83-507: Riviera Beach may refer to some places in the United States: Riviera Beach, Florida Riviera Beach, Maryland Riviera Beach , Lake Geneva, Wisconsin [REDACTED] Topics referred to by the same term This disambiguation page lists articles about distinct geographical locations with the same name. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change
166-429: A mayor–council–manager form of government. Ronnie Felder was elected to a second three-year term as its mayor in 2022. Jonathan Evans, who was fired as city manager by three city council members in 2017 "for cause, for misfeasance" but without further explanation, returned to that position in 2019, and as of July 2022 was in negotiations for a contract renewal. The city is divided into five districts, each with
249-757: A tropical monsoon climate ( Köppen climate classification , Am ). The Lake Worth Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) maintains the Neighborhood Association President's Council (NAPC). The three purposes of the NAPC, according to the Lake Worth Beach CRA, is to improve representation of diversity in the city's neighborhoods, to maintain open communications between city government and neighborhood associations, and to promote volunteering to assist needy areas. A total of 17 neighborhood associations are recognized by
332-490: A Lake Worth mailing address. Thus, The Palm Beach Post noted in 2019 that there are more mailing addresses for Lake Worth (unincorporated area) than Lake Worth Beach (the proper, incorporated area). Lake Worth Beach has a tropical climate , similar to the climate found in much of the Caribbean . It is part of the only region in the 48 contiguous states that falls under that category. More specifically, it generally has
415-586: A concrete wall was erected at the Osborne Colored Addition to separate it from the white Whispering Palms neighborhood. Although the city officially integrated in 1969, the neighborhood retained the name Osborne Colored Addition until 1994. Today, the remnants of the wall is referred to as the Unity Wall and is instead used for murals . Despite the Brown vs. Board of Education decision by
498-536: A council member; the mayor does not vote. The Riviera Beach City Council has received national attention for its repeated clashes with local activist Fane Lozman , starting with his successful lawsuit, brought under Florida's open-meetings law, to prevent them from seizing the marina under eminent domain and selling it to private developers. In 2013, Lozman won against the city at the United States Supreme Court in an admiralty case after
581-547: A distinct character and is a popular destination for both tourists and residents of South Florida . Several of the city's notable buildings are located in this section, including the current City Hall, former City Hall (NRHP-listed in 1989 and includes the Lake Worth Historical Museum ), Lake Worth Beach Post Office, Lake Worth Playhouse , Lake Worth Beach Public Library, and Park Theater, although not all of these structures are listed as part of
664-426: A female householder with no spouse present, and 46.2% were not families. About 33.1% of all households were made up of one individual, and 22.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65, and the average family size was 3.37. As of the census of 2000, there were 35,133 people, 13,828 households, and 7,688 families residing in the city. The population density
747-609: A few conservation, construction, and New Deal projects during the 1930s. This included when President Franklin D. Roosevelt 's Works Progress Administration built the striking, Moorish-styled "city gymnasium" on the corner of Lake Avenue and Dixie Highway. The building today serves as the Lake Worth Beach City Hall. Although no military installations were located in Lake Worth, the presence of military bases and repair facilities in nearby towns led to
830-400: A grocery store and masonry supply store. Furthermore, he served as a Lake Worth city commissioner from 1924 to 1927 and briefly as vice mayor. During his tenure, the city constructed approximately 36 mi (58 km) of roads and two elementary schools, including the still active South Grade Elementary School. The 1928 Okeechobee hurricane devastated Lake Worth. A survey indicated that
913-624: A heated discussion over the potential for shutting off electrical services due to non-payment in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns . In response, the city government allowed electrical service to residents to remain uninterrupted for the next few months, with or without payment, before city commissioners unanimously voted to resume power shutoffs in July ;2020. According to the United States Census Bureau ,
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#1732787035850996-571: A household in the city was $ 30,034, and the median income for a family was $ 35,374. Males had a median income of $ 24,862 versus $ 22,971 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 15,517. About 15.8% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line , including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over. As of 2000, the three most spoken first languages in Lake Worth Beach were English at 56.61%, Spanish at 26.57%, and French Creole , which
