Okeechobee (US: ) is a city in Okeechobee County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population was 5,621, reflecting an increase of 245 (+4.6%) from the 5,376 counted in the 2000 Census. It is the county seat of Okeechobee County. The Lake Okeechobee area was the site of the worst effects of the 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane, the first recorded Category 5 hurricane in the North Atlantic and still one of the deadliest hurricanes ever to strike the US.
Okeechobee is serviced by the Okeechobee County Airport (IATA: OBE, ICAO: KOBE).
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,376 people, 1,837 households, and 1,287 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,302.9 people per square mile (502.6/km²). There were 2,102 housing units at an average density of 509.4 per square mile (196.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 79.00% White, 10.81% African American, 0.50% Native American, 0.99% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 6.42% from other races, and 2.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.66% of the population.
There were 1,837 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city, the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.9 males. There are five elementary schools: South Elementary, Central Elementary, Seminole Elementary, Everglades Elementary, and North Elementary. There are two middle schools: Yearling Middle School, and Osceola Middle School. The Okeechobee High School consists of two facilities. There is a 9th grade center and a campus for 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. There is also a private school for grades Kâ€"12, Okeechobee Christian Academy.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,265, and the median income for a family was $30,179. Males had a median income of $24,979 versus $20,658 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,701. About 16.5% of families and 19.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.
Geography
Okeechobee is located at 27°14′N 80°50′W (27.2416, -80.8332) just north of Lake Okeechobee.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.2 square miles (11Â km2), of which 4.1 square miles (11Â km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10Â km2) (0.96%) is water.
Climate
Okeechobee is just cool enough in January to fall short of an Am or Af (tropical monsoon or rainforest) classification and thus has a Cfa (humid subtropical) climate.
Points of interest
On 25 December 1837, Lake Okeechobee became the site of an important battle in the Second Seminole War, fought between a number of Seminole Native American groups, the United States government, and allied militias. The battlefield is now the site of a 145-acre (0.59Â km2) park, and annual reenactments.
In 2016, Okeechobee became home to the Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival. This multi-day, multi-genre music festival attracted approximately 30,000 people to the city in its first year.
Notable residents
- Janet Bonnema, civil engineer
Thomas Rooney, U.S. House of Representatives, Florida's 17th district
Reggie Remert former University of West Virginia, New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Gene Harris former major league baseball pitcher for Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres
Lonnie Pryor former fullback for Florida State University, Orange Bowl MVP and Jacksonville Jaguars
Jimmy Jones former defensive lineman for National Champions Miami Hurricanes and Super Bowl winning Dallas Cowboy
Harold Kidd former defensive back for the University of West Virginia
Rufus McGill former defensive back for the University of West Virginia
Jimmy Gary former running back for the University of West Virginia and actor in Netflix series Orange is the New Black
Frankie Neal former Florida Gators and Green Bay Packers wide receiver
D. R. Daniel former world champion rodeo star
References
External links
- City of Okeechobee
