Dade County, Florida

Miami-Dade County, Florida
County
Miami-Dade
The Miami-Dade County Courthouse
Flag Seal Logo
Nickname(s): "Dade County", "Dade", "Metro-Dade", "Greater Miami"
Location in the U.S. state of Florida
Florida's location in the U.S.
Founded	January 18, 1836
Named for	Francis L. Dade
Seat	Miami
Largest city	Miami
Area
• Total	2,431 sq mi (6,296 km2)
• Land	1,898 sq mi (4,916 km2)
• Water	533 sq mi (1,380 km2)
Population (est.)
• (2015)	2,693,117
• Density	1,378.9/sq mi (532/km²)
Congressional districts	23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th
Time zone	Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website	www.miamidade.gov

Miami-Dade County (formerly Dade County) is an American county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the southeasternmost county on the U.S. mainland. According to a 2015 census report, the county had a population of 2,693,117, making it the most populous county in Florida and the seventh-most populous county in the United States. It is also Florida's third-largest county in terms of land area, with 1,946 square miles (5,040 km²). The county seat is Miami.

Miami-Dade County is included in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The county is home to 34 incorporated cities and many unincorporated areas. The northern, central and eastern portions of the county are heavily urbanized with many high rises up the coastline, as well as the location of South Florida's central business district, Downtown Miami. Southern Miami-Dade County includes the Redland and Homestead areas, which make up the agricultural economy of Miami. Agricultural Redland makes up roughly one third of Miami-Dade County's inhabited land area, and is sparsely populated, a stark contrast to the densely populated, urban northern Miami-Dade County. The western portion of the county extends into the Everglades National Park and is populated only by a Miccosukee tribal village. East of the mainland in Biscayne Bay is also Biscayne National Park and the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves.