Pahokee, Florida Explained

Pahokee, Florida
Official Name:City of Pahokee
Nickname:Muck City (shared with nearby Belle Glade, Florida)
Settlement Type:City
Mapsize:250x200px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2: Palm Beach
Government Type:Commission-Manager
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Keith W. Babb, Jr. (D)[1] [2]
Leader Title1:Vice Mayor
Leader Name1:Clara "Tasha" Murvin
Leader Title2:Commissioners
Leader Name2:Derrick Boldin,
Juan Gonzalez, and
Sara Perez
Leader Title3:City Manager
Leader Name3:Rodney D. Lucas
Leader Title4:City Clerk
Leader Name4:Tijauna L. Warner
Established Title3:Incorporated
Established Date3:1922[3]
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[4]
Area Total Km2:13.77
Area Land Km2:13.77
Area Water Km2:0.00
Area Total Sq Mi:5.32
Area Land Sq Mi:5.32
Area Water Sq Mi:0.00
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:5524
Population Density Km2:401.28
Population Density Sq Mi:1039.32
Timezone:Eastern (EST)
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Coordinates:26.8247°N -80.6597°W
Elevation Ft:13
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:33476
Area Code:561, 728
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:12-53800[5]
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0288376

Pahokee is a city located on the shore of Lake Okeechobee in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Miami metropolitan area of South Florida. The population was 5,524 in the 2020 census.[6]

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, 57% of the residents of Pahokee were African American and 33% were Hispanic or Latino. In 2018, the Mayor, Kenneth W. Babb, as well as the four members of the City Commission were all African American.[7]

History

Pahokee was incorporated in 1922.[3] The name "Pahokee" means "grassy waters" in the Creek language.[8] Local residents refer to Pahokee as "The Muck", which signifies the mineral-rich dark soil in which sugar cane, citrus fruits, and corn are grown by agribusinesses. In the 1930s, it was known as the "Winter Vegetable Capital of the World".[9]

The city was severely affected, as were the other communities to the south of the lake, by the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane.[10] Hurricane Wilma, in 2005, destroyed a newly built marina.

Economy

Pahokee was founded on the produce grown in the muck, the fertile bottom of the Everglades after part of it was drained in the early 20th century. In 1939, the Federal Writers' Project guide said of Pahokee: "From Christmas until April, Pahokee is a 24-hour town; long trains of refrigerated cars roll out for northern markets day and night." "The streets are noisy and crowded; bars, restaurants and gambling places are never closed."[11]

In 1963, with access to Cuban sugar restricted, a sugar plant was built, and agriculture shifted to the mechanized crop of sugar cane. The plant closed in 2009.

As a result, it is one of two Palm Beach County cities—the other is South Bay—on a list of 13 Florida municipalities in "a state of financial emergency." Records suggest it has been on the list continually since 1994. Unemployment exceeds 25%. Taxable property values dropped from about $99 million in 2007 to $66 million in 2014. A fifth of the population has migrated in the past 15 years. Dissolution of the city has been proposed.[12]

On November 15, 1996, the old Pahokee High School building, built in 1928, was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.[13]

Everglades Regional Medical Center

Everglades Regional Medical Center, at 200 S. Barfield Highway was founded in 1936 as Everglades General Hospital; the current building opened in 1950. The 63-bed general hospital, financially nonviable, closed in 1998 after years of contention, a change from public to private ownership, and three lawsuits.[14]

Glades Health Care Center

Adjacent to the former hospital, at 230 S. Barfield Highway, is Glades Health Care Center, a 120-bed skilled nursing facility, with about 70 full-time employees.[15]

Schools

Public

Pahokee belongs to the School District of Palm Beach County.

Pahokee High School is best known for its football program that consistently ranks among the state's best. Pahokee, together with nearby rival Belle Glade, with whom it competes each year in the "Muck Bowl", has "sent at least 60 players to the National Football League". "In Muck City, football is salvation, an escape from the likelihood of prison or early death."[19] "Football is the chief subject taught at Pahokee High," a town historian wrote in 1963. In 2014 five former Blue Devils were in the NFL, the second most from any high school in the country.

Public charter

Private

Miracle Village

Miracle Village, founded by a minister, offers a small residential community for registered sex offenders, who sometimes have great difficulty in finding housing, or are homeless (see Julia Tuttle Causeway sex offender colony), because of Florida's strict regulations limiting where sex offenders can live. It is located about three miles east of Pahokee, on Muck City Road, in a former migrant worker facility, surrounded by sugar cane fields. This helps the offenders better integrate into society and not be a burden or commit further crimes in order to survive after serving their time mandated by the state and being released with little or no assistance from the Department of Corrections.

