The City of South Miami, approximately 3 miles south of the City of Miami, encompasses 2.5-square miles within Miami-Dade County. It borders the University of Miami’s main campus and the cities of Coral Gables and Pinecrest. U.S. Highway 1 (South Dixie Highway) carries tens of thousands of vehicles through the city on a daily basis .

South Miami, incorporated in 1927, is one of the County's oldest municipalities with a permanent residential, tri-ethnic population of approximately 13,567 as of 10/1/2013. The “town center” area east of US 1 is a vibrant shopping, dining and entertainment venue with a hometown ambiance. Two major hospitals within the city provide employment and services to people throughout the county and beyond.