Fort Lauderdale
Incorporated in 1911, the City of Fort Lauderdale is centrally located between Miami and Palm Beach. Encompassing more than 35 square miles with a population of more than 183,000, Fort Lauderdale is the County Seat of Broward County and is the largest of Broward's 31 municipalities and the seventh largest city in Florida. Embraced by the Atlantic Ocean, New River and a myriad of scenic inland waterways, Fort Lauderdale truly lives up to its designation as the "Venice of America."
An advantageous economic climate is helping the City of Fort Lauderdale establish itself as a world-class international business center and one of the most desirable locations for new, expanding or relocating businesses. Once known strictly as a tourism-based economy, Fort Lauderdale now supports a diverse range of industries, including marine, manufacturing, finance, insurance, real estate, high technology, avionics/aerospace, and film and television production. Fort Lauderdale also offers an outstanding quality of life, highlighted by a semi-tropical climate, rich natural beauty and an array of cultural, entertainment and educational amenities. Blessed with over 3,000 hours of sunshine each year and pleasant year-round ocean breezes, world-famous Fort Lauderdale Beach offers premier opportunities for recreation, relaxation and enjoyment. The picturesque Riverwalk serves as the cornerstone of the City's arts, science, cultural and historic district which features the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Museum of Discovery and Science, Museum of Art, and Old Fort Lauderdale Village and Museum. Las Olas Boulevard has gained international acclaim as Fort Lauderdale's centerpiece of fashion, fine dining and entertainment. In addition, the City's downtown area is home to Broward College, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, the award-winning Broward County Main Library, and federal, county, and school district offices.
Through the cooperative efforts of residents, businesses and local government, Fort Lauderdale has evolved into a City that offers the best of both worlds - an attractive business environment and an outstanding quality of life. Fort Lauderdale is a great place to live, work, and raise a family, and the City looks forward to continuing to build upon its success to meet the challenges of the 21st Century and beyond.
For information on BusinessF1rst, the City of Fort Lauderdale's joint business retention and expansion initiative with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, please click here.
For information on the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), which serves as an economic development/redevelopment agency, a marketing organization, and a coordinator and facilitator among various private and governmental entities involved in and with Downtown Fort Lauderdale, please click here.
| Contact Information | |
| Contact Address | 100 N. Andrews Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 |
| Phone Number | 954-828-5000 |
| Website | http://www.fortlauderdale.gov |
| Economic Indicators/Demographics | 2023 |
| Population | 183,032 |
| Median Age | 43 |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% |
| College Educated+ (some/Associate, Bachelor or Graduate/Professional Degree) | 65.1% |
| Housing Units | 101,234 |
| Households | 80,575 |
| Household Median Income | $79,935 |
2019 |
2020* |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
| Work Force | 98,217 | 97,653 | 98,249 | 101,057 | 103,103 | 103,776 |
| Employment | 95,075 | 87,543 | 92,793 | 97,961 | 99,922 | 100,281 |
| Unemployment | 3,142 | 10,110 | 5,456 | 3,095 | 3,181 | 3,495 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 10.4% | 5.6% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 3.4% |
Source: 2023 American Community Survey 5-Year estimates, Florida Department of Commerce and Bureau of Labor Statistics. *2020 Reflects Covid-19 Impact
| Number of Schools | |
| Charter Schools | 6 |
| Elementary Schools | 23 |
| Middle Schools | 5 |
| High Schools | 5 |
| Private Schools | 14 |
| A-Rated Schools | 10 |
Source: Broward County Public Schools, gfledu.org, and Florida Department of Education.
Major Employers:
|
|
Updated 4-14-2025