Pahokee in the media

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.[22] In 2014, Governor Rick Scott pledged $1.3 million towards the restoration of Pahokee's infrastructure,[23] in addition to $200,000 pledged by Senator Abruzzo.[24]

Creative arts about Pahokee

Movies

Chasing Rabbits (2008)

A short by Aaron Kyle. Rabbit hunting as running training for would-be football players.[25] Famous Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden makes a cameo appearance. Days after its release, it was shown on ESPN,[26] and an Adidas commercial was made using footage from it.[27]

Murder of a Small Town (2015)

The Send-Off (2016)

The Rabbit Hunt (2017)

Pahokee (2019)

Outta The Muck (2023)

Local media

Pahokee's most recent local newspaper was A Better Pahokee, a free digital e-newspaper, founded in 2013 by Jessie Tsang and Minister Freddie Lee Peterkin.[33] It ceased issuing new material in 2016.

Geography

Pahokee is located at (26.824717, –80.659660).[34]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.4sqmi, all land.

Demographics

2020 census

Pahokee racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[35] !Race!Number!Percentage
White (NH)4578.27%
Black or African American (NH)3,13656.77%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)20.04%
Asian (NH)220.40%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH)10.02%
Some other race (NH)100.18%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH)601.09%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)1,83633.24%
Total5,524

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,524 people, 1,718 households, and 1,227 families residing in the city.[36]

2010 census

Pahokee Demographics
2010 CensusPahokeePalm Beach CountyFlorida
Total population5,6491,320,13418,801,310
Population, percent change, 2000 to 2010−5.6%+16.7%+17.6%
Population density1,019.7/sq mi670.2/sq mi350.6/sq mi
White or Caucasian (including White Hispanic)28.9%73.5%75.0%
(Non-Hispanic White or Caucasian)9.7%60.1%57.9%
Black or African-American55.4%17.3%16.0%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)33.8%19.0%22.5%
Asian0.3%2.4%2.4%
Native American or Native Alaskan0.1%0.5%0.4%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian0.0%0.1%0.1%
Two or more races (Multiracial)0.6%2.3%2.5%
Some Other Race0.1%3.9%3.6%

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 5,649 people, 1,749 households, and 1,219 families residing in the city.[37]

2000 census

As of the US census of 2000, there were 5,985 people, 1,710 households, and 1,328 families residing in the city. The population density was 1109.4sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 1,936 housing units at an average density of 358.9sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the city was 25.21% White (13.6% Non-Hispanic White),[38] 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.

As of 2000, 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 2000, 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.

In 2000, 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%.[39]

