Jupiter, Florida

History

The area where the town now sits was originally named for the Hobe Indian tribe which lived at the mouth of the Loxahatchee River and whose name is also preserved in the name of nearby Hobe Sound. A mapmaker misunderstood the Spanish spelling Jobe of the native people name Hobe and recorded it as Jove. Subsequent mapmakers further misunderstood this to be the name of the Roman god Jupiter, because the declension of the word Jupiter in Latin includes the root Jov- in all cases but the nominative case and vocative case. They, therefore, adopted the more familiar name of Jupiter. The god Jupiter (or Zeus in the Greek mythology) is the chief Roman god, and the god of light, of the sky and weather, and of the state and its welfare and laws. Jupiter's consort was Juno, inspiring a neighboring town to name itself Juno Beach.

The Battles of the Loxahatchee took place near the site of Jupiter during the Seminole Wars in 1838. The most notable landmark is the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, completed in 1860. Made of brick, it was painted red in 1910 to cover discoloration caused by humidity. Hurricane Jeanne in 2004 sandblasted the paint from the upper portion of the tower, and the tower was repainted using a potassium silicate mineral coating. The lighthouse often is used as the symbol for Jupiter.

United States flag incident

In 1999, Jupiter resident George Andres wanted to display a United States flag in his front yard; however, the homeowners association had a bylaw that prohibited the display of a flagpole in the front lawn. Andres still displayed the flag, while the homeowners association continued litigation until George Andres foreclosed his home to cover legal fees after being in court at least twenty-eight times. Even after governor Jeb Bush visited his home along with members of the local and national media, the homeowners association, as well as George, refused to budge.

George Andres later won the case and was allowed to display his flag in his front lawn with the use of a flagpole.

On July 24, 2006, President George W. Bush signed into law the Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005, allowing residents to display the flag on their residential property despite any homeowners association rules.

Geography and climate

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 21.1 sqmi, of which 20.0 sqmi is land and 1.1 sqmi is water. Jupiter has a unique geographical location that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean further than any other point on the Florida coast. Since 1550, ships have considered it an important stop when sailing to Central and South America.

Jupiter has a trade-wind Tropical rainforest climate (Köppen Af). Much of the year is warm to hot in Jupiter, and frost is extremely rare. Jupiter is also known for humid summers. As is typical in South Florida, there are two basic seasons in Jupiter, a mild and dry winter (November through April), and a hot and wet summer (May through October). Daily thundershowers are common in the hot season, though they are brief. The Town of Jupiter is home to a multitude of tropical trees, and is also known for its lush landscaping around private homes and public parks.

Demographics

2010 and 2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 61,047 people, 26,597 households, and 16,484 families residing in the town.

In 2020, 19.1% of the population was under the age of 18, and 23.1% of the population was 65 years of age or older. Females made up 51.7% of the population in 2020, and the average household size was 2.43.

In 2020, the median income for a household in the town was $87,163, and the per capita income for the town was $57,865. Out of the total population, 7.9% were living below the poverty line.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 55,156 people, 21,614 households, and 13,452 families residing in the town.

2000 census

As of the 2000 US census, there are 39,328 people, 16,945 households, and 11,403 families residing in the town. The population density is 759.2/km2 (1,966.5/mi2). There are 20,943 housing units at an average density of 404.3/km2 (1,047.2/mi2). The racial makeup of the town is 94.86% White (89.4% were Non-Hispanic White), 1.22% African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.12% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 1.37% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. 7.33% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In 2000, there were 16,945 households out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 25.8% of all households are made up of individuals, and 10.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.32, and the average family size is 3.15

In 2000, the town's age distribution showed that 20.7% were under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% were 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females, there are 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.2 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the town is $54,945, and the median income for a family is $64,873. Males have a median income of $44,883 versus $33,514 for females. The per capita income for the town is $35,088. 4.8% of the population and 3.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.7% of those under the age of 18 and 4.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

As of 2000, speakers of English as a first language accounted for 88.47% of all residents, while Spanish was at 7.17%, and Italian made up 1.66% of the population.

As of 2000, it's also home to the 102nd highest percentage of Guatemalan residents, which made up 1.09% of the population (tied with Calverton, New York).

Growth of Hispanic population

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Hispanic or Latino population in Jupiter has grown steadily since 2000. In the 2000 United States census, 7.3% of the town’s residents identified as Hispanic or Latino, increasing to 12.69% in 2010 and 15.96% in 2020. More recent figures from the 2019–2023 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates indicate that Hispanics or Latinos now make up approximately 17.3% of the town’s population, or about 10,500 people.

Hispanic or Latino population in Jupiter, Florida

Education and Research

Public and Private Grade Level Schools

The School District of Palm Beach County provides public education for Kindergarten through twelfth grades. Jupiter's population is served primarily by two public high schools: Jupiter Community High School in Jupiter, and William T. Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens. Jupiter is also home to several private schools and religious schools that serve the same grade levels. Jupiter Christian School is one of the privately operated schools in the town.

Universities and colleges

Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College at Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University, John D. MacArthur Campus

Research

Jupiter is home to the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, which conducts fundamental research in neuroscience, and is the Max Planck Society's first non-European research institute.

Public safety

Fire Department

Since 1984, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the citizens of Jupiter. There are three fire stations assigned to the town:

• Station 16 – Engine 16, Rescue 16 and Brush 16;
• Station 18 – Engine 18 and Rescue 18;
• Station 19 – Squad 19, Rescue 19, Special Operations 19, Brush 19 and 3 command vehicles.

Station 19 is the headquarters for Battalion 1, which covers Jupiter, Juno Beach, Lake Park and unincorporated areas of Palm Beach County such as Jupiter Farms and Palm Beach Country Estates.

