Editing Opa-locka, Florida

{{use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{use American English|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage-->
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->
| name                     = Opa-locka, Florida
| official_name            = City of Opa-locka 
| native_name              = <small>''Opa-tisha-wocka-locka'' ([[Creek language|Seminole]])</small><!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
| nickname                 = 
| settlement_type          = [[List of communities in Miami-Dade County, Florida|City]]
| motto                    = <!-- images and maps  ----------->
| image_skyline            = Opa Locka FL city hall04.jpg
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = Opa-locka City Hall
| image_flag               = 
| flag_size                = 
| image_seal               = Opalocka, Florida (city seal).png
| seal_size                = 
| image_shield             = 
| shield_size              = 
| image_blank_emblem       = 
| blank_emblem_type        = 
| blank_emblem_size        = 
| image_map                = Miami-Dade_County_Florida_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Opa-locka_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                  = 
| map_caption              = Location in [[Miami-Dade County, Florida|Miami-Dade County]] and the state of [[Florida]]
| image_map1               = Opa-locka.gif
| mapsize1                 = 250x200px
| map_caption1             = U.S. Census Bureau map showing city limits
| image_dot_map            = 
| dot_mapsize              = 
| dot_map_caption          = 
| dot_x                    = 
| dot_y                    = 
| pushpin_map              = <!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map -->
| pushpin_label_position   = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| pushpin_map_caption      = 
| pushpin_mapsize          = <!-- Location ------------------>
|subdivision_type          = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name          = {{Nowrap|{{Flag|United States of America|size=23px}}}}
|subdivision_type1         = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1         = {{Flag|Florida|size=23px}}
|subdivision_type2         = [[List of counties in Florida|County]]
|subdivision_name2         = {{Flagicon image|Flag of Miami-Dade County, Florida.png|size=23px}} [[Miami-Dade County, Florida|Miami-Dade]]
| subdivision_type3        = 
| subdivision_name3        = 
| subdivision_type4        = 
| subdivision_name4        = <!-- Politics ----------------->
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = [[council-manager government|Council-Manager]]
| leader_title             = [[Mayor of Opa-Locka|Mayor]]
| leader_name              = John H. Taylor, Jr.
| leader_title1            = [[Vice Mayor]]
| leader_name1             = Natasha L. Ervin
| leader_title2            = [[Commissioner]]s
| leader_name2             = {{Plain list|
* Dr. Sherelean Bass
* Joseph L. Kelley
* Veronica J. Williams
}}
| leader_title3            = [[City Manager]]
| leader_name3             = Darvin Williams
| leader_title4            = [[City Clerk]]
| leader_name4             = Joanna Flores
| established_title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date         = May 14, 1926
| established_title2       = 
| established_date2        = 
| established_title3       = <!-- Incorporated (city) -->
| established_date3        = <!-- Area    --------------------->
| area_magnitude           = 
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2022">{{cite web |title=2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Florida |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2022_Gazetteer/2022_gaz_place_12.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=December 27, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2           = 11.61
| area_land_km2            = 11.16
| area_water_km2           = 0.45
| area_total_sq_mi         = 4.48
| area_land_sq_mi          = 4.31
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.17
| area_water_percent       = 3.13
| area_urban_km2           = 
| area_urban_sq_mi         = 
| area_metro_km2           = 
| area_metro_sq_mi         = 
| area_blank1_title        = 
| area_blank1_km2          = 
| area_blank1_sq_mi        = <!-- Population   ----------------------->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US1251650&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=P1. Race – Opa-locka city, Florida: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=December 27, 2022}}</ref>
| population_note          = 
| population_total         = 16463
| population_density_km2   = 1475.60
| population_density_sq_mi = 3821.49
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| pop_est_footnotes        = 
| population_est           = 
| population_metro         = 
| population_density_metro_km2 = 
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = 
| population_urban         = 
| population_density_urban_km2 = 
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 
| population_blank1_title  = 
| population_blank1        = 
| population_density_blank1_km2 = 
| population_density_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- General information  --------------->
| timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset               = −5
| timezone_DST             = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST           = −4
| coordinates              = {{coord|25|54|06|N|80|15|03|W|type:city(16,000)_region:US-FL|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes      = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
| elevation_m              = 
| elevation_ft             = 7
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code              = 33054, 33014 ([[Hialeah, Florida|Hialeah]])
| area_code                = [[Area code 305|305]], [[Area code 786|786]], [[Area code 645|645]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 12-51650
| blank1_name              = 
| blank1_info              = 
| website                  = {{URL|www.opalockafl.gov}}
| footnotes                = 
}}

'''Opa-locka''' ({{IPAc-en|'|oʊ|p|ə|ˌ|l|ɒ|k|ə}}) is a [[Municipality|city]] in [[Miami-Dade County, Florida]], [[United States]]. Spanning roughly {{Convert|4.1|sqmi}}, it is part of the [[Miami metropolitan area]] of [[South Florida]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 Census]], the population was 16,463,<ref name="Census 2020"/> up from 15,219 in [[2010 United States census|2010]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/1251650.html |title=UNITED STATES QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau |publisher=Quickfacts.census.gov |access-date=2016-07-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208044227/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/1251650.html |archive-date=2015-12-08 }}</ref>

