Pahokee, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pahokee, Florida
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| City of Pahokee | |||
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| Nickname(s):
Muck City (shared with nearby Belle Glade, Florida)
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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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| Incorporated | 1922 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Commission-Manager | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 5.32 sq mi (13.77 km2) | ||
| • Land | 5.32 sq mi (13.77 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 13 ft (4 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,524 | ||
| • Density | 1,039.32/sq mi (401.28/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | ||
| ZIP code |
33476
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| Area code(s) | 561, 728 | ||
| FIPS code | 12-53800 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0288376 | ||
Pahokee is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. It is located right on the shore of Lake Okeechobee. Pahokee is part of the larger Miami metropolitan area in South Florida. In 2020, about 5,524 people lived there.
Many people in Pahokee are African American or Hispanic/Latino. In 2018, the city's mayor and all four city commissioners were African American.
Contents
Discovering Pahokee's Past
Pahokee became an official city in 1922. Its name, "Pahokee," comes from the Muscogee language and means 'grassy waters'. People who live here often call the area "The Muck." This name refers to the very rich, dark soil found in the region. This soil is great for growing crops like sugar cane, citrus fruits, and corn. Long ago, Pahokee was known as the "Winter Vegetable Capital of the World." It was a busy place with lots of trade and business.
Pahokee's Economy and Growth
Pahokee's economy has always been linked to its special soil. This fertile "muck" is the rich bottomland of the Everglades. It became available for farming after parts of the Everglades were drained in the early 1900s. In 1939, a guide described Pahokee as a very active town. From Christmas until April, it was busy day and night. Long trains carried fresh produce to markets in the north. The streets were noisy, and businesses were always open.
In 1963, a sugar plant was built in Pahokee. This changed farming to focus more on sugar cane, which could be harvested by machines. The sugar plant closed in 2009.
Historic Buildings and Places
The old Pahokee High School building was built in 1928. On November 15, 1996, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a special building with historical importance.
Everglades Regional Medical Center
The Everglades Regional Medical Center was first opened in 1936 as Everglades General Hospital. The building you see today opened in 1950. This hospital helped the community for many years. It closed in 1998.
Schools in Pahokee
Pahokee is part of the School District of Palm Beach County. Students attend public, public charter, and private schools.
Public Schools
- Pahokee Elementary School: This school serves students from pre-kindergarten to 5th grade. It is an International Baccalaureate (IB) school.
- K. E. Cunningham/Canal Point Elementary School: This school is for students in kindergarten through 5th grade.
- Pahokee Middle–High School: This school teaches students from 6th to 12th grade.
Pahokee High School Football
Pahokee High School is famous for its amazing football program. It is often ranked among the best in Florida. Pahokee and its nearby rival, Belle Glade, play each other every year in a game called the "Muck Bowl." Many players from these two towns have gone on to play in the National Football League (NFL). For many young people in "Muck City," football offers a path to a brighter future. In 2014, Pahokee High School had the second-highest number of former students playing in the NFL from any high school in the country.
Public Charter Schools
- Glades Academy: This school is for students in kindergarten through 8th grade.
Private Schools
- Everglades Preparatory Academy: This school serves students in grades 9-12.
- The Shepherd's School: This is a Christian school for students from kindergarten to 12th grade.
- G.A.P Christian Academy: This school offers education from kindergarten to 12th grade.
Pahokee in the Media
Pahokee has been featured in the news and in movies. In 2009, a reporter from the New York Times wrote about Pahokee's economic challenges. The article also shared the town's hopes for a new marina project to help local businesses. In 2014, Governor Rick Scott promised money to help improve Pahokee's buildings and roads.
Creative Arts About Pahokee
Many films have been made about life in Pahokee, often focusing on its unique culture and challenges.
Movies About Pahokee
Chasing Rabbits (2008)
This is a short film by Aaron Kyle. It shows how rabbit hunting can be a way for young football players to train. Famous Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden even appears in the film. After it came out, it was shown on ESPN, and Adidas used parts of it for a commercial.
