Cooper City, Florida

Cooper City’s good location in the geographical center of south Florida makes it an ideal suburb town. The city is easily accessible from the major urban centers of Miami and Fort Lauderdale. This has led to notable growth in real estate as well as in warehouse and distribution facilities, build-to-suit space, flex-space, and first-class office options.

One of the major developments in Cooper City was the US$ 13 million acquisition of the 530-acre Waldrep Dairy Farm by Monterra Community Development District. Monterra’s developer, Engle Homes, earlier built a 1,910-unit master-planned community in the area adjacent to the Dairy Farm. The acquisition of the property and its subsequent development would bring in around 4,000 new residents. Two condominium-office complexes are also being completed along Stirling and Griffin Road. These buildings are expected to attract new businesses. Despite the growth of the city, the local government and the residents are still keen on maintaining Cooper City’s traditional small-town atmosphere.

There are no shopping malls or large retail areas so far within Cooper City; just small commercial strips accommodating the local restaurants, dry cleaners, beauty salons, and other retail stores. The local retail industry still brings in the biggest revenue and employs more than 1,000 workers. Grocery and department stores are the major employers. Wholesale trade comes in second in terms of revenue. The big earners of the wholesale industry are electronic markets and trade agents and brokers. Health care, restaurants, and accommodation also employ a significant number of the labor force.

The estimated median household income as of 2005 was US$84,100 which puts Cooper City in fourth place in terms of household income within Broward County. Per capita income is at US$27,474 and almost three percent of families or 3.2 percent of the population are below the poverty line.

The low crime rate in Cooper City has also made it favorable to businesses and residential development. The rate of violent crimes is only one-third of the national average while the average rate of property crimes is a little over than one-half of the national average.

The city’s overall good reputation mainly due to the relatively low cost of living, above average educational system, health care, air quality, and wide open spaces earned it a spot in the top ten best towns for families selected by Family Circle magazine in partnership with On Board research team.