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Sunrise is a city in central-western Broward County, Florida, United States, and is a principal city of the Miami metropolitan area. The population was 97,335 at the time of the 2020 census.

Early history

In 1960, Iowa-born developer Norman Johnson paid $9 million for 2,650 acres of land in southwestern Broward County. By 1961, this community of 1.75 square miles—which Johnson named Sunrise Golf Village—had fewer than 350 residents.

It has been reported that the community was to be named Sunset Village—but this did not occur because of objections from residents who felt that "sunset" was too final. Originally called "Sunset," the name did not sit well with the retirees whom developers wanted to attract,[4] so a change was made to "Sunrise." Dykstra developed and built an "upside-down house" to lure prospective property buyers. The home was completely furnished, and the carport featured an upside-down automobile. Public interest was aroused through numerous news stories—including a feature in Life magazine. The structure became a national attraction that drew thousands to the Village. People came to stand on the ceiling—and many stayed to make their home in the community

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In 1961, Norman Johnson was appointed by Governor C. Farris Bryant as the first Mayor of Sunrise Golf Village

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On February 2, 2021, a shootout occurred between a gunman and several FBI agents at an apartment complex in Sunrise. At the time, the agents were serving a federal warrant related to a child exploitation case. Two FBI agents were fatally shot and three others were injured. The gunman, who was the subject of the warrant, was later found dead after barricading himself inside the apartment.[8][9] The shootout was the most violent incident in the FBI's history since the 1986 shootout that left two agents dead and five others injured, and it was also the first time an agent was fatally shot in the line of duty since 2008.[10]

On January 20, 2024, The new City Hall was built. Sunrise City Hall is a modern, five-story, 95,000-square-foot building consolidating most City departments and services. Additional enhancements to the Sunrise municipal complex will include the construction of a new 500-space parking garage, as well as an expanded amphitheater.