Riviera Beach, Florida

Riviera Beach, Florida
City
City of Riviera Beach
Seal
Nickname:  Conchtown [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Motto:  "Best Waterfront City"
Location of Riviera Beach in Palm Beach County, Florida
Coordinates: 26°46′48″N80°4′2″W / 26.78000°N 80.06722°W / 26.78000; -80.06722
Country	United States
State	Florida
County	Palm Beach
Settled (Lake Worth Settlement)	c.  Early 1860s–1880 [1] [6]
Settled (Oak Lawn Settlement)	c.  1881–1892 [1] [6]
Platted (Riviera Settlement)	c.  1893–1921 [1] [6]
Incorporated (Town of Riviera)	September 29, 1922 (1922-09-29) [1] [6]
Incorporated (Town of Riviera Beach)	1941 [1] [2] [6]
Incorporated (City of Riviera Beach)	1959 [1] [6]
Named for	French Riviera [7]
Government
• Type	Council-Manager
•  Mayor	Ronnie L. Felder (D)
•  Council Members	Tradrick McCoy, Shirley D. Lanier, Douglas Lawson, KaShamba Miller-Anderson, and Dr. Glen Spiritis
•  City Manager	Jonathan E. Evans
•  City Clerk	Debrah Hall
•  City Attorney	Dawn Wynn
Area [8]
• Total	9.66 sq mi (25.01 km2)
• Land	8.28 sq mi (21.44 km2)
• Water	1.38 sq mi (3.57 km2)
Elevation [9]	16 ft (5 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	37,604
• Density	3,900/sq mi (1,500/km2)
Time zone	UTC– 05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC– 04:00 (EDT)
ZIP codes	33403, 33404, 33407, 33410, 33418 [10]
Area code(s)	561, 728
FIPS code	12-60975 [11]
GNIS feature ID	2404626 [9]
Website	https://www.rivierabch.com

Riviera Beach 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. ^[12]

Riviera Beach is predominantly an African-American city and it is on the list of U.S. cities with African American majority populations. It is home to the Port of Palm Beach and a United States Coast Guard station, and has its own marina. ^{[13] [14]} Riviera Beach is home to Blue Heron Bridge, one of the country's top-rated beach dive sites. ^[15] In 2015, Riviera Beach renamed part of Old Dixie Highway that runs inside the city limits as President Barack Obama Highway. ^[16] The city is also home to Rapids Water Park, a water park attraction for both tourists and residents.

History

Riviera Beach was originally called Oak Lawn, but the settlement was renamed Riviera in 1893. ^[1] It wasn't until 1941 that "Beach" was added, though it was incorporated in 1922 as only the "Town of Riviera". ^[1] In 1959, it converted from a "town" status to the present-day "City of Riviera Beach". ^{[6] [1]} For the first half of the 20th century, its nickname was "Conchtown", after the many Conch people (Bahamians and Bahamian Americans) who resided in the city. ^{[1] [2] [17] [18] [19]} The city was named after the French Riviera. ^[7]

Geography

The approximate coordinates for the City of Riviera Beach is located in the northeast central part of Palm Beach County at 26°46′48″N80°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 km²), of which 8.3 square miles (21 km²) is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²) (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.

Climate

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 the minimum standard of 60mm in the driest month needed to qualify for that designation. ^[20] 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 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.

Climate data for Riviera Beach, Florida
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	75 (24)	77 (25)	79 (26)	82 (28)	86 (30)	89 (32)	90 (32)	90 (32)	88 (31)	85 (29)	80 (27)	76 (24)	83 (28)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	57 (14)	59 (15)	62 (17)	66 (19)	71 (22)	74 (23)	76 (24)	76 (24)	75 (24)	72 (22)	66 (19)	60 (16)	68 (20)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	3.13 (80)	2.94 (75)	4.59 (117)	3.66 (93)	4.51 (115)	8.30 (211)	5.76 (146)	7.95 (202)	8.35 (212)	5.13 (130)	4.75 (121)	3.38 (86)	62.45 (1,588)
Source: The Weather Channel [21]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1930	811		—
1940	1,981		144.3%
1950	4,065		105.2%
1960	13,046		220.9%
1970	21,401		64.0%
1980	26,489		23.8%
1990	27,639		4.3%
2000	29,884		8.1%
2010	32,488		8.7%
2020	37,604		15.7%
U.S. Decennial Census [22]

Riviera Beach, Florida – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.

Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000 [23]	Pop 2010 [24]	Pop 2020 [25]	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	7,586	7,440	8,302	25.38%	22.90%	22.08%
Black or African American alone (NH)	20,066	21,126	22,877	67.15%	65.03%	60.84%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	38	76	45	0.13%	0.23%	0.12%
Asian alone (NH)	295	765	1,087	0.99%	2.35%	2.89%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)	7	18	7	0.02%	0.06%	0.02%
Other race alone (NH)	49	98	164	0.16%	0.30%	0.44%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	495	547	1,082	1.66%	1.68%	2.88%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1,348	2,418	4,040	4.51%	7.44%	10.74%
Total	29,884	32,488	37,604	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 37,604 people, 12,045 households, and 7,425 families residing in the city. ^[26]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 32,488 people, 12,015 households, and 7,710 families residing in the city. ^[27]

2000 census

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, 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 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%. ^[28]

Government

Riviera Beach has a mayor–council–manager form of government. ^[29] Ronnie Felder was elected to a second three-year term as its mayor in 2022. ^[30] 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, ^[31] and as of July 2022 ^[update] was in negotiations for a contract renewal. ^[32] The city is divided into five districts, each with a council member; the mayor does not vote. ^[30]

Video of Fane Lozman's arrest in 2006.

