Palm Beach, Florida
Palm Beach, Florida retains a scenic 10.4 square mile area along a 16-mile long barrier island in luxurious Palm Beach County. Palm Beach lies just 65 miles north of Miami, while the Atlantic Ocean lies to the east and the Intracoastal Waterway to the west. The Intracoastal Waterway acts as a barrier that separates Palm Beach from the communities of Lake Worth and West Palm Beach.
Palm Beach, FL was the first settled community in Palm Beach County. Established by railroad mogul Henry Flagler during the Gilded Age, this vibrant coastal community began as a service town for Lake Worth; however, it eventually became a major town in its own right. The town, incorporated on April 17, 1911, developed around Flagler’s railroads and the renowned luxury hotels, The Breakers Hotel & Resort and Royal Poinciana Hotel. Flagler’s contributions, through his hotels and railroads, helped to establish agriculture and tourism as mainstays in the early Florida economy.
In 2000, Palm Beach reported a year-round population of 10,468 (Census 2000 data), while the seasonal population reached approximately 30,000 each year. This affluent community, known for its exclusivity and wealth, earned the title of “America’s Best Place to Live” by Robb Report magazine in 2003. Residents earn a median family income of nearly $138,000 per year, while the personal per capita income averages just over $109,000.
Palm Beach, Florida, also called “The Gold Coast”, embodies the expanse of land closest to Florida’s Gulf Stream, where palm tree-lined beaches, palatial gardens and an extensive marine habitat are standard fare. Palm Beach boasts a vivacious Downtown region that features stylish Mediterranean architecture, where visitors have access to a stunning natural backdrop and their choice of unique galleries, restaurants and shops. Tourists often visit Palm Beach, FL simply to catch a glimpse of a celebrity or the many majestic mansions that dot the area. Notable residents of the past and present include Jimmy Buffett, the Kennedy Family, John Lennon and famed author James Patterson.
Additional sites of interest in Palm Beach, FL include Four Arts Gardens, Mar-A-Lago and Whitehall, the Flagler Museum. Built in 1902, Whitehall was a Beaux-Arts mansion designed by the New York firm, Carrere and Hastings. Henry Flagler entertained guests so frequently at his opulent home that it eventually played a significant role in developing Palm Beach’s winter “season”. Palm Beach residents also have the added benefit of myriad cultural and recreational choices in nearby communities such as Boca Raton, Lake Worth and West Palm Beach.
Palm Beach, Florida reflects the ideals of its founders. This delightful community has all the charm of small-town living with something for everyone. Whether looking for a weekend getaway or a new location for your home or business, Palm Beach, FL affords exciting possibilities.
