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Melbourne, Florida

Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It is located 72 mi southeast of Orlando and 175 mi northwest of Miami. It had population of 84,678 at the 2020 United States Decennial Census, up from 76,068 at the 2010 census. The municipality is the second-largest in the county by both size and population. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 1969, the city was expanded by merging with nearby Eau Gallie.

Early human occupation
Evidence for the presence of Paleo-Indians in the Melbourne area during the late Pleistocene epoch was uncovered during the 1920s. C. P. Singleton, a Harvard University zoologist, discovered the bones of a mammoth (Mammuthus columbi) on his property along Crane Creek, 1.5 mi from Melbourne, and brought in Amherst College paleontologist Frederick B. Loomis to excavate the skeleton. Loomis found a second elephant, with a "large rough flint instrument" among fragments of the elephant's ribs. Loomis found in the same stratum mammoth, mastodon, horse, ground sloth, tapir, peccary, camel, and saber-tooth cat bones, all extinct in Florida since the end of the Pleistocene 10,000–8,000 BCE. At a nearby site a human rib and charcoal were found in association with Mylodon, Megalonyx, and Chlamytherium (ground sloth) teeth. A finely worked spear point found with these items may have been displaced from a later stratum. In 1925 attention shifted to the Melbourne golf course.

A crushed human skull with finger, arm, and leg bones was found in association with a horse tooth. A piece of ivory that appeared to have been modified by humans was found at the bottom of the stratum containing bones. Other finds included a spear point near a mastodon bone and a turtle-back scraper and blade found with bear, camel, mastodon, horse, and tapir bones. Similar human remains, Pleistocene animals and Paleo-Indian artifacts were found in Vero Beach, 30 mi south of Melbourne, and similar Paleo-Indian artifacts were found at the Helen Blazes archaeological site, 10 mi southwest of Melbourne.

Settlement
The first settlers arrived after 1877. They included Richard W. Goode, his father John Goode, Cornthwaite John Hector, Captain Peter Wright, Balaam Allen, Wright Brothers, and Thomas Mason. Three of these men, Wright, Allen, and Brothers were black freedmen.

The city, formerly called "Crane Creek", was named Melbourne in honor of its first postmaster, Cornthwaite John Hector, an Englishman who had spent much of his life in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (which was in turn named after the British Prime Minister William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne). He is buried in the Melbourne Cemetery, along with many early residents in the area. The first school in Melbourne was built in 1883 and is on permanent exhibit on the campus of Florida Institute of Technology. By 1885, the town had 70 people. The Greater Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1885 and is still active.

In the late 1890s, the Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home opened and it is still in business. The oldest black-owned business in the county is Tucker's Cut-Rate plumbing. It opened in 1934.

In the early 1900s, houses were often built in the frame vernacular style.

In 1919, a fire destroyed most of the original downtown along Front Street. At the time, it was rebuilt west of US Hwy 1.

During the Jim Crow years, black people were required to enter movie theaters via a different entrance from whites and sit in the balcony. Gas stations had signs for rest rooms labeled "Men", "Women", and "Colored." This persisted until integration in the late 1960s.

In late 1942 the Naval Air Station Melbourne was established as a site to train newly commissioned Navy and Marine pilots for World War II. The program ran until 1946, and the land that was used for that program makes up most of what is currently the Melbourne Orlando International Airport.

In 1969, the cities of Eau Gallie and Melbourne voted to merge, forming modern-day Melbourne.

Postwar
In the 1950s, Babcock Street was extended north to intersect with US 1. The Melbourne Shopping Center was constructed on Babcock, the area's first strip mall. Consumers were sufficiently attracted to this new mall, that the traditional downtown, off New Haven, suffered. Urban blight was successfully mitigated in the 1980s.

A board was created by the legislature to spend a 10% tax on electric bills. This was used by the Melbourne Civic Improvement Board to build the Melbourne Auditorium, the first library and fire station, and various parks. The board was dissolved when Melbourne was merged with Eau Gallie in 1969. That merger doubled the size of Melbourne.