Opa-locka was founded in 1926 by American aviator and industrialist [[Glenn Curtiss]], who was inspired by the Middle Eastern folk tales of the ''[[One Thousand and One Nights]].'' As such, the city has the largest collection of [[Moorish Revival architecture]] in the [[Western Hemisphere]],<ref name=opa>{{Cite web|url=http://www.olcdc.org/histarch.htm|title=History of Opa-locka Architecture<!-- Bot generated title -->|access-date=May 13, 2007|archive-date=October 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005063613/http://www.olcdc.org/histarch.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> and many of its roads bear names such as [[Sharazad]] Boulevard, [[Sinbad]] Avenue, [[Sabur]] Lane, [[Sultan]] Avenue, [[Ali Baba]] Avenue, [[Parvīz|Perviz]] Avenue, and [[Open sesame|Sesame]] Street.<ref name=opa/>

The name ''Opa-locka'' is an abbreviation of a [[Muscogee language|Seminole]] place name, '''Opa-tisha-wocka-locka''',<ref>Also rendered ''Opatishawockalocka.''</ref> meaning "wooded [[hummock]]", "high, dry hummock", or "a big island covered with many trees and swamps".<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QvGqndFZ2y8C&q=Opa-tisha-wocka-locka|title=The evening news|first=Arthur|last=Hailey|date=November 1, 1990|publisher=Corgi Books|isbn=9780552137133|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite book 
    | last1 = Miller 
    | first1 = Mark 
    | last2 = Raterman 
    | first2 = David 
    | title = National Geographic Traveler: Miami & the Keys 
    | publisher = National Geographic Books 
    | year = 2008 
    | page = 66
}} {{cite book
    | first = Jan
    | last = Nijman
    | title = Miami: mistress of the Americas 
    | publisher = [[University of Pennsylvania Press]] 
    | year = 2010
    | page = 27
    | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=H8uArxdvJNcC&pg=PA27
| isbn = 978-0812207026
    }}</ref>

==History==
Opa-locka was founded in 1926 by aviation pioneer [[Glenn Curtiss]], who had retired to become a real estate developer during the nascent [[Florida land boom of the 1920s|Florida land boom]]. The city's unique "Arabian" or "[[Moorish architecture|Moorish]]" architectural theme was executed by American architect [[Bernhardt E. Muller]], who had designed several [[Mediterranean Revival architecture|Mediterranean]] and [[Spanish architecture|Spanish-style]] homes in nearby Miami in 1923.<ref name="Weird2">{{cite web |title=The Nation's Weirdest City Hall |url=http://www.weirdus.com/states/florida/personalized_properties/opa_locka_baghdad/index.php |publisher=Weird US}}</ref> There are various accounts regarding how Opa-locka came to adopt its iconic architectural style. Curtiss had met Muller in 1925 at the suggestion of Curtiss' mother, Lua Andrews Curtiss. Muller is said to have viewed Opa-locka as an opportunity to create a new community based on an architectural theme from a literary work; he was particularly inspired by the exoticism and splendor of the ''One Thousand and One Nights,'' also known in English as the ''Arabian Nights''. By some accounts, Muller met with Curtiss on the site of the future city to describe his concept for an architectural design inspired by individual stories of the Arabian Nights; other sources indicate that Curtiss was inspired by his own reading of ''[[One Thousand and One Nights|Arabian Nights]],'' or by the 1924 film ''[[The Thief of Bagdad (1924 film)|The Thief of Baghdad]],'' which was adapted from the story''.''<ref name="Weird2"/>

Opa-locka's overall design and layout was conceived by New York planner and architect Clinton McKenzie, who drew heavily from the contemporary "[[Garden city movement|Garden City Movement]]", which called for satellite communities centered on residences, industry, and agriculture but connected to a central hub and interspersed with [[Green belt|greenbelts]].<ref name="Opa-locka Preservation Association">{{Cite web |title=Opa-locka Preservation Association |url=https://www.discoveropalocka.org/the-city-substantial |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=Opa-locka Preservation Association |language=en-US}}</ref> Opa-locka became a self-contained community with a hotel, zoo park, golf course, archery club, swimming pool, airport, and train station.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=City of Opa-locka History {{!}} Opa-Locka, FL |url=https://www.opalockafl.gov/229/History |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=www.opalockafl.gov}}</ref> On May 14, 1926, it was officially [[Charter city|chartered]] as a town by 28 registered voters, although much of it remained under construction.<ref name=":0" />

