Belle Glade, Florida

Belle Glade is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida on the southeastern shore of Lake Okeechobee. The population was 14,906 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city had a population of 15,423. [1]

For a time, the city had the highest rate of AIDS infection in the United States.[2] About half the sugarcane in the nation is grown in the plains around Belle Glade and nearby Clewiston. According to the FBI in 2003 the city had the second highest violent crime rate in the country at 298 per 10,000 residents.

Geography

Belle Glade is located at 26°41′7″N 80°40′17″W / 26.68528°N 80.67139°W / 26.68528; -80.67139 (26.685264, -80.671275).Template:GR

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.1 km² (4.7 mi²). 12.0 km² (4.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.21% is water.

Demographics

As of the census Template:GR of 2000, there were 14,906 people, 4,854 households, and 3,431 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,237.7/km² (3,206.2/mi²). There were 5,374 housing units at an average density of 446.2/km² (1,155.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 30.29% White, 50.68% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 9.70% from other races, and 8.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 27.57% of the population.

There were 4,854 households out of which 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 22.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.04 and the average family size was 3.62.

In the city the population was spread out with 33.5% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 103.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,715, and the median income for a family was $26,756. Males had a median income of $26,232 versus $21,410 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,159. About 28.5% of families and 32.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.1% of those under age 18 and 21.4% of those age 65 or over.

Schools

Belle Glade has a history of struggling schools, with students at both ends of the educational spectrum. However in 2006 all of Belle Glade's public schools except Glades Central Community High School, received an FCAT grade of "C" or better, from the Florida Dept. of Education Glades Central received a grade of "D".

Trivia

Belle Glade (and the surrounding area) is sometimes referred to as "Muck City" due to the large quantity of muck (soil), in which sugarcane grows, found in the area. [3]
Belle Glade is home to Glades Central Community High School, whch is consistently ranked among the top high school football teams in the state of Florida and the United States. Glades Central High School also has the largest number of football players currently in the NFL than any high School in Florida.^{[citation needed]}
Because of its great football team Glades Central Community High School's band, the Marching Maroon Machine Band, has performed at more football games than any other school in the state of Florida since 1971.
The football game against rival team Pahokee High School, "Blue Devils" is one of the largest high school rivalry games in the country, drawing almost 8,000 spectators each year.

Notable Belle Gladians

Brad Banks, Former University of Iowa quarter back and Heisman Trophy second place runner up
Rosevelt Blackmon, Former NFL player for the Green Bay Packers
Dr. Effie C. Grear, First principal of Glades Central Community high School and author of, "Up from the Muck"
Homer Hand, philanthropist and business owner
Mrs. Francis "Dolly" Hand, philanthropist, benefactor of Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center
Jesse Hester, Former NFL superstar
Zora Neal Hurston, novelist, wrote, "Their Eyes were Watching God" partially set in Belle Glade
Harma Miller, First woman and second Black Mayor of Belle Glade
Fred A. Taylor, NFL superstar, running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars
George Wedgeworth, President Sugarcane Growers Cooperative, one of the largest sugarcane growers in the United States
Dr. George White, Dentist, First Black dentist in western Palm Beach County
Reidel Anthony, Florida Gator All-American WR, helped the Gators to their first ever NCAA Football National Championship in 1996, played 6 seasons in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins.

References

Florida, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides, 2004, pg. 124

External links

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