Bay Harbor Islands

Bay Harbor Islands is a town in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,146 at the 2000 census. It is separated from the mainland by Biscayne Bay, with which it is connected via the Broad Causeway. On the mainland side, BHI is bordered by the city of North Miami, while to the east it borders the villages of Bal Harbour and Surfside. To the south lies the exclusive Indian Creek island. BHI is about 20 minutes driving distance away from Miami International Airport, and is situated between the larger centers of Aventura and Miami Beach.

The location is very convenient for those who like to be near the beach, supermarkets, restaurants, shopping, places of worship and top schools. Less than 1/2 mile away is the world famous mall -the Bal Harbor Shops, which is the most successful shopping mall in the U.S. Many top restaurants are nearby in Bal Harbour, Surfside and Bay Harbor. There is a large Publix supermarket located less than a mile away. The beach is a half mile away.

One of the top public schools in the county is located in Bay Harbor Islands. Bay Harbor Islands's Ruth K. Broad Bay Harbor K-8 Center is among the few public schools in Florida to receive a distinguished GreatSchools Rating of 9 out of 10. It is a school that serves grades PK-8 in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools district.

On June 15, 1947, the first building permit was applied for. Within four years, the Town had a population of 550 citizens living in 46 private residences. Today, the Town's population is approximately 5,100. Following through on the concept of zoning Shepard Broad brought to the islands, the 103-acre West Island remains open only to single-family unit development. The 150 acres of the East Island contain multiple-family dwellings and also a small business district to provide Bay Harbor residents with a complete selection of goods and services. In 1951, the Broad Causeway was opened, joining the islands with the mainland of northern Dade County.