D+

Overall152.9kPopulation

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D+

ReloScore

152.9kPopulation

Photo: Wikipedia

Hollywood, FL

Summary

Hollywood, Florida offers a distinctly suburban, family-oriented alternative to the glitz of its northern neighbor, Fort Lauderdale, and the tourist crush of Miami Beach. With a population of 152,935, this coastal city attracts professionals and parents seeking a more relaxed, affordable slice of South Florida life, complete with a historic downtown and a broad, quiet beachfront. The city’s character is defined by its strong sense of community, a slower pace than Miami, and a demographic profile that leans older and more established than the region’s transient resort towns. It is a place where residents prioritize stability, local parks, and good schools over nightlife, making it a strategic choice for conservative-leaning singles and families who want Florida living without the constant hustle.

Who lives in Hollywood: Age, education, and population trends

Hollywood’s population is notably older than the national average, with a median age of 41, reflecting a community of established homeowners and empty-nesters rather than a transient college crowd. The city is highly diverse, with a Hispanic population of 42.9% and a foreign-born share of 15.8%, creating a culturally rich environment where Spanish is commonly heard in shops and restaurants. The educational profile shows that 32.7% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, a figure slightly below the national average but consistent with a workforce rooted in local service industries, healthcare, and small business. The population trajectory is stable and slowly growing, with new development concentrated in the downtown area and along the beach corridor, but without the explosive growth seen in western Broward suburbs like Parkland or Weston. This stability appeals to those who want a predictable, established community rather than a rapidly changing one.

Economy and cost of living: Housing affordability and local employers

Hollywood’s economy is anchored by healthcare, tourism, and retail, with major employers including Memorial Healthcare System and the city’s own municipal government. The median household income of $65,359 is modest for coastal Broward County, but it is supported by a cost of living that remains more accessible than in Fort Lauderdale or Miami. The median home value of $374,200 is a significant draw for conservative buyers, offering a path to homeownership that is increasingly out of reach in pricier coastal markets. With a homeownership rate of 58.3%, the city has a solid base of owner-occupied housing, and the median rent of $1,555 is reasonable for the region, making it feasible for single professionals to save for a down payment. Compared to nearby Hallandale Beach or Dania Beach, Hollywood offers more square footage per dollar, particularly in neighborhoods west of I-95, where single-family homes on quarter-acre lots are still attainable.

Daily life and quality of life: Safety, schools, and walkability

Daily life in Hollywood is defined by its balance of urban amenities and suburban comfort. The violent crime rate of 166.8 per 100,000 residents is notably lower than the national average, and well below the rates in Miami or Fort Lauderdale, contributing to a strong sense of safety for families and single women. The city’s public schools, part of Broward County Public Schools, are a mixed bag, with top-rated magnet and charter options like South Broward High School’s International Baccalaureate program drawing families from across the area. Walkability is concentrated in the historic downtown along Harrison Street, where brick-lined sidewalks lead to independent coffee shops, a weekly farmer’s market, and the Art and Culture Center. The beachfront, with its broad promenade and low-rise buildings, feels more like a quiet coastal town than a tourist strip, and the city’s 60 parks—including the sprawling West Lake Park—provide ample space for recreation. For commuters, the city’s position between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and the Port Everglades cruise port is a practical advantage, though traffic on US-1 and I-95 can be heavy during peak hours.

Looking ahead, Hollywood is poised for measured, managed growth rather than a boom, with new mixed-use developments downtown and a continued focus on preserving its historic character. It is an excellent fit for conservative singles and parents who prioritize safety, affordability, and a slower pace over the high-energy nightlife of Miami Beach. The city’s distinguishing characteristic is its ability to offer a genuine, year-round beach town lifestyle—with a real sense of community—at a price point that remains within reach for middle-class professionals. Those seeking a vibrant, 24-hour urban scene or top-tier public schools without a magnet application process may find it lacking, but for anyone wanting a stable, family-friendly base in South Florida, Hollywood is a compelling and often overlooked choice.

ReloMaps Score3/10

D+

HousingHousing Affordability4/10

Stretched: 5.7x income

Population Density4/10

Urban: 5,612/sq mi

AirAir Quality8/10

Great: 47 AQI

HumidityClimate Comfort2/10

Sweaty: 74°F dew pt

HealthcareHealthcare Access9/10

Excellent

StabilityPopulation Stability5/10

Shifting

CostCost of Living7/10

Affordable: 133 index

Economic Opportunity4/10

Stable: $65k median

Job Market8/10

Strong: 3.2% unemployment

Wealth Floor6/10

Good

Taxes6/10

Moderate: 9.1% burden

Crime & Safety7/10

Safe

TrafficTraffic Safety7/10

Safe

Education5/10

Average

DegreedPopulation Education Level2/10

Low: 33% degreed

WaterTap Water5/10

Fair

National DisasterNational Disaster Risk1/10

High-Risk

Power Grid10/10

Reliable: ~67 min/yr

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What It's Like Living in Hollywood, FL

Hollywood, Florida, sits right between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, but it doesn’t try to be either. It’s a beach town with a downtown that feels like a small city, a place where you’ll see retirees walking their dogs past young families pushing strollers on the Broadwalk. The vibe is more “lived-in” than polished—think salt-worn beach bars and century-old bungalows rather than glossy high-rises—and that’s exactly why a lot of people stay for decades.

