Pahokee, Florida

Pahokee, Florida
City

Location in Palm Beach County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 26°49′29″N 80°39′35″W / 26.82472°N 80.65972°W / 26.82472; -80.65972Coordinates: 26°49′29″N 80°39′35″W / 26.82472°N 80.65972°W / 26.82472; -80.65972
Country United States
State Florida
County Palm Beach
Government
 • Mayor Keith W. Babb, Jr. (D)[1][2]
Area
 • Total 1 sq mi (14 km2)
 • Land 1 sq mi (14 km2)
 • Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation 13 ft (4 m)
Population (2007)[3]
 • Total 6,617
 • Density 1,108.3/sq mi (427.5/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 33476
Area code(s) 561
FIPS code 12-53800[4]
GNIS feature ID 0288376[5]
Website http://cityofpahokee.com
Royal Palms line the main thoroughfare through downtown Pahokee.

Pahokee is a city located on the shore of Lake Okeechobee in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,985 at the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 6,459.[6] Culturally, Pahokee is associated with the Florida Heartland, although officially it is a part of South Florida.

History

Pahokee was incorporated in 1922.[7] The name "Pahokee" means 'grassy waters' in the Creek language.[8] Local residents refer to Pahokee as "The Muck", which refers to the mineral-rich dark soil in which sugar cane, citrus fruits and corn are grown by agribusinesses. It was known as the "Winter Vegetable Capital of the World" in its heyday, when the city enjoyed thriving commerce.

Pahokee in the media

A local boy made world headlines for his interview of President Barack Obama. Ten-year-old Damon Weaver came to the world media's attention when he appealed to President Obama to help overcome problems in his community. Damon has interviewed music stars and politicians ever since he came to the attention of the world's media.

American soul and gospel singer and actor Freddie Lee Peterkin was born and raised in Pahokee and now resides in London. He became an artist of particular note in the UK with the release of his album "Beyond Comprehension". He noted in a recent BBC interview that despite living in London and Europe for many years, he considers his hometown to be Pahokee.

On December 18, 2009, Damien Cave, Miami Bureau Chief of the New York Times, wrote an article describing Pahokee's economic plight and the town's hopes that a new marina project might help rejuvenate business.[9] There has been a significant move towards regeneration with the re-opening of the Pahokee Marina Tiki Bar and Restaurant now known as 'Pahokee Mo's' and new General Dollar store. Governor Rick Scott also pledged $1.3 million towards the restoration of Pahokee's infrastructure in late 2014 . This is in addition to $200,000 pledged by Senator Abruzzo in 2014 . Colin Walkes has been Mayor of Pahokee since 2013 . He succeeded the previous four-term Mayor J.P. Sasser.

Pahokee has received significant attention because of nearby Miracle Village, a migrant worker facility converted into housing for registered sex offenders.

Education

It is a part of the School District of Palm Beach County.

Local elementary education consists of Pahokee Elementary School and Canal Point Elementary School. Secondary education exists in the form of Pahokee High School. Pahokee High School is best known for their football program that consistently ranks amongst the state's best. Pahokee, together with nearby Belle Glade has "sent at least 60 players to the National Football League".[10]

Media

The local radio station closed in 2014 after 67 years. It had a gospel format and was known as WSWN Sugar 900. The local celebrity DJs on the station were Dawn Brady, Harvey Poole Jr. and the former station Manager is Mike D. Harvey Poole Jr.'s father Harvey Poole Sr. was the longest running, continuously on air African-American radio personality and broadcaster in the U.S., delighting and enlightening audiences since 1945. The Distinguished Pioneer award was established to honor those who have paved the way for generations of others in their particular field of expertise. His far-reaching broadcasts became well known throughout South Florida and the Bahamas.

Pahokee's local newspaper is 'A Better Pahokee' E-Newspaper, a free electronic subscription based news service providing monthly coverage and weekly special edition newsflashes of local news and events. The E-Newspaper was founded in February 2014 and has a monthly readership of over 20,000 people across the state of Florida.

