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
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)[1]
• 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[2]
GNIS feature ID	0288376[3]
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 is 6,459.^[4] Culturally, Pahokee is associated with the Florida Heartland, although officially it is a part of South Florida.

History

Pahokee was incorporated in 1922.^[5] The name "Pahokee" means 'grassy waters' in the Creek language.^[6] The locals people refer to Pahokee as "The Muck" which refers to the mineral-rich dark soil in which sugarcane, citrus fruits, and corn are grown by agribusinesses. It was once known as the "Winter Vegetable Capital of the World" in its heyday when the city had thriving commerce.

Pahokee in the media

A local boy made world headlines for his interview of President Barack Obama. 10-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 since 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 and cited 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.^[7] 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".^[8]

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).^[9]

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

Demographics

As of the census^[2] 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^[12] 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%.^[13]

Notable people

• Reidel Anthony, NFL wide receiver, 1996 Florida Gators football team, Tampa Bay Buccaneers^[14]
• Bill Bentley, NFL cornerback, Louisiana-Lafeyette, Detroit Lions^[15]
• Anquan Boldin, NFL wide receiver, Florida State University, Baltimore Ravens^[16]
• Kevin Bouie, NFL running back, Mississippi State University^[17]
• Zabian Dowdell, basketball player for Phoenix Suns^[18]
• Rickey Jackson, NFL linebacker, New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers, NFL Hall Of Fame^[19]
• Janoris Jenkins, NFL cornerback, St. Louis Rams ^[20]
• Pernell McPhee, linebacker, Chicago Bears
• Eric Moore, football player for the New England Patriots^[21]
• Martavious Odoms, wide receiver, University of Michigan^[22]
• Freddie Lee Peterkin, Minister, Soul & Gospel Singer and Actor^[23]
• Alphonso Smith, NFL cornerback, Detroit Lions^[24]
• Antone Smith, NFL running back, Florida State University, Atlanta Falcons^[25]
• Vincent Smith, running back, University of Michigan
• Fred Taylor, NFL running back, New England Patriots^[26]
• Mel Tillis, Country musician. Born in Tampa, Florida but raised in Pahokee^[27]
• Andre Waters, Defensive Back Philadelphia Eagles^[28]
• Riquna Williams, NCAA Women's Basketball Shooting Guard, University of Miami^[29]

References

External links

• City of Pahokee

Municipalities and communities of Palm Beach County, Florida, United States County seat: West Palm Beach Cities Atlantis Belle Glade Boca Raton Boynton Beach Delray Beach Greenacres Lake Worth Pahokee Palm Beach Gardens Riviera Beach South Bay West Palm Beach Towns Briny Breezes Cloud Lake Glen Ridge Gulf Stream Haverhill Highland Beach Hypoluxo Juno Beach Jupiter Jupiter Inlet Colony Lake Clarke Shores Lake Park Lantana Loxahatchee Groves Manalapan Mangonia Park Ocean Ridge Palm Beach Palm Beach Shores South Palm Beach Villages Golf North Palm Beach Palm Springs Royal Palm Beach Tequesta Wellington CDPs Acacia Villas Belle Glade Camp Boca Del Mar Boca Pointe Cabana Colony Canal Point Century Village Cypress Lakes Fremd Village-Padgett Island Golden Lakes Gun Club Estates Hamptons at Boca Raton Juno Ridge Jupiter Farms Kenwood Estates Kings Point Lake Belvedere Estates Lake Harbor Lake Worth Corridor Lakeside Green Lakewood Gardens Limestone Creek Mission Bay Pine Air Plantation Mobile Home Park Royal Palm Estates San Castle Sandalfoot Cove Schall Circle Seminole Manor Stacy Street The Acreage Villages of Oriole Watergate Westgate Whisper Walk Unincorporated communities Boca West Bryant Dahlberg Deem City Dunes Road High Point Loxahatchee Okeelanta Pelican Lake West Boca Raton

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