Top 5 Things You May Not Know About Carol City

Coral City Is Carol City

Once a farmland transformed into a middle-class suburban residential neighborhood care of developer Julius Gaines, Carol City's original name was Coral City until the developer received a lawsuit threat from the city of Coral Gables due to the similarity in name.

With this, Gaines switched O and A to come up with Carol City, and the name stuck until the late 1960s before the city experienced another change of a lifetime.

The Name Change (x2)

Yes, the name change didn't stop there!

Upon its incorporation in 2003, Carol City, once again, experienced a change of name.

This time, the vast community was renamed Miami Gardens, which is the name we all know today!

In fact, before the public settled on Miami Gardens, it went through three name options-- Carol City, Norland, and Norwood.

To date, the names "Carol City" and "Norland" are being used for two of Miami Gardens' residential neighborhoods.

Cultural Diversity In Carol City

Making up Miami Gardens' predominantly African-American community, Carol City residents enjoy a vibrant culture, history, and cuisine within the neighborhood.

Here's why it has come about--

In the 1960s, the I-95 construction led to several middle and upper-income African American and West Indian Americans (from other Miami neighborhoods) moving to Carol City (thanks to the Fair Housing Act!).

African-American residents found shelter in Miami Gardens, planted their roots, and have since become the predominant race in the city. 

Currently, Carol City and Miami Gardens are also home to Whites, Asians, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics.

Miami Education At Its Finest

Did you know that the Miami-Dade Public School system serves Carol City?

Yes, folks, Carol City locals are spoilt for choice, with several public schools available for the community's younger members!

We're talking about Carol City Middle School, Carol City Elementary School, Lake Stevens Middle School, North Gardens High School-- the list goes on!

It means your child's Pre-K, Elementary, Middle, and High School education is covered at Carol City!

Add the whole list of private schools in and around Carol City, and you've got Miami-Dade County's best of the best!

The Home Of The Rappers (And Then Some)

Get ready to 'drop that beat' for Carol City's notable locals and residents!

If you haven't caught my drift, I'm talking about Carol City's famous peeps in the Hip-Hop and Rap industry, including big names like Rick Ross, Flo Rida, Gunplay, Spaceghostpurrp, Bigg D, and Denzel Curry!

Of course, aside from rappers, Carl Hart (a psychologist and neuroscientist) and Santana Moss (a former NFL player) also take space in Carol City's greats!

Who says you have to come from a famous city to become big in ANY industry?