In the 1950s, industrialist and philanthropist Arthur Vining Davis took control of the approximately 15,000 acres (6,100 ha) which Weston is now located on; Davis was Arvida's first owner.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8][9][6][10]
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.[6]
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.[6][11][12] 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.[6][11][12] 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.[6][11][12]
On May 6, 1996, the State Legislature approved the Local Bill, and a vote on the matter was subsequently scheduled for that summer.[6][11][12] Weston ultimately incorporated itself as a city on September 3, 1996. Roughly 90% of the voters in voted in favor of incorporation.[11]
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.[11] 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.[11]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 26.3 square miles (68.2 km2), of which 25.2 square miles (65.2 km2) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2) is water, or 4.49% of the total area.[12][13]
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.[12][13] It is the most western city in Broward County, and the entirety of its western edge is located next to the Everglades.[14]
Weston consists of two development districts: the Bonaventure Development District and the Indian trace Development District.[7][10]
Weston is located roughly 31 miles (50 km) to the northwest of Miami.[5]
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.[15]
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 65,333 people, 20,041 households, and 16,768 families residing in the city.[25]
According to a 2010 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $93,553 [26] and the median per capita income was $40,432.[27] 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.[28]
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%.[29]
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,[30] the fourteenth highest percentage of Colombian residents in the US, at 6.19% of the city's population,[31]
seventy-fifth highest percentage of Cubans, at 4.05% of Weston residents,[32] and had the forty-seventh highest percentage of Peruvians in the US, with 1.19% of the population (tied with Orange, New Jersey).[33] Also, Puerto Ricans, made up 4.1% of residents.[34]
Government
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.[35] 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.[36]
Representation in higher government
State representation
Florida State House
Florida State Representative and former Weston City Commissioner Robin Bartleman.
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).[37][38]
Additionally, Bartleman had previously served as a City Commissioner of Weston, serving in that capacity between 2000 and 2004.[38]
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.[44] The alliance is formed by six charter organizations: baseball/softball/t-ball, basketball, football, soccer, lacrosse and rugby, with roughly 9,000 participants annually.[44]
The Weston FC, based in Weston, is Florida's largest soccer club and is one of the largest in the United States.[45]
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.[47]
The largest of the city's public parks, the Weston Regional Park, has an area of 102 acres (41 ha) and first opened in the 2000. It is the home of the Weston Hawks.[48]
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, Peace Mound Park, Tequesta Trace Park, Vista Park, Weston Library Park, the Weston Racquet Club, Weston Town Center Park, and Windmill Ranch Park.[47]
Bicycle paths
The City of Weston maintains a large network of bicycle lanes and paths.[47]
Country clubs
Weston is home to two country clubs: the Weston Hills Country Club and the Bonaventure Golf Club.[49][50]
Infrastructure
Roads
Federal roads
Interstate 75 in Weston, as seen from Vacation Village at Weston.
Weston is served by the following federal highways:[5][51]
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.
Weston is served by the following state roads:[51][5]
State Road 84 – Travels east-to-west through the city as the service road for Interstate 75 and forms Weston's northern border.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.
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.[51][5]
The main entrance to the Weston Branch Library in 2009.
Weston Town Center
The clock tower at the Weston Town Center in February 2022.
Weston Town Center is a major shopping center located on the corner of Royal Palm Boulevard and Bonaventure Boulevard.[58]
The initial construction of Weston Town Center began in November 1999. This 32-acre (13 ha) project cost $42 million.[59] 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.[59]
In 2011, the city approved plans to expand the northwest corner of the retail center to accommodate a new urgent care facility, which is now Baptist Health Urgent Care.[citation needed]
United States
Florida
