The Opa-Locka/North Dade Front Porch Community includes areas within the municipal boundaries of the city of Opa-Locka and unincorporated Miami-Dade County. Opa-Locka is a small, predominantly African-American community that was incorporated in 1926. The city is primarily an industrial community with the Opa-Locka Airport representing the single largest land use.

 According to the 1990 Census, the population of Opa-Locka grew less than 1 percent from 1980 to its current population of 15,283. African Americans represent 69 percent of the population while 27 percent of the population is Latin American and the balances are Caucasian/Anglo.

 Opa-Locka has experienced high unemployment, poverty and illiteracy rates all of which have increased dramatically since 1980. According to the 1990 Census, Opa-Locka's per capita income is $7,491; the average unemployment rate is 13.3 percent; the median income is $15, 099; nearly four out of every five Opa-Locka households receives some form of government assistance; it is a young community with a median age of 27; 51 percent of all households with children are headed by a single parent; of those families; 61 percent of Opa-Locka's females are the head of the household and have incomes below the poverty level. 52 percent of Opa-Locka residents 18 years and older did not complete high school.

 The Opa-Locka community has increased community sense and pride by involving Opa-Locka residents in planning decision, promoting home ownership, improving the seven local public schools and improving infrastructure. There are also community outreach programs in effect such as the Sharing Community, It Takes A Village Beyond School, Community Action Agency, Arabian Knights Foundation and Allstate Insurance, Safe Space for Kids.