Opa-locka was largely spared by the [[1926 Miami hurricane|Great Miami hurricane]] that devasted much of South Florida in September 1926.<ref name="Opa-locka Preservation Association"/> While the storm ended the Florida land boom and reduced the influx of residents and capital, the town continued to develop; by the end of the year, at least 62 buildings were complete and another 31 were under construction.<ref name="Opa-locka Preservation Association"/> Ultimately, a total of 86 to 105 buildings were built in the [[Moorish Revival architecture|"Neo-Moorish" or Moorish Revival style]] that had first emerged in Europe and North America in the late 19th century;<ref name="opa-tr">{{cite web |author=Rolla L. Queen |date=October 1981 |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Opa-Locka Thematic Resource Area |url={{NRHP url|id=64000117}}}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> common characteristics included onion-shaped domes, minarets, crenelated parapets, Saracenic arches, watchtowers, mosaic tile, and outdoor spiral staircases. Several Moorish-style buildings have survived,<ref>{{cite news |title=Opa-locka - Town a 'Dream' Come to Life |url=http://specialsections.miami.com/SS/Page.aspx?sstarg=&facing=false&secid=22109&artid=417135 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321181848/http://specialsections.miami.com/SS/Page.aspx?sstarg=&facing=false&secid=22109&artid=417135 |archive-date=March 21, 2009 |access-date=2 September 2008 |website=MiamiHerald.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=History of Opa-locka Architecture |url=http://www.olcdc.org/histarch.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005063613/http://www.olcdc.org/histarch.htm |archive-date=October 5, 2008 |access-date=2 September 2008 |publisher=Opa-locka Community Development Commission}}</ref> of which twenty are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] as part of the [[Opa-locka Thematic Resource Area]].<ref name="History">{{cite web |title=City of Opa-locka History |url=http://www.opalockafl.gov/index.aspx?nid=229 |access-date=2018-02-22 |website=www.opalockafl.gov |publisher=The City of Opa-locka, Florida |language=en}}</ref>

On January 8, 1927, as part of an effort to drive growth and generate interest, Opa-locka held its inaugural "Arabian Nights Fantasy", which included dignitaries such as Florida Governor John Martin. Many residents dressed in Arabian-styled theatrical costumes shipped down from New York. The festivities also marked the opening of Opa-locka train station—billed as the "grand Vizier of the Sheikdom of Opa-locka"—and the inaugural run of the [[Seaboard Air Line Railroad|Seaboard Airline Railroad]]'s famous "[[Orange Blossom Special (train)|Orange Blossom Special]]", a deluxe passenger train that would run from New York to Miami in winter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Opa-Locka Miami |url=https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/opa-locka-the-history |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=Greater Miami & Miami Beach |language=en}}</ref> Though largely promotional in its origins, the Arabian Nights Fantasy has since become an annual event centered on promoting civic pride and community.

In 1933, the [[U.S. Navy]] opened a base at the Opa-locka Airport, which helped drive the city's growth. With the closure of the base in the 1950s, Opa-locka experienced a decline.

In the 1980s, Opa-locka transitioned from majority white to majority African American and was seen as a pioneer in black empowerment in northern [[Miami-Dade County|Dade County]],<ref>{{Cite news|first=Tom  |last=Fiedler|first2= Aminda|last2=Marques |title= City Government Access Builds Stable Community - page 1  |newspaper=[[The Miami Herald]]|date= March 6, 1989|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90131670/the-miami-herald/  |accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="FiedlerClip2">{{Cite news|first=Tom  |last=Fiedler|first2=Aminda|last2=Marques |title= City Government Access Builds Stable Community - page 2  |newspaper=[[The Miami Herald]]|date= March 6, 1989|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90131897/the-miami-herald/  |accessdate=}}</ref> where neighboring cities ([[North Miami]], [[North Miami Beach]], [[Miami Gardens, Florida|Miami Gardens]], and [[Golden Glades, Florida|Golden Glades]]) were undergoing a similar racial shift. In 1943, Opa-Locka hired its first black police officer.<ref name="FiedlerClip2" /> In 1972, the first black city commissioner was elected, [[Albert Tresvant]],<ref>{{Cite news|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title=First Black is Elected in Opa-locka; Pierson, Bowers, Tresvant Lead Vote   |newspaper=[[The Miami Herald ]]|date=April 19, 1972 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90133953/the-miami-herald/  |accessdate=}}</ref> who then went on to serve as the first black [[Mayor of Opa-locka|mayor of Opa-Locka]] in 1975.<ref>{{Cite news|first=John |last=Brecher |authorlink=   |title=Mayor Maps New Opa-Locka  |newspaper=[[The Miami Herald]]|date=April 17, 1975 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90035205/the-miami-herald/  |accessdate=}}</ref>

Opa-locka was the first community in the United States to commemorate the election of [[Barack Obama]] as the country's first African American president. A mile-long section of Perviz Avenue—from Oriental Boulevard to Ali Baba Avenue—was renamed "Barack Obama Avenue" on February 17, 2009.<ref name="City of Opa-locka History">{{cite web|title=City of Opa-locka History|url=http://www.opalockafl.gov/index.aspx?nid=229 | website= OpalockaFL.gov |publisher= City of Opa-Locka, Florida}}</ref>
 
