Pahokee, Florida
Pahokee, Florida | |
|---|---|
 Location in Palm Beach County and the state of Florida | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Palm Beach |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.4 sq mi (14 km2) |
| • Land | 5.4 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 | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 33476 |
| Area code | 561 |
| FIPS code | 12-53800Template:GR |
| GNIS feature ID | 0288376Template:GR |
| Website | http://cityofpahokee.com |
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.[2] Culturally, Pahokee is associated with the Florida Heartland, although officially it is a part of South Florida.
"Pahokee" means 'grassy waters' in the Creek language.[3] 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 hey day when the city had thriving commerce. It is also a popular area for tree farms to grow native palm trees and other subtropical tree species. Pahokee once boasted hotels, barber shops, restaurants, clothing stores, amusement arcades and a theatre. Recent years have seen the closure of these businesses aside from a few local grocery stores. The area is also known for its numerous churches of multiple Christian faiths including Baptist, Methodist and Catholic.
The local radio station maintains this Christian theme with a gospel format and is known as WSWN Sugar 900. The local celebrity DJ's are known as Dawn Brady, Harvey Poole Jr. and the 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 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. [1]. 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, UK. 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 home town to be Pahokee, Florida USA.
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.[4]
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. Higher 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.
Geography
Pahokee is located at 26°49′29″N 80°39′35″W / 26.82472°N 80.65972°W (26.824717, -80.659660).Template:GR
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 censusTemplate:GR 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[5] 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%.[6]
Notable residents
- Reidel Anthony, NFL wide receiver, 1996 Florida Gators football team, Tampa Bay Buccaneers[7]
- Anquan Boldin, NFL wide receiver, Florida State University, Baltimore Ravens[8]
- Zabian Dowdell, basketball player for Phoenix Suns[9]
- Rickey Jackson, NFL linebacker, New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers, NFL Hall Of Fame[10]
- Janoris Jenkins, Defensive back at the University of Florida[11]
- Pernell McPhee, linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
- Eric Moore, football player for the New England Patriots[12]
- Martavious Odoms, wide receiver, University of Michigan[13]
- Freddie Lee Peterkin, Soul & Gospel Singer and Actor[14]
- Alphonso Smith , NFL cornerback, Detroit Lions[15]
- Antone Smith, NFL running back, Florida State University, Atlanta Falcons[16]
- Vincent Smith, running back, University of Michigan
- Fred Taylor, NFL running back, New England Patriots[17]
- Mel Tillis, Country musician. Born in Tampa, Florida but raised in Pahokee[18]
- Andre Waters, Defensive Back Philadelphia Eagles[19]
- Riquna Williams, NCAA Women's Basketball Shooting Guard, University of Miami[20]
References
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the population for the Incorporated Places of Florida" (XLS). US Census Bureau. Retrieved 2007-08-15. [dead link]
- ^ http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2007-04-12.xls
- ^ Pahokee Florida Profile and Resource Guide, City or community of Pahokee, Florida Facts, Information, Relocation, Real Estate, Advertising
- ^ Cave, Damien (2009-12-19). "A Town's Hopes (and Doubts) Ride on a New Marina". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
- ^ "Demographics of Pahokee, Florida". MuniNetGuide.com. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
- ^ "MLA Data Center Results of Pahokee, FL". Modern Language Association. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
- ^ "Reidel Anthony NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
- ^ "Anquan Boldin NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
- ^ Shandel Richardson (January 12, 2005). "Dowdell Proves He's Street-smart". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
He managed to stay away from the street-football games in Pahokee...
- ^ "Rickey Jackson NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
- ^ "Janoris Jenkins - Florida Football". rivals100.rivals.com. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
- ^ "Eric Moore Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards - databaseFootball.com". databasefootball.com. 2011 [last update]. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|year=(help) - ^ "Martavious Odoms Stats, News, Videos, Pictures, Bio - Michigan Wolverines - ESPN". espn.go.com. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
- ^ "Biography". freddieleepeterkin.com. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
- ^ "Alphonso Smith NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
- ^ "Antone Smith NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
- ^ "Fred Taylor NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
- ^ "Mel Tillis Comes Back Home For Fair". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. January 14, 2005. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
... Mel Tillis was just a skinny kid with a stutter from Pahokee
- ^ "'Football killed him': The legacy of Pahokee's Andre Waters". Palm Beach Post. Sept. 14, 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
The Pahokee native
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Riquna Williams - Sun Sentinel". articles.sun-sentinel.com. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