1079-452: A majority of those constructed after 1949. The Old Lucerne Historic Residential District is the section of Lake Worth Beach where Samuel and Fannie James lived. A total of 346 structures are located in the district, with 218 classified as contributing and 128 are classified as non-contributing. The contributing structures were constructed from as early as about 1913 to 1951. The Historic Old Town Commercial District, listed in
1162-627: A new addition was platted in that inaugural year. The area along the Intracoastal Waterway from 5th Avenue South to 15th Avenue South still bears the name Addition 1. An advertisement in the Lake Worth Herald in 1913 noted: "In the new addition, the Lake front has been divided into large lots covered with palm and tropical growth, where we expect to see charming villas and winter homes spring up as by enchantment. It will be
1245-787: A non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.2% in September ;2021. The largest companies in the city by number of employees include 1,148 employees at Palm Beach State College , 307 employees with the city government, 269 employees at Lake Worth Community High School , 213 employees at American Medical Assistance, 150 employees at Highland Elementary School, 148 employees at Publix , 136 employees at Barton Elementary School, 122 employees at Supermercados El Bodegon, 94 employees at North Grade Elementary School, and 74 employees at Lake Worth Middle School. However, as of 2019, only 6.9% of jobs in Lake Worth Beach were held by city residents, with
1328-444: A number of parcels ranging in size from 5 to 20 acres (2.0 to 8.1 ha) to new residents and investors. After Samuel's death in 1909, Fannie sold her remaining 156 acres (63 ha) to the developer, Palm Beach Farms Company, keeping only a 1.25 acre (0.51 ha) farmette, which lay outside the new city limits as required by the segregation provisions of the 1913 town of Lake Worth charter. After Henry Flagler extended
1411-541: A plurality of the population in 2019. Additionally, as of 2021, approximately 38.7% of residents were born outside of the United States, many of whom immigrated from the Caribbean or Latin America , and just 44.9% of people in Lake Worth Beach only spoke English . As of the 2020 United States census , there were 42,219 people, 12,947 households, and 7,046 families residing in the city. The population density
1494-453: A reputation for higher crime rates. Another factor motivating support for the name change was that tourism could increase as the city would have an opportunity to rebrand itself as a beach town. The city government became embroiled in another controversy that garnered national headlines in March 2020. Then-Mayor Pam Triolo and then-Lake Worth Beach Commissioner Omari Hardy became involved in
1577-619: A significant increase in the city's population during World War II , from 7,406 in 1940 to 10,615 about five years later. Development started again after World War II, especially due to the approval of the G.I. Bill , allowing new homes to become affordable. Many veterans who trained in South Florida also returned to the area, leading to a population boom. The city also saw a wave of immigrants, especially from Finland . These Finnish immigrants established three churches in Lake Worth to preserve their heritage while also benefiting
1660-564: A small section of the city also partitions the town of Palm Beach . The 2010 census recorded a population of 34,910, which increased to 42,219 in the 2020 census . Lake Worth Beach is within the Miami metropolitan area , which was home to an estimated 6,138,333 people in 2020. While archaeological evidence indicates that the Jaega inhabited nearby areas thousands of years ago, Samuel and Fannie James, an African American couple, became
1743-732: Is a city featuring several historic neighborhoods, such as the National Register of Historic Places -listed College Park and Old Lucerne , while the downtown area also has dozens of buildings that are part of the Historic Old Town Commercial District . Lake Worth Beach is one of the most ethnically and racially diverse municipalities in Palm Beach County, with a large working class population compared to other coastal cities in Palm Beach County. Several cultural events are hosted annually in
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#17327870358501826-528: Is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida , United States, which was incorporated on September 29, 1922. Due to the location of its eastern boundary, it is also the easternmost municipality in the Miami metropolitan area . In the 2020 U.S. Census , the total population of Riviera Beach residents was 37,604 people. Riviera Beach is predominantly an African-American city and it is on the list of U.S. cities with African American majority populations . It
1909-652: Is a city in east-central Palm Beach County, Florida , United States, located about 63 miles (101 km) north of Miami . The city's name is derived from the body of water along its eastern border known as the Lake Worth Lagoon , which was named for General William J. Worth , who led United States Army forces during the last part of the Second Seminole War . Lake Worth Beach is situated south of West Palm Beach , southeast of Lake Clarke Shores , east of Palm Springs , and north of Lantana , while