In addition to the unique buildings, Opa-locka has a large general aviation airport, three parks, two lakes and a railroad station which is currently the tri-rail station. The city is a mixture of residential, commercial and industrial zones. Opa-locka was the backdrop for several films, including ''[[Salesman (1969 film)|Salesman]]'', ''Living Dreams'', ''Texas Justice'', ''[[Bad Boys II]],'' and ''[[2 Fast 2 Furious]]''.<ref name="City of Opa-locka History" />

===2016 financial emergency===
On June 1, 2016, then-Florida Governor [[Rick Scott]] issued Executive Order Number 16-135, declaring the City of Opa-Locka to be in a state of "Financial Emergency" under Florida Statute Section 218.503. According to the Executive Order, the Opa-Locka City Commission requested that the governor declare the financial emergency, the state and the City of Opa-Locka were to execute a State and Local Agreement of Cooperation, and the government would appoint a Financial Emergency Board. On the same day, the ''[[Miami Herald]]'' reported that "Millions of dollars are in arrears as the city teeters on the edge of bankruptcy" and that "city officials remain under an FBI corruption investigation".<ref>{{cite news|last=Sallahand |first=Michael |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article81244712.html#storylink=cpy |title=Governor declares financial emergency in Opa-locka |newspaper=Miami Herald |date=2016-06-01 |access-date=2016-07-26}}</ref> The article also reported that this financial emergency was the second declared for the city since 2002.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

Just over a week earlier, Opa-locka Commissioner Terence Pinder apparently drove his SUV into a tree at high speed, killing himself. He was scheduled to turn himself over to prosecutors the next day, having faced bribery charges.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rabin |first=Charles |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-gardens/article79503242.html |title=Facing bribery charges, Opa-locka commissioner rams SUV into tree, killing himself |newspaper=Miami Herald |date=2016-05-24 |access-date=2016-07-26}}</ref>

On June 10, Governor Scott named the Financial Emergency Board.<ref>{{cite web|last=Maselli |first=Giovanna |url=http://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/06/10/gov-scott-names-members-in-opa-locka-financial-emergency-board/ |title=Gov. Scott Names Members In Opa-Locka Financial Emergency Board |publisher=CBS Miami |date=2016-06-10 |access-date=2016-07-26}}</ref> The City of Opa-locka does not have an Audit Committee to help select the public accountant to perform the independent audited financial [http://www.opalockafl.gov/index.aspx?NID=189 statements], as required by Florida Statute [http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0200-0299/0218/Sections/0218.391.html 218.391(2)]

==Miami Municipal Airport==
[[Amelia Earhart]] launched her historic trip around the world from Miami Municipal Airport, established by the city's founder, [[Glenn Curtiss|aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss]], then located in what is now the southern part of Opa-locka.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.crazedfanboy.com/npcr/laflapcr192.html |title= The History of Aviation in Florida| website=Crazedfanboy.com | publisher=La Floridiana| date= November 24–30, 2003 |first= William |last= Moriaty |access-date= 8 April 2006}}</ref>

==Opa-locka Airport==
The German dirigible ''[[LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin|Graf Zeppelin]]'' visited [[Naval Air Station Miami]], which later became [[Opa-locka Airport]], as a regular stop on its Germany-Brazil-United States-Germany scheduled route.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://home.earthlink.net/~nbrass1/zepp/zepp2.htm |last= Miller| first= Alicia Momsen| title= From Rio to Akron aboard the Graf Zeppelin, 1933| access-date= 8 April 2006 |url-status=dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20030212133018/http://home.earthlink.net/~nbrass1/zepp/zepp2.htm |archive-date= 12 February 2003}}</ref>

In the 1950s, the Opa-locka airport—specifically Building 67—became the site of a large [[CIA]] operation, PBSuccess, run by operatives including [[E. Howard Hunt]].<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/article1950536.html |last= Chardy| first= Alfonso | title= "Opa-locka field was once the site of secret CIA base", ''Miami Herald'', 20 April 2013|website= [[Miami Herald]]| access-date= 5 April 2018 }}</ref> The operation helped launch the [[1954 Guatemalan coup d'état|U.S.-led coup in Guatemala]] in 1954 and was a precursor to the [[Bay of Pigs Invasion]] in 1961. The airfield center then served as a listening post for [[Cuba]] until the 82nd Airborne took over Opa-locka Airbase during the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]].<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/kent-csi/vol44no5/html/v44i5a06p.htm | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100426220741/https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/kent-csi/vol44no5/html/v44i5a06p.htm | url-status= dead | archive-date= April 26, 2010 |last= Gleichauf| first= Justin F. | title= "Keeping Up on Cuba: A Listening Post in Miami," CIA Library, ''Center for the Study of Intelligence - Studies Archive Indexes.'' Vol. 44, No. 5, 08 May 2007| access-date= 5 April 2018 }}</ref>