Streetlights were gradually added until, by the early 1960s, streets east of Babcock Street had lights. Lights were added to streets west of Babcock after the early 1960s.

In 1969, the city elected Julius Montgomery, its first black councilman. Montgomery was also the first African American student of Brevard Engineering College, later Florida Institute of Technology which named their Pioneer Award after him.

On August 2, 1995, the city received a record 9.06 in of rainfall from Hurricane Erin.

During the week of August 22, 2008, a record 17.54 inch of rain fell caused by Tropical Storm Fay.

A 2009 Halloween street party sponsored by a downtown restaurant attracted an estimated 8,000–10,000 people. This overwhelmed the downtown area. Street parties were curtailed until public safety issues were addressed.

On February 18, 2017, president Donald J. Trump held his first post-inauguration rally at the Orlando-Melbourne International Airport drawing a crowd of approximately 9,000 people according to the Melbourne police department.

Geography
Melbourne is located approximately 60 mi southeast of Orlando on the Space Coast, along Interstate 95. It is approximately midway between Jacksonville and Miami. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 102.5 km2, of which 87.7 km2 is land and 14.8 km2 (14.42%) is water.

The east–west street named Brevard Drive was historically the "center" of town; with addresses called "north" and "south" of this street. The north–south Babcock Street provided the same centerline for "east" and "west" directions.

Melbourne Beachside has a small presence on the South Beaches barrier island. It is often confused with Melbourne Beach, a separate political entity.

Climate

Melbourne, Florida has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa), bordering closely to a tropical savanna climate. Melbourne has a distinctly seasonal precipitation pattern, with a hot and wet season (late May through October) and a warm and dry season (November through April). The climate is strongly influenced by the nearby Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream, as well as incursions of cold fronts from the north in winter months. Melbourne averages 51 in of rainfall annually, much of it coming in convective thunderstorms in the late May to early October time period. The record rainfall occurred on August 20, 2008, when Tropical Storm Fay dropped 18.21 in. Melbourne can sometimes have moderate to severe drought conditions from late fall through spring, with brush fires occurring and water restrictions put in place. Melbourne averages 2 days per year with frost, although several years might pass without a frost in the city of Melbourne or at the ocean beaches. On Christmas Eve 2003, the city as others in east central coast of Florida received snow from the ocean effect, when cold air passes over the considerably hotter ocean and causes the rise of air with higher temperature to bring moisture into the higher portions of the atmosphere.

Flora
Tropical flora typical of more southerly locations is grown in the Melbourne area (coconut palms, royal palms, Christmas palms, and bananas), but can be damaged or killed when subjected to infrequent light freezes or cooler temperatures, although several years might pass without a freeze in the Melbourne area. The Melbourne area has many lush gardens and public landscapes, and is noted for the botanical northern limit of cultivated coconut palms on the Florida East Coast.

Environment
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has ordered the city to reduce pollution of the Indian River Lagoon, which it borders; about 80% of the city's landmass drains in the direction of the lagoon. The city must reduce run-off by 44000 lbs of nitrogen and 13000 lbs of phosphorus. The city responded by banning the use of fertilizer before flood and storm warnings.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 84,678 people, 32,874 households, and 18,242 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 76,068 people, 33,377 households, and 18,394 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of 2000, 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.7% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.82.

In 2000, the city the population was spread out, with 20.7% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

As of 2000, per capita income for the city was $19,175. In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $34,571, and the median income for a family was $42,760. Males had a median income of $32,242 versus $22,419 for females. In Melbourne, about 8.6% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.

Languages
As of 2000, 90.39% of residents spoke English as their first language, while 4.69% spoke Spanish, 0.84% spoke French, 0.73% spoke German, and 0.55% spoke Arabic as their mother tongue. In total, 9.60% of the total population spoke languages other than English.

Government
The Melbourne City Council consists of the mayor and six district council members. Melbourne uses a Council-Manager form of government.