1992-478: Is a major north-south thoroughfare through the district. Of the 59 structures listed as part of the historic commercial district, 46 are classified as contributing and the other 13 are considered non-contributing. The contributing buildings, constructed between 1912 and 1949, are generally of Masonry Vernacular-style architecture, although Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival, and Moorish Revival styles are also present. Lake Worth Beach's downtown area has
2075-516: Is built on a rapidly drained white or gray sand which is too dry and infertile to support vigorous plant growth. The western outskirts of Lake Worth Beach are in the Southern Florida Lowlands area. Topsoils there are sandy, but the subsoils have a much higher content of clay and the soils are relatively fertile. As in the flatwoods, these soils are poorly drained for many purposes unless drainage systems are installed. Although
2158-405: Is home to many varieties of tropical vegetation , which can be seen in its variety of plants, trees, and flowers all over South Florida and the city itself. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 37,604 people, 12,045 households, and 7,425 families residing in the city. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 32,488 people, 12,015 households, and 7,710 families residing in
2241-499: Is home to the Port of Palm Beach and a United States Coast Guard station, and has its own marina . Riviera Beach is home to Blue Heron Bridge, one of the country's top-rated beach dive sites. In 2015, Riviera Beach renamed part of Old Dixie Highway that runs inside the city limits as President Barack Obama Highway. The city is also home to Rapids Water Park , a water park attraction for both tourists and residents. Riviera Beach
2324-547: Is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km ) (15.33%) is water. The eastern part of the city includes most of Singer Island , a peninsula on the Atlantic coast of Palm Beach County, Florida, which is separated from the mainland portion of the city by Lake Worth's Lake Worth Lagoon . Riviera Beach has a tropical climate , more specifically a tropical rainforest climate ( Köppen climate classification Af ), as its driest month (February) averages 64.8mm of precipitation, meeting
2407-410: Is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), as well as the construction of Lake Worth Community High School in 1922 and many commercial and industrial buildings and neighborhoods, including College Park and Lake Worth Heights in 1924. Lake Worth reincorporated as a city in 1925, while boundaries of the municipality expanded several times throughout the land boom. One year later,
2490-604: The Atlantic Ocean at the Port of Palm Beach via the Lake Worth Inlet . The next closest inlet exists farther south in Boynton Beach . The port and two inlets are all distant from the actual city of Lake Worth Beach. The lake is a long channel that spans much of east-central and northeastern Palm Beach County; indeed, the Intracoastal Waterway traverses the length of the lagoon. The manmade inlets to
2573-497: The Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) south from West Palm Beach to Miami in 1896, a land development scheme was created to plant a townsite between the railroad and the lake. Purchasers of agricultural lots, most of which were located in modern-day Greenacres , would also receive a small 25 by 25 ft (7.6 by 7.6 m) lot within the city of Lake Worth. The developer, Bryant & Greenwood, promoted
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2656-640: The Florida land boom of the 1920s , with Lake Worth's population more than quintupling from 1,106 in 1920 to nearly 6,000 in 1930. Following the approval of a $ 100,000 bond issue in 1920, the Mediterranean Revival-style Lake Worth Casino and Baths was constructed. Opening two years later, the casino drew many tourists to the area. Moreover, the 1920s saw the completion of the Gulf Stream Hotel , which
2739-642: The Guatemalan genocide being committed against the indigenous Maya people in Guatemala, often referred to as the Silent Holocaust. The Maya mostly converse in Mam , Q'anjob'al , or any one of 22 existing Mayan languages spoken in Guatemala. Adding to the racial and linguistic mix of the city is a large Haitian population , many of whom speak Creole . Most immigrants from Haiti have also arrived in
2822-561: The Seaboard Air Line Railway constructed a freight and passenger depot in Lake Worth on 4th Avenue North. William A. Boutwell arrived in the area in the 1920s. He established Boutwell Dairy in 1927 and managed the company until retiring in 1956. Boutwell is credited with inventing half & half creamer ; the dairy later merged with Alfar Creamery and then T.G. Lee, who distributed the product more widely until it became an American diner staple. Boutwell also owned