==Geography==
Opa-locka is in northern Miami-Dade County, {{convert|12|mi}} north of [[downtown Miami]] and {{convert|7|mi|0}} west of [[North Miami Beach, Florida|North Miami Beach]]. It is bordered to the north by the city of [[Miami Gardens, Florida|Miami Gardens]], to the east by unincorporated [[Golden Glades, Florida|Golden Glades]], to the south by unincorporated [[Westview, Florida|Westview]], and to the southwest by the city of [[Hialeah, Florida|Hialeah]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Opa-locka has a total area of {{convert|4.5|sqmi|km2}}. {{convert|4.3|sqmi|km2}} of it are land and {{convert|0.2|sqmi|km2}} of it (3.90%) are covered by water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2022"/>

===Climate===
{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = Opa-locka, Florida ([[Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport]]), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1998&ndash;present
|single line = Y

|Jan record high F = 88
|Feb record high F = 89
|Mar record high F = 92
|Apr record high F = 97
|May record high F = 97
|Jun record high F = 98
|Jul record high F = 98
|Aug record high F = 97
|Sep record high F = 96
|Oct record high F = 94
|Nov record high F = 91
|Dec record high F = 91

|Jan avg record high F = 85.4
|Feb avg record high F = 87.1
|Mar avg record high F = 89.5
|Apr avg record high F = 91.6
|May avg record high F = 93.0
|Jun avg record high F = 94.6
|Jul avg record high F = 94.5
|Aug avg record high F = 95.1
|Sep avg record high F = 93.5
|Oct avg record high F = 91.5
|Nov avg record high F = 87.2
|Dec avg record high F = 86.2
|year avg record high F = 96.1

| Jan high F = 76.7
| Feb high F = 78.8
| Mar high F = 81.2
| Apr high F = 84.2
| May high F = 87.2
| Jun high F = 89.7
| Jul high F = 90.8
| Aug high F = 91.1
| Sep high F = 89.5
| Oct high F = 86.4
| Nov high F = 81.6
| Dec high F = 78.5
|year high F = 84.6
|Jan mean F = 67.8
|Feb mean F = 70.0
|Mar mean F = 72.6
|Apr mean F = 76.1
|May mean F = 79.7
|Jun mean F = 82.6
|Jul mean F = 83.6
|Aug mean F = 84.0
|Sep mean F = 82.8
|Oct mean F = 79.8
|Nov mean F = 74.0
|Dec mean F = 70.4
|year mean F = 76.9
| Jan low F = 58.9
| Feb low F = 61.2
| Mar low F = 64.0
| Apr low F = 68.1
| May low F = 72.1
| Jun low F = 75.5
| Jul low F = 76.4
| Aug low F = 76.8
| Sep low F = 76.0
| Oct low F = 73.1
| Nov low F = 66.5
| Dec low F = 62.3
|year low F = 69.2

|Jan avg record low F = 43.5
|Feb avg record low F = 47.1
|Mar avg record low F = 50.9
|Apr avg record low F = 58.3
|May avg record low F = 64.9
|Jun avg record low F = 71.5
|Jul avg record low F = 71.9
|Aug avg record low F = 72.3
|Sep avg record low F = 72.3
|Oct avg record low F = 63.3
|Nov avg record low F = 53.9
|Dec avg record low F = 49.7
|year avg record low F = 40.9

|Jan record low F = 33
|Feb record low F = 36
|Mar record low F = 40
|Apr record low F = 50
|May record low F = 57
|Jun record low F = 69
|Jul record low F = 69
|Aug record low F = 66
|Sep record low F = 64
|Oct record low F = 53
|Nov record low F = 43
|Dec record low F = 34

|precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 1.81
| Feb precipitation inch = 2.66
| Mar precipitation inch = 2.51
| Apr precipitation inch = 2.94
| May precipitation inch = 6.05
| Jun precipitation inch = 8.92
| Jul precipitation inch = 8.13
| Aug precipitation inch = 8.08
| Sep precipitation inch = 8.71
| Oct precipitation inch = 7.78
| Nov precipitation inch = 2.89
| Dec precipitation inch = 2.17
|year precipitation inch = 62.65
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 8.6
| Feb precipitation days = 7.2
| Mar precipitation days = 7.2
| Apr precipitation days = 6.7
| May precipitation days = 11.5
| Jun precipitation days = 17.0
| Jul precipitation days = 18.2
| Aug precipitation days = 18.0
| Sep precipitation days = 17.9
| Oct precipitation days = 12.7
| Nov precipitation days = 9.5
| Dec precipitation days = 9.4
| year precipitation days = 143.9
|Jan snow inch =
|Feb snow inch =
|Mar snow inch =
|Apr snow inch =
|May snow inch =
|Jun snow inch =
|Jul snow inch =
|Aug snow inch =
|Sep snow inch =
|Oct snow inch =
|Nov snow inch =
|Dec snow inch =
|year snow inch =
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days =
|Feb snow days =
|Mar snow days =
|Apr snow days =
|May snow days =
|Jun snow days =
|Jul snow days =
|Aug snow days =
|Sep snow days =
|Oct snow days =
|Nov snow days =
|Dec snow days =
|year snow days =
|source 1 = NOAA (mean maxima/minima 2006&ndash;2020)<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=mfl
| title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| accessdate = May 14, 2021
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00012882&format=pdf
| title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991&ndash;2020
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| accessdate = May 14, 2021
}}</ref> }}

