Margate, Florida
History
Margate was founded in the 1950s, when much of it was still either part of the Everglades or farmland. It became a town in 1955, when land development became prominent due to an influx of people moving to Margate. In 1961, it was officially incorporated as a city. The name Margate is a portmanteau of the first three letters of the founder's last name, Jack Marqusee, and the first four letters of gateway, since it was considered a "gateway" to western Broward County. The city has a waterpark called Calypso Cove and two golf courses: The Carolina Golf Club and the Oriole Golf and Tennis Club.
Geography
Margate is located at 26°14′47″N 80°12′44″W / 26.246259°N 80.212343°W., and it is seven and one-half miles from the Atlantic Ocean.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.98 square miles (23 km), of which 8.81 square miles (23 km) is land and 0.17 square miles (0 km) is water (1.89%).
Climate
Margate has a tropical climate, similar to the climate found in much of the Caribbean. It is part of the only region in the 48 contiguous states that falls under that category. More specifically, it generally has a tropical rainforest climate (Köppen climate classification: Af), bordering a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification: Am).
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 2,646 | — | |
| 1970 | 8,867 | 235.1% | |
| 1980 | 35,900 | 304.9% | |
| 1990 | 42,985 | 19.7% | |
| 2000 | 53,909 | 25.4% | |
| 2010 | 53,284 | −1.2% | |
| 2020 | 58,712 | 10.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2010 and 2020 census
| Race | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 24,521 | 18,165 | 46.02% | 30.94% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 13,222 | 18,484 | 24.81% | 31.48% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 96 | 87 | 0.18% | 0.15% |
| Asian (NH) | 2,107 | 2,502 | 3.95% | 4.26% |
| Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) | 29 | 20 | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Some other race (NH) | 369 | 889 | 0.69% | 1.51% |
| Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) | 1,094 | 2,648 | 2.05% | 4.51% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 11,846 | 15,917 | 22.23% | 27.11% |
| Total | 53,284 | 58,712 |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 58,712 people, 24,577 households, and 14,576 families residing in the city.
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 53,284 people, 21,895 households, and 13,230 families residing in the city.
2000 census
In 2000, there were 22,714 households, out of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.95.
In 2000, the city the population was spread out, with 20.9% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 21.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $38,722, and the median income for a family was $48,254. Males had a median income of $35,630 versus $26,624 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,308. About 5.5% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2000, 75.9% of residents speak English as their first language, 13.8% speak Spanish, 2.85% French Creole, 1.69% French, and 1.20% Italian.
As of 2000, Margate was the sixty-sixth most Colombian-populated area in the US at 2.22% of residents. It was also the forty-ninth most Haitian-populated area (tied with Pleasantville, New Jersey) at 3.2% and forty-third most Jamaican-populated area (tied with Opa-locka) at 3% of the population.
Education
Margate is served by public schools operated by Broward County Public Schools.
Elementary schools
- Atlantic West Elementary (STEAM Magnet School) – Central, west, and southwest Margate
- Liberty Elementary (STEM Magnet School) – Portions east of US 441
- Margate Elementary – Central, north, and northwest Margate
- Morrow Elementary (in North Lauderdale) – Southwest Margate
Middle school
- Margate Middle School (STEM Magnet School) – Serves almost all of the city
- Silver Lakes Middle School (in North Lauderdale) – serves a small section of the city
- Rise Academy – Small School located on the border of Margate.
High schools
- Coconut Creek High School (in neighboring Coconut Creek)
- Coral Springs High School (in neighboring Coral Springs)
- Monarch High School (in Coconut Creek)
It is also in proximity to, and in the service area of, the all-magnet school Atlantic Technical High School (in neighboring Coconut Creek).
Charter Schools
- Broward Math and Science Schools (K–8)
- RISE Academy (K–8)
- West Broward Academy (K–8)
Charter High Schools
- Ascend Academy (9–12)
- SunEd High School of North Broward (9–12)
Private schools
- Abundant Life Christian Academy
- Faith Baptist Academy
- Hebrew Academy Community School
- Winfield Christian Academy
Notable people
- Kaye Stevens, a singer and actress who lived in Margate for more than 45 years (from 1950s to 2004)
- Josh Smith, former professional baseball pitcher
- Michael Palardy, an NFL with the New England Patriots
- Brandon Knight, Greek Basket League player for AEK B.C.
- Arin Hanson, also known by Egoraptor, an animator and internet personality.
- Nikolas Cruz, perpetrator of the Parkland high school shooting