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Belle Glade, Florida facts for kids

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Belle Glade, Florida
City
City of Belle Glade
Main Street in Belle Glade
Main Street in Belle Glade
Official seal of Belle Glade, Florida
Seal
Nickname(s): 
Muck City
Motto(s): 
Her Soil is Her Fortune
Location of Belle Glade, Florida
Location of Belle Glade, Florida
Country  United States
State  Florida
County Flag of Palm Beach County, Florida.png Palm Beach
Settled (Hillsboro Settlement) c. 1912–April 8, 1928
Incorporated (Town of Belle Glade) April 9, 1928
Incorporated (City of Belle Glade) September 11, 1945
Government
 • Type Commissioner-Manager
Area
 • Total 7.03 sq mi (18.21 km2)
 • Land 6.97 sq mi (18.06 km2)
 • Water 0.06 sq mi (0.15 km2)
Elevation
16 ft (5 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 16,698
 • Density 2,395.01/sq mi (924.66/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
33430
Area code(s) 561, 728
FIPS code 12-05200
GNIS feature ID 0278445
Website http://www.bellegladegov.com/

Belle Glade is a city in south-central Florida. It is located in the western part of Palm Beach County, Florida, right on the southeastern shore of Lake Okeechobee. Belle Glade is part of the Miami metropolitan area in South Florida.

In 2020, the city had a population of 16,698 people. This was a small decrease from the 2010 census. Belle Glade is sometimes called "Muck City." This nickname comes from the rich, dark soil called muck found there. This soil is perfect for growing sugarcane. Even though it's in South Florida, Belle Glade feels more like the Florida Heartland in its culture.

Discover Belle Glade: History and Location

The Story of Belle Glade

Belle Glade's story is linked to a big project. This project involved draining land around Lake Okeechobee. The goal was to use this land for farming. The town was first built in 1925. However, a powerful hurricane destroyed it three years later. Many people lost their lives in that storm.

After the hurricane, the town was rebuilt. The land around Lake Okeechobee is very fertile. Because of this, farming has always been a key industry here. In the 1960s, many farmworkers from Belle Glade were featured. They appeared in a TV show called Harvest of Shame.

Where is Belle Glade Located?

Belle Glade is found at 26.685264 degrees North and 80.671275 degrees West. The United States Census Bureau says the city covers about 4.7 square miles (12.2 square kilometers). Most of this area is land. Only a tiny part, about 0.21%, is water.

People and Community in Belle Glade

How Many People Live Here?

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1930 926 —
1940 3,806 311.0%
1950 7,219 89.7%
1960 11,273 56.2%
1970 15,949 41.5%
1980 16,535 3.7%
1990 16,177 −2.2%
2000 14,906 −7.9%
2010 17,467 17.2%
2020 16,698 −4.4%
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2020, Belle Glade had 16,698 residents. There were 6,642 households in the city. About 3,760 families lived there.

A Look at the Community in 2010

In 2010, there were 6,368 households in Belle Glade. About 11.3% of these homes were empty. In 2000, 39.0% of households had children under 18. About 40.9% were married couples. Also, 22.0% had a female head of household with no husband. About 29.3% were not families.

A quarter of all households (23.3%) were single individuals. About 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household had 3.04 people. The average family had 3.62 people.

Economy and Work in Belle Glade

What Jobs Are There?

The "Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative" (SCGC) has a large cane sugar mill in Belle Glade. This factory employs about 550 people during the harvest season.

In 2013, the official unemployment rate was around 15%. However, the mayor thought the real number was closer to 40%. The number of local jobs decreased. This happened as farming shifted from vegetables to sugarcane. Sugarcane farming uses more machines and fewer workers.

The United States Postal Service runs the Belle Glade Post Office. The Florida Department of Corrections used to operate the Glades Correctional Institution nearby. It closed in December 2011.

Fun and Learning in Belle Glade

Parks and Outdoor Activities

The Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail goes right through Belle Glade. This trail offers great views and outdoor fun.

Schools and Education

The School District of Palm Beach County manages the public schools in Belle Glade.

Elementary Schools

  • Gove Elementary
  • Belle Glade Elementary
  • Glade View Elementary
  • Pioneer Park Elementary
  • Sellew Belle Glade Excel Charter School

Middle Schools

  • Lake Shore Middle School

High Schools

  • Glades Central High School

Private Schools

  • Glades Day School
  • Lakeside Academy

College Opportunities

  • Palm Beach State College has a campus in Belle Glade.

Famous Faces from Belle Glade

Belle Glade is known for its strong football tradition. Together with nearby Pahokee, the area has sent many players to the National Football League.

Images for kids

  • Belle Glade Amphitheater

    Belle Glade Amphitheater

  • Belle Glade Industrial Park

    Belle Glade Industrial Park

  • Pool at Lakeshore in Belle Glade

    Pool at Lakeshore in Belle Glade

  • Belle Glade Lakeside Hospital

    The Belle Glade Branch Library is operated by the Palm Beach County Library System

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Belle Glade para niños

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