The Town of Southwest Ranches is approximately 13 square miles, located in Southwest Broward County, and home to over 7,923 residents. The Town is a rural environment, filled with grazing animals, nurseries, farms, exquisite and unique scenery and an abundance of wildlife.

The zoning in the Town is almost entirely rural residential and agricultural. We also have a growing amount of zoning for recreation and open space, which preserves land for residents’ enjoyment. The newest zoning district is for community facilities that serve the community.

Southwest Ranches was formed to stop encroaching development, and “Preserve Our Rural Lifestyle,” which includes donkeys braying, roosters crowing, and no sidewalks.

Town Hall Address:

MAP OF SOUTHWEST RANCHES

Directions: From North Broward

Take I-95 South to I-595 West
Take I-595 West to I-75 South (If coming from the Sawgrass, take it South and onto I-75 South)
Exit Griffin Road East
Pass Traffic light (Volunteer Road/SW 148th Street)
Town Hall is on the Right (approximately 1 mile east of I-75)

Directions: From South Broward

Take I-95 North to I-595 West
Take I-595 West to I-75 South (If coming from Miami, take I-75 North from the Palmetto)
Exit Griffin Road East
Pass Traffic light (Volunteer Road/SW 148th Street)
Town Hall is on the Right (approximately 1 mile east of I-75)

Southwest Ranches: History of Incorporation

In the fall of 1996 a proposed bill was introduced to the Broward County Legislative Delegation requesting to annex all the unincorporated area between Griffin Road to the north, Sheridan Street to the South, Flamingo Road to the east and SR 27 to the west, which is now known today as Southwest Ranches.

Hundreds of citizens from the Southwest Ranches area, called for the right to form their own city. As a result of this grassroots effort, the State Legislature passed a bill in the 1997 session calling for a vote of the citizens of Southwest Ranches in March of 2000.

On July 3, 1999, many of the Southwest Ranches Homeowners Associations sponsored a parade and picnic to declare the area’s independence. Many local, state and federal representatives spoke at the event which was a huge success!

The Town’s name came about through a local contest. The contest was to come up with a name for the newly formed city. The response was great and 122 different names were submitted. A vote was held on October 12, 1999 to select one of the top five names, and the Town of Southwest Ranches won. Many of the Southwest Ranches Homeowners Association members voted to move forward and request a local bill to allow incorporation in 2000 instead of 2001, and the bill was approved by the Legislature.

On March 14, 2000, residents voted overwhelmingly to form a new Town rather than be annexed. The next step for a new city would be the creation of its CHARTER. The CHARTER was to be drawn up and an election forming the city held in 2001. However, leaders realized that if a CHARTER could be drawn up sooner, it could possibly be approved as early as 2000. A CHARTER committee was formed to draw up a city CHARTER. The committee met almost weekly during July, 1999, August, 1999, and formulated a new CHARTER. On June 6, 2000, the CHARTER was approved by the residents and the city became one of thirty municipalities.

Council Members were elected on July 25, 2000, and the Town was officially in business.

Demographics

• Population: Approx. 7,923 (according to 2020 US Census Report)
• Area: Approx. 13 square miles
• County: Broward
• Government: Council-Administrator
• Location: 15 miles southwest of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; 12 miles north of Miami/Dade County; 15 minutes from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International AIRPORT
• Housing: Single-family dwellings; home range from $200,000 to over $1 million
• Characteristics: Southwest Ranches is predominantly residential home sites with a minimum of one and two and one-half acres. The Town has some Agriculture & minimal Commercial / Industry. Farms, Equestrian Ranches and Family homes make up our unique lifestyle in SW Broward!
• Industry: Very Light
• Commercial: Very Light (Coquina Plaza & Tom Thumb only)
• Parks and Recreation: Currently we have Sunshine Ranches Equestrian Park, Rolling Oaks Open Space Park, Trailside Park, Southwest Meadows Sanctuary, Country Estates Fishing Hole Park, Frontier Trails and Calusa Corners.
• Protection: Town of Davie Police. Town of Davie and SWR Volunteer Fire Department for Fire Safety. Emergency Medical Services provided by Town of Davie.
• Schools: Our students go to the many great schools in our surrounding municipalities.
• Transportation: Our Town is in close proximity to major highways I-75, I-595 and US 27. Only 15 minutes away from Ft. Laud / Hollywood International airport & 30 minutes away from Miami International Airport. There is one County Bus that comes through our Town; however, most of our residents commute by personal transportation.
• Median Household Income in Broward County: $41,700
• Median Age in Broward County: 37.8