Westchester is a census-designated place (CDP) and neighborhood in Miami-Dade County, Florida. It is part of the Miami metropolitan area of South Florida. Prior to the 2020 U.S. Census, the neighboring University Park CDP was merged into Westchester CDP, effectively doubling its geography and population. Per the 2020 census, the population was 56,384.

Geography

Westchester is located 10 mi west of downtown Miami at 25.74698°N, -80.33687°W, with an elevation of 8 ft. It is bordered to the north by Sweetwater and Fontainebleau, to the east by Coral Terrace, to the south by Olympia Heights and Westwood Lakes, and to the west by Tamiami. The former University Park CDP occupies the west half of the current Westchester CDP. Florida International University is in the northwest portion of the CDP. According to the United States Census Bureau, the Westchester CDP has a total area of 8.11 sqmi, of which 0.15 sqmi, or 1.89%, are water.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 56,384 people, 16,688 households, and 12,581 families residing in the CDP. As of the 2010 United States census, there were 29,862 people, 9,468 households, and 7,255 families residing in the CDP.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 30,271 people, 9,764 households, and 7,947 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 7,539.9 PD/sqmi. There were 9,938 housing units at an average density of 2,475.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.78% White (13.7% were Non-Hispanic White), 0.61% African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 2.81% from other races, and 2.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 85.31% of the population. As of 2000, there were 9,764 households, out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.5% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.6% were non-families. 14.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.07 and the average family size was 3.33. In 2000, in the CDP, the population was spread out, with 18.7% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 23.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.4 males. In 2000, the median income for a household in the CDP was $40,762, and the median income for a family was $44,863. Males had a median income of $29,629 versus $24,235 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $17,264. About 8.5% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.0% of those under age 18 and 13.0% of those age 65 or over. As of 2000, speakers of Spanish as a first language accounted for 88.81% of residents, while English was the mother tongue of 10.78% of the population.

Government and infrastructure

The Miami-Dade Fire Rescue operates Station 3 Tropical Park in Westchester. The National Weather Service Miami Office is on subleased area on the FIU campus.

Education

The community of Westchester is home to eight public schools administered by Miami-Dade County Public Schools, four Catholic private elementary and secondary schools, one private Roman Catholic college, and one public university.

Public schools

Private schools

Roman Catholic private schools are operated by and/or are affiliated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami.

Universities and colleges

Public libraries

Miami-Dade Public Library operates the Westchester Regional Library.

Miscellaneous education

The Miami Hoshuko, a supplementary weekend Japanese school, holds its classes at the Iglesia Bautista de Coral Park ("Coral Park Baptist Church") in Westchester. The school offices are located in Doral. The school was established in 1984.