Geography

Pahokee is located at 26°49′29″N 80°39′35″W / 26.82472°N 80.65972°W / 26.82472; -80.65972 (26.824717, -80.659660).[11]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.4 square miles (14 km2), all land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
19302,256—
19404,766111.3%
19504,472−6.2%
19604,7095.3%
19705,66320.3%
19806,34612.1%
19906,8227.5%
20005,985−12.3%
20105,649−5.6%
Est. 20156,071[12]7.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 5,985 people, 1,710 households, and 1,328 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,109.4 inhabitants per square mile (428.7/km²). There were 1,936 housing units at an average density of 358.9 per square mile (138.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 25.21% White[14] 56.06% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 15.20% from other races, and 2.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 29.46% of the population. Whites not of Hispanic origin made up 13.6% of the populace.

There were 1,710 households out of which 44.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples living together, 22.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.35 and the average family size was 3.79.

In the city, 38.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 10.3% were aged 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 104.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,731, and the median income for a family was $26,265. Males had a median income of $28,859 versus $20,066 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,346. About 29.4% of families and 32.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.9% of those under age 18 and 32.0% of those age 65 or over.

In 2000, 72.78% of the population spoke only English at home, while those who spoke Spanish made up 26.65%, and those who spoke French Creole made up 0.56%.[15]

Notable people

References

  1. ↑ "February 2016 Voter Guide" (PDF). League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County. February 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  2. ↑ "Keith W. Babb Jr., Mayor". City of Pahokee, Fl. Archived from the original on 20 April 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  3. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the population for the Incorporated Places of Florida" (XLS). US Census Bureau. Retrieved 2007-08-15.
  4. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. ↑ http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2007-04-12.xls
  7. ↑ Kleinberg, Eliot (Sep 16, 1987). "A Town By Any Other Name". The Palm Beach Post. pp. D7. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  8. ↑ Pahokee Florida Profile and Resource Guide, City or community of Pahokee, Florida Facts, Information, Relocation, Real Estate, Advertising
  9. ↑ Cave, Damien (2009-12-19). "A Town's Hopes (and Doubts) Ride on a New Marina". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  10. ↑ Ovaska, Mark, ae Way Out", New York Times, February 2, 2013. "In Muck City, football is salvation, an escape from the likelihood of prison or early death."
  11. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  12. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Demographics of Pahokee, Florida". MuniNetGuide.com. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
  15. ↑ "MLA Data Center Results of Pahokee, FL". Modern Language Association. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
  16. ↑ "Reidel Anthony NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
  17. ↑ http://www.ragincajuns.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1571&path=football
  18. ↑ "Anquan Boldin NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  19. ↑ "Kevin Bouie". pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  20. ↑ Shandel Richardson (January 12, 2005). "Dowdell Proves He's Street-smart". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved May 31, 2011. He managed to stay away from the street-football games in Pahokee...
  21. ↑ "Rickey Jackson NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  22. ↑ "Janoris Jenkins - Florida Football". rivals100.rivals.com. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  23. ↑ "Eric Moore Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards - databaseFootball.com". databasefootball.com. 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  24. ↑ "Martavious Odoms Stats, News, Videos, Pictures, Bio - Michigan Wolverines - ESPN". espn.go.com. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  25. ↑ "Biography". freddieleepeterkin.com. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  26. ↑ "Alphonso Smith NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  27. ↑ "Antone Smith NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
  28. ↑ "Fred Taylor NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
  29. ↑ "Mel Tillis Comes Back Home For Fair". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. January 14, 2005. Retrieved May 31, 2011. ... Mel Tillis was just a skinny kid with a stutter from Pahokee
  30. ↑ "'Football killed him': The legacy of Pahokee's Andre Waters". Palm Beach Post. Sep 14, 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2011. The Pahokee native
  31. ↑ "Riquna Williams - Sun Sentinel". articles.sun-sentinel.com. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
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