Local city information for Lauderdale Lakes, FL

Lauderdale Lakes is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States. As of 1 July 2006, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau was 31,879. It is part of the South Florida metropolitan area, which is home to 5,463,857 people.

The city of Lauderdale Lakes was incorporated on 22 June 1961, and was originally popular as a retirement area for Northeasterners, notably New Yorkers who were Jewish. As population in Broward County steadily moved westward and its early residents died toward the end of the twentieth century, Lauderdale Lakes became a predominantly Caribbean and African American community.

The City of Lauderdale Lakes was incorporated on June 22, 1961, by a Charter approved by the State Legislature. The City comprises an area of approximately four square miles in the "heart" of Broward County, with its center at the crossroads of State Road 7 and Oakland Park Boulevard. In the beginning, six founders came together to discuss the incorporation of the City. They went on to serve as the City's inaugural Council after its formation. The City's first Resolution served to appoint the officers of the City. The first two positions appointed were the City Clerk and the Chief of Police, who both who served pro-bono, as the City did not have any funding at the time. Likewise, there were only two departments, the Office of the City Clerk and the Police Department.

At the time of incorporation, there were approximately 300 residents in the area. The physical appearance of the City was vastly different than it is today. State Road 7, then a two-lane undivided road, was the main thoroughfare through the City. Cattle and horses wandered along State Road 7 and Oakland Park Boulevard. In those early years, the Police Chief was often called to chase the animals off the road.

In the early 1960s, the community was basically rural, with most of the land used for farming and grazing. The City's only fire truck was staffed by five volunteers, and the "fire station" was nothing more than a parking lot on State Road 7. The first City Hall was located in a construction trailer on one of the City's major development sites. Now with a staff of three -- the City Clerk, the Police Chief and a Building Inspector -- Lauderdale Lakes, along with the rest of Broward County, was taking its first steps towards becoming an urban area.

Through the 1960s and 1970's the City grew into a vibrant community boasting a diverse population, economic vitality and beautiful neighborhoods surrounded by sparkling lakes. Since then, the City has continued to experience stable economic growth. New construction, new residents and an expanding business base have created a thriving suburban environment ideal for living, working and playing. As county-wide development has spread westward, Lauderdale Lakes has become not only conveniently central, but also highly desirable.

Today, with a population of nearly 32,000, the original staff of three has grown to 133 full-time employees, 43 part-time employees and a team of 65 Broward Sheriff's Office personnel. In addition to the two original departments, the City has grown to serve the needs of our community with dedicated departments including Fire Rescue, Parks & Leisure, Community Development, Public Works, Finance and Human Resources.

In March 1998, the residents of Lauderdale Lakes voted for a change from a Mayor/City Council to a Mayor/City Commission/City Manager form of government.
From its modest beginnings in 1961, to its status today as one of the most culturally diverse communities in Broward County, people continue to be attracted to Lauderdale Lakes' convenient location, scenic waterways, comfortable neighborhoods and small town atmosphere.

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