Islandia, Florida
Encyclopedia : I : IS : ISL : Islandia, Florida
Islandia is a "city" located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the "city" had a total population of 6. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 6 [link], making it the smallest incorporated city in Florida.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 171.9 km² (66.4 mi²). 16.7 km² (6.4 mi²) of it is land and 155.2 km² (59.9 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 90.28% water.
Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, Islandia had 6 people, all white, none below the poverty line. The population density is 0.4/km² (0.9/mi²). There are 5 housing units at an average density of 0.3/km² (0.8/mi²).The census results, as uploaded to Wikipedia, contradict themselves - claiming simultaneously that there are no families and that there is one family. Assuming that the latter is true, the six people consist of:
- A nuclear family of a husband, a wife, and two sons under the age of 18. The wife does not earn a wage. The husband and sons earn $80,488/year between them.
- An unmarried man, living alone, aged between 25 and 44.
- An unmarried man, living alone, aged between 45 and 64.
These curious census results can be explained by the history of Islandia, especially as how it relates to Biscayne National Park. During the middle of the 20th Century, the coral reef islands east of Homestead were seen as potential high income development. Monroe County was so sure that this would be the next boom area that they offered all of mainland Monroe County in exchange for these islands. Dade County, as Miami-Dade County was known then, declined the offer. At the same time, many Florida environmentalists were lobbying to avoid what happened to other sensitive areas in South Florida happening to these sensitive coral reefs. The state legislator allowed the town to become incorporated, but did not allow any further development until the issue could be resolved. As the decades passed, the concept of Islandia being a resort town waned, and the laws to protect the reefs increased. Eventually Biscayne National Monument became Biscayne National Park and any hope of an Islandia boom disappeared. The town is still incorporated, although the "residents" are very secretive, and the Miami Herald has speculated that no one actually resides there.
See also: List of places with fewer than ten people
External links
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