2905-516: The Supreme Court of the United States in 1954, Palm Beach County schools only slowly integrated. John Green and Theresa Jakes Kanu became among the first black students to attend a formerly whites-only high school in Palm Beach County when they arrived at Lake Worth High Community High School in 1961. Little further progress on the racial integration of schools in the county occurred until a court order in 1970. The 1960s and 1970s also brought
2988-412: The 1950s with a shoebox style architectural design. Although the 1949 hurricane made landfall in Lake Worth, the cyclone caused less impact than the 1947 storm. Around 300–400 homes were damaged, with one destroyed, while the storm deroofed many homes in the Osborne Colored Addition. Winds also destroyed a filling station and shattered many windows at downtown businesses. In 1954,
3071-808: The Black Diamonds, who settled on the shores of the Lake Worth Lagoon near the current 5th Avenue South in 1885. A stone monument dedicated to Samuel and Fannie James at the northwest corner of Lucerne Avenue ( State Road 802 ) and J Street inaccurately uses the date 1883, due to a transcription error. The couple made a claim for their land under the Homestead Act in 1885. Their holdings, originally 187 acres (76 ha), increased over time to more than 700 acres (280 ha), including 160 acres (65 ha) of homestead land south of Lake Avenue (State Road 802) between M and F Streets; 163.3 acres (66.1 ha) in modern-day College Park , acquired from
3154-536: The Florida Atlantic coast in the areas of Martin and Palm Beach counties. The remains of shell mounds sites, mostly dating back to approximately 750–1500 CE , attest to pre-Columbian Jaega inhabitation near Lake Worth Beach, including in Boynton Beach , Palm Beach , and South Palm Beach . Among the city's first non-indigenous settlers were Samuel and Fannie James. The Jameses were an African American couple reported to be ex- slaves , known as
3237-510: The Historic Old Town Commercial District. In terms of population, Lake Worth Beach ranked as the ninth largest city in Palm Beach County, with 42,219 residents according to the 2020 census. Lake Worth Beach is considered one of the most ethnically and racially diverse cities in Palm Beach County. Less than a majority of residents identify as non-Hispanic white , while Hispanic whites represented
3320-517: The Lake Worth Beach CRA, including: The College Park and Old Lucerne (Parrot Cove) neighborhoods are notable for being historic districts listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The former is a neighborhood in which most of the homes were constructed 1925 and 1949. Of the 123 residences in College Park, 90 residences are classified as contributing and the remaining 33 others classified as non-contributing, with
3403-564: The NRHP in 2001, encompasses much of downtown Lake Worth Beach. A total of 59 buildings are part of the roughly 16-acre (6.5 ha) area, which stretches westward to the Florida East Coast Railroad (adjacent to G Street), eastward to M Street, northward to Lucerne Avenue, and southward to 1st Avenue South. It is distinguished by its two main streets, the east-to-west Lake Avenue and Lucerne Avenue, while Dixie Highway
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3486-494: The NRHP since 2001. Later in the 2000s decade, the city was hit especially hard by hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004 and Wilma in 2005. Wilma alone destroyed 27 homes and 7 businesses and damaged 2,491 homes and 93 businesses to some degree. Damage to businesses, government properties, and residences combined from Wilma totaled approximately $ 28.3 million. The William O. Lockhart Municipal Pier, constructed in 1954, suffered significant damage from
3569-954: The Oakley Theater, the Gulf Stream Hotel, the Scottish Rites Cathedral, the Masonic Temple, the Florida Hotel, a car dealership, a sporting goods store, an investment company, the Old Lake Worth City Hall , and an auditorium at Lake Worth Community High School . Additionally, the bridge across the Intracoastal Waterway was virtually destroyed. The hurricane caused approximately $ 4 million worth of damages in Lake Worth, as well as three deaths. In
3652-544: The Palm Beach Farms Company platted approximately 7,000 residential lots and constructed some 55 mi (89 km) of roads, including Lake Avenue, a major thoroughfare. Lake Worth Beach was incorporated as the "town of Lake Worth" on June 14, 1913. Its first elected Mayor was James Love, a carpenter and member of the Socialist Party of America . The town grew rapidly enough that
3735-410: The United States since the early 1980s. The downtown area underwent restoration efforts in the late 1990s. The Florida Department of Transportation spent $ 3.9 million to improve sidewalks and streets, while the city of Lake Worth contributed over $ 670,000 for benches, landscaping, planters, trash cans, and new lights and sidewalk pavers. As a result, downtown property values increased in 1997 for
3818-429: The United States, at 8.10% of the city's population, and the eighty-third highest percentage of Cuban residents in the United States, at 3.47% of its population. It also had the twenty-third most Hondurans in the United States, at 1.59% of all residents. The city has an estimated labor force of 19,978 people as of 2019, though 10,357 people age 16 or older were not in the labor force. Lake Worth Beach had
