Harlem, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harlem, Florida
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Location in Hendry County and the state of Florida
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| County | Hendry |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.05 sq mi (2.73 km2) |
| • Land | 1.05 sq mi (2.73 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 20 ft (6 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
33440
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| Area code(s) | 863 |
| FIPS code | 12-28925 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0283738 |
Harlem is a special kind of community in Hendry County, Florida, United States. It's called a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's an area that the government counts as a separate community for population surveys, even though it's not officially a city or town. Harlem was started in 1928. Most of its residents are African American. In 2020, about 2,441 people lived there. Harlem is part of the larger Clewiston, Florida Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Contents
History
How Harlem Started
Harlem was created around 1928. It was first known as "Townsite." This area was set up as a place for workers on sugar plantations to live. Sugar farming became very important in Southern Florida during the 1920s. Harlem has always been a community with a strong African American heritage.
The Harlem Academy
The main school for children in Harlem was called the Harlem Academy. This school was very important to the community. In 1971, the Harlem Academy closed. This happened after schools in the area began to mix students of all races. After the school closed, students from Harlem started going to schools in Clewiston, Florida. A.A. Thomas and his wife Lois Thomas were key people at the Harlem Academy. After it closed, they opened a local day care center for children.
Geography
Where Harlem is Located
Harlem is found in the northeastern part of Hendry County. It sits near the coordinates 26°44′8″N 80°57′5″W / 26.73556°N 80.95139°W. The city of Clewiston is right next to Harlem, to its north.
Size of the Area
According to the United States Census Bureau, Harlem covers a total area of about 2.75 square kilometers (or 1.06 square miles). All of this area is land; there are no large bodies of water within its borders.
Population
How Many People Live Here
The number of people living in Harlem has changed over the years. Here's how the population has been counted during different U.S. Censuses:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1990 | 2,826 | — | |
| 2000 | 2,730 | −3.4% | |
| 2010 | 2,658 | −2.6% | |
| 2020 | 2,441 | −8.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, the population of Harlem was 2,441 people. This was a bit less than the 2,658 people counted in 2010.