City officials
 * Paul Alfrey, Mayor – Elected November 2020, term expires November 2024
 * Tim Thomas, District 1 Council Member – Elected in November 2016. Re-elected in November 2020, term expires November 2024
 * Mark LaRusso, Vice Mayor & District 2 Council Member – Elected in November 2018. Re-elected in November 2022, term expires November 2026
 * Yvonne Minus, District 3 Council Member – Elected in November 2016. Re-elected in November 2020, term expires November 2024
 * Rachael Bassett, District 4 Council Member – Elected in November 2022, term expires November 2026
 * Mimi Hanley, District 5 Council Member – Elected in November 2020, term expires November 2024
 * Julie Sanders, District 6 Council Member – Elected in November 2018. Re-elected in November 2022, term expires November 2026

The following are appointed by the council:
 * City Attorney
 * City Manager

Melbourne city officials created the Babcock Street Redevelopment District in 1998 to stimulate new development along Babcock Street from U.S. 1 south to U.S. 192. A 218-unit apartment complex built in 2005 is most recent step in an effort to revitalize this area.

In 2010, the Eau Gallie Arts District received its designation as a Florida Main Street. Established in 1860 along the Indian River, the arts district (called EGAD!) has proven to be highly successful in its redevelopment of the community of art galleries, shops, restaurants, Melbourne's first microbrewery, and contains the city civic center and public library with a public pier, Historic Rossetter House and Gardens, Pineapple Park, a few businesses over 40 years old, and a community park and band shell, which is the center of many community activities. It is now a non-accredited main street program.

A $180.8 million Operating and Capital Budget was passed for the 2014–2015 fiscal year.

In 2007, the city had a taxable real estate base of $4.96 billion.

A 2011 study rated the general pension fund for city employees highly at 190%. Less favorably rated were the pension plans for fire and police employees.

In 2009, the city had 870 full-time employees and 176 part-time employees.

Industry
Melbourne Orlando International Airport is located near the center of the city. Melbourne contains defense and technology companies with a high concentration of high-tech workers. The following corporations have operations in Melbourne:

 * DRS Technologies employed 910 workers in 2009. Another reference says 1,800 workers in 2009, 1,300 in 2010.
 * Alstom Signaling Operations Transportation Systems
 * L3Harris Technologies (corporate headquarters)
 * Northrop Grumman employed 1,640 workers in 2009.
 * Rockwell Collins employed 1,430 in 2009.
 * Embraer completed a 89000 ft2 hangar and administrative office at the Melbourne Airport in February 2011.
 * LiveTV has its headquarters in Melbourne.
 * eviCore Healthcare has one of its main office in Melbourne.
 * Avidyne Corporation an avionics company has their HQ in Melbourne and is a developer of Integrated Avionics Systems, multi-function displays, and traffic advisory systems for light general aviation (GA) aircraft.

Workforce
In 2007, the average size of Melbourne's labor force was 39,391. Of that group, 37,708 were employed and 1,683 were unemployed, for an unemployment rate of 4.3%.

Housing
In 2008, 259 building permits were issued for 263 units. There were 209 permits issued for 320 units in 2007, which was down from 329 permits for 512 units in 2006.

The median home price in 2007 was $215,000.

In May 2005, the Melbourne–Titusville–Palm Bay area was among the top 20 in home price appreciation from 2003 to 2004.

Competitiveness
In 2009, Forbes ranked the area 18th out of 100 Metropolitan Statistical Areas and first out of 8 metros in Florida for affordable housing, and short commute times, among others.

Retail and commerce
Melbourne has two downtown business districts, a result of the merger of Eau Gallie into Melbourne:
 * Eau Gallie Arts District—located along the Indian River Lagoon with two public parks, two fine art galleries, a microbrewery and several other restaurants contained within one block. Known as EGAD, it is on the Florida Humanities FLORIDA STORIES historic audio-based walking tours app (download to your phone from the app store) and contains over 30 murals and three sculptures.
 * Historic Downtown Melbourne – among other retail outlets, this has 26 eating and drinking establishments within a four block extent.

