Sugar cane country with a tight-knit community of 5,000
South Bay is one of three little cities that anchor Palm Beach County’s agricultural Glades region, otherwise known as sugar cane country. Named for its location south of Lake Okeechobee, the farming community grew thanks to fertile muckland left by the draining of the Everglades in the early 1900s. Today, the canal-side city is surrounded by plowland and has a population of about 5,000. “I wouldn’t say people move to South Bay,” says Oscar Herrera, a Realtor with eXp Realty who was born and raised in the Glades. “People grow up there and upsize. It’s not uncommon for a family to go from a mobile home to a house to a bigger house.”
Herrera emphasizes the generational nature of life in the Glades. “Your family works for one of the sugar mills, then you go work for one of the sugar mills, and it goes on like that,” he says. The area is also known for growing winter vegetables, rice and sod. South Bay Correctional Facility is another major local employer.
Home prices vary, with many under $250,000
Home prices range from under $100,000 to around $375,000. The median sale price hovers around $245,000. Listings include cozy cottages and modest ranch-style houses on closely set lots. Although not directly on the lakeshore, South Bay is largely within a special flood zone, requiring some buyers get flood insurance for federally backed mortgages. Hurricane season ranges from the start of June to the end of November.
Public and private schools serve South Bay
The School District of Palm Beach County offers school choice and earns an overall B-plus on Niche. Rosenwald Elementary (C-plus) is within the community, while Lake Shore Middle (C) and Glades Central Community High (B-minus) are in Belle Glade. The high school features magnet programs for agritechnology, criminal justice, computer science and medical sciences. Glades Day School (B-plus) is also located in Belle Glade and offers private education for all grade levels.
Scenic trails, boat ramps and wildlife watching near South Bay
South Bay proper has two recreational areas: Tanner Park and Cox Park. Together they offer the city tennis, basketball and racquetball courts, walking trails and rentable community spaces. There’s a playground, and more options are available in Belle Glade. More rustic fun can be had near the lakeshore at John Stretch Memorial Park, roughly 6 miles away. It’s a hub for freshwater fishing, canoeing and kayaking with a ramp and parking for boats, too. Boaters can also access Lake Okeechobee’s renowned bass fishing at Torry Island Campground and Marina, featuring boat ramps and an on-site bait and tackle shop. The area has a little something for all outdoor enthusiasts, from its lakefront golf course and the scenic Hoover Dike trail to an observation tower where visitors can spot wildlife like bald eagles and ospreys while enjoying a panoramic view.
Essentials are close by, but variety is found in Belle Glade
Dollar General is the main chain in town for grabbing necessities, but quick grocery runs may take residents to locally owned spots like South Bay Market and Little Food Giant instead. As for grabbing grub, Flavors27 serves Jamaican fare on the main road, U.S. Highway 27. More dining and shopping options are less than 10 miles away in Belle Glade, which also has the closest hospital, Lakeside Medical Center.
Nearby highway links drivers to West Palm Beach amenities
South Bay is about 50 miles from Palm Beach International Airport, West Palm Beach and the Palm Beach oceanfront. And U.S. Route 98 – less than 10 miles away – connects to all three.
Written By
Micaela Willoughby