Notable people

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: February 2016 Voter Guide. League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County. 12 April 2016. February 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160420214252/http://lwvpbc.org/download/the_voter_2016/February-2016-Voter.pdf#page=6. 20 April 2016.
  2. Web site: Keith W. Babb Jr., Mayor . City of Pahokee, Fl . 12 April 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160420204122/http://cityofpahokee.com/Pages/PahokeeFL_Commission/mayor . 20 April 2016 .
  3. News: What's in a name? Lots of history if it's a town. September 16, 1987. Eliot Kleinberg. The Palm Beach Post. 7D. March 9, 2021. Newspapers.com. December 9, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191209071406/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22049730/the_palm_beach_post/. live.
  4. Web site: 2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. October 31, 2021.
  5. Web site: U.S. Census website . . 2008-01-31 . 2021-07-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/ . live .
  6. Web site: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Pahokee city, Florida. www.census.gov. en. 2019-04-01. 2019-04-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20190401233340/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/pahokeecityflorida. live.
  7. Web site: City Commission. February 4, 2018. February 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180203221129/http://www.cityofpahokee.com/Pages/PahokeeFL_Commission/index. live.
  8. Web site: Pahokee Florida Profile and Resource Guide, City or community of Pahokee, Florida Facts, Information, Relocation, Real Estate, Advertising. usacitiesonline.com. 2007-12-27. 2008-07-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20080724060816/http://www.usacitiesonline.com/flcountypahokee.htm. live.
  9. News: DeGregory. Lane. December 4, 2014. In Pahokee, football serves as a way out. Tampa Bay Times. February 10, 2018. February 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180214073356/http://www.tampabay.com/features/humaninterest/in-pahokee-football-serves-as-a-way-out/2209006. live.
  10. News: Hal . Leyshon . Storm Victims Filthy Black From Muck Water; Cabins Floating Coffins . . Danville, Virginia . September 19, 1928 . 3 . . February 22, 2018 . February 22, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180222165052/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17668004/storm_victims_filthy_black_from_muck/ . live .
  11. Book: Florida. A Guide to the Southernmost State. 1939. New York. Federal Writers' Project. Oxford University Press.
  12. News: Dissolution talk once again a song on the jukebox in Pahokee. Eliot. Kleinberg. Palm Beach Post. August 21, 2015. February 10, 2018. February 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180213195737/http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/local/dissolution-talk-once-again-song-the-jukebox-pahokee/YtJkpsLVQvaZUxYb4KJFJJ/. live.
  13. Web site: Old Pahokee High School. Emporis. February 4, 2016. February 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005249/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/1230070/old-pahokee-high-school-pahokee-fl-usa. dead.
  14. Web site: HOSPITAL SUBSIDY TIED TO COST CUTS. Writer. GLENN SINGER Staff. Sun-Sentinel.com. September 21, 1994 . en-US. 2020-05-05. 2020-08-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20200808035415/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1994-09-21-9409210435-story.html. live.
  15. Web site: Glades Health Care Center. Hospital-Data.Com. February 4, 2018. February 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005303/http://www.hospital-data.com/hospitals/GLADES-HEALTH-CARE-CENTER-PAHOKEE.html. live.
  16. Web site: Pahokee Elementary School. GreatSchools. February 7, 2018. February 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180209182855/https://www.greatschools.org/florida/pahokee/2259-Pahokee-Elementary-School/. live.
  17. Web site: K. E. Cunningham/Canal Point Elementary School. GreatSchools. February 7, 2018. February 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180209183011/https://www.greatschools.org/florida/canal-point/2300-K.-E.-Cunningham-Canal-Point-Elementary-School/. live.
  18. Web site: Pahokee Middle–High School. GreatSchools. February 7, 2018. February 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180209182629/https://www.greatschools.org/florida/pahokee/2298-Pahokee-Middle-Senior-High-School/. live.
  19. News: Ovaska. Mark. Muck City. Way Out.. New York Times. February 2, 2012. February 6, 2018. October 29, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171029132529/http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2013/02/02/opinion/sunday/20120203_EXPOSURES.html. live.
  20. Web site: Glades Academy Elementary School Inc. GreatSchools. February 7, 2018. February 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180209182459/https://www.greatschools.org/florida/pahokee/5054-Glades-Academy-Elementary-School-Inc/. live.
  21. Web site: Everglades Preparatory Academy. GreatSchools. February 7, 2017. May 24, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160524015713/http://www.greatschools.org/florida/pahokee/5264-Everglades-Preparatory-Academy/. live.
  22. News: A Town's Hopes (and Doubts) Ride on a New Marina . The New York Times . Damien . Cave . 2009-12-19 . 2010-05-20 . 2015-01-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150122233728/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/19/us/19pahokee.html?hp . live .
  23. News: Rick Scott Showcases Rural Road Improvements in Palm Beach County . Kevin . Derby . December 12, 2014 . Sunshine State News . January 23, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150123092658/http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/rick-scott-showcases-rural-road-improvement-palm-beach-county .
  24. News: Commission Workshop Minutes . City Commission of the City of Pahokee . December 6, 2013 . January 23, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150123010436/http://www.cityofpahokee.com/Commission%20Meetings/New%20Mins%202014/2013%20December%206%20Wkshp.pdf .
  25. Web site: Chasing Rabbits - YouTube . . 2018-02-21 . 2021-07-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210720142613/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R_0FryVRNk . live .
  26. Web site: Legend of the Rabbits (ESPN Story) - YouTube . . 2018-02-21 . 2018-02-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180201204534/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPCGqhor61U . live .
  27. Web site: [365Voice] Muck City Adidas "Chasing Rabbits" Commercial - YouTube . . 2018-02-21 . 2021-07-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210711214804/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aPLrxi5hGc . live .
  28. News: Novelist James Patterson chronicles ups and downs in impoverished So. Fla. towns. Shammas. Brittany. Sun-Sentinel. April 2, 2015. February 2, 2018. February 6, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180206190235/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-james-patterson-documentary-20150401-story.html. live.