Healthcare
The city has three hospitals, day care for senior citizens, hospice, walk-in, and urgent care facilities. There is Holmes Medical Center, and Melbourne Regional Medical Center. Kindred Hospital is a chronic care facility for ventilated patients and does not accept emergency patients. A new Viera hospital was opened in May 2011.

Tourism
The city has two golf courses. There were 96,477 rounds played in 2009–10. Revenues were $2,207,502. Rounds and revenue have been dropping since 2006. in 2011, the city raised rates for residents to the same as for non-residents, $27 per round or $522 annual fee.

The Eau Gallie Arts District is regularly highlighted as a top destination in the national rankings that are published. Read more.

Retail
Brevard Mall, the area's first mall, was built in 1962. It was followed by Melbourne Square in 1982.

Annual cultural events
In February or March:
 * The Annual IndiaFest is held in February or March.

In April:
 * The Melbourne Arts Festival, held in April in Wickham Park, draws from 50,000 to 60,000 visitors

In August:
 * The Annual India Day is held in August.

In September:
 * The Melbourne Area Pilots Association hosts a General Aviation Day at Melbourne International Airport in September

In October:
 * The Melbourne Oktoberfest has been held each October since 1977; most recently, this was held at the Wickham Park Pavilion

In December:
 * Christian churches have been producing a "Bible on Parade" since 1990, each participating church portrays a book of the Bible. A spokesperson said in 2011 that it may be the only one of its kind in America.

Historic sites
There are four places on the National Register of Historic Places:
 * Florida Power and Light Company Ice Plant (1927) located at 1604 South Harbor City Boulevard
 * William H. Gleason House at 1736 Pineapple Avenue
 * James Wadsworth Rossetter House (c. 1860s) at 1320 Highland Avenue
 * Green Gables at Historic Riverview Village 1501 South Harbor City Blvd

The following places also are historic:
 * Henegar Center (1919) located at 625 East New Haven Avenue
 * Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (1886) at 50 West Strawbridge Avenue
 * Melbourne Bone Bed at Crane Creek
 * Nannie Lee House – Strawberry Mansion (1905) at 1218 East New Haven Avenue
 * Roesch House (c. 1901) at 1320 Highland Avenue
 * Winchester Symphony House (1890s) at 1500 Highland Avenue

Eau Gallie Arts District has an established historical walking tour that includes over 20 historical buildings or locations in the arts district available through a FLORIDA STORIES app to your phone.
 * Walking historic tours

Museums

 * Historic Rossetter House Museum at 1320 Highland Avenue
 * Liberty Bell Memorial Museum at 1601 Hickory Street

Performing arts

 * Melbourne Civic Theater

Groups

 * Brevard Symphony Orchestra
 * City of Melbourne Pipes and Drums
 * Strawbridge Art League and Gallery

Buildings

 * Henegar Center for the Arts
 * Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts
 * Melbourne Auditorium located on Hibiscus Boulevard

Sports
Melbourne was an official host city for the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay.

There are co-ed adult and youth sports programs in flag football and ultimate frisbee.

The city of Melbourne hosts an annual indoor pickleball tournament called the Melbourne Meltdown Pickleball Championship. The third annual tournament was played on March 4–6, 2021 at the Melbourne Auditorium.

Parks, recreation, and attractions
The city of Melbourne contains over 554.72 acre of city park land, including 17 community parks, 13 neighborhood parks, and five smaller city parks.

 * Brevard Zoo
 * Wickham Park
 * Lake Washington

One of the many forms of recreation is local fishing in places such as Lake Washington.

Public Libraries
Melbourne houses three branches of Brevard County Public Libraries including the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Public Library, Eau Gallie Public Library, and the Melbourne Public Library.

The first home of the Melbourne Public Library was established in 1924 with funds raised by the Library Association of Melbourne. The current Melbourne Public Library is a 25,000 square ft building located in Wells Park. It was first opened to the public in July 1989.

