Miami-Dade County, Florida consists of 36 cities as well as unincorporated areas that comprise 45% of the county population. According to the 2000 census, Miami-Dade county had a population of 2,253,362 of whom 1,291,737 (57%) were Hispanic/Latino. By 2005 the population grew to 2,422,075 with proportionate growth throughout most of the county, including the two largest cities (Miami, 386,882 and Hialeah, 230,407). The city of Miami is 66% Hispanic/Latino and Hialeah is 90% Hispanic/Latino.

According to the 2000 census, among the 1,291,737 Hispanics/Latinos living in Miami-Dade County, 50% were Cuban American, 11% South American, 9% Central American, 6% Puerto Rican, 3% Mexican American, 3% Dominican American, and 18% classified as Other. Within the county, 54% of the residents were foreign born. Of these, 93% came from Latin America and 59% report speaking Spanish at home. Some of the 31% of residents who have lived in Miami-Dade County for five years or more report speaking English less than very well. Above the age of 25 years, 60% of Hispanics/Latinos have at least completed high school compared with 68% for the total county. The highlighted areas of the map above represent the selected census tracts in Miami-Dade County. (Click on the map to enlarge).

The primary focus of recruitment for the HCHS/SOL is in the southwest section of Miami-Dade County. This area consists of approximately 20 contiguous census tracts beginning just south of the Miami Field Center and extending further south and west to the city of Coral Gables. Most of the targeted census tracts are located in the city of Miami. Of 362,470 people living in the city of Miami according to the 2000 census, 238,351 (66%) were Hispanic/Latino. Among those 52% were Cuban American, 4% Puerto Rican, 2% Mexican American, and 42% Other Hispanic/Latino. In the city of Coral Gables there were 42,249 residents according to the 2000 census with 19,703 (47%) being Hispanic/Latino. Among these Hispanic/Latino 62% were Cuban American, 5% Puerto Rican, 2% Mexican American and 31% Other Hispanic/Latino. The map above provides a closer view of the selected census tracts in the Miami area. (Click on the map to enlarge).

Within the primary focus area, the city of Miami had a median household income of $23,483 with 24% of households classified as poor although there was considerable income diversity; and the city of Coral Gables had a median household income of $66,839 with only 8% of households classified as poor.