===Surrounding areas===
<div style>
:{{pad|15em}}    [[Miami Gardens, Florida|Miami Gardens]]
:{{pad|10.2em}}  [[Miami Lakes, Florida|Miami Lakes]] [[Image:Up arrow left.svg|20px]] [[Image:Up-1.svg|30px]] [[Image:Up arrow right.svg|20px]] [[Golden Glades, Florida|Golden Glades]]
:[[Miami-Dade County, Florida|Unincorporated Miami-Dade County]] [[Image:Left.svg|30px]] {{pad|1.5em}}[[Image:Right.svg|30px]] [[Golden Glades, Florida|Golden Glades]]
:{{pad|12.5em}} [[Hialeah, Florida|Hialeah]] [[Image:Down arrow left.svg|20px]] [[Image:Down arrow.svg|30px]] [[Image:Down arrow right.svg|20px]] [[North Miami, Florida|North Miami]]
:{{pad|14.5em}} [[Hialeah, Florida|Hialeah]], [[Westview, Florida|Westview]]
</div>
{{clear|left}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1930= 339
|1940= 497
|1950= 5271
|1960= 9810
|1970= 11902
|1980= 14460
|1990= 15283
|2000= 14951
|2010= 15219
|2020= 16463
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades|publisher=[[US Census Bureau]]|access-date=}}</ref><br> 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2/> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/>
}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Opa-locka, Florida – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br /><small>{{nobold|''Note: the U.S. census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Opa-locka, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US1251650&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|access-date=January 19, 2022|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Opa-locka, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US1251650&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=January 19, 2022|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|323
|style='background: #ffffe6; |317
|2.12%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1.93%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|9,336
|style='background: #ffffe6; |8,227
|61.54%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |49.97%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|21
|style='background: #ffffe6; |15
|0.14%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.09%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|27
|style='background: #ffffe6; |40
|0.18%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.24%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|1
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2
|0.01%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.01%
|-
|[[Other races (U.S. Census)|Other race]] alone (NH)
|21
|style='background: #ffffe6; |66
|0.14%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.40%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|82
|style='background: #ffffe6; |192
|0.54%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1.17%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|5,378
|style='background: #ffffe6; |7,604
|35.34%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |46.19%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''15,219'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''16,463'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 16,463 people, 5,534 households, and 3,607 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Opa-locka+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1101|access-date=2023-08-06|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 15,219 people, 5,843 households, and 3,406 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Opa-locka+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2010.S1101|access-date=2023-08-06|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

===2000 United States census===
In 2000, 41.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.4% were married couples living together, 35.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.52.

In 2000, the city's population was distributed as  34.6% under the age of 18, 12.3% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 17.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.1 males.

In 2000, $25,000 was the median income for a family. Males had a median income of $22,347 versus $19,270 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city is approximately $15,000. About 31.5% of families and 35.2% of the population are below the [[poverty line]], including 42.3% of those under age 18 and 40.8% of those age 65 or over.

As of 2000, speakers of [[English language|English]] as a [[first language]] accounted for 68.45%, while Spanish made up 28.30%, [[Haitian Creole|French Creole]] 2.78%, and [[French language|French]] was at 0.48% of the population.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=12&county_id=&mode=&zip=&place_id=51650&cty_id=&ll=&a=&ea=&order=r |title=MLA Data Center Results of Opa-locka, Florida |publisher=[[Modern Language Association]] |access-date=2007-10-29}}</ref>
{{Clear}}

==Government==
{{For|the list of mayors of Opa-Locka|Mayor of Opa-locka}}
The city of Opa-locka was incorporated in 1926 and operates under a commission/[[city manager]] form of government. The [[city commission]] consists of the mayor and four commissioners, who are responsible for enacting ordinances, resolutions, and regulations governing the city, and appointing the members of various advisory boards, the [[city manager]], [[city attorney]], and [[city clerk]].  As chief administrative officer, the city manager is responsible for the enforcement of laws and ordinances, and the appointment and supervision of the city's department heads.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.miamitimesonline.com/news/opa-locka-picks-new-city-manager/article_5911a960-ca76-11e9-a5e7-1f58c230630d.html|title=Opa-locka picks new city manager|last=Buteau|first=Philippe H.|date=August 29, 2020|website=The Miami Times|language=en|access-date=2020-04-16}}</ref> Municipal services include police, sanitation, water and sewer services, storm water services, maintenance of streets and infrastructure, and recreational activities.  The financial reporting entity, under which the financial statements are prepared, includes all the activities and functions for which the city is financially accountable.

