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Encyclopedia: Wellington, Florida

Wellington is a village in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The population was 38,216 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 49,976.

Geography

right|Location of Wellington, Florida
Wellington is located at coor (26.655135, .

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 81.2 km² (31.4 mi²). 80.4 km² (31.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.8 km² (0.3 mi²) of it (0.99%) is water.

Demographics

As of the population density was 475.2/km² (1,230.7/mi²). There were 14,761 housing units at an average density of 183.6/km² (475.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the village was 88.75% White, 5.38% African American, 0.13% Native American, 1.98% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.84% from other races, and 1.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.50% of the population.

There were 12,938 households out of which 47.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.7% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.4% were non-families. 13.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the village the population was spread out with 31.0% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $70,271, and the median income for a family was $77,078. Males had a median income of $53,244 versus $33,088 for females. The per capita income for the village was $30,726. About 2.9% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.2% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

History

Wellington was originally the world's largest strawberry patch. C. Oliver Wellington bought 18,000 acres of swampland in the 1950s in central Palm Beach County that eventually would be called the Village of Wellington. Wellington began as a planned unit development approved by Palm Beach County in 1972. For many years it functioned as a bedroom community with few shopping centers or restaurants until it was incorporated in December 1995. Wellington holds the biggest horseshow in the world from the last week in January to the middle of March.

Culture

The Village of Wellington is primarily a bedroom community with few major centers for entertainment and cultural events directly within its borders. However, its location in Palm Beach County puts it within easy driving distance to many concert venues, public amphitheatres, playhouses and sporting arenas. Wellington, and more specifically, The Palm Beach Polo & Country Clubhttp://www.palmbeachpolo.com/, is world-famous for equestrian activities such as polo. Wellington also hosts the famous Top Gun model aircraft show.

There is a strong distinction between the equestrian community in Wellington and the general population. The equestrians often seek to limit new growth and reduce the influx of economic development which has been occurring since 2000. The equestrian minority has the majority of the wealth in the community and have thankfully guarded the community, and made the area far more presentable. Because of the area's important role in international equestrian games it was imperitive that the American riders did not lose their center base.

Schools

A large number of recent Wellington residents are families with young children who want to take advantage of the schools in the area. All of the elementary schools and middle schools within its boundaries are A rated by the Florida Department of Education, and have been for a number of years. Wellington Community High School is an A school, while Palm Beach Central High School is a B school. The Palm Beach County school system allows students to attend magnet schools outside of the village if they so wish, though students are nominally assigned to schools in their own area.

Elementary Schools:

*New Horizons Elementary

*Wellington Community Elementary School

*Binks Forest Elementary School

*Equestrian Trails Elementary School

*Panther Run Elementary

*Elbridge Gales Elementary School (opens for 2006-2007 school year)

Middle Schools:

*Wellington Landings Community Middle School

*Polo Park Middle School

High Schools:

*Wellington Community High School

*Palm Beach Central High School

Private Schools:

*Wellington Christian School

External links

*http://www.wellvillage.com/ Wellington official website
*http://www.shopwellingtongreen.com/ Wellington Green Mall official website
*http://www.megaagent.com/Common/Community.asp?AdminID=445&CommunityID=4063 Wellington history (commercial website)

Category:Palm Beach County, Florida
Category:Villages in Florida