Daily Rhythm: Beach Mornings, Downtown Evenings

Most weekdays here start with a walk or bike ride along the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, a 2.5-mile paved path that runs parallel to the Atlantic. Locals grab Cuban coffee at a walk-up window, then head to work—many commute north to Fort Lauderdale or south to Miami, with the average drive clocking in at about 30 minutes. Traffic on I-95 is a daily reality, but it’s manageable compared to Miami’s gridlock. After work, the downtown area along Harrison Street fills up with people grabbing dinner at spots like Le Tub (famous for its burgers) or GG’s Waterfront on the Intracoastal. Weekends are for the beach, the Hollywood Farmers Market on Saturdays, or a sunset stroll past the historic Hollywood Beach Theatre, where free concerts happen year-round.

Sports & Community: High School Pride and Pro Proximity

High school football is a genuine community event here. South Broward High School and Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory draw big crowds on Friday nights, especially during playoff runs. For pro sports, you’re a 20-minute drive from the Florida Panthers (NHL) in Sunrise, and about 40 minutes from the Miami Dolphins (NFL) and Miami Heat (NBA). But the real local obsession is the Hollywood Greyhound Track—though it’s shifted toward poker and simulcast betting in recent years, it’s still a go-to for a casual night out. The city also hosts the Hollywood Beach Latin Festival each summer, which brings thousands to the Broadwalk for live salsa music and food vendors.

What’s There to Do: Parks, Breweries, and a Quirky Arts Scene

Outdoor life is the main draw. Anne Kolb Nature Center offers kayaking through mangroves, and West Lake Park has a boardwalk and fishing pier. For a quieter afternoon, Hollywood North Beach Park is less crowded than the main beach. The downtown arts district has a few galleries and Hollywood Art and Culture Center, which hosts rotating exhibits. Nightlife leans casual: Laser Wolf is a popular brewery with a rooftop, and The Tipsy Boar is a gastropub that draws a 30s-to-50s crowd. The Hollywood Beach Theater hosts free concerts most weekends, from classic rock to Latin jazz. One quirk: the city has a “no shirt, no shoes, no problem” attitude on the beach, but downtown is surprisingly buttoned-up for a beach town—think sundresses and collared shirts at dinner.

Pros and Cons of Living Here

What longtime residents love:

The Broadwalk is genuinely unique—a pedestrian-only beachfront promenade with a small-town feel, rare in South Florida.
Affordability relative to neighbors: median home value is $374,200, which is about $100K less than Fort Lauderdale and $200K less than Miami. Cost of living index is 133 (33% above national average), but that’s a bargain for coastal Broward County.
Diverse, year-round community: median age is 41, and you’ll find a mix of snowbirds, young professionals, and Cuban-American families. It’s not a party town, but it’s not a retirement village either.
Low violent crime: the rate is 166.8 per 100,000, well below the national average of about 380. Property crime is more of a concern, especially near tourist areas.

What frustrates them:

Summer humidity and afternoon storms are relentless from June through September. You learn to plan outdoor activities before noon.
Tourist traffic on weekends clogs the Broadwalk and beachfront parking. Locals avoid the beach on Saturdays from March through May.
School quality is uneven. While Chaminade-Madonna is a top private option, public schools like Hollywood Hills High have mixed ratings. Many parents factor private school tuition into their budget.
Limited high-end shopping and dining compared to Fort Lauderdale. If you want a Whole Foods or a Michelin-starred restaurant, you’re driving 15–20 minutes.

Who Fits In Here

Hollywood works best for someone who wants beach access without the Miami price tag and doesn’t mind a slower pace. The median household income is $65,359, and about 32.7% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree—so it’s a middle-class, slightly blue-collar town with a growing creative class. Single people in their 30s and 40s like the downtown bar scene and short commute to Fort Lauderdale jobs. Parents appreciate the quieter neighborhoods east of I-95, like Hollywood Lakes or Emerald Hills, where kids can bike to the beach. Retirees are common but not dominant. The unspoken rule: if you’re looking for a 24/7 nightlife scene or a top-tier public school district, look north to Fort Lauderdale or west to Weston. If you want a real, unpretentious beach town where you can still afford a house within walking distance of the ocean, Hollywood delivers.