3901-401: The accuser, Pastor Mike Olive of Common Ground Church, later stated that the "problems are behind us now." A ballot initiative to change the name of the city to Lake Worth Beach in 2019, passed by a narrow margin. The city stated that the name change "will be implemented slowly". One of the main reasons cited for the proposal was to distinguish the city from its suburbs to the west, which have
3984-527: The addition in the early 1920s, when the Ku Klux Klan forced them out of western Lantana. Two years after the addition was platted, a wooden automobile traffic bridge over Lake Worth was completed in 1919, the same year the Brelsford family of Palm Beach deeded a 1,000 ft (300 m) parcel of land on the barrier island to the town. The town benefited with the rest of South Florida during
4067-408: The age of 18 living with them, 36.9% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no spouse present, and 44.4% were non-families. Approximately 33.6% of all households were made up of one individual, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.19. In 2000, the median income for
4150-549: The area to markets across the United States and Canada. They proposed to name the town Lucerne, but the United States Postal Service refused to accept the name because there already was a Lucerne post office, now a neighborhood in Miami Gardens . Therefore, the city founders changed the new town's name to Lake Worth. In April 1911, "A solitary Indian mound surrounded by wild woods marked
4233-400: The city has a total area of 6.81 square miles (18 km ), of which 5.89 square miles (15 km ) is land and 0.92 square miles (2 km ) (13.51%) is water. Several geographical features in Palm Beach County somewhat confusingly share the name "Lake Worth." The city of Lake Worth Beach is named after a lagoon which is officially known as the Lake Worth Lagoon . This lagoon opens to
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#17327870358504316-418: The city include French at 1.96%, Mayan languages were spoken by 1.11% (primarily spoken by Guatemalans of Mayan descent ), and German as a mother tongue was spoken by 0.52% of the population. As of 2000, Lake Worth Beach had the twentieth highest percentage of Guatemalan residents in the United States, with 4.87% of the populace. It had the twenty-first highest percentage of Haitian residents in
4399-489: The city seized his floating home . In 2018, Lozman won a rare second victory at the court, this one arising from his arrest during a city council meeting in November 2006. Public Elementary Schools Public Middle School Public High Schools Charter High School Riviera Beach is served by several bus routes operated by PalmTran . Lake Worth, Florida Lake Worth Beach, previously named Lake Worth,
4482-528: The city, including a street painting festival, several ethnic festivals, and Palm Beach Pride, one of the largest LGBTQIA+ pride festivals in Florida. Native Americans migrated into Florida beginning about 12,000 years ago. While evidence near the town of Jupiter indicates local inhabitation dating back to the Paleo-Indian period , the Jaega were the first known tribe to have resided along
4565-442: The city, the age distribution was 5.2% at 65 or older, 22.2% was under 18, 17.0% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, and 24.5% from 45 to 64; the median age was 35. years. For every 117 males, there were 100 females. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 121 males. Around 30.1% of the households in 2010 had children under the age of 18 living with them, 11.7% were married couples living together, 13.1% had
4648-565: The city. The city was named after the French Riviera . The approximate coordinates for the City of Riviera Beach is located in the northeast central part of Palm Beach County at 26°46′48″N 80°4′2″W / 26.78000°N 80.06722°W / 26.78000; -80.06722 . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 9.8 square miles (25 km ), of which 8.3 square miles (21 km )
4731-416: The city. As of 2000, 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.1% were married couples living together, 27.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 22.3% 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 4.62. In 2000,
4814-537: The construction of many apartments, condominiums, and larger commercial buildings, which often resulted in the demolition of older structures. During a period of neglect and decline between the 1970s and 1990s, Lake Worth, in the words of then-city commissioner Dennis Dorsey, "had become known as the skin-flick capital of the country". The venue now known as the Lake Worth Playhouse was the Playtoy, and
4897-424: The countywide average of 12.0% and nearly double the Florida average of 12.4%. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 34,910 people, 12,466 households, and 6,744 families were residing in the city. The population density was 5,945.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,979.26/km ). The 16,473 housing units averaged 2,418.94 inhabitants per square mile (933.95/km ). As of 2010, in
