Palm Beach County, Florida: Geography, Cities & Character

Palm Beach County occupies the southeastern Atlantic coast of Florida—the state's largest county by area (2,383 sq mi) and third most populous (~1.5M).

Location & Boundaries

• East: Atlantic Ocean (47 mi coastline)
• South: Broward County (Fort Lauderdale metro)
• West: Hendry County (Everglades agricultural area)
• North: Martin County
• Inland: Lake Okeechobee (western edge)

Major Municipalities

• West Palm Beach (county seat, 120K): Downtown revival, Clematis St, Norton Museum
• Boca Raton (100K): Affluent, FAU, Mizner Park, beaches
• Boynton Beach (80K): Growing, Ocean Ave revitalization
• Delray Beach (70K): Artsy, Atlantic Ave, "Most Fun Small Town"
• Jupiter (65K): Inlet, lighthouse, Scripps/Max Planck institutes
• Wellington (65K): Equestrian capital, winter festival
• Palm Beach Gardens (60K): PGA National, upscale retail

Distinctive Regions

• Barrier Islands: Palm Beach (town), Manalapan, Ocean Ridge, Gulf Stream—ultra-luxury estates.
• Coastal Ridge: Older suburbs, downtowns, intracoastal communities.
• Western Communities: Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, The Acreage—larger lots, equestrian.
• Glades Region: Belle Glade, Pahokee, South Bay—agricultural (sugar cane, vegetables), Lake Okeechobee access.

Economic Drivers

Tourism (beaches, golf, equestrian), healthcare, biotech/life sciences (Scripps, Max Planck, Torrey Pines), finance, construction, agriculture (winter vegetables, sugar). Port of Palm Beach (tropical fruit, cement, breakbulk).

Environmental Assets & Challenges

• Everglades: Northern edge; restoration (CERP) critical for water quality.
• Lake Worth Lagoon: Estuary restoration ongoing.
• Sea-level rise: High vulnerability; adaptation planning underway.
• Natural areas: J.W. Corbett WMA, Grassy Waters Preserve, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR.