Living in Boca Raton, Florida

This page covers the practical side of living in Boca Raton, Florida: how big the city is, who runs downtown, the parks and transit nearby, and the rules that matter on the coast. It uses public sources only, each linked, checked Oct. 20, 2026. It does not cover home prices, schools or market figures.

How many people live in Boca Raton?

The U.S. Census Bureau’s Vintage 2024 estimates put Boca Raton city at 102,238 people on July 1, 2024, up from an April 1, 2020 estimates base of 97,436. That base is the Bureau’s starting point for its estimates, not the 2020 Census count. Palm Beach County was 1,582,055 on July 1, 2024, up from a base of 1,492,202. The City describes Boca Raton as the second largest city in Palm Beach County, with five miles of Atlantic coastline and 49 parks covering 1,650 acres. Source: Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 estimates.

• The U.S. Census Bureau's Vintage 2024 estimate puts Boca Raton city at 102,238 people on July 1, 2024, up from an April 1, 2020 estimates base of 97,436. U.S. Census Bureau: Vintage 2024 city and town population estimates, Florida (sub-est2024_12.csv)
• The same Census Bureau file puts Palm Beach County at 1,582,055 people on July 1, 2024, up from an April 1, 2020 estimates base of 1,492,202. U.S. Census Bureau: Vintage 2024 city and town population estimates, Florida (sub-est2024_12.csv)
• The City describes Boca Raton as the second largest city in Palm Beach County, with five miles of Atlantic coastline and 49 parks covering 1,650 acres. City of Boca Raton: News Flash, Night Market 2025-26 season (Aug 20, 2025), About the City paragraph

Who runs downtown

In 1980 the City Council designated 344 acres of downtown as a community redevelopment area, which also created the Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The CRA is generally known as Downtown Boca. The Mayor and City Council serve as its Commissioners, and it is based at City Hall, 201 West Palmetto Park Road, phone 561-367-7070. The City runs the parks, the beaches, Ocean Rescue, parking and BocaConnect. Mizner Park and Royal Palm Place are privately run centers. This guide is not affiliated with the City, the CRA or Mizner Park.

• In 1980 the Boca Raton City Council designated 344 acres in downtown as a community redevelopment area under the Florida Statutes, which also created the Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). City of Boca Raton: CRA/Downtown Boca
• The CRA is generally known as Downtown Boca. The Mayor and City Council serve as the CRA's Commissioners and pick its Chair from among themselves. Its phone number is 561-367-7070. Downtown Boca (Boca Raton CRA): About Us
• This guide covers downtown Boca Raton, Florida, in Palm Beach County. The City's downtown agency, Downtown Boca/Boca Raton CRA, is based at City Hall, 201 West Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, FL 33432. Downtown Boca (Boca Raton CRA): About Us

Downtown parks

• Memorial Park, 150 Crawford Blvd., surrounds City Hall with open lawns, ball fields, a basketball court, a playground and restrooms. The City lists the Community Center, the Tennis Center and the Tim Huxhold Skate Park there too.
• Sanborn Square, 72 N Federal Hwy, open 8 AM to 11 PM, with fountains, public art and a bike repair station. Free yoga is every Saturday at 9 AM, and the Night Market runs on set Thursdays.
• Mizner Park’s park strip, the City’s green space along Federal Highway and Mizner Boulevard, with fountains and walking paths; the City says leashed dogs are welcome there.
• Wildflower Park and Silver Palm Park on the Intracoastal at the Palmetto Park Road bridge: a splash pad, a pavilion and the City boat launch.

• Memorial Park, next to City Hall at 150 Crawford Blvd., has open lawns, ball fields, a basketball court, a playground and restrooms, and is free. Downtown Boca (Boca Raton CRA): Recreation
• Sanborn Square Park is at 72 North Federal Highway. The City lists it open 8am to 11pm, with decorative fountains, public art, a bike repair station and 53 metered parking spaces. City of Boca Raton: Sanborn Square Park

Library and everyday services

The Downtown Library is at 400 NW 2nd Ave. The City says its libraries are open Monday to Thursday, 9 AM to 8 PM, and Friday to Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Its lot is free, with no overnight parking and no Brightline parking. Source: City, Boca Raton Public Library.

Getting around

Brightline’s downtown station at 101 NW 4th St. opened for service on December 21, 2022. The City’s BocaConnect shuttle, booked in the Circuit app, is free inside the downtown zone and $2 per rider to or from the outer zone, capped at $5 for a group. Palm Tran Route 92 runs along Palmetto Park Road Monday through Saturday, and Route 1 follows US 1. Tri-Rail is at 680 Yamato Road, outside downtown. Details are on getting here.

