Westchester, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Westchester, Florida
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Sign marking entrance to Westchester on Bird Road, just west of the Palmetto Expressway
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Map of Westchester CDP after merging with University Park CDP in 2020
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| Country |  United States of America |
| State |  Florida |
| County |  Miami-Dade |
| Established | 1860 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.11 sq mi (20.99 km2) |
| • Land | 7.95 sq mi (20.60 km2) |
| • Water | 0.15 sq mi (0.40 km2) |
| Elevation | 8 ft (2 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 56,384 |
| • Density | 7,089.65/sq mi (2,737.34/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
33144, 33155, 33165, 33174, 33175 (all Miami)
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| Area code(s) | 305, 786, 645 |
| FIPS code | 12-76075 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2403012 |
Westchester is a special kind of community in Miami-Dade County, Florida. It's called a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's an area that looks like a town but doesn't have its own local government. Westchester is also a neighborhood within the larger Miami metropolitan area.
In 2020, a nearby CDP called University Park joined with Westchester. This made Westchester much bigger, almost doubling its size and population. According to the 2020 census, about 56,384 people live here.
Contents
Exploring Westchester's Location
Westchester is located about 10 miles (16 km) west of downtown Miami. It sits at an elevation of 8 feet (2.4 meters) above sea level.
Where is Westchester Located?
Westchester has several neighbors. To the north, you'll find Sweetwater and Fontainebleau. To the east is Coral Terrace. South of Westchester are Olympia Heights and Westwood Lakes. Finally, to the west is Tamiami.
The area that used to be University Park CDP is now the western half of Westchester. Florida International University is also located in the northwest part of Westchester.
How Big is Westchester?
The United States Census Bureau says that Westchester covers a total area of 8.11 square miles (20.99 square kilometers). Most of this area is land. Only a small part, about 0.15 square miles (0.40 square kilometers), is water.
Westchester's Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1980 | 29,272 | — | |
| 1990 | 29,883 | 2.1% | |
| 2000 | 30,271 | 1.3% | |
| 2010 | 29,862 | −1.4% | |
| 2020 | 56,384 | 88.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010 2020 In 2020, University Park CDP was merged into Westchester CDP. |
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The population of Westchester grew a lot between 2010 and 2020. This was mainly because University Park joined Westchester.
Who Lives in Westchester?
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 2,404 | 4,005 | 8.05% | 7.10% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 73 | 1,264 | 0.24% | 2.24% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 9 | 15 | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Asian (NH) | 114 | 724 | 0.38% | 1.28% |
| Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) | 0 | 9 | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Some other race (NH) | 6 | 154 | 0.02% | 0.27% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 45 | 337 | 0.15% | 0.60% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 27,211 | 49,876 | 91.12% | 88.46% |
| Total | 29,862 | 56,384 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
In 2020, there were 56,384 people living in Westchester. These people made up 16,688 households, with 12,581 of them being families.
Back in 2010, there were 29,862 people. They lived in 9,468 households, and 7,255 of these were families.
Learning and Education in Westchester
Westchester has many schools for students of all ages. These include public schools run by Miami-Dade County Public Schools. There are also private schools linked to the Catholic Church, a private Catholic college, and a public university.
Public Schools for Students
Westchester is home to several public schools.
High Schools
- Miami Coral Park High School
- Southwest Miami Senior High School (This school is in Olympia Heights, but it serves students from the southern parts of Westchester.)
K-8 Schools
- Everglades K-8 Center (These schools teach students from kindergarten through 8th grade.)
Middle Schools
- Rockway Middle School
- West Miami Middle School (This school is just outside Westchester but serves some students from the area.)
Elementary Schools
- Banyan Elementary School
- Coral Park Elementary School
- Emerson Elementary School
- Carlos Finlay Elementary School (This school is on the FIU campus.)
- Rockway Elementary School
- Olympia Heights Elementary School (This school is in the former University Park CDP, serving a part of southwest Westchester.)
Private Schools for Students
Many private schools in Westchester are Catholic schools. They are connected to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami.
- Christopher Columbus High School (A Catholic private school for boys.)
- St. Brendan High School (A Catholic private school.)
- St. Agatha Catholic School (A Catholic private school located in the former University Park CDP.)
- St. Brendan Elementary School (A Catholic private school.)
- King's Christian
- Gladeview Christian
- Florida Christian School (Located in Olympia Heights.)
Colleges and Universities
- Florida International University (FIU) (This large public university was formerly in the University Park CDP.)
- St. John Vianney College Seminary (A private Catholic college.)
Public Libraries
The Miami-Dade Public Library system runs the Westchester Regional Library. It's a great place to find books and learn!
Other Educational Programs
The Miami Hoshuko is a special weekend Japanese school. It holds its classes at the Iglesia Bautista de Coral Park (Coral Park Baptist Church) in Westchester. This school helps children learn Japanese on weekends. It was started in 1984.
See also
In Spanish: Westchester (Florida) para niños
