Pembroke Pines, Florida

Pembroke Pines is a city in southern Broward County, Florida, United States. The city is located 22 miles (35 km) north of Miami. It is a suburb of and the fourth-most populous city in the Miami metropolitan area. The population of Pembroke Pines was 171,178 at the 2020 census.

Pembroke Pines, officially incorporated on January 16, 1960, evolved from agricultural land into a vibrant city with a rich history. Its name is derived from Pembroke Road, itself linked to Sir Edward J. Reed, a British Parliament member for the County of Pembroke who, in 1882, helped form the Florida Land and Mortgage Company to acquire millions of acres of Florida swampland. Walter Smith Kipnis, the city’s first mayor, chose the name Pembroke Pines inspired by the native pine trees lining the road.

The area’s earliest inhabitants were Native Americans who arrived around 4,000 years ago, while archaeological finds suggest human activity dating back 10,000 years. Initially, the region was characterized by dairy farms, and significant growth occurred after World War II as retiring servicemen settled in the area. Early subdivisions bore the Pembroke Pines name, and the community, originally known as the Village of Pembroke Pines, was incorporated as a village in 1959 following legal disputes over boundaries.

In subsequent years, the city expanded through strategic annexations, including Joseph LaCroix’s 320 acres, allowing westward development. The 1960s brought essential public services, and major roadways like University Drive and Interstate 75 helped shape its development. A notable cultural moment occurred in 1977 when the Grateful Dead performed at the Hollywood Sportatorium. Rapid population growth in the 1990s, partly due to migration after Hurricane Andrew, spurred the expansion of educational facilities and infrastructure, marking Pembroke Pines as one of America’s fastest-growing cities. Today, Pembroke Pines thrives with ongoing vibrant community progress.