• Brightline's first day of service at Boca Raton was December 21, 2022, the day after a ribbon cutting on December 20, 2022. Brightline Press Room: Brightline Opens New Stations in Boca Raton and Aventura (Dec 20, 2022)
• BocaConnect serves the area south of Glades Road, east of I-95, north of the Hillsboro Canal and west of NE 5th Way/SE 5th Avenue/Royal Palm Way, plus the barrier island from Gumbo Limbo Nature Center to the Boca Raton Inlet. Rides within the red (downtown) zone are free; rides to or from the outer zone are $2 per rider plus $1 per extra rider, capped at $5. City of Boca Raton: BocaConnect – Circuit Shuttle

Beach permits for residents

The City’s Annual Beach Vehicle Entry Permit runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. It costs $90 for City of Boca Raton and Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District residents and covers South Beach, Red Reef and Spanish River parks. Other Palm Beach County residents pay $108 for South Beach Park only. Ask the City whether your address counts for the resident rate. Without a permit, a car pays $40 on weekdays and $55 on weekends and holidays. A resident Bark Beach dog permit is $70 a year. The permit does not cover metered spaces. More on the beach page.

• An Annual Beach Vehicle Entry Permit (October 1 to September 30) is $90 for City of Boca Raton and Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District residents, covering all three beach parks, and $108 for other Palm Beach County residents, for South Beach Park only. City of Boca Raton: Beach Permits & Daily Rates
• As of October 1, 2026, Bark Beach dog permits are $70 a year for City and Beach and Park District residents, $630 a year for non-residents, or $20 per visit for a three-day permit. Beach parking is not included. City of Boca Raton: Bark Beach Dog Entry Permit

Hurricane season

NOAA’s National Hurricane Center says the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. During a watch or warning, follow official instructions from Palm Beach County and the City of Boca Raton. Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center.

• NOAA's National Hurricane Center says the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. NOAA National Hurricane Center: Tropical Cyclone Climatology

Beachfront homes and sea turtles

Gumbo Limbo says sea turtle nesting season in South Florida runs March 1 to October 31, and 2026 brought record leatherback and loggerhead nest totals in Boca Raton. FWC says decorative beachfront lights should not be turned on until nesting season ends on October 31. Source: FWC, sea turtle lighting.

• Gumbo Limbo says sea turtle nesting season in South Florida runs March 1 through October 31. Its 2026 Boca Raton nest totals were 43 leatherback and 1,118 loggerhead (both record highs) and 154 green. City of Boca Raton: Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Nesting
• FWC says decorative beachfront lights should not be turned on until after sea turtle nesting season ends, October 31. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Sea Turtles and Lights

Rules residents run into

• Open containers: City Code Sec. 4-4 bans drinking alcohol on public streets, sidewalks, parks, beaches and public lots, except under a special event permit.
• Last call: Sec. 4-2 bars alcohol sales and consumption at vendors between 2 AM and 7 AM.
• Parks and beaches: pets, smoking, alcohol, Styrofoam, drones, balloons and confetti, camping and fires are prohibited, the City says, apart from Bark Beach for permitted dogs.
• Parking tickets: pay within 15 days to avoid the $25 late fee. See the parking page.

• City Code Sec. 4-4 makes it unlawful to consume an alcoholic beverage of more than 1 percent alcohol on any public street, sidewalk, right-of-way, park, beach or public parking lot, except under a special event permit (Sec. 4-5). Boca Raton Code of Ordinances (Municode): Chapter 4, Alcoholic Beverages, Sec. 4-4
• City Code Sec. 4-2 bars vendors from selling or allowing consumption of alcoholic beverages between 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on any day. Boca Raton Code of Ordinances (Municode): Chapter 4, Alcoholic Beverages, Sec. 4-2
• City park pages list pets, smoking, alcoholic beverages, Styrofoam, drones, balloons and confetti, overnight camping and fires as prohibited in City of Boca Raton parks, beaches and facilities. City of Boca Raton: Red Reef Park Beach (Park Rules & Regulations)

Thinking about a move?

Downtown Boca Raton Guide is published by LPE Realty LLC, a licensed Florida real estate brokerage. If you want to talk about buying or selling in Boca Raton, the contact details are at the foot of this page. This guide stays a guide: we do not publish listings or price figures on it.

Living in Boca Raton FAQ

Dates, rules and hours can change. The organisers have the final word: City of Boca Raton (official site)