The Northwest Neighborhood of West Palm Beach, Florida, was a segregated black community from 1894 until 1929. It was incorporated on Nov. 5, 1894. While the city experienced a brief revitalization in the 1960s, crime continued to plague the area and the suburbs continued to drain resources from downtown. In the early 1990s, vacancy rates were high and the city's downtown area suffered from serious urban blight.
In 1909, the Florida State Legislature created Palm Beach County, and the city was named its county seat. In 1916, the city opened its neo-classical courthouse, which has been carefully restored and now serves as a local history museum. In addition to its modern facilities, the city has a thriving and eclectic culture. Its history dates back to the days when the city was a fishing village and a resort area.
In 2000, the median family income was $36,774, with males earning $30,221 while females made $26,473. The per capita income was $23,188. In the same year, 14.5% of the population and 18.9% of families were below the poverty line. In terms of income, the population of West Palm Beach, FL is 6,692 people, making it the fifth largest city in the state. The majority of its residents are employed in management and office and administrative support occupations.
A few hundred people settled the West Palm Beach area in the late 1870s, and in just four years, the population quadrupled. The booming economy spurred the development of the city and the establishment of businesses. In 1927, Flagler's railroad reached Miami, and began connecting the two cities. As a result, the area became a tourist and business hub. Today, the city's economic prosperity is largely dependent on the South Florida economy, and businesses flourish and thrive.