the north by Delray Beach. The city is one of the largest in the Miami Metropolitan Area. It is located less than 50 miles from Miami. Nearly 30 square miles are included in the city limits, but many residences outside of the city limits have a Boca Raton mailing address. A small portion of the city lies on the barrier island called Deerfield Beach Island. Although the city is on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, there are places inland that are up to 24 feet above sea level.
Boca Raton has been incorporated since 1924. The city has grown into one of the wealthiest communities in the state. Members of the Tequesta tribe were the original inhabitants of the area that the city now includes. Addison Mizner was the primary architect of the city in the first half of the 20th century. His vision was to create a resort-focused town that would be more attractive than any other on the continent. During the 1950s, the city provided a site for two amusement parks that have long since stopped being in business. Because of World War II, an airfield was built by the United States Army in Boca Raton. The land that was once used for the airfield now has various uses including being the grounds for a university and an airport.
There are nearly 100,000 residents of Boca Raton. That number has essentially doubled since 1980. The population density is more than 3,000 residents per square mile. At just north of 46 years, the median age of the residents of the city is about five years greater than the state average. About 20 percent of the residents are over the age of 65. Almost 90 percent of the population is Caucasian. The median household income has surpassed $70,000 within the last decade. Three-quarters of the population speak English, while just more than 10 percent speak Spanish.
Florida Atlantic University is located in Boca Raton. But the school is not the city’s only reason for drawing so many visitors. The city is a hub for many businesses, evidenced by the dramatic increase in population during daytime hours. Mizner Park, named after the man credited with designing much of the downtown space, is a shopping center located downtown that includes a variety of stores, restaurants, theaters, and residences. Town Center at Boca Raton is a huge shopping center that is considered upscale with modern stores. The city hosts many festivals and events throughout the year that draw thousands of visitors to give a boost to local businesses.
