Broward County is a diverse, multi-ethnic urban county, the second largest, and one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the state, home to 1.8 million people seeking economic opportunity, freedom of expression and a superior quality of life.

Since 1990, Broward County has risen from the 16th to the third most racially diverse county in Florida. Approximately 21 percent of the population is African American, including a large number of individuals who immigrated from Haiti, Jamaica, and other parts of the Caribbean, as well as Central and South America. More than one-quarter of residents are now foreign-born, with 70 percent of those from Latin America. Hispanics, primarily of Puerto Rican, Cuban and Colombian descent, currently represent 17 percent of Broward County's total population.

Approximately 13 percent of residents are age 65 and older, highlighting Broward County's appeal as a retirement community. In addition to the permanent population, nearly 90,000 part-time residents live within Broward County at the peak of its "season," and more than 10.4 million tourists visit the County annually. It is estimated that 950,000 of these visitors represent the gay and lesbian communities.

Across the United States, experts generally agree that the broad definition of "diversity" refers to visible individual differences, such as race, gender, age, as well as differences that are not apparent at first glance, including religion, ability status, sexual orientation, education, and socio-economic diversity.


Our educational make-up is varied: 30 percent of Broward's population has a high school diploma, another 28 percent have some college, and 29 percent have either a bachelor's degree or advanced degree.
Nearly one in five residents age five and above has a disability, defined as a physical, mental or sensory condition that substantially limits one or more of an individiual's major life activities.

Broward County recognizes and values the diversity of the community in many ways. The Broward County Board of County Commissioners and staff foster a diverse work environment, develop and promote programs that encourage diversity in the marketplace, and support and fund activities and outreach events that celebrate and heighten awareness of our diversity.