The Send-Off (2016)
The Send-Off is a 12-minute short film by Patrick Bresnan and Yvette Lucas. It gives a close look at Pahokee. The film shows a group of high school students on the night of their prom. They hope to rise above their small town and its industrial surroundings. This film won several awards in 2016, including at the San Francisco International Film Festival and the South by Southwest Film Festival.
The Rabbit Hunt (2017)
This is another short film by Patrick Bresnan and Yvette Lucas. It explores rabbit hunting in the Florida Everglades. Rabbits are driven out of sugar cane fields by harvesting machines or controlled fires. People then hunt the rabbits for food. This film shows how rabbit hunting has been a tradition for young men in the area since the early 1900s. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017 and won an award from the Museum of the Moving Image.
Pahokee (2019)
Pahokee is a longer film (110 minutes) by Bresnan and Lucas. It was shown at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. The movie follows four teenagers during their last year of high school in Pahokee. It shows their joys and heartbreaks. The film highlights how the community, facing financial challenges, places its hopes on its graduating students. This film was shown on PBS in 2021 as part of the America ReFramed series.
Outta The Muck (2023)
Outta The Muck is another full-length film (125 minutes) by Ira McKinley, Bhawin Suchak, and Tracy Rector. It explores the community of Pahokee, Florida. Beyond its football success, the film shares stories of Black achievement and strength. It shows how the community deals with difficult times and personal challenges. This film was shown on PBS in 2023 as part of the Independent Lens series.
Local Media
Pahokee used to have a free online newspaper called A Better Pahokee. It was started in 2013 but stopped publishing new material in 2016.
Geography of Pahokee
Pahokee is located at 26°49′29″N 80°39′35″W / 26.82472°N 80.65972°W. The city has a total area of about 5.4 square miles (13.77 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population and Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 2,256 | — | |
| 1940 | 4,766 | 111.3% | |
| 1950 | 4,472 | −6.2% | |
| 1960 | 4,709 | 5.3% | |
| 1970 | 5,663 | 20.3% | |
| 1980 | 6,346 | 12.1% | |
| 1990 | 6,822 | 7.5% | |
| 2000 | 5,985 | −12.3% | |
| 2010 | 5,649 | −5.6% | |
| 2020 | 5,524 | −2.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, Pahokee had a population of 5,524 people. There were 1,860 households and 1,291 families living in the city.
Pahokee's Diverse Community
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the community of Pahokee is very diverse.
- About 56.77% of the residents were Black or African American (not Hispanic).
- About 33.24% of the residents were Hispanic or Latino.
- About 8.27% were White (not Hispanic).
- Smaller percentages were Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander, or of two or more races.
Notable People from Pahokee
Many talented individuals have come from Pahokee, especially in sports and music.
- Reidel Anthony: NFL wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Bill Bentley: NFL cornerback for the Detroit Lions.
- Anquan Boldin: NFL wide receiver for teams like the Baltimore Ravens.
- Kevin Bouie: NFL running back.
- Zabian Dowdell: Basketball player for the Phoenix Suns.
- Rickey Jackson: NFL linebacker for the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- Janoris Jenkins: NFL cornerback for teams like the St. Louis Rams and New York Giants.
- Jorge Labarga: A Justice on the Florida Supreme Court.
- Pernell McPhee: Linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens.
- Eric Moore: NFL Defensive end for the New England Patriots.
- Freddie Lee Peterkin: A minister, soul, and gospel singer and actor.
- Alphonso Smith: NFL cornerback for the Detroit Lions.
- Antone Smith: NFL running back for the Atlanta Falcons.
- Vincent Smith: Running back for the University of Michigan.
- Fred Taylor: NFL running back, mostly for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
- Mel Tillis: A famous country musician, raised in Pahokee.
- Andre Waters: defensive back for the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Riquna Williams: Basketball player for the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks.
See also
In Spanish: Pahokee para niños
