Loxahatchee Groves, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Loxahatchee Groves, Florida
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| Town of Loxahatchee Groves | ||
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| Motto(s):
Florida's Last Frontier
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Location in Palm Beach County and the state of Florida
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Florida |
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| County |  Palm Beach |
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| Settled | 1917 | |
| Incorporated | November 1, 2006 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Council-Manager | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 12.53 sq mi (32.45 km2) | |
| • Land | 12.51 sq mi (32.40 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.04 km2) | |
| Elevation | 5 ft (16 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,355 | |
| • Density | 268.16/sq mi (103.54/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP code |
33470
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| Area code(s) | 561, 728 | |
| FIPS code | 12-41577 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 286185 | |
Loxahatchee Groves is a town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. It's a special place known for its rural feel. The town was officially created on November 1, 2006. It became the 38th town in Palm Beach County.
People had lived in this area since 1917. But it wasn't a town until 2006. Loxahatchee Groves calls itself "Florida's Last Frontier." It became a town mainly to keep its country charm. This helped protect it from new buildings and cities growing nearby. The town is part of the larger Miami metropolitan area. In 2020, about 3,355 people lived there.
Contents
What's in a Name? The Meaning of Loxahatchee
The name Loxahatchee Groves comes from the nearby Loxahatchee River. The word "Loxahatchee" comes from the Muscogee language of the Seminole people. It's a mix of two words: lowchow (which means "turtle") and hatchee (which means "river"). So, Loxahatchee means "river of turtles."
Where is Loxahatchee Groves Located?
Loxahatchee Groves is surrounded by other towns. To the east, you'll find Royal Palm Beach. To the south is Wellington. On its west and north sides are The Acreage and Loxahatchee. The town covers an area of about 12.53 square miles (32.45 square kilometers).
The Story of Loxahatchee Groves
Early Days and Farming
The land where Loxahatchee Groves now stands was once part of a huge 2-million-acre purchase. This land was bought by the Southern States Land and Timber Company in 1902. In 1917, the West Palm Beach Canal was finished. This canal connected Lake Okeechobee to West Palm Beach.
George Frederick Bensel worked for the Southern States company. He imagined a farming community along this new canal. Bensel and engineer T. G. Thorgesen made the first map of Loxahatchee Groves. This happened over the next three years.
Later, Bensel and Thorgesen started the Palm Beach Loxahatchee Company. They bought 6,500 acres from the Southern States company. They named this land "Loxahatchee Farms." The company built nearly 30 miles of canals and roads. These were cared for by the Loxahatchee Groves Drainage District. Today, this is called the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District.
Growth and Challenges
In 1925, George Bensel opened a gas station, grocery store, and post office. Loxahatchee Groves faced a big challenge in 1928. A strong hurricane, the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane, hit the area. Almost every home was pushed off its foundation.
In the 1930s, Bensel's brother Thomas started a project. He encouraged people to plant citrus trees. About 56,000 new trees were planted. A water pump was also built around this time. It helped bring water from the West Palm Beach Canal. In 1958, the Palm Beach Loxahatchee Company sold Loxahatchee Groves.
Becoming a Town
After George Bensel passed away in 1961, citrus and tomato farming slowed down. In the 1980s and 1990s, nearby towns like Royal Palm Beach and Wellington grew a lot. Some people in Loxahatchee Groves worried. They felt their quiet, rural way of life was in danger.
Because of this, a movement began in 2003. People wanted Loxahatchee Groves to become an official town. This would help protect its rural character. On October 10, 2006, residents voted on the idea. The vote was 458 for and 350 against. This made Loxahatchee Groves the 38th town in Palm Beach County.
The first election for town council members happened on March 13, 2007. Dave Autrey, David Browning, Marge Herzog, Bill Louda, and Dennis Lipp were the first elected members. David Browning became the first mayor. Marge Herzog was chosen as vice mayor.
Who Lives in Loxahatchee Groves?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2010 | 3,180 | — | |
| 2020 | 3,355 | 5.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,355 people living in Loxahatchee Groves. There were 1,189 households and 858 families.
In 2010, there were 1,105 households. About 24.4% of them had children under 18. Most households (55.0%) were married couples living together. About 26.1% of households had someone aged 65 or older. The average household had 2.26 people.
Learning in Loxahatchee Groves
Local Schools
The School District of Palm Beach County manages the public schools here. Students in Loxahatchee Groves attend these schools:
- Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School
- Western Pines Middle School
- Seminole Ridge Community High School
College Opportunities
Palm Beach State College (PBSC) opened a campus in Loxahatchee Groves in February 2017. This campus serves college students from Loxahatchee Groves and nearby areas. These areas include The Acreage, Loxahatchee, Royal Palm Beach, and Wellington.
The campus is named after former school president Dennis P. Gallon. It covers 50,000 square feet. It has 20 classrooms and computer labs. There's also a large multi-purpose room. A special room is set up like a doctor's office for training. The campus does not have a cafe, library, or bookstore yet. More buildings might be added later, depending on how many students enroll.
Getting Around Loxahatchee Groves
Main Roads
Two major U.S. routes, 98 and 441, run through the southern part of town. They share the road with State Road 80. This road is known locally as Southern Boulevard.
Okeechobee Boulevard, also called State Road 704 to the east, also goes through the town.
Public Transport
Palm Tran Route 40 is a bus route. It runs from downtown West Palm Beach to Belle Glade. This bus route has a few stops along Southern Boulevard in Loxahatchee Groves. Some stops are just outside the town's borders.
Fun Things to Do in Loxahatchee Groves
Loxahatchee Groves offers places for fun and relaxation:
- Loxahatchee Groves Park is a local park for residents to enjoy.
- Lion Country Safari is a popular attraction. It's located just west of the town. Lion Country Safari has a drive-through safari park. It also has a walk-through amusement park with rides and animal exhibits.
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