  29. News: The Sundance Film Festival is putting Pahokee on the moviemaking map. Sonja. Isger. Palm Beach Post. January 11, 2017. January 25, 2018. January 26, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180126012545/http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/entertainment/the-sundance-film-festival-putting-pahokee-the-moviemaking-map/UFirhvjm8YZR0RGWX5AewN/. live.
  30. Web site: The Send-Off (2016). IMDb. February 4, 2018. July 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210720142433/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5246722/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1. live.
  31. Web site: Worth Watching. Watch: Award-Winning 'The Rabbit Hunt' Short from Patrick Bresnan. Alex. Billington. November 7, 2017. Vimeo. February 4, 2018. February 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005127/http://www.firstshowing.net/2017/watch-award-winning-the-rabbit-hunt-short-from-patrick-bresnan/. live.
  32. News: 'Strong Island' Takes Top Cinema Eye Documentary Honors. January 14, 2018. Gregg. Kilday. January 25, 2018. The Hollywood Reporter. January 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180122191718/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cinema-eye-honor-2018-winners-complete-list-1074647. live.
  33. Web site: About. A Better Pahokee. 2016. February 4, 2018. February 6, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180206190310/http://www.abetterpahokee.moonfruit.com/about/4591576919. live.
  34. Web site: US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990. United States Census Bureau. 2011-04-23. 2011-02-12. 2019-08-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20190824085937/https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html. live.
  35. Web site: Explore Census Data. 2022-02-11. data.census.gov.
  36. Web site: S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Pahokee city, Florida. United States Census Bureau.
  37. Web site: S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Pahokee city, Florida. United States Census Bureau.
  38. Web site: Demographics of Pahokee, Florida . MuniNetGuide.com . 2007-11-12 . 2008-05-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080525122703/http://www.muninetguide.com/states/florida/municipality/Pahokee.php . live .
  39. Web site: MLA Data Center Results of Pahokee, FL . . 2007-11-12 . 2007-09-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070930155118/http://www.mla.org/map_data_results%26state_id%3D12%26county_id%3D%26mode%3Dplace%26zip%3D%26place_id%3D53800%26cty_id%3D%26ll%3D%26a%3D%26ea%3D%26order%3Dr . live .
  40. Web site: Reidel Anthony NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com . pro-football-reference.com . May 15, 2011 . August 5, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110805045434/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AnthRe00.htm . live .
  41. Web site: Dwight Bentley - 2011 Football. ragincajuns.com. 2012-09-09. 2013-07-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20130724120112/http://www.ragincajuns.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1571. live.
  42. Web site: Anquan Boldin NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com . pro-football-reference.com . 15 May 2011 . 14 May 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110514002923/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BoldAn00.htm . live .
  43. Web site: Kevin Bouie . Sports Reference LLC . pro-football-reference.com . 3 August 2014 . 13 October 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141013042748/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BouiKe20.htm . live .
  44. News: Dowdell Proves He's Street-smart. South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Shandel Richardson. January 12, 2005. May 31, 2011. He managed to stay away from the street-football games in Pahokee.... February 4, 2013. https://archive.today/20130204015813/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2005-01-12/news/0501110466_1_top-basketball-players-zabian-dowdell-tamia-williams. live.
  45. Web site: Rickey Jackson NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com. pro-football-reference.com. 15 May 2011. 22 June 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110622111240/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JackRi01.htm. live.
  46. Web site: Janoris Jenkins - Florida Football . rivals100.rivals.com . 1 June 2011 . 29 February 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120229192023/http://rivals100.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=400845 . live .
  47. Web site: Justice Jorge Labarga. 2022. 19 September 2022.
  48. Web site: Eric Moore Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards - databaseFootball.com . databasefootball.com . 2011 . 6 June 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111121153602/http://databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=MOOREERI02 . 21 November 2011 .
  49. Web site: Biography . freddieleepeterkin.com . 31 May 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120324195854/http://www.freddieleepeterkin.com/biography.html . 24 March 2012 .
  50. Web site: Alphonso Smith NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com . pro-football-reference.com . 15 May 2011 . 3 April 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110403060454/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitAl98.htm . live .
  51. Web site: Antone Smith NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com . pro-football-reference.com . May 15, 2011 . July 29, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110729075113/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitAn01.htm . live .
  52. Web site: Fred Taylor NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com . pro-football-reference.com . May 15, 2011 . October 24, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121024005533/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TaylFr00.htm?redir . live .
  53. News: Mel Tillis Comes Back Home For Fair. January 14, 2005. ... Mel Tillis was just a skinny kid with a stutter from Pahokee. South Florida Sun-Sentinel. May 31, 2011. February 3, 2013. https://archive.today/20130203041245/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2005-01-14/news/0501120756_1_mel-tillis-music-city-lake-okeechobee. live.
  54. News: 'Football killed him': The legacy of Pahokee's Andre Waters. Sep 14, 2010. Palm Beach Post. June 1, 2011. The Pahokee native. March 3, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110303022002/http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/football-killed-him-the-legacy-of-pahokees-andre-910250.html. live.
  55. Web site: Riquna Williams - Sun Sentinel. articles.sun-sentinel.com. 1 June 2011. 2012-09-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20120902081127/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2008-03-13/specialsection/0803070370_1_pahokee-coach-senior-year-cardinal-newman. live.