Police Department

The Jupiter Police Department consists of 122 sworn officers and 35 civilian support staff personnel, and is headquartered in the town's municipal campus. Its operational divisions include Road Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Traffic, K-9, Marine, Beach Patrol, Crime Scene Investigation, SWAT and Hostage Negotiation.

Economy

Companies based in Jupiter include G4S Secure Solutions, Town Sports International Holdings, Holtec International, and The Babylon Bee.

Notable people

• Robert Allenby, Australian professional golfer on PGA Tour
• Rick Ankiel, professional baseball player
• Briny Baird, professional golfer on PGA Tour
• Daniel Berger, professional golfer on PGA Tour
• Matt Bosher, professional football player
• Don Brewer, drummer, singer, original member of Grand Funk Railroad
• Mika Brzezinski, political commentator
• Tyler Cameron, Contestant on the Bachelorette
• Shelby Chesnes, Playboy Playmate of the Month, July 2012
• Philip J. Corso, U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and author of The Day After Roswell
• Céline Dion, Canadian singer
• Ernie Els, South African professional golfer on PGA Tour
• Colleen Farrington, Playboy Playmate, model and nightclub singer
• Rickie Fowler, professional golfer on PGA Tour
• Hermes Franca, Brazilian mixed martial artist and UFC fighter
• Drew Garrett, actor
• Kellie Gerardi, American commercial astronaut and payload specialist who is one of the first 100 women in space
• Lucas Glover, professional golfer on the PGA Tour
• Brendan Grace, Irish comedian
• Wayne Gretzky, Canadian hockey player
• Rob Grill, singer (The Grass Roots)
• Bryant Gumbel, American television journalist and sportscaster
• Matt Holliday, professional baseball player
• Hugh Howey, writer
• Alan Jackson, American country singer-songwriter
• Michael Jordan, Hall of Fame NBA basketball player
• Sarah Kauss, entrepreneur, S'well water bottles
• Kyle Kirkwood, racing driver in the Indycar Series
• Brooks Koepka, professional golfer
• Debi Laszewski, IFBB professional bodybuilder
• Daryl Logullo, business executive and ecommerce thought leader
• Jamie Lovemark, professional golfer on PGA Tour
• Shane Lowry, Irish professional golfer on PGA tour
• Will MacKenzie, professional golfer on PGA Tour
• Steve Marino, professional golfer on PGA Tour
• Vincent Marotta, entrepreneur, co-developer of Mr. Coffee
• Rory McIlroy, professional golfer on PGA Tour
• Miles Mikolas, professional baseball player
• Brent Musburger, American sportscaster
• Jason Newsted, former bass player of Metallica
• Cody Parkey, professional football player
• Charles Nelson Reilly, actor and teacher.{{Cite AV media | access-date=August 14, 2011 | time =1:13:37
• Burt Reynolds, actor
• Kid Rock, American musician
• Joe Scarborough, political commentator
• Mike Schmidt, Hall of Fame major league baseball player
• Justin Thomas, professional golfer on PGA Tour
• Dara Torres, five-time Olympic swimmer and gold medalist
• Tico Torres, drummer for the band Bon Jovi
• Charles Vanik, former Democratic congressman from Ohio
• Camilo Villegas, professional golfer on PGA Tour
• Richy Werenski, professional golfer on PGA Tour
• Brett Wetterich, professional golfer on PGA Tour
• Tiger Woods, professional golfer on the PGA Tour
• Zion Wright, professional skateboarder, U.S. Olympic Skateboard Team

Points of interest

• Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973.
• Jupiter is the home to the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals spring training facilities as well as one of their respective Low-A Minor League Baseball affiliates, the Jupiter Hammerheads and Palm Beach Cardinals. They share the use of the Roger Dean Stadium complex, located in Abacoa. Both minor league squads compete in the Florida State League.
• William P. Gwinn Airport is located in Jupiter.
• Jupiter is home to Florida Atlantic University's MacArthur Campus. This northern campus of FAU is also the location of the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College.
• Palm Beach International Raceway a racing facility built in 1965, and was remodeled in 2008 in an attempt to obtain a FIA Grade II Certification. The Facility currently hosts several IHRA and NHRA sportsman events as well as an ARCA Remax Series event.
• The Scripps Research Institute has opened a satellite campus adjacent to the MacArthur Campus of Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter. Approximately 360 scientists and technical staff operate in a 350000 sqft state of the art research facility. Scripps Florida focuses on the development of therapeutic opportunities in several disease areas.
• The Max Planck Society has a facility on the FAU campus, the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, and is the Max Planck Society's first non-European research institute.
• Jupiter beaches, many of which are dog-friendly, draw many residents and visitors from all over the world.
• The Harbourside Place is an outdoor, upscale shopping mall located just South of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse.
• Downtown Abacoa is a downtown area present adjacent to Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College in Southwest Jupiter. It houses an amphitheater, restaurants, coffee shops, a farmer's market, and the yearly Feast of Little Italy.
• The Jupiter Ridge Natural Area, a 271-acre area of protected land containing Florida scrub, depression marsh, tidal swamp, and flatwoods.

Media

American Horror Story: Freak Show, the fourth season of American Horror Story, is set in Jupiter in 1952.

Smokey and the Bandit II has scenes set locally in Jupiter, FL. The 1980s film starring Burt Reynolds and Sally Field shows recognizable stretches of Indiantown Road and other Jupiter landmarks.

Gallery

File:New Jupiter Town Hall.jpg|New Jupiter Town Hall File:Jupiter, FL, USA - panoramio.jpg|Jupiter, FL, United States – panoramio File:Jupiter High School Courtyard, 2012.jpg|Jupiter Community High School

References

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