Pinewood, FL
- About Pinewood, Florida
- Geography
- Climate and Weather
- Landmarks and Nearby Attractions
- Transport
- Museums and Cultural Attractions
- Universities and Higher Education
- Healthcare and Medical Facilities
Pinewood is an unincorporated community and census-designated place just north of Miami, offering a suburban lifestyle within the vibrant Miami metropolitan area.
About Pinewood, Florida
Official Status and Administrative Affiliation
- Full Official Name: Pinewood Census Designated Place (CDP), Florida.
- Administrative Status: Pinewood is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP). It does not have its own municipal government and is under the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County .
- Regional Context: It is located in Miami-Dade County, Florida, which forms the core of the Miami metropolitan area—a global hub for finance, commerce, culture, and international trade, often called the "Gateway to the Americas" .
Historical Names and Nicknames
- Pinewood does not have widely known historical names or nicknames. Its identity is closely tied to its history as a former neighborhood of the City of Miami .
Date of Foundation and Age
- Pinewood was originally annexed into the City of Miami in 1925. However, during the Great Depression, the city relinquished its jurisdiction, and it became an unincorporated area of Miami-Dade County .
- The area has been a recognized community for nearly a century.
Geographic Location and Coordinates
- Geographic Coordinates: 25°52′14″N 80°13′2″W (25.87056, -80.21722) .
- Positioning: Pinewood is situated approximately 8 miles (13 km) north of downtown Miami in southeastern Florida . It is located on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, a flat region near the coast.
- Elevation: The area's elevation is very low, at about 7 feet (2 meters) above sea level .
- Boundaries: It is bordered by the city of North Miami to the north, Miami Shores to the east, and the unincorporated communities of West Little River and Westview to the south and west. U.S. Route 441 (NW 7th Avenue) forms most of its eastern border .
City Type and Economic Specialization
- Pinewood is primarily a residential suburb within the Miami metropolitan area. Its economy is intrinsically linked to the greater Miami region, with residents commuting to jobs in Miami and other nearby cities. Key sectors for the area include trade, transportation, utilities, education, health services, and professional and business services.
Population and Demographics
- Population: At the 2020 census, the population of Pinewood was 17,246 .
- City Classification: It is a small to medium-sized community within a large metropolitan area.
- Demographics: Pinewood is a diverse community. In the 2020 census, the population was approximately 66% Black or African American (non-Hispanic) and 29% Hispanic or Latino (of any race). A significant portion of residents speak French Creole at home, reflecting a rich cultural heritage .
"Visiting Card" of Pinewood
- Pinewood offers a quiet, suburban residential experience just minutes from the heart of Miami. It provides easy access to the cultural attractions, job centers, and international ambiance of one of the world's most dynamic metropolitan areas.
Geography
Water Bodies
- While Pinewood itself is a primarily residential area with small water bodies, its defining geographic feature is its proximity to the coast.
- Biscayne Bay: This Atlantic lagoon is located just east of Pinewood, separating the Miami mainland from the Miami Beach barrier islands. It is central to the region's recreation, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and water sports.
- Oleta River State Park: Approximately 5-6 miles northeast of Pinewood, this park in North Miami features the Oleta River, mangroves, and is Florida's largest urban park, popular for kayaking, paddleboarding, and mountain biking.
- Atlantic Ocean Beaches: The famous beaches of Miami Beach and Bal Harbour are only about 6-8 miles east of Pinewood, easily accessible via major roadways .
Climate and Weather
Climate Type and General Characteristics
- Pinewood has a tropical monsoon climate, typical of South Florida. It is characterized by long, hot, and very humid summers, and short, warm, and relatively drier winters. The weather is heavily influenced by its coastal location .
Average Temperatures
- Hottest Month: August, with an average high of 32°C (90°F) and a low of 25°C (77°F) .
- Coolest Month: January, with an average high of 24°C (75°F) and a low of 16°C (61°F) .
- Summer (June-September): Average daily highs are consistently around 31-32°C (88-90°F). Nighttime lows remain warm, around 25-27°C (77-81°F) .
- Winter (December-February): Days are comfortably warm, with highs of 24-25°C (75-77°F). Nights can be cooler, dropping to an average of 16-18°C (61-64°F) .
- Temperatures rarely exceed 33°C (91°F) or drop below 9°C (48°F) .
Precipitation and Humidity
- Rainfall: Pinewood experiences extreme seasonal variation in rainfall. The wettest period is from late spring through early fall. The month with the most rain is June, with an average of 162 mm (6.4 inches) of rainfall .
- Dry Season: The driest month is December, with an average of only 34 mm (1.3 inches) of rain .
- Humidity: The area is very humid year-round. The "muggier" period lasts from April to December. August has about 31.0 days with oppressive or miserable humidity, while February is the least muggy, with about 9.0 days .
Seasonality and Best Time to Visit
- Best Time to Visit: Based on weather comfort for outdoor activities, the best time to visit is from early November to late April. This period avoids the peak heat and highest humidity of the summer and has the lowest chance of rain .
- Winter (December-February): The most pleasant time for outdoor exploration with comfortable temperatures, lower humidity, and mostly clear skies. This is also the peak tourist season for South Florida.
- Summer (June-September): Characterized by intense heat, high humidity, and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. This is the off-season for many tourists, but indoor attractions and water-based activities remain popular.