The federal government has been investigating the city's government since at least 2013. In 2014, auditors reported that basic bookkeeping was non-existent. The ''Miami Herald'' reported the mayor and other officials were using city funds for their own benefit. In 2016, the city manager and public works supervisor were arrested, charged with extortion of money in exchange for city permits.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sallah|first1=Michael|last2=Weaver|first2=Jay|title=Opa-locka spent millions on parties, pet projects, bonuses; ignored warnings of financial collapse|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-gardens/article102523802.html|access-date=19 September 2016|newspaper=Miami Herald|date=17 September 2016}}</ref> Both quickly pled guilty.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Weaver|first1=Jay|last2=Sallah|first2=Michael|title=Former Opa-locka city manager pleads guilty in corruption probe|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-gardens/article101404632.html|access-date=19 September 2016|publisher=Miami herald|date=12 September 2016}}</ref>  The city's water system had been used by city workers as means of collecting money for their own use. In August 2016 the city asked the county to take over the system.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sallah|first1=Michael|last2=Weaver|first2=Jay|title=Steeped in scandal and debt, Opa-locka hands over water billing to county|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-gardens/article99172667.html|access-date=19 September 2016|newspaper=Miami Herald|date=31 August 2016}}</ref>

===Police===
The city is served by the Opa-Locka Police Department. The department has an authorized force of 54 sworn officers and 10 civilian support staff. Since 2022, the chief of police has been [[Scott Israel]], a former [[Broward County, Florida|Broward County]] Sheriff who was hired in 2022 to replace acting police chief Michael Steel, who had been in the position since Steve Barreira resigned in late October 2021 after just months on the job. In 2019, Israel In a 2013 editorial, the ''[[Miami Herald]]'' called the city "crime-plagued" and the police department "deeply troubled". Florida Governor [[Ron DeSantis]] suspended Israel from his Broward County position in 2019 (replacing him with [[Gregory Tony]]), citing Israel's responses to the [[Fort Lauderdale airport shooting]] and the [[Stoneman Douglas High School shooting]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220506160038/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article261165507.html Scott Israel hired as Opa-locka Police Chief]; accessed July 13, 2022.</ref>

==Crime==
{{update|date=April 2025}}
In 2004, Opa-locka was ranked the most dangerous city in the United States with 220 homicides and a crime rate of 10.4 per 1,000 reported that year which was the highest in America. <ref name="Curse2">Garcia-Roberts, Gus. "The Curse." ''[[Miami New Times]]''. February 10, 2009. [http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2009-02-12/news/the-curse-six-students-in-carol-city-high-s-tragic-class-of-2006-were-murdered/2 2]. Retrieved on February 11, 2009.</ref> Contributing to Opa-Locka's notorious reputation; the city was amongst the top ninth most dangerous city in the United States in terms of [[homicide]] numbers in total and number one most dangerous city in terms of [[homicide rate]].<ref name="Godfrey1">Godfrey, Calvin. "Opa-locka Boots the Boss." ''[[Miami New Times]]''. January 30, 2008. [http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2008-01-31/news/opa-locka-boots-the-boss/ 1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091120061207/http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2008-01-31/news/opa-locka-boots-the-boss|date=November 20, 2009}}. Retrieved September 28, 2009.</ref>

Crime started slowly decreasing with 197 homicides reported in 2008. Overall crime dropped by 25.5% from the late-90s to mid-2000s, but homicides and gun violence remain high and far exceed the national average. In 2012, Opa-Locka police reported 100 homicides, the lowest number in the city since 103 homicides in 1998, and far lower than the peak homicide count of 289 murders in 1993. The city was consistently ranked in the TOP 5 most dangerous city in the United States usually behind [[St. Louis]]. City leaders at the time credited a sustained commute on repeat violent offenders and increased community engagement for the continue drop, reflecting a nationwide decline in crime.

Crime reached another high peak in 2016 when the city hit 130 homicides ranking Opa-Locka as #1 most dangerous city in America. <ref>Anthony Cormier and Matthew Doig, "Tarnished Badge, Flawed System", ''Miami Herald Tribune'', December 4, 2011.</ref>

Opa-locka crime statistics reported an overall downward trend in crime based on data from 12 years, with both violent crime and [[property crime]] decreasing. Based on this trend, the crime rate in Opa-locka for 2013 was expected to be lower than in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityrating.com/crime-statistics/florida/opa-locka.html#.UYq26EoU2Qk |title=Opa Locka Crime Rate Report (Florida) |access-date=8 May 2013}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Opa Locka FL plaza01.jpg|thumb|right|An Arab-inspired plaza entrance]]
[[File:Opa Locka FL Root Building maybe01.jpg|thumb|right|A building with Moorish features<!--not the Root Building, maybe the old fire station?-->]]
[[Miami-Dade County Public Schools]] serves Opa-locka.

