Dania Beach is a city in southeastern Broward County, Florida, located between Fort Lauderdale to the north and Hollywood to the south, within the Miami metropolitan area. It holds a notable place in local history as the oldest incorporated municipality in Broward County, founded in 1904 as a farming settlement. Originally known simply as "Dania," the city added "Beach" to its name in 1998 to better reflect its coastal identity and waterfront setting.
The city fronts the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway on its east side, while Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport borders it to the west, placing Dania Beach at the center of one of South Florida's busiest transportation corridors. Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1 (Federal Highway) run through the city, and a Tri-Rail commuter rail station serves the airport and surrounding communities. Port Everglades, one of the nation's busiest cruise and cargo ports, lies just to the north, reinforcing the city's role as a connected, centrally located community.
Dania Beach has evolved from an agricultural town into a compact, urbanized community of roughly 32,000 residents, with a mix of older single-family homes, mid-century apartments, and newer mixed-use development. The 102-acre Dania Pointe district anchors the commercial core with retail, restaurants, offices, and hotels, while established residential blocks stretch toward the water on the city's east side.
The city retains a distinctive local character through landmarks such as The Casino @ Dania Beach, home of live jai alai, the historic Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlor, and the antique shops that line Federal Highway. Longtime restaurants such as Tropical Acres Steakhouse and the Rustic Inn Crab House sit alongside the newer offerings at Dania Pointe.
For residents and homebuyers, Dania Beach offers a central South Florida location with strong airport, highway, and transit connections, alongside a genuine local dining and entertainment scene that predates the region's modern growth.