4980-474: The estate of William Stephan, where Fannie ran a pineapple farm; and 160 acres (65 ha) to the south between the current Dixie and Federal highways ( Route 1 and State Road 5 ), acquired from Swedish immigrants Olai and Sarah Gudmundsen. The initial name of the area's first post office was Jewel (sometimes spelled Jewell), which served the few residences between Lantana and West Palm Beach . Between 1889 and 1903, Fannie James served as postmaster of
5063-452: The fashionable part of town, where the wealthy of the earth can display their artistic taste and make ideal homes. These lots are selling so fast that but very few are left." Another section of the town was plotted in 1917, the Osborne Colored Addition, a small African American neighborhood along the south end of Lake Worth and west of the FEC. Some of the first African American families arrived in
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#17327870358505146-499: The first known settlers in modern-day Lake Worth Beach in 1885, filing a homestead claim on 187 acres (76 ha). Fannie James operated the Jewell Post Office from 1889 to 1903 to serve the few residents who lived between Lantana and West Palm Beach. A land development scheme by Bryant & Greenwood in the 1910s allowed buyers to receive a parcel of land if they purchased a lot in present-day Greenacres . Consequently,
5229-443: The first time since the late 1980s. The area then saw a huge resurgence in interest and now sports an array of art galleries, sidewalk cafés, and night clubs. The city's main street, Lake Avenue, contains some of the oldest commercial structures in South Florida. Lake Avenue, along with the parallel street of Lucerne Avenue, include most of the structures constituting the Historic Old Town Commercial District , which has been listed in
5312-558: The former address has been listed in the NRHP since 1989 and is also often referred to as City Hall Annex. Foreign political turmoil and the South Florida construction boom have brought another wave of immigrants from Central America and the Caribbean , especially since the 1980s. Included in the immigration wave of that decade were many Guatemalan- Mayans , who consider themselves indigenous people rather than "Hispanic" or "Latino", and some may not speak Spanish . Many Guatemalan-Maya people migrated to Lake Worth Beach to seek refuge from
5395-409: The hurricanes, especially due to Frances and Jeanne, requiring $ 3.4 million to be repaired. The pier is home to a tide gauge with a sporadic history, showing an above average rate of sea level rise . In 2015, the city was accused of asking for business licenses from surrounding churches. Then-City Manager Michael Bornstein described the controversy as a "dust-up" that became politicized, while
5478-621: The immediate aftermath of the storm, the Gulf Stream Hotel was converted to a makeshift hospital. The devastation left Lake Worth without a functional center for city government, although records were mostly unscathed. Consequently, a temporary city hall was established at the Lauriston building. The storm, combined with the Great Depression led to a severe economic decline within the community. Construction projects primarily shifted to repairing damaged buildings. However, there were
5561-411: The incorporated city of Lake Worth Beach is small geographically, as is common in Palm Beach County, a large unincorporated urbanized area with a Lake Worth postal address lies to the west of the city. Only two zip codes are within the city's boundaries, 33460 and the eastern edge of 33641, while 33449, the remainder of 33461, 33462, 33463, and 33467 zip codes are located outside the city limits but may use
5644-402: The link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Riviera_Beach&oldid=933089649 " Category : Place name disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Riviera Beach, Florida Riviera Beach
5727-486: The local economy, which returned to a state of stability in the post-war years. Two hurricanes impacted Lake Worth later in the 1940s, one in 1947 and the other in 1949 . Although the former damaged nearly all businesses and about half of homes, few structures suffered serious damage. However, among the structures experiencing substantial impact was the Lake Worth Casino, which was repaired and reopened in
5810-571: The minimum standard of 60mm in the driest month needed to qualify for that designation. Much of the year is warm to hot in Riviera Beach, and frost is extremely rare. As is typical in South Florida , there are two basic seasons in Riviera Beach, a mild and dry winter (November through April), and a hot and wet summer (May through October). Daily thundershowers are common in the hot season, though they are brief. The city of Riviera Beach
5893-508: The ocean have replaced the natural freshwater with saltwater , such that the lagoon is actually now an estuary , instead of a true lagoon. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has mapped most of Lake Worth Beach in the Southern Florida Flatwoods land resource area. Deep, poorly drained acidic sandy soils are typical for the area; they have gray topsoil , white subsoil , and a dark hardpan. Much of Lake Worth Beach
