Belle Glade

Muck City; Her Soil is Her Fortune

Founded

1928

Place

Belle Glade, Palm Beach County

District

The Glades

Status as of 12 September 2026

Operating city, population 16,698 at the 2020 census, the largest of the Glades farm towns.

Connections

11 edges, 11 distinct neighbours · betweenness 0.163 (rank 7 of 243) · location and lineage only 0.112 (rank 4) · outside share 0.09

Confidence

High · sources: [WBGL] [BGH] [WKVL] (register)

Built on drained muck in 1925 as Hillsboro and incorporated 9 April 1928, the town is reached by the FEC lake shore extension by 1923 and anchored by the state's Everglades Experiment Station, authorized in 1921 [WBGL][WKVL][BGH]. The 16 September 1928 hurricane kills about 611 people in Belle Glade alone and drives construction of the Hoover Dike [WBGL][BGH].

Connections

Location and lineage

• unit or member ofFlorida Heartland Economic Region of Opportunityone of the four member cities of the regionongoing
• founded byFEC Kissimmee Valley Linethe lake shore extension reaches the muck settlement1923
• tied venture or seat ofA. Duda & Sonsthe produce and sod operation in the Gladesongoing
• tied venture or seat ofPioneer Growers Cooperativethe sweet corn cooperative's town1950 to present
• tied venture or seat ofSugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Floridaheadquarters town of the cooperative1960 to present
• tied venture or seat ofTKM Bengard Farmsthe lettuce operation and its Cypress Cooling plant1996 to present
• tied venture or seat ofFlorida Crystals rice millthe mill stands in Belle Gladeto present

Events and recognition

• featuresBlack Gold Jubileethe muck harvest celebration1978 to present

Support

• supported byUF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Centerthe station that unlocked the muck anchors the town1921 to present
• supported byHurricanes of 1926 and 1928about 611 dead in the town alone1928
• supported byFlorida Fruit & Vegetable Associationthe Glades shippers are core membership1943 to present