Palm Beach
A barrier-island town in Palm Beach County with its own design review, landmark and permitting process
Palm Beach County · Atlantic barrier island
Manalapan, Florida
A small oceanfront town in two separate areas, one on Hypoluxo Island
Manalapan is a small town in Palm Beach County, Florida (ZIP 33462), with 419 residents at the 2020 Census. Wikipedia places it on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Lake Worth Lagoon, and State Road A1A runs through it. The town says it has two separate areas that touch only by water; one is on Hypoluxo Island.
In short: Manalapan is a small Palm Beach County, Florida town of 419 residents. Wikipedia places it on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Lake Worth Lagoon.
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Overview
Manalapan at a glance
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Palm Beach County, Florida, ZIP 33462 (Town Hall address, 600 South Ocean Boulevard) | Note 1 |
| Population | 419 (2020 Census, as reported by Wikipedia) | Note 2 |
| Land area | About 0.4 square miles. Wikipedia lists different total-area figures in its infobox and its text, so this page gives land area only | Note 2 |
| Incorporated | 1931, by a charter granted to the Town of Manalapan, according to the town | Note 1 |
| Setting | Barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Lake Worth Lagoon, according to Wikipedia | Note 2 |
| Layout | Two separate areas that touch only by water, according to the town. One runs along A1A between Lantana Public Beach and the South Lake Worth (Boynton) Inlet; the other, more secluded area is on Hypoluxo Island | Note 1 |
| Hypoluxo Island | The town says it shares Hypoluxo Island with the Town of Lantana and that its more secluded area occupies about the southern third of the island | Note 1 |
| Major road | State Road A1A runs through the town | Note 1 |
| Local government | Commission-manager form; the town has its own Building, Zoning and Code Compliance departments | Notes 1, 2 |
For a comparison with another small oceanfront town, see Jupiter Island in Martin County.
Setting
How is Manalapan laid out?
The town’s two-part shape and its ocean and lagoon frontage are the main facts to understand before you look at any address.
- Wikipedia places Manalapan on a barrier island, with the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Lake Worth Lagoon to the west (Note 2).
- The town consists of two separate areas contiguous only by water. One runs along A1A between the Lantana Public Beach and the South Lake Worth Inlet, also called Boynton Inlet. The other is a more secluded area on Hypoluxo Island (Note 1). The town’s text, as quoted here, does not say how these two areas relate to the barrier island Wikipedia describes.
- The town says it shares Hypoluxo Island with Lantana, and that its more secluded area occupies about the southern one-third of the island (Note 1).
- Wikipedia says Lantana’s bridge, beach access road and public beach form the town’s northern border (Note 2).
- State Road A1A runs through the town (Note 1).
Local rules
Who sets the rules in Manalapan?
The town administers its own building and zoning, and publishes its code on Municode.
- The town’s Building Department, Zoning Department and Code Compliance handle permits, zoning and enforcement (Note 1).
- The code of ordinances is published on Municode (Note 1).
- Wikipedia describes the town government as commission-manager (Note 2).
This page does not reproduce specific height, setback or use rules. Ask the town for the current code for the address you are considering.
Due diligence
What should you check before buying in Manalapan?
| Check | Why it matters here | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal construction control line | Florida law bars construction seaward of a state-established control line without authorization. The state sets control lines county by county; ask FDEP whether a line is established where the parcel sits. Whether a given parcel is seaward of the line depends on the parcel | Note 3 |
| FEMA flood zone and elevation | Flood zone is parcel specific and affects insurance and elevation requirements. FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center accepts an address search | Note 4 |
| Town building, zoning and code requirements | The town runs its own departments and publishes its ordinances. Check height, setback, dock and seawall rules for the specific address before you plan work | Note 1 |
| Two-part town geography | Because the town is two separate areas, confirm which part a property is in and how you reach it before comparing it with other addresses | Note 1 |
This is a checklist, not advice. Confirm each item with the town and your attorney.
Comparison
How does Manalapan compare with nearby places?
| Community | Setting | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| Lantana | Adjacent town to the north | The town says it shares Hypoluxo Island with Lantana; Wikipedia says Lantana’s bridge, beach access road and public beach form Manalapan’s northern border (Notes 1, 2) |
| Jupiter Island | Atlantic barrier-island town in Martin County | Also a small oceanfront town, with 804 residents at the 2020 Census against 419 in Manalapan; it sits in a different county with its own rules (Notes 2, 5) |
Working with ABODE
How does ABODE help in Manalapan?
For an oceanfront town where each parcel has its own survey, flood and control-line questions, ABODE starts with those facts for the exact address, then compares recent comparable sales. We are a Florida-licensed brokerage that represents both buyers and sellers, and we keep conversations private.
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Questions
Manalapan real estate: frequently asked questions
What is Manalapan, Florida?
Manalapan is a small oceanfront town in Palm Beach County, Florida (ZIP 33462) (Note 1). Wikipedia places it on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Lake Worth Lagoon (Note 2). It had 419 residents at the 2020 Census (Note 2), and State Road A1A runs through it (Note 1). The town says it has two separate areas, one of them on Hypoluxo Island.
Why is Manalapan described as two areas?
The town’s own history page says it has two separate areas that are contiguous only by water. One runs along A1A between the Lantana Public Beach and the South Lake Worth Inlet, and the other, more secluded area is on Hypoluxo Island (Note 1). The town’s text does not say how the A1A area relates to the barrier island, so confirm with the town which area an address is in.
Does Manalapan have a coastal construction control line?
Florida law bars construction seaward of a state-established control line without authorization. The state sets control lines county by county; ask FDEP whether a line is established where the parcel sits. Whether a particular Manalapan parcel is seaward of the line depends on the parcel, so check with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection before you rely on any plan (Note 3).
Do homes in Manalapan need flood insurance?
It depends on the property’s FEMA flood zone and your lender. Flood zone is set parcel by parcel, so look up the specific address on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center (Note 4), ask for any elevation certificate, and price wind and flood coverage before you go under contract.
Who handles building permits in Manalapan?
The town has its own Building Department, Zoning Department and Code Compliance, and it publishes its code of ordinances on Municode (Note 1). Contact the town for the current requirements for a specific address.
Does ABODE International Realty work in Manalapan?
ABODE International Realty is a Florida-licensed brokerage with its office at 801 West Bay Drive, Suite 324, in Largo. To discuss a purchase or sale in Manalapan, request a consultation and an ABODE advisor will respond.
Private consultation
Request a private Manalapan consultation
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Sources and notes
- Town of Manalapan (official site: Town history and Building & Zoning). Source for the 1931 incorporation, the two separate areas, Hypoluxo Island, A1A, Town Hall address, departments and the Municode code. Town pages change; confirm current text. Checked October 4, 2026
- Manalapan, Florida (Wikipedia). Secondary source (citing the 2020 Census) for population, land area, barrier-island setting and commission-manager government. Its infobox and text disagree on total area, so only land area is shown. Wikipedia is a secondary source; verify population and area against the Census Bureau before relying on them
- Florida Statutes, section 161.053 (Coastal construction control lines), and Florida DEP CCCL program. Once a coastal construction control line is established, construction seaward of it needs state authorization. The statute does not name counties; the Department of Environmental Protection sets the lines county by county. Confirm whether a specific parcel is seaward of the line with DEP. Checked October 4, 2026.
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Look up the flood zone for any address. Flood zone is parcel specific
- Town of Jupiter Island (official site) and Wikipedia. Source for the Jupiter Island comparison; population from Wikipedia citing the 2020 Census