5976-510: The population increased from 38 in July 1912 to 308 only five months later. The town of Lake Worth was incorporated in June ;1913. Its first elected mayor was James Love, a carpenter and member of the Socialist Party of America . Thereafter, Lake Worth grew rapidly during the 1920s land boom and in the decades following World War II . Residents voted to change the official name to Lake Worth Beach in 2019. Today, Lake Worth Beach
6059-402: The population was spread out, with 37.5% 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 107.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.6 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 28,715, and the median income for a family
6142-476: The population. In 2000, the age distribution of the population was spread out in 2000, with 22.9% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 108.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112 males. In 2000, 26.0% had children under
6225-609: The post office, located in a small dry goods shop, which the couple operated to serve the lake traffic that connected the small pioneer homesteads located along the banks of the Lake Worth Lagoon. Area pioneers also reported that Jewell was included as a stop on the route of the barefoot mailman via the Celestial Railroad by July 1889. Beginning in the 1890s, the Jameses sold off most of their acreage in
6308-747: The spot where flourishing Lake Worth is now growing beyond the most vivid imagination", according to a promotional article published in the Lake Worth Herald . The population of the nascent city stood at 38 in July 1912. During that year, the library, schoolhouse, newspaper, Women's Club, Chamber of Commerce, first church, and first railroad station (operated by the FEC at Lake Avenue) were established. The town's first census in December ;1912 indicated that there were "308 residents, 125 houses, 10 wagons, seven automobiles, 36 bicycles and 876 fowls." Additionally, from 1911 to 1912,
6391-416: The storm demolished about 600 homes and damaged 1,500 others, leaving about 700 people homeless. Fewer than 10% of homes escaped damage. Approximately 50 businesses were wrecked and 200 others received damage – roughly 75% of buildings in the business district. The storm demolished or severely damaged many buildings, including First Presbyterian Church, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church,
6474-496: Was $ 26,756. In 2000, males had a median income of $ 27,232 versus $ 22,410 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 13,159. About 29.6% of families and 32.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.1% of those under age 18 and 21.4% of those age 65 or over. As of 2000, those who solely spoke English at home accounted for 90.30% of all residents, while speakers of Spanish were 4.71%, French Creole 2.42%, and French speakers 0.95%. Riviera Beach has
6557-402: Was 6,225.5/mi² (2,405.1/km²). There were 15,861 housing units at an average density of 2,810.6/mi² (1,085.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.12% White (48.1% were Non-Hispanic White ), 18.86% African American , 0.78% Native American , 0.75% Asian , 0.11% Pacific Islander , 9.57% from other races , and 4.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 29.71% of
6640-522: Was 7,164.26 inhabitants per square mile (2,766.10/km ). The 17,476 housing units averaged 2,564.90 inhabitants per square mile (990.31/km ). Approximately 76.5% of residents of the city were age 18 and over. As of 2019, he median household income in Lake Worth Beach is $ 42,500. This is significantly lower than the county and statewide medians from 2015–2019, which was $ 63,299 and $ 55,660, respectively. In 2019, an estimated 24.4% of residents were considered impoverished , more than twice
6723-435: Was originally called Oak Lawn, but the settlement was renamed Riviera in 1893. It wasn't until 1941 that "Beach" was added, though it was incorporated in 1922 as only the "Town of Riviera". In 1959, it converted from a "town" status to the present-day "City of Riviera Beach". For the first half of the 20th century, its nickname was "Conchtown", after the many Conch people ( Bahamians and Bahamian Americans ) who resided in
6806-451: Was spoken by 9.17% of the population. Lake Worth Beach has a large Finnish expatriate population, and Finnish is spoken by 2.57% of the city's residents as their native language . Furthermore, people of Finnish ancestry were 3.4% of the population. With 1,026 people claiming Finn descent in 2000, Lake Worth Beach had the largest concentration of Finnish people in the world outside of Finland. Other languages spoken by residents of
6889-622: Was well known in Palm Beach County as the theater that showed X-rated movies; Deep Throat was shown there, motivating a police raid in the 1970s. The decade also saw the construction of the current bridge across the Intracoastal Waterway. Opening in 1973, the Robert A. Harris Bridge is two lanes wider and higher than the previous bridge, built in 1938. Also during 1973, the Lake Worth City Hall moved from 414 Lake Avenue to 7 North Dixie Highway, its current location. The building at
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