West Palm Beach

by The Linguist

West Palm Beach is a city located in Palm Beach County, Florida. With a population of over 110,000 residents, it is one of the largest cities in South Florida and serves as the county seat for Palm Beach County.

Population and Demographics

According to the Wikipedia page for West Palm Beach, the city had an estimated population of 110,224 residents as of 2021. West Palm Beach is currently the 39th largest city in Florida by population.

The racial makeup of West Palm Beach is diverse. As of the 2020 census, the population was 59.5% White, 32.3% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.8% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Additionally, 20.8% of residents identified as Hispanic or Latino.

There are over 46,000 households in the city, with an average household size of 2.33 people. The median age is 39.2 years old. West Palm Beach has a relatively young population compared to national averages.

History and Economy

West Palm Beach was founded in 1894 after being developed on drained swampland by entrepreneurs Henry Flagler, Alonzo Clewis, and Henry Bradley Plant.

The city grew quickly in the early 20th century as a resort area and commercial trading hub. Tourism, trade, and seasonal agriculture fueled the economy. In the 1920s, many grand hotels, retail stores, and other infrastructure were built in West Palm Beach.

Today, some major industries and employers in West Palm Beach include:

  • Healthcare – Major employers include Tenet Healthcare and UnitedHealthcare Group
  • Finance – Banks and financial services firms like Bank of America and Raymond James Financial have offices in the city
  • Business services – Companies like ADT Security Services and Carrier Corporation operate in West Palm Beach
  • Government – The South Florida Water Management District and other government agencies provide many jobs
  • Education – Palm Beach State College and other schools offer employment opportunities

For more information on economic development and business in West Palm Beach, visit the Economic Development section of the city’s website.

Tourism and Attractions

Tourism is a major industry in West Palm Beach. Popular attractions and things to do include:

  • Palm Beach Zoo
  • Norton Museum of Art
  • Lion Country Safari
  • Rapids Water Park
  • South Florida Science Center and Aquarium
  • Floating water parks, boat tours, fishing charters, and water recreation
  • Beaches, parks, gardens, hiking trails, and outdoor activities
  • Malls and shopping centers like the Palm Beach Outlets and CityPlace
  • Golf courses, country clubs, and spas
  • Nightlife, bars, restaurants, and entertainment options downtown on Clematis Street

The city has a tropical savanna climate with hot, humid summers and short, warm winters. This makes West Palm Beach a popular snowbird destination in the winter months.

For more on things to do, places to stay, events, and visiting West Palm Beach, check out the Visit Florida tourism website or the Official Website for the City of West Palm Beach.

Famous Landmarks and Structures

Some of the most famous landmarks in West Palm Beach include:

  • The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches – Spring training home to the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals MLB teams. Opened in 2017.
  • Flagler Memorial Bridge – Historic bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway built in 1938.
  • Mar-a-Lago Club – Historic estate and private club owned by Donald Trump.
  • Palm Beach County Convention Center – Major convention and event space. Opened in 2004.
  • The Palm Beaches – Glitzy coastal towns of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, and surrounding areas.

For more on famous buildings, architectural sites, and history in West Palm Beach, visit the city’s landmarks and historical sites page.

Sports

West Palm Beach is home to Spring Training baseball and various minor league and recreational sports teams. The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches stadium hosts Spring Training for the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals. The stadium seats over 7,000 people and opened in 2017 after extensive renovations.

Other sports teams based in the city include:

  • Palm Beach Pirates – Minor League Baseball team
  • West Palm Beach Polo – Polo club
  • West Palm Beach Roller Derby – All female flat track roller derby league

The city has public parks, golf courses, tennis courts, recreational soccer and baseball leagues, bowling alleys, and other sports facilities available for residents and visitors.

For more on sports, teams, events, and recreation in West Palm Beach, visit the website for the Parks and Recreation Department.

Education

Public education in West Palm Beach is overseen by the School District of Palm Beach County. The district operates over 190 schools including elementary, middle, and high schools. There are also many private schools in the city.

For post-secondary education, major colleges and universities in or near West Palm Beach include:

  • Palm Beach State College
  • Keiser University
  • Northwood University
  • South University
  • University of Phoenix

Palm Beach State College is a major employer and economic engine in the city, providing workforce training programs in addition to academic degrees.

Transportation

West Palm Beach is served by several major transportation infrastructure systems:

  • Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) – Major international airport with flights across the United States and to other countries. PBI handles over 6 million passengers per year.
  • Interstate 95 and Florida’s Turnpike – Major highways connecting West Palm Beach to the rest of Florida and the continental United States.
  • Tri-Rail and Amtrak – Commuter and intercity rail services.
  • Palm Tran – Public bus system with over 35 routes serving Palm Beach County.

The excellent transportation infrastructure provides convenient access for residents, visitors, and businesses. The Port of Palm Beach is also located nearby, offering cargo and cruise ship facilities.

Government

West Palm Beach has a Commission-Manager form of government. The city is governed by a Mayor and 4 Commissioners who are elected at-large. The Mayor and City Commission appoint a City Administrator to oversee day-to-day municipal operations.

Some major city government departments and services include:

  • Police, Fire, and Rescue
  • Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Management
  • Public Utilities (water, sewer, stormwater, trash)
  • Planning, Zoning, and Building
  • Housing and Community Development
  • Library System

Residents elect the Mayor and City Commissioners to 4-year terms. The next municipal election will be held in March 2023. For more information on West Palm Beach’s government, visit the city’s website.