing in the city.

According to a 2010 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $93,553 and the median per capita income was $40,432. Males had a median income of $63,135 versus $38,119 for females. 2.3% of the population was below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 0.8% of those under the age of 18 and 8.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

2000 census
In 2000, there were 16,576 households, out of which 51.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.0% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 17.6% were non-families. 13.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.29.

In 2000, the age distribution of the city was as follows: 32.4% were under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 36.1% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64 and 6.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.2 males.

As of 2000, English was the sole language spoken at home by 62.50% of the residents, while Spanish speakers comprised 31.40% of the population, Portuguese speakers comprised 1.30% of the population, and French speakers 0.82%.

As of 2000, Weston had the highest number and highest percentage of Venezuelans in the United States, at 9.4% of the city's residents, the fourteenth highest percentage of Colombian residents in the US, at 6.19% of the city's population, seventy-fifth highest percentage of Cubans, at 4.05% of Weston residents, and had the forty-seventh highest percentage of Peruvians in the US, with 1.19% of the population (tied with Orange, New Jersey). Also, Puerto Ricans made up 4.1% of residents.

City government
As of January 2022, the Mayor of Weston is Margaret "Peggy" Brown and the city commissioners are Chris Eddy, Byron L. Jaffe, Henry Mead, and Mary Molina-Macfie. Its 2020 municipal election drew attention in local news media for resulting in the election of 3 Republican-endorsed candidates, who currently make up majority of the city commission. This is in spite of the city's traditionally Democratic political lean; Joe Biden was supported by 58% of Weston voters in the same election. The mayor of Weston has drawn attention for her support of Donald Trump and criticism of the Black Lives Matter movement.

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

Additionally, Bartleman had previously served as a City Commissioner of Weston, serving in that capacity between 2000 and 2004.

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

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

United States Senate
Like the rest of Florida, Weston is represented in the United States Senate as of January 2022 by Marco Rubio (R–Miami) and Rick Scott (R–Naples).

Sports
The City of Weston contracts with the Weston Sports Alliance, Inc., the City's own all volunteer organization to manage and oversee its organized athletic league programs. The alliance is formed by six charter organizations: baseball/softball/t-ball, basketball, football, soccer, lacrosse and rugby, with roughly 9,000 participants annually.

The Weston FC, based in Weston, is Florida's largest soccer club and is one of the largest in the United States.

On October 16–18, 2013, Weston hosted the World Hardcourt Bike Polo Championship.

Parks
The City of Weston maintains a total of 15 parks and recreational facilities throughout the city, which are maintained by the City of Weston Department of Parks and Recreation.

The largest of the city's public parks, the Weston Regional Park, has an area of 102 acre and first opened in the 2000. It is the home of the Weston Hawks.

The Peace Mound, a midden associated with the Tequesta and their ancestors and dated to the late Archaic and Glades culture periods (3000 BCE – 1530 CE), is located in Peace Mound Park in Weston.

The other public parks maintained and operated by the City of Weston are Bonaventure Park, Country Isles Park, Eagle Point Park, Emerald Estates Park, Gator Run Park, Heron Park, Indian Trace Park, Tequesta Trace Park, Vista Park, Weston Library Park, the Weston Racquet Club, Weston Town Center Park, and Windmill Ranch Park.

Bicycle paths
The City of Weston maintains a large network of bicycle lanes and paths.

Country clubs
Weston is home to two country clubs: the Weston Hills Country Club and the Bonaventure Golf Club.

Federal roads
Weston is served by the following federal highways: Additionally, Interstate 595's western terminus is at the Weston-Sunrise-Davie tripoint.
 * Interstate 75 – Travels north-to-south along the eastern edge of the city, and east-to-west along the northern edge of the city as "Alligator Alley."
 * U.S. Highway 27 – Travels north-to-south through the western fringes of the city.

State roads
Weston is served by the following state roads:


 * State Road 84 – Travels east-to-west through the city as the service road for Interstate 75 and forms Weston's northern border.[[File:State Road 84 and Interstate 75 at Bonaventure Boulevard, Weston, Florida February 20, 2022.jpg|thumb|SR 84 as seen from its intersection with Bonaventure Boulevard within Weston. Interstate 75 can be seen crossing over Bonaventure Boulevard, in between SR 84's westbound and eastbound lanes.]]

Additionally, Griffin Road (State Road 818) serves the city and parallels its southern border.

Other roads
Other major roads in Weston include Blatt Boulevard, Bonaventure Boulevard, Glades Parkway, Indian Trace, Racquet Club Road, Royal Palm Boulevard, Saddle Club Road, South Post Road, and Weston Road.

Bus
The city is served by bus routes of Broward County Transit.

Bicycle routes
The City of Weston maintains a large network of bicycle lanes and paths across the city.

Public schools
Broward County Public Schools operates the public schools in Weston.

Elementary schools
The following elementary schools are located within and serve Weston:
 * Country Isles Elementary School
 * Eagle Point Elementary School
 * Everglades Elementary School
 * Gator Run Elementary School
 * Indian Trace Elementary School
 * Manatee Bay Elementary School

Middle schools
The following middle schools are located within and serve Weston:
 * Falcon Cove Middle School
 * Tequesta Trace Middle School

High schools
Cypress Bay High School is located within and serves the majority of Weston. However, small portions of the city are zoned to Western High School, located in adjacent Davie.

Private schools
The following private schools are located within Weston:
 * Sagemont School
 * Weston Christian Academy
 * Xceed Preparatory Academy

Charter schools
One charter school is located within the city: the Imagine Charter School at Weston.

Higher education
Broward College has a small campus on the second floor of the Broward County Public Library – Weston Branch.

Additionally, the American InterContinental University South Florida Campus was located in Weston until closing in 2015.

Libraries
Weston is served by the Weston Branch Library, which is located on Bonaventure Boulevard. The library is a branch of the Broward County Library.

Weston Town Center
Weston Town Center is a major shopping center located on the corner of Royal Palm Boulevard and Bonaventure Boulevard.

The initial construction of Weston Town Center began in November 1999. This 32-acre (13 ha) project cost $42 million. Apart from boutique and dining, this center of town has a bell tower, the Weston Town Center Park (a 1.2-mile park hugging the lake), and an outdoor amphitheater to host city events.

Notable people

 * Nina Ansaroff — mixed martial artist
 * Robin Bartleman — Florida State Congresswoman and a former Weston City Commissioner
 * Alan Cohen — former owner of the NHL's Florida Panthers
 * Daniel Dickey — comedian, humorist and political activist
 * Sami Gayle — television and theater actress best known for her role on the CBS series Blue Bloods
 * Art Ginsburg — cookbook author and television personality
 * Jake Miller — hip-hop recording artist
 * Billy Mitchell — video game player and restaurateur
 * Dean Pelman — Israeli-American baseball pitcher for the Israel National Baseball Team
 * Carlos PenaVega — actor/musician
 * María Luisa Piraquive — preacher, singer
 * Manny Ramirez — professional baseball player for the EDA Rhinos
 * Debbie Wasserman Schultz — U.S. Representative