West Palm Beach is a city located in Palm Beach County, Florida. It is part of the Miami metropolitan area, which had a population of 6,198,782 in 2021 according to the Wikipedia page on the Miami metropolitan area. As of 2021, the population of West Palm Beach itself was estimated to be around 116,000 people.
Population and Demographics
According to 2021 data from the US Census Bureau, West Palm Beach has a population of 116,714 people. The racial makeup of the city is 62.5% White, 32.5% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, and 2.2% from two or more races. 53.5% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The median age in West Palm Beach is 39.2 years. 22.9% of the population is under age 18, while 13.5% is aged 65 or older. There are slightly more females than males, with women making up 52.5% of the population compared to 47.5% men.
Over the past decade, West Palm Beach has seen steady population growth. From 2010 to 2021, the city’s population increased by over 15,500 people, representing a growth rate of 15.4%. This outpaces the overall growth rate in Florida over the same time period, which was around 14.5%.
Economy and Major Employers
Some of the major industries and employers in West Palm Beach include:
- Tourism – Major area attractions like the beaches, Palm Beach Zoo, Rapids Water Park, and shopping destinations like Clematis Street and CityPlace attract millions of visitors each year.
- Healthcare – The city is home to several major hospitals and medical centers including Good Samaritan Medical Center, St. Mary’s Medical Center, and the VA Medical Center.
- Finance – Dozens of banks, investment firms, accounting agencies, and insurance companies have major operations located in West Palm Beach.
- Education – Top employers include the School District of Palm Beach County, Palm Beach State College, and Keiser University.
- Government – As the seat of Palm Beach County, many government agencies are headquartered here.
- Retail – Major shopping centers provide thousands of retail jobs.
Some of the largest individual employers in West Palm Beach are:
- School District of Palm Beach County (13,000 employees)
- St. Mary’s Medical Center (3,500 employees)
- Palm Beach County Government (2,800 employees)
- VA Medical Center (2,000 employees)
- Good Samaritan Medical Center (1,500 employees)
- Next Insurance (1,000 employees)
The largest industries in West Palm Beach by number of people employed are healthcare, retail, accommodation and food services, and administrative/waste management services. The city has a diverse economic base with strengths in tourism, finance, education, government, and professional services.
Landmarks and Places to Visit
Some of the most popular landmarks and attractions to visit in West Palm Beach include:
- Norton Museum of Art – An art museum with a collection of over 7,000 works.
- Palm Beach Island Beaches – Atlantic shore beaches popular for swimming, surfing and seaside activities.
- Clematis Street – A historic district with lively bars, restaurants and nightlife.
- Palm Beach Zoo – A 23-acre zoo home to over 550 animals.
- Henry Morrison Flagler Museum – Built as a Gilded Age mansion for industrialist Henry Flagler.
- Rapids Water Park – A major family water park with thrill rides and slides.
- CityPlace – An upscale outdoor shopping and dining destination.
- Biscayne National Park – A national park encompassing coral reefs and bay islands.
The city also has a lively arts and cultural scene. Major events include SunFest, an annual music, art and waterfront festival, and the Palm Beach International Film Festival. Downtown West Palm Beach offers a variety of restaurants, shops, entertainment and nightlife.
Sports
Although West Palm Beach does not have any major professional sports teams, there are still sporting events and teams that attract fans to the city. Some notable teams and venues include:
- Ballpark of the Palm Beaches – Spring training facility for the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros MLB teams.
- Jupiter Hammerheads – A Minor League Baseball team affiliated with the Miami Marlins.
- International Polo Club – Hosts polo matches and events.
- Honda Classic – Professional golf tournament held at PGA National Resort.
- FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches – Hosts college baseball games and events.
The parks and recreation department also organizes youth sports leagues for soccer, football, baseball, basketball and more. Florida Atlantic University and Palm Beach Atlantic University have Division I athletic programs that local fans can support.
West Palm Beach has an official Facebook page where the city government posts news, events, information and more about what’s happening around town. You can follow along at the West Palm Beach Facebook page.
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