Hillsboro Beach Real Estate: The Coastal Elite
Hillsboro Beach is located in Broward County, Florida. The population is very small at just under 2,000 people. This results in a very small and exclusive community. The city itself is part of the larger Miami Metropolitan area which is home to 5,564,635 people and growing.
The Hillsboro Beach real estate options are exclusive and elite choices among others in the area. Waterfront properties face both the Intracoastal Waterway on the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The city and its residents are very focused on the continued preservation of the Florida’s natural beaches and of course the resident sea turtle population.
The History of Hillsboro Beach
Hillsboro Beach is located on a small peninsula north of Pompano Beach. It is 3.2 miles in length from the Hillsboro Inlet to Deerfield Beach in the north. On both the east and west sides, there are gorgeous waterfront views to the ocean and the waterway respectively.
The name comes from the Earl of Hillsborough who was given large portions of land by the English Crown during a time when Florida with in possession of both England and Spain alternatively. Florida was eventually purchased by the United States from Spain in 1819.
The Hillsboro Lighthouse, which was completed in 1907, is located at the northern end of the Florida Reef. It has a 5,500,000 candlepower light, which makes it the brightest light on the east coast of the United States. It also has a height of 136 feet.
Herbert L. Malcolm purchased land next to the inlet and built a school in 1922. He was later Town Commissioner for ten years and Mayor for two terms. In 1925 he turned the school into a hotel which would one day become the Hillsboro Club.
The town was officially incorporated in February of 1947. A meeting was held at the residence of Mrs. Ruth Markland. Another meeting on March 4th chose Ernest Wooler as the first Mayor. At this time, Highway A1A didn’t exist, so a narrow hand-operated bridge was used to connect the town to Pompano Beach.
The current Town Hall was dedicated in 1955. It’s a far cry from the original, which was a small wooden building. There are five elected commissioners today, a police department, and a local fire department.
Real Estate for Sale in Hillsboro Beach
The average price per square foot in Hillsboro Beach is $269. The median price for homes is $292,250, and the average listing price is $1,061,799. Taking these numbers into account, let’s take a look at some of the most popular zip codes in this area and the average listings found there:
33308 – $640,000
33027 – $287,571
33301 – $1,323,534
33009 – $359,729
33062 – $509,610
The average household income here is $52,158, which is over $12,000 above the state average. The homes here range from luxury waterfront properties, to quaint inland living options.
Preservation Programs in Hillsboro Beach
The Hillsboro Beach community is focused on two major forms of preservation: endangered sea turtles, and beach renourishment. Let’s take a look at these two pursuits:
Sea Turtle Preservation
There are seven species of sea turtles which date back to the age of the dinosaurs. Three of these regularly visit Hillsboro Beach and other locations in Broward County. They are the following:
Green sea turtle
Loggerhead sea turtle
Leatherback sea turtle
The stretch of Florida coastline from the Space Coast to the Gold Coast is the second most important nesting area in the world for loggerhead sea turtles. Since these are endangered species, cities like Hillsboro Beach are taking steps to ensure they have the best chance possible at living to adulthood.
This involves monitoring and protecting nests as they are made on the beach. It also involves asking residents to turn off any bright lights during the mating season after the sun goes down. On top of all this, the city also maintains an emergency sea turtle line for any found dead, sick, or stranded by residents.
2. Beach Renourishment
Another natural, but serious process known as beach erosion also occurs in this area. This process occurs naturally as a result of severe weather or strong winds. In some cases, large amounts of sand are removed or pulled into the ocean. Beach nourishment is a process by which sand is pumped or trucked to areas on the beach to repair the shoreline.
Replacing eroded sand allows for more enjoyable beaches and better protection from storms for the local buildings. It also creates a better nesting habitat for sea turtles. The sand is commonly pulled from offshore sand deposits or inlet shoals.
With a great selection of Hillsboro Beach real estate and a great community focused on maintaining Florida’s natural beauty, this is truly one of the best places to live. Start your search for the perfect Hillsboro Beach home today!