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Dania Beach is a city in southeastern Broward County, Florida, located between Fort Lauderdale to the north and Hollywood to the south, within the Miami metropolitan area. It holds a notable place in local history as the oldest incorporated municipality in Broward County, founded in 1904 as a farming settlement. Originally known simply as "Dania," the city added "Beach" to its name in 1998 to better reflect its coastal identity and waterfront setting. The city fronts the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway on its east side, while Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport borders it to the west, placing Dania Beach at the center of one of South Florida's busiest transportation corridors. Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1 (Federal Highway) run through the city, and a Tri-Rail commuter rail station serves the airport and surrounding communities. Port Everglades, one of the nation's busiest cruise and cargo ports, lies just to the north, reinforcing the city's role as a connected, centrally located community. Dania Beach has evolved from an agricultural town into a compact, urbanized community of roughly 32,000 residents, with a mix of older single-family homes, mid-century apartments, and newer mixed-use development. The 102-acre Dania Pointe district anchors the commercial core with retail, restaurants, offices, and hotels, while established residential blocks stretch toward the water on the city's east side. The city retains a distinctive local character through landmarks such as The Casino @ Dania Beach, home of live jai alai, the historic Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlor, and the antique shops that line Federal Highway. Longtime restaurants such as Tropical Acres Steakhouse and the Rustic Inn Crab House sit alongside the newer offerings at Dania Pointe. For residents and homebuyers, Dania Beach offers a central South Florida location with strong airport, highway, and transit connections, alongside a genuine local dining and entertainment scene that predates the region's modern growth.

Population 31,723

County Broward County

Active Listings 784

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Dania Beach in?

Dania Beach is located in Broward County, Florida, between Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, within the Miami metropolitan area. It is the oldest incorporated municipality in Broward County, having been founded as a farming settlement in 1904.

How far is Dania Beach from Fort Lauderdale?

Dania Beach sits directly south of Fort Lauderdale, roughly five miles from downtown Fort Lauderdale along U.S. Route 1 or Interstate 95. Hollywood lies immediately to the south, and downtown Miami is about 20 miles farther along the coast.

Is Dania Beach near the airport?

Yes. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport borders Dania Beach, and the city is home to the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport Tri-Rail station, providing commuter rail connections across the South Florida tri-county area.

What is Dania Beach known for?

Dania Beach is known for its antique shops along Federal Highway, the Dania Pointe mixed-use district, and The Casino @ Dania Beach, a longtime venue for live jai alai. The city also fronts the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean.

City Guide

About Dania Beach

Real Estate & Housing

Dania Beach's housing stock reflects its century-long history, combining early- and mid-20th-century single-family homes, small apartment buildings and condominiums, and newer construction associated with Dania Pointe's mixed-use growth. The city is compact and densely settled compared with many Broward suburbs, offering a mix of ownership and rental options near the coast and the airport. Eastern neighborhoods near the Intracoastal Waterway and ocean hold the most waterfront-oriented properties, while interior blocks offer more modest, established homes. The blend of older character homes and modern infill gives buyers a range of choices in a central, transit-accessible location.

Neighborhoods

Dania Beach is organized around a few distinct corridors. The Federal Highway (U.S. 1) stretch forms the historic commercial spine, known for its antique shops and longtime local restaurants, while Dania Pointe has emerged as the modern retail and dining hub near the airport. The eastern side of the city reaches the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic, where marina-adjacent and waterfront areas offer boating access and ocean proximity. Interior residential blocks hold the city's older single-family and small-condo stock. Because the airport bounds the city's west side, development patterns are compact, placing most neighborhoods within easy reach of the city's main corridors and transit.

Lifestyle in Dania Beach

Dania Beach pairs a long-established local culture with new urban energy. Its dining scene spans decades-old institutions such as Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlor, Tropical Acres Steakhouse, Grampa's Bakery, and the Rustic Inn Crab House, alongside the restaurants and entertainment at Dania Pointe. The Casino @ Dania Beach keeps the city's signature jai alai tradition alive alongside slots, card games, and live performances. The antique district along Federal Highway draws collectors and browsers from across South Florida. With the ocean, Intracoastal marinas, and a compact urban core all close at hand, the city offers a distinctly South Floridian mix of waterfront leisure and city convenience.

Schools & Education

Dania Beach is served by Broward County Public Schools, one of the largest school districts in the United States. Students attend district elementary, middle, and high schools in and around the city, with additional options including charter and private schools across the surrounding area. The district offers magnet and specialized academic programs accessible to Dania Beach families. Higher education and vocational resources are available through Broward College and other institutions in the region. For relocating families, the city's location within a large county district provides a broad range of school choices close to home.

Getting Around

Dania Beach sits at a key South Florida transportation junction. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport borders the city and provides domestic and international flights, while Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1 (Federal Highway) run through town, connecting to Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Miami. A Tri-Rail commuter rail station — the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport at Dania Beach station — offers regional rail connections across the tri-county area. Broward County Transit and a local community bus service provide additional public transit. The proximity of Port Everglades, one of the nation's busiest cruise and cargo ports, lies just to the north, reinforcing Dania Beach's role as a connected, centrally located community.

Parks & Recreation

Dania Beach offers a mix of oceanfront and inland recreation. The Dania Beach pier and adjacent beach provide fishing and swimming on the Atlantic, while the Intracoastal Waterway supports boating and marina access. Nearby Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park (formerly John U. Lloyd Beach State Park) preserves a coastal stretch for swimming, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. The Anne Kolb Nature Center and West Lake Park, just south of the city, add boardwalk trails and mangrove habitat. On the commercial side, Dania Pointe's entertainment venues, the Casino @ Dania Beach, and the city's antique shops round out a full range of leisure activities.

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