Boca Raton is a city located in Palm Beach County, Florida. As of the 2020 census, Boca Raton has a population of 99,244 people, making it the second largest city in Palm Beach County behind West Palm Beach according to Wikipedia. The city has seen rapid growth since its incorporation in 1925, both in population and economy.
History
The area where Boca Raton now sits was originally home to Native Americans, who called it “Boca Ratones” meaning “Rat’s Mouth” likely due to the inlet between Lake Boca Ratones and the Atlantic Ocean. The first non-natives to settle in the area were the Spanish, who had a short-lived fort in the area in the 18th century. After Florida became a U.S. territory in 1821, the fort was abandoned.
In the late 19th century, a group of investors led by Henry Flagler purchased land and laid out plans for an upscale resort town they named Boca Ratones. Agricultural efforts were underway in the area by the 1890s, focusing on pineapple and lime production. The Town of Boca Raton was officially incorporated in 1925.
During World War II, the Boca Raton Army Air Field operated in the area providing advanced combat pilot training. After the war, it was deactivated and the property was sold off for private development. This kicked off the city’s first real estate boom in the 1950s and 60s.
Over the second half of the 20th century, Boca Raton continued to grow rapidly. It became known as a wealthy retirement community and second home destination, but also began attracting major corporations who opened offices in the area.
Demographics
As of the 2020 Census, Boca Raton had a population of 99,244 people. The racial makeup of the city is:
- 82.5% White
- 7.3% Black or African American
- 1.6% Asian
- 0.1% Native American
- 4.7% Some Other Race
- 3.8% Two or More Races
24.1% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino. The median age is 44.2 years old. The population skews slightly more female than male, with 52.1% women and 47.9% men.
Boca Raton has seen rapid population growth since its early days. Some key population milestones include:
- 1,600 residents in 1930
- 7,643 residents in 1950
- 28,506 residents in 1970
- 83,392 residents in 1990
- 89,407 residents in 2010
Economy and Major Employers
Boca Raton has a strong and diverse economy. Historically, it was known as more of a retirement and resort community, but has developed into an important center for finance, education, healthcare, shopping, and information technology companies over the past several decades.
According to the City of Boca Raton’s website, some of the top employers in the city include:
- Boca Raton Regional Hospital (medical)
- Florida Atlantic University (education)
- Office Depot (retail headquarters)
- Boca Resort & Club (hospitality/resort)
- Arthrex (medical devices)
- ADT Security Services (security systems)
- Bluegreen Vacations (timeshare)
Other major companies with significant operations in Boca Raton include IBM, Baptist Health South Florida, Lynn University, Geo Group, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, and more. The city also has numerous shopping centers and malls that provide retail jobs.
The City of Boca Raton government and the Boca Raton-based companies listed above provide ample employment opportunities for residents. The unemployment rate is low, and income levels are higher than the national average.
Attractions and Things to Do
Boca Raton offers many attractions and activities for visitors and residents alike. Some popular attractions include:
- Boca Raton Museum of Art – Art museum with a large permanent collection focused on contemporary art as well as rotating exhibits. Website
- Gumbo Limbo Nature Center – Nature preserve and learning center featuring boardwalks through coastal habitat, sea turtle rehabilitation, and educational programs. Website
- Mizner Park – Lively downtown outdoor mall with shops, restaurants, apartment towers, and the Boca Raton Museum of Art. Website
- Sugar Sand Park – Community park with carousel, playground, gardens, amphitheater, sports fields, and a science museum. Website
- Boca Raton Historical Society – Museum and historical village depicting the history of Boca Raton. Website
- Town Center Mall – Upscale indoor mall anchored by Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Website
- Boca Raton Beaches – Miles of beautiful public beaches along the Atlantic Ocean. Website
In addition to attractions, Boca Raton hosts many annual events that draw visitors including the Boca Raton Bowl (college football), the Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance (classic car show), and the Festival of the Arts BOCA. The city also has a thriving foodie scene with trendy restaurants and chef-driven eateries.
Sports
Boca Raton is home to a few professional and college sports teams. For college sports, Florida Atlantic University competes in NCAA Division I athletics in the Conference USA. The FAU Owls field varsity men’s and women’s teams in a variety of sports.
On the professional level, Boca Raton has one top-level professional sports team: the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League. The Panthers play home games at the FLA Live Arena in nearby Sunrise, but have their training facility and headquarters located in Boca Raton. The facility includes an ice rink open to the public called the Panthers IceDen.
In addition to college and pro teams, Boca Raton has many youth sports leagues across various sports that help keep kids active. There are also plenty of public parks and recreation facilities for casual play and pickup games year-round thanks to the tropical South Florida climate.
Moving to Boca Raton
Boca Raton is considered one of the most desirable cities in Florida to live thanks to its beautiful beaches and parks, low crime rate, warm weather climate, and abundance of amenities. Housing in Boca does tend to be on the expensive side due to high demand. But the quality of life, excellent schools, and plethora of attractions and activities make it an attractive place to call home.
Boca Raton is a city located in Palm Beach County, Florida. As of the 2020 census, Boca Raton had a population of 99,419 people, making it the second largest city in Palm Beach County behind West Palm Beach.
Population and Demographics
Boca Raton has seen steady population growth over the past several decades. Since the year 1970, the population has grown from around 38,000 people to nearly 100,000 in 2020. That’s an increase of over 160% in just 50 years. Much of this growth can be attributed to Boca’s desirability as a place to live, work, and play.
