Hillsboro Beach is a small, affluent town in Broward County, Florida, within the Miami metropolitan area, situated on a narrow barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. The 2020 census counted 1,987 residents. It lies north of Fort Lauderdale, between Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach, along State Road A1A. The town's name and early history are tied to the British colonial period. It was named for the Earl of Hillsborough, who received large grants of Florida land from the English Crown while the territory was a British possession, and its first permanent structure was the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse. Authorized by Congress in 1901 and put into service in 1907, the lighthouse remains an active aid to navigation at the inlet and a defining landmark of the community. Hillsboro Beach is best known for the Hillsboro Mile, a celebrated stretch of A1A lined with oceanfront estates, many of which enjoy the rare advantage of both Atlantic beach frontage and private docks on the Intracoastal Waterway. This dual-waterfront arrangement, where owners can cross the road from their ocean-side homes to their boats, is one of the most distinctive residential setups in Broward County. North of the Mile, the town's housing transitions to a mix of classic and modern condominium towers. The community is predominantly owner-occupied and skews toward retirees, second-home owners, and affluent full-time residents. Students are served by Broward County Public Schools, with campuses in nearby Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach, and the town's small size keeps its government and services lean. Hillsboro Beach suits buyers and residents seeking a private, waterfront lifestyle in an exclusive, low-density setting. It appeals especially to those who want direct ocean and boating access, the prestige of the Hillsboro Mile, and a quiet retreat within easy reach of South Florida's larger cities.