Sugarcane fields and small-town life in the Glades Region
Pahokee has fewer than 6,000 residents, but it's a mighty anchor of the agricultural Glades Region in Palm Beach County. The small city is filled with and surrounded by sugar cane and vegetable fields, stretching along Lake Okeechobee’s nutrient-rich shores. “The dirt out there is very rich; they call it muck,” says Oscar Herrera, a Realtor with eXp Realty who was born and raised in the Glades. “They harvest a lot of sugar cane, but not just that. You name it, they probably grow it.” Pahokee has been a farming community for over a century. Healthcare, retail, transportation and warehousing have brought diversity to the job market, but in terms of future growth, Herrera says the city struggles. “Hopefully, they will get the right people behind those seats and start growing and prospering. The last mayor, city manager and commissioners all had their own agenda, and it wasn’t expanding the Glades.” Under a new local government as of 2024, Pahokee keeps old-world Florida alive.
Midcentury cottages and ranch homes near the lakeshore
Renters and homeowners live side-by-side in Pahokee. Most properties range from under $100,000 to almost $300,000, but those on more than a half-acre can list between $400,000 and $500,000. Architecturally, the city is true to its old Florida roots, featuring vintage midcentury homes like cottages and ranch-style houses. Pahokee has houses near the lakeshore, but the Hoover Dike and city-run campgrounds separate them from the water’s edge. Regardless, much of the community falls within a special flood zone, so homebuyers may need flood insurance for federally backed mortgages. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.
Families can choose between district schools and private education
The School District of Palm Beach County has a B-plus on Niche and offers school choice. Pahokee Elementary receives a C-plus, and Pahokee Middle-Senior High gets a B. Middle and high schoolers are split between two campuses, both with opportunities to participate in robotics competitions. As for athletics, Herrera says football is huge in the Glades. “Pahokee plays Belle Glade every year,” he says. “They call it the Muck Bowl. It gets sold almost every year, depending on how good the teams are. People are invested.” The Shepherd’s School, graded B-plus, is a faith-based, private option for kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Lakeside campground offers fishing, hiking and sunset views
The pet-friendly Pahokee Campground and Marina sits along the lakeshore with waterfront RV hookups and camp sites. Visitors enjoy fishing, birding and watching sunsets on Lake Okeechobee. Convenient for hikers, the 125-acre area is right on the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, a section of the larger Florida National Scenic Trail that traces the Hoover Dike. Folks can also bike the dike, but the branching Ocean to Lake Trail is for hikers only. The Ocean to Lake trail runs through the DuPuis Management Area, an over 20,000-acre stretch of wetlands and woods, a mix of pines, hardwoods and palmettos. With miles of equestrian trails, it’s a destination for horseback riding, while its clearings and campgrounds make for great stargazing spots.
Route 98 offers essentials and fried fish, with more options nearby
U.S. Route 98, the main road, is lined with royal palm trees and stops for day-to-day errands. Dollar General, Save A Lot and Family Dollar share a parking lot down the street from a couple of gas stations. The strip also has some spots for grabbing grub, including Hook Fish & Chicken, a familiar chain that serves everything from catfish fillets to chicken gizzards. Poppa Jimmy's Catfish & More is another popular place to pick up fried fish. More options for shopping and dining are around 10 miles south in the neighboring city of Belle Glade.
Pahokee has direct highway access to major destinations
West Palm Beach and Palm Beach International Airport are just under 50 miles away, and Pahokee is connected to both by Route 98. The closest hospital is Lakeside Medical Center, located in Belle Glade, less than 10 miles away.
Written By
Micaela Willoughby
