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About West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach, also known as WPB, or (locally) West Palm, is a city in Palm
Beach County, Florida, USA. As of the 2000 census, the incorporated part of the
city had a total population of 82,103 but, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's
2004 estimates, the incorporated city had a population of 95,344. As of 2004,
the unincorporated part of West Palm Beach had a population of 257,274, for a
total population of 352,618. If the unincorporated parts of the city were to be
annexed, West Palm Beach would be the third largest city in Florida, after
Jacksonville and Miami.
It is the county seat of Palm Beach CountyGR6, the northernmost county in the
South Florida metropolitan area. The West Palm Beach market area, which includes
all of Palm Beach County as well as nearby Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River
Counties has a population 1,732,952. Television stations, newspapers, and
transportation hubs that serve this market are all based in the city.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of
150.7 km˛ (58.2 mi˛). 142.8 km˛ (55.1 mi˛) of it is land and 7.9 km˛ (3.1 mi˛)
of it (5.26%) is water.
Due to vast areas of swampland immediately to the west of the city's downtown,
growth occurred to the north and south in a linear fashion. Until the 1960s, the
City was no more than several blocks wide but over 100 blocks in length. Large
scale development finally occurred to the west of the city with improved access
and drainage in the 1960s. However, the city boundaries were not expanded much
with the exception of the "Water Catchment Area," an uninhabited area in the
northwest part of the city that serves as a reservoir for the city drinking
supply. Much of the urban area directly west of the incorporated area, which
includes areas such as Westgate, Belvedere Estates, Lakeside Green, Century
Village, Golden Lakes Estates, Lake Patrick, Bahama Heights and Drexel Park, to
name a few, is not officially within the boundaries of West Palm Beach, but for
all intents and purposes, residents consider themselves as living in "West Palm
Beach." Urban services, such as police, fire, parks and water and sewer are
sometimes provided by Palm Beach County in these areas.
Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 82,103 people, 34,769 households,
and 18,253 families residing in the incorporated area. The population density
was 574.9/km˛ (1,488.9/mi˛). There were 40,461 housing units at an average
density of 283.3/km˛ (733.8/mi˛). The racial makeup of the city was 58.09%
White, 32.21% African American, 0.33% Native American, 1.46% Asian, 0.16%
Pacific Islander, 4.35% from other races, and 3.40% from two or more races.
Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.21% of the population.
There were 34,769 households out of which 22.4% had children under the age of 18
living with them, 34.3% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female
householder with no husband present, and 47.5% were non-families. 37.6% of all
households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who
was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the
average family size was 3.02.
21.3% of the population is under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from
25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The
median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.3 males. For every
100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,774, and the median income
for a family was $42,074. Males had a median income of $30,221 versus $26,473
for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,188. About 14.5% of
families and 18.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including
29.2% of those under age 18 and 14.8% of those age 65 or over.
History
The city was founded by Henry Flagler in 1894, as a community to house the
servants working in the two grand hotels on the neighboring island of Palm
Beach, across Lake Worth. The original spelling was "Westpalmbeach", but it was
feared that the 13-letter word would be an ominous omen for the fledgling
community. During the 1920s, the city boomed and was a rival to Miami, leaving
it with many historic structures and neighborhoods. The city quickly declined
thereafter, however, due to hurricanes, the Great Depression and rampant
suburbanization.
The Palm Beach Mall is Palm Beach County’s first enclosed shopping mall.In the
1960s, Palm Beach County’s first enclosed shopping mall, the Palm Beach Mall,
and indoor arena were completed. These projects then led to another "prime-time"
for the city. However, West Palm Beach then declined again a decade later. Crime
was a serious issue due to racism and vacancy rates. But following the 1970s to
the new millennium, the city had undergone a tremendous renaissance as newcomers
have rediscovered the city's historic areas, graceful new high-rises including
Donald Trump's elegant “Trump Plaza”, and a resurgent downtown entertainment and
shopping district called CityPlace. But, Clematis Street, West Palm Beach's
historic shopping venue feared it would lose popularity. To keep that from
happening, the Clematis Street district was extensively renovated and
refurbished. It is now home to Clematis by Night, an outdoor event held on the
street with live music and food. It is also home to West Palm Beach's nightlife,
along with CityPlace.
Notable residents, past and present
Marshall Criser, former president of the University of Florida.
Climate
The climate in West Palm Beach is subtropical, with no discernible seasons.
Winters are noticeably cooler than the humid, tropical summers with low
temperatures frequently dipping into the 40s F (5-9 C) and 30s F (1-4 C), and on
rare occasions below freezing. The lowest temperature ever recorded in the city
was 27 F (-2.8 C) on January 19, 1977, a date which also recorded measurable
snow; and January 20, 1985 which was accompanied by a heavy frost. Other notable
freezes which damaged the area's lucrative winter vegetable industry occurred in
1983, 1989, 1997 and 2006. A record high of 100 F (37.8 C) was recorded in June,
1921.
Education
Primary and Secondary Education
Public education is provided and managed by The School District of Palm Beach
County. Their main office is located in West Palm Beach.
Post-Secondary Education
The original building housing Palm Beach Community College is in West Palm
Beach, adjacent to the Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. School of the Arts (on the
site of the old Palm Beach High School), and is listed on the National Register
of Historic Places. The building has been restored and is once again being used
by the college [1].
Palm Beach Atlantic University's campus is located south of West Palm Beach’s
downtown.
Libraries
West Palm Beach’s public library sits on the end of Clematis Street. Prior to
the library's construction in the 1960s, this site was a park - this gave a
waterfront view to the famed Clematis Street. The city will later move the
library a few blocks west (to the site of the D+D building) and again reopen
this area as a park.
The Palm Beach County Library System’s main library is on Summit Boulevard.
Controversies & crime
In 1993, West Palm Beach was featured in a 60 Minutes segment on urban
decay. At the time, 80% of downtown properties were vacant. Since then, the city
has done much to improve its image, at least in the physical sense. Occupancy is
high, and housing prices have risen rapidly. However, crime remains a serious
issue. Annual crime rates are always more than three times the national average
and West Palm Beach consistently ranks as one of the nation's 100 most dangerous
cities. However, as of 2006, the city's crime average has been gradually
decreasing while robbery was up 17 per cent.
Morgan Quitno lists West Palm Beach as ranking as the 14th Most Dangerous city
by population in the United States.
West Palm Beach was the focal point of a controversy regarding voting
irregularities that some claim may have affected the outcome of the 2000
Presidential Election.
Transportation
Air: The city is served by Palm Beach International Airport, located in
unincorporated West Palm Beach. The airport also attracts people from all over
the county.
Highways: US Highway 1 passes though the city’s downtown, commercial, and
industrial districts. Interstate 95 bisects the city from north to south with
several interchanges serving West Palm Beach. Florida's Turnpike passes through
West Palm Beach further west. State Road 80, running east-west, is currently
being converted from a surface artery to a partial expressway, which will run
from Interstate 95 to State Road 7.
Rail: The Tri-Rail commuter rail system serves the city with its historical
station located on the west side of Tamarind Avenue, just east of I-95. CSX
Transportation and the Florida East Coast Railway also serve the city.