Dr. Robert B. Ingram/Opa-locka Elementary School is located in Opa-locka.<ref>"[http://www.dadeschools.net/schools/schoolinformation/school_details.asp?id=4121 DR. ROBERT B. INGRAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL]." [[Miami-Dade County Public Schools]]. Retrieved on April 25, 2013.</ref> North Dade Middle School in [[Miami Gardens]]<ref>"[http://www.dadeschools.net/schools/schoolinformation/school_boundaries.asp?id=6591 NORTH DADE MS]." [[Miami-Dade County Public Schools]]. Retrieved on April 25, 2013.</ref> and [[Hialeah/Miami Lakes Senior High]] in [[Hialeah]] serve the city.<ref>"[http://www.dadeschools.net/schools/schoolinformation/school_boundaries.asp?id=7131 HIALEAH-MIAMI LAKES SHS]." [[Miami-Dade County Public Schools]]. Retrieved on April 25, 2013.</ref>

==Library==
The Opa-locka Branch library is one of the 50 branches included within the [[Miami-Dade Public Library System]]. This branch is open to the public on weekdays offering an After School Club and Storytime for children.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Branch Opa-locka |url=https://mdpls.org/branch-opa-locka |access-date=2021-05-31 |publisher=[[Miami-Dade Public Library System]]}}</ref>

==Religion==
Opa-locka had 30 houses of worship in 1996. During that year, Oscar Musibay of the ''[[Miami New Times]]'' said, "Like [[South Beach]] has hotels, Opa-locka has churches."<ref>Musibay, Oscar. "God Damned." ''[[Miami New Times]]''. [http://www.miaminewtimes.com/1996-05-30/news/god-dammed/ 1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128215205/http://www.miaminewtimes.com/1996-05-30/news/god-dammed/ |date=November 28, 2009 }}. May 30, 1996. Retrieved on September 28, 2009.</ref>

==Transportation==
[[File:Opa Locka FL RR station02.jpg|thumb|The modern Opa-Locka Tri-Rail commuter station, next door to the former Opa-Locka Railroad Station built by the Seaboard Air Line Railroad and now on the National Register of Historic Places]]
Opa-locka is served by [[Opa-locka Airport|Opa-locka Executive Airport]], owned and operated by the Miami-Dade County Aviation Department. Additionally, Opa-locka is served by [[Miami-Dade Transit]] buses and by [[Tri-Rail]] via the [[Opa-locka (Tri-Rail station)|Opa-locka Station]].

==In popular culture==
* The sequence in the 1964 James Bond movie ''[[Goldfinger (film)|Goldfinger]]'' in which CIA agent Felix Leiter is tailing Oddjob, who is driving Mr. Solo to the airport, was filmed in Opa-Locka.
* Opa-locka is featured in the landmark 1969 [[documentary film]] ''[[Salesman (1969 film)|Salesman]]'', by the [[Maysles Brothers]].
* In 1970, [[Mary Ann Vecchio]], a teenaged runaway from Opa-locka, was in [[Kent, Ohio]], on the day of the [[Kent State shootings]] on May 4, 1970.  [[:File:Kent State massacre.jpg|The image of Vecchio]], kneeling by the body of a slain Kent State student, taken by ''[[Greensburg Tribune-Review]]'' freelancer [[John Filo]], later won a [[Pulitzer Prize]].
*Opa-Loka is the title of a song on the 1975 album ''[[Warrior on the Edge of Time]]'' by the British band [[Hawkwind]].
* In the 1991 film ''[[Soapdish]]'', the leading character, played by [[Kevin Kline]], is a down-and-out actor reduced to drunkenly performing the role of [[Willy Loman]] in the play ''[[Death of a Salesman]]'' at the fictitious "Opa-Locka Dinner Theater."
* Opa-locka is mentioned in the 1995 action movie ''[[The Substitute]]'' by a black student who is being disciplined by [[Tom Berenger]].

==Notable people==
* [[Yung Miami]], rapper
* [[Brisco (rapper)|Brisco]], rapper
* [[Harry Wayne Casey]], singer
* [[Dalvin Cook]], NFL player
* [[Rohan Davey]], NFL player
* [[Thad Lewis]], NFL player
* [[Montel Vontavious Porter]], professional wrestler
* [[Aurin Squire]], playwright

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|www.opalockafl.gov}}
* [http://dringrames.org Dr. Robert B. Ingram/Opa-locka Elementary School]

{{Dade County, Florida}}
{{Miami metropolitan area}}
{{Greater Miami}}
{{Florida}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Opa-locka, Florida| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Florida]]
[[Category:Cities in Miami-Dade County, Florida]]
[[Category:Moorish Revival architecture in Florida]]
[[Category:Planned communities in the United States]]
[[Category:Planned communities in Florida]]
[[Category:Cities in Miami metropolitan area]]
[[Category:1926 establishments in Florida]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1926]]