Landmarks and Nearby Attractions
Miami Ironside
- Located about 4 km (2.5 miles) southeast of Pinewood in Miami's Upper Eastside, Miami Ironside is a vibrant urban arts, design, and creative office district situated along the MiMo Historic Biscayne Boulevard. It is known for its curated mix of showrooms, galleries, and eateries in a unique open-air setting .
Miami Central High School
- While a functional school, Miami Central Senior High School is a notable landmark in the immediate vicinity. Located at 1781 NW 95th Street in the adjacent West Little River, it is a significant institution for the community .
El Retiro (Pinewood Estate) in Lake Wales
- Note: This is a distinct location in Central Florida, not near the Pinewood CDP, but it is a famous landmark sharing the "Pinewood" name. El Retiro, also known as Pinewood Estate, is a 20-room Mediterranean Revival mansion located within the Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida. Designed by Charles Wait and completed in 1930, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 .
The Miami Design District and Wynwood
- Located just south of Pinewood, these world-famous neighborhoods are hubs for art, fashion, and culture. They feature high-end boutiques, renowned art galleries, and the iconic Wynwood Walls, an outdoor museum displaying large-scale street art.
Transport
Main Airports
- Miami International Airport (MIA) (IATA: MIA): The primary airport serving the region, located about 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Pinewood. It is a major international hub with flights to destinations across the globe.
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) (IATA: FLL): Another major airport about 25 miles (40 km) north of Pinewood, often used by travelers as an alternative to MIA.
Public Transportation
- Metrobus: Public transportation in Pinewood is provided by Miami-Dade Transit's Metrobus system. Several bus routes serve the community, connecting it to the greater county, including downtown Miami, North Miami, and other key areas .
- Usage: Public transit is a vital part of the community, with approximately 11.6% of residents using mass transit for their commute to work .
Major Highways
- U.S. Route 441 (NW 7th Avenue): This major north-south artery forms the eastern border of Pinewood, providing direct access to North Miami and points south toward downtown Miami .
- Interstate 95 (I-95): Located just west of Pinewood, I-95 is the main interstate highway on the East Coast, providing high-speed access to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and beyond.
- Florida State Road 826 (Palmetto Expressway): A major highway to the west, offering connections to Miami International Airport and other parts of Dade County.
Commuting
- The average one-way commute time for Pinewood residents is 32.4 minutes, which is longer than the U.S. average. The vast majority of commuters (76.2%) drive alone in their cars .
Museums and Cultural Attractions
Heritage Village (Pinellas County History Museum)
While Pinewood itself doesn't have a major museum, a significant cultural complex is located within the Pinewood Cultural Park in Largo, which shares the "Pinewood" name. This 21-acre living history museum, Heritage Village, is owned and operated by Pinellas County and has been preserving local history since 1976 . It features over 28 historic structures from across Pinellas County, offering a glimpse into the area's past. Key buildings include an 1850s log cabin from Clearwater's founding families (the oldest extant structure in the county), a 1930s sponge warehouse from Tarpon Springs, and the 1924 Gandy Tower, which once marked the entrance to the first bridge connecting St. Petersburg and Tampa . The museum's collection includes over 14,000 artifacts and an archive with more than 9,000 photographs .
Gulf Coast Museum of Art
Also located within the Pinewood Cultural Park is the former Gulf Coast Museum of Art (GCMA). This museum specialized in collecting and exhibiting contemporary art created by Florida artists from 1960 onward, as well as fine craft objects from the Southeastern U.S. . The museum featured diverse and changing exhibitions, outdoor sculpture gardens, and studio classes .
Museums Near Pinewood (Miami Area)
For residents of the Pinewood CDP in Miami-Dade County, numerous museums are a short drive away. Popular options include the interactive Miami Children's Museum and the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale, which features the AutoNation IMAX 3D Theater . The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science in Miami, located near the Pérez Art Museum Miami, is another nearby attraction, known for its planetarium, aquarium with a unique oculus, and striking industrial architecture .
Universities and Higher Education
Colleges and Universities Near Pinewood
Pinewood, Florida, is situated in an area with a high concentration of higher education institutions. There are 42 colleges within a 50-mile radius, enrolling over 250,000 students .
The closest university to the Miami-Dade County Pinewood is Barry University in Miami, located just 1.5 miles away . Other major universities in the vicinity include:
- University of Miami in Coral Gables, ranked #51 nationally .
- Florida International University in Miami, the largest college in the area with an enrollment of nearly 54,000 students .
- Florida Atlantic University, a public university located about 35 miles away .
- Lynn University in Boca Raton, ranked as the #14 Best Private College in Florida .
- Miami Dade College, which has an open admission policy .
- Nova Southeastern University is also located nearby in Fort Lauderdale.
Healthcare and Medical Facilities
Local Healthcare Access
The Pinewood CDP in Miami-Dade County is served by a network of nearby hospitals and medical facilities. The Medwise Center is a hospital located approximately 2.5 km northwest of Pinewood . The area has a higher-than-average number of physicians, with 228 physicians per 100,000 population compared to the U.S. average of 210 . The health cost index for the area is 99.2, which is slightly lower (better) than the national average of 100 .
Nearby Medical Institutions
Residents have access to the broader Miami-area healthcare system, which includes major hospitals and specialized centers. This includes facilities like the University of Miami Health System and Jackson Health System, which are nationally recognized for various specializations. Additionally, for those traveling to the Pinewood Cultural Park in Largo, the area is served by numerous medical facilities in Pinellas County. It's important to note that a search also located Trenton Medical Center, Inc. at 300 Pinewood Dr. Sw in Live Oak, FL, which is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), but this is in a different city and region of Florida entirely .