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. ^[33] In 2013, Lozman won against the city at the United States Supreme Court in an admiralty case after 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. ^[34]

Education

Public Elementary Schools

• Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School
• Lincoln Elementary School (formerly Lincoln High School was only for black students during segregation, and before that it was a called West Riviera Junior High School) ^[35]
• Washington Elementary School
• West Riviera Elementary School

Public Middle School

• John F Kennedy Middle School (originally John F. Kennedy High School was only for black students during segregation) ^[35]

Public High Schools

• Inlet Grove High School
• Suncoast High School (originally Riviera Beach High School was only for white students during segregation) ^[35]

Charter High School

• Riviera Beach Preparatory and Achievement Academy (Grades 5–12)

Transportation

Riviera Beach is served by several bus routes operated by PalmTran. ^[36]

Business and economy

• EDF Incorporated (1978)

Notable people

• Anthony Carter (born 1960) – Michigan and NFL wide receiver, 3× Pro Bowl selection
• Paul DeJong (born 1993) - MLB infielder for the San Francisco Giants.
• Devin Hester (born 1982) – NFL record-holding kick returner for Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons, member of National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
• Elizabeth Jacobson (1984–2005) – USAF airman, killed in Iraq War
• Richard Rellford (born 1964) – professional basketball player
• Burt Reynolds (1936–2018) – actor, moved to Riviera Beach in 1946 at the age of 10; his father, a police officer, was once the Riviera Beach Chief of Police
• Willie Young (born 1985) – NFL defensive end

See also

• Amaryllis (ship)

References

1. "A History of Riviera Beach, Florida" (PDF). www.rivierabch.com. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
2. "FlashBlack: Riviera Beach (by Lady Hereford)". The Palm Beach Post . Retrieved March 11, 2019.
3. "Capturing the "Conch People" in Florida". MyFloridaHistory.org. Florida Historical Society. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
4. Neely, Wayne (December 9, 2014). The Great Okeechobee Hurricane of 1928. ISBN   9781491754467 . Retrieved March 11, 2019.
5. Foster, Charles C. 1991. Conchtown USA, with Folk songs & tales collected by Veonica Huss. Boca Raton, Florida: Florida Atlantic University Press. ISBN   0-8130-1042-X
6. "Riviera and Riviera Beach". Palm Beach County Historical Society. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
7. Eliot Kleinberg (September 16, 1987). "What's in a name? Lots of history if it's a town". The Palm Beach Post. p. 7D. Retrieved January 14, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
8. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
9. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Riviera Beach, Florida
10. "Riviera Beach, FL ZIP Codes". zipmap.net. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
12. "Riviera Beach city, Florida". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 26, 2022.
13. Riviera Beach Crime Report, cityrating.com; retrieved July 29, 2006.
14. Riviera Beach struggles to overcome decades of divisiveness, palmbeachpost.com; retrieved July 29, 2006.
15. "Blue Heron Bridge". Blue Heron Bridge: Diving + Snorkeling Blue Heron Bridge. SinkFloridaSink.com. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
16. "Old Dixie Highway renamed in honor of Obama in Riviera Beach". Sun Sentinel. December 17, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
17. "Capturing the "Conch People" in Florida". MyFloridaHistory.org. Florida Historical Society. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
18. Neely, Wayne (December 9, 2014). The Great Okeechobee Hurricane of 1928. ISBN   9781491754467 . Retrieved March 11, 2019.
19. Foster, Charles C. 1991. Conchtown USA, with Folk songs & tales collected by Veonica Huss. Boca Raton, Florida: Florida Atlantic University Press. ISBN   0-8130-1042-X
20. "Köppen Climate Classification System". The Encyclopedia of Earth. June 6, 2015. Archived from the original on June 19, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
21. "Average weather for Riviera Beach". The Weather Channel. March 11, 2019. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
22. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
23. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Riviera Beach, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
24. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Riviera Beach, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
25. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Riviera Beach, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
26. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Riviera Beach city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
27. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Riviera Beach city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
28. "MLA Data Center Results of Riviera Beach, FL". Modern Language Association . Retrieved November 13, 2007.
29. "Council Members". Riviera Beach, Florida. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
30. Keller, Larry (March 22, 2022). "Riviera Beach runoff: Mayor Ronnie Felder, City Council member Shirley D. Lanier win re-election". The Palm Beach Post . Retrieved November 10, 2022.
31. Moore, Wanda (July 12, 2019). "Jonathan Evans returns as Riviera Beach's city manager". WPTV . Retrieved November 10, 2022.
32. Wilson, Todd (July 14, 2022). "Riviera Beach City Council debate new contract for city manager". WPTV . Retrieved November 10, 2022.
33. Snyder, Jesse D. H. (2019). "What Fane Lozman Can Teach Us About Free Speech". Wyoming Law Review . 19: 439. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022.
34. Daugherty, Alex (June 18, 2018). "South Florida activist is 2-0 at the Supreme Court after First Amendment victory" . Miami Herald. Archived from the original on February 6, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
35. pbchistoryonline.org. "Historical Association of Palm Beach Count: More Schools". Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
36. "Palm Tran Home". Pbcgov.com. Archived from the original on September 6, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2016.

External links

• Online version (made available for public use by the State Archives of Florida) of a 1939 WPA exhibit on the Conchs of Riviera Beach, Florida