Sunrise is a city located in Broward County, Florida. With a population of 94,646 as of 2021, it is one of the larger cities in South Florida. Sunrise has grown significantly in recent decades and continues to be an attractive place to live, work, and visit.
Population and Demographics
According to the Wikipedia page for Sunrise, the city had a population of 84,439 at the 2010 census. By the 2021 estimate, the population had grown to 94,646 residents. Sunrise is currently the 16th largest city in Florida by population.
Sunrise has a fairly diverse population. As of the 2010 census, the racial makeup of the city was 62.58% White, 22.96% African American, 0.15% Native American, 4.61% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 4.63% from other races, and 5.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race made up 25.2% of the population.
The median age in Sunrise is 36.7 years old. 23.9% of the population is under age 18, while 12.6% is aged 65 or older. Sunrise has more multi-generational households than the U.S. average, with 15.5% of households having two adult generations living together.
History and Economy
Sunrise was incorporated in 1961, though the area had already begun growing after World War II. It was primarily a suburb of Fort Lauderdale in its early years. Significant development began in the 1970s, transforming it into a mid-sized city over the next few decades.
For many years, Sunrise was known as a residential community with little commercial development. However, since the 1980s it has sought to expand its economy by attracting more businesses and employers. Some of the major companies headquartered in Sunrise include:
- Sawgrass Mills – One of the largest outlet malls in the country.
- BBX Capital – A diversified holding company with real estate, investments, and other assets.
- MDM Group – A hotel and property management company.
In addition to companies headquartered in the city, Sunrise also has sizable retail and industrial sectors. The city government’s website indicates that there are over 6 million square feet of retail space and over 10 million square feet of industrial space in Sunrise.
The largest employment sectors in Sunrise are health care, retail trade, construction, and accommodation and food services. The city’s central location near Fort Lauderdale and Miami allows many residents to work in those metro areas as well.
Attractions and Landmarks
Some of the notable attractions and landmarks in Sunrise include:
- BB&T Center – An arena that is home to the NHL’s Florida Panthers hockey team.
- Sawgrass Mills – The large outlet mall draws shoppers from around the region.
- Everglades National Park – Part of this vast wetlands area is located within the city limits.
Sunrise also contains a high concentration of golf courses, including several championship courses. The area’s tropical climate makes it a great place for year-round golf.
Sports
The main professional sports team in Sunrise is the Florida Panthers of the NHL. The Panthers play at the 19,250 seat BB&T Center, which opened in 1998.
In addition, the arena is home to the National Lacrosse League’s Florida Launch. Up until 2016, it also hosted the WNBA’s Miami Sol basketball team before they relocated.
On the college sports front, the Florida Atlantic University Owls football team has played some home games at the BB&T Center over the years. Overall, the arena brings major sports events to the city that contribute to the local nightlife and economy.
The City of Sunrise maintains an active Facebook page to keep residents and visitors informed about local events, news, services, and more. The page has over 15,000 followers.
According to the page, the city uses Facebook as an additional communications channel alongside more traditional media. It posts about upcoming events, youth programs, construction updates, job openings, and more. It also often shares photos from past community events.
Individual departments within the city government, such as the Police Department, also maintain their own pages that are linked and cross-promoted on the main city page.
Transportation
Sunrise is located near several major highways and transportation links. Interstate 75 and the Sawgrass Expressway run through the city, providing access to other areas of Broward County and Miami-Dade County. The Fort Lauderdale International Airport is also located just a few miles away.
Within the city, the main mode of public transportation is provided by Broward County Transit. There are over 20 bus routes that serve Sunrise, connecting it to other communities in Broward. The transit center located next to Sawgrass Mills is one of Broward County’s busiest bus stations.
Education
Sunrise contains branches of several institutions of higher learning. Florida Atlantic University has a campus in the city, which offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. Broward College and Keiser University also have locations in Sunrise.
The City of Sunrise is served by Broward County Public Schools. Public education is provided by around 15 elementary, middle, and high schools located in the municipality. Some of the high-rated schools include Sunset Lakes Elementary School, Bair Middle School, and Piper High School.
Several private school options are also available for K-12 education in Sunrise, including Archimedean Academy and North Broward Preparatory School.