In terms of demographics, Boca Raton has a majority white population at around 88%. However, the city does have growing Hispanic (10%) and Black (7%) populations as well. The median age is 45 years old. Boca is popular among retirees and snowbirds who migrate down for the winter. Nearly a quarter of the population is age 65 or older.
For more information on Boca Raton’s population and demographics, check out the Wikipedia page.
Economy and Major Employers
Boca Raton has a strong and diverse economy. Many major companies are headquartered in the city. According to the Boca Raton government website, the top employers are:
- Boca Raton Regional Hospital – 3,500 employees
- Florida Atlantic University – 3,200 employees
- Boca Resort & Club (owned by Marriott) – 2,500 employees
- Office Depot (corporate headquarters) – 2,200 employees
- Siemens – 1,300 employees
Other major companies with a presence in Boca Raton include IBM, Baptist Health South Florida, Lynn University, Geo Group, Bluegreen Vacations, and many more. The city’s central location between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, excellent infrastructure, talented workforce, and desirable amenities make it very attractive for businesses.
In addition to large corporations, Boca Raton has many small businesses across sectors like healthcare, retail, hospitality, financial services, education, and more. Entrepreneurship is encouraged. Overall, Boca has a robust, thriving local economy.
Attractions and Things to Do
Boca Raton and the surrounding area offer many fun attractions and activities for tourists and residents alike. Here are some of the most popular things to see and do in Boca:
- Beaches – Boca has over 2 miles of beautiful public beaches along the Atlantic Ocean. Spanish River Park and Red Reef Park are popular beach spots.
- Boca Raton Resort & Club – This iconic luxury resort dates back to the 1920s. It offers wonderful dining, golf, tennis, spa, marina, and more for visitors.
- Mizner Park – A gorgeous downtown outdoor shopping and dining complex with events, entertainment, and museums.
- Sugar Sand Park – A sprawling public park with a children’s science museum, zoo, playgrounds, gardens, and trail.
- Gumbo Limbo Nature Center – An environmental education center with trails, aquariums, turtle rehabilitation, and preserves.
- Town Center Mall – An upscale indoor shopping mall with over 200 stores and restaurants.
- Diving – Scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities abound with multiple drift dives off the coast.
No matter your interests, there are plenty of things to do in Boca Raton for visitors and locals alike. The Boca Raton Facebook page is a great resource for upcoming events and happenings around town.
Sports
Boca Raton has an active sports scene at both the college and professional level. For college sports, Florida Atlantic University fields competitive teams across many Division 1 sports. FAU Football plays at the on-campus FAU Stadium, while Basketball and other sports play at the 7,000-seat FAU Arena.
For professional sports, Boca Raton is home to the NHL’s Florida Panthers. The Panthers play at the 19,000 seat FLA Live Arena located on the north side of the city. In addition to NHL hockey, FLA Live Arena hosts concerts and other entertainment events.
Parks and Recreation
Boca Raton has an extensive parks and recreation system that serves the community. According to the city’s website, there are over 2,300 acres of park land encompassing:
- 27 Community Parks
- 6 Special Interest Parks
- 3 Nature Preserves
- 47 Miles of Trails
- 3 Miles of Beaches
Some of the most popular parks and green spaces include Patch Reef Park (98 acres), Sugar Sand Park (122 acres), Red Reef Park (67 acres), and Gumbo Limbo Nature Center (60 acres). These massive parks have a little bit of everything – trails, gardens, playgrounds, preserves, open space, and more.
Education
Boca Raton and surrounding Palm Beach County are home to several institutions of higher education. The largest is Florida Atlantic University, a public university with over 30,000 students across multiple campuses. FAU offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs.
Other colleges and universities in the area include Lynn University (private), Palm Beach State College (public), Keiser University (private), and Everglades University (private). There are also several technical and trade schools.
For K-12 education, Boca Raton has 16 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 4 high schools across public, private, and charter options. The School District of Palm Beach County oversees the public schools in the area.
Historic Landmarks
Some of Boca Raton’s most iconic historic buildings and landmarks include:
- Boca Raton Resort & Club – As mentioned earlier, this luxury resort opened in 1926 and became a mainstay for the rich and famous. Addison Mizner, renowned architect, designed the resort in Mediterranean Revival style.
- Boca Raton Hotel & Club Tower – Also known as the Cloister, this tower was added to the resort in the 1960s. It’s designed as a modernist structure compared to the original resort.
- Addison Mizner Administrative Building – This building served as Addison Mizner’s administration building and home starting in 1925. It’s one of the few remaining examples of his architecture.
- Boca Express Train Station – Built in 1930 by Addison Mizner, this former train station and depot now houses the Boca Raton Historical Society.
- Florida Atlantic University – The university’s Boca Raton campus (opened 1964) was designed by famous American architect Marcel Breuer and includes many iconic modernist buildings.
Boca Raton has done a wonderful job preserving historic buildings and paying homage to its unique architectural past. From Mediterranean Revival to modernism, it’s all on display.
Housing and Real Estate
As a highly desirable South Florida community, Boca Raton has a fairly expensive housing market compared to state and national averages. As of late 2022, the median home value in Boca Raton is around $550,000. High-end luxury properties overlooking the ocean or Intracoastal can sell for several million dollars.
About two-thirds of housing in Boca is single-family homes, with the rest condos, townhomes, and apartments. New home construction continues at a rapid pace, especially west of US-1 where land is more available. Downtown and along the oceanfront is more built up with multi-family housing.
For rentals, the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is around $2,000 per month. Many seasonal rentals are also available. Overall, Boca Raton remains one of the most expensive housing markets in Florida.