The Eau Gallie Public Library was also first opened in the 1920s, starting as a library for the Eau Gallie Woman's Club. In 1939, the club officially sponsored the small library, beginning with only 22 books. The current building opened in 1962, gradually expanding over the years. In October, 1990 the Eau Gallie Public Library had a collection of 67,023 volumes and over 25,000 registered borrowers, a testament to the faith of the founders of the Eau Gallie Woman's Club. The library is located in Riverfront Park overlooking the Indian River.

Education
Of all residents 25 years or older, 88.5% are high school graduates, and 25.7% have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Public schools are run by the Brevard County School Board.

Prior to 1964, segregated schools were maintained for white students and black students under the doctrine of Separate but equal education. Black students were educated at Melbourne Vocational School from 1921 until it burned in 1953. For the next five years they met in the former hospital of the Naval Air Station, until Stone High School was opened in 1958. In 1964 the schools were integrated and Stone was repurposed as Stone Middle School.

Colleges and universities

 * Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine - Florida Campus at FIT
 * Eastern Florida State College
 * Florida Institute of Technology
 * Florida State University - Satellite Campus
 * Keiser University – Melbourne
 * University of Central Florida - Regional Campus
 * Webster University – Patrick Space Force Base Campus

===Elementary schools ===

 * Roy Allen Elementary
 * Ascension Catholic School
 * Brevard Academy for Individual Excellence
 * Dr. W. J. Creel Elementary
 * Croton Elementary
 * Harbor City Elementary
 * Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Lower School (Pre-K–6)
 * Longleaf Elementary
 * Meadowlane Primary
 * Meadowlane Intermediate
 * New Covenant Christian School
 * Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
 * Quest Elementary
 * Sabal Elementary
 * Sherwood Elementary
 * Suntree Elementary
 * University Park Elementary
 * West Melbourne Elementary

Middle schools

 * Ascension Catholic School
 * Brevard Academy for Individual Excellence
 * DeLaura Middle School
 * Central Middle School
 * Covenant Christian School
 * Florida Preparatory Academy
 * Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Upper School
 * Johnson Middle School
 * Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
 * Stone Middle School

High schools

 * Public
 * Eau Gallie High School
 * Melbourne High School
 * Palm Bay High School
 * West Shore Junior – Senior High School

 * Private
 * Brevard Academy for Individual Excellence
 * Brevard Christian School
 * Florida Preparatory Academy
 * Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Upper School
 * Melbourne Central Catholic High School
 * New Covenant Christian School

Adult education

 * Palm Bay High Adult/Community Education
 * South Area Adult Center

Print
Brevard Business News is a weekly newspaper in Melbourne, Florida, United States covering business news and trends for the Space Coast. Fred Krupski started Brevard Business News in 1981, and Adrienne B. Roth purchased it in 1986.

Florida Today is the major daily newspaper serving Brevard County, Florida. The Gannett corporation started the paper in 1966. It covers the Space Coast and Central Florida. The other major paper is the Hometown News ln Melbourne.

Radio
WFIT 89.5 FM—this radio station is an NPR station based on the grounds of Florida Institute of Technology

Television
Melbourne is part of the Orlando television market. Cable is provided by Spectrum.

Major roads
The city is responsible for about 300 miles of road. It would like to resurface 5% (15 miles) of that each year. It was able to afford to pave half of that in 2013.

Roads in the older part of the city, in what is today the southeast, are oriented toward the north–south road, Babcock Street, with compass directions measured east and west from that road. In the same area, a very minor east–west road, Brevard Drive, separates compass directions north and south.
 * US 1.svg U.S. 1 – Known officially as Harbor City Boulevard, this road runs parallel to the Indian River on the far eastern side of the city. The highway is six-lanes throughout the city. Within the city limits, this road intersects two causeways: the Eau Gallie and Melbourne Causeways. Major intersections include University Boulevard, New Haven Avenue, U.S. 192, SR 508, CR 507, CR 5054, SR 518, CR 511, Lake Washington Road, and Post Road.
 * US 192.svg U.S. 192 – Locally named New Haven Avenue, and Strawbridge Avenue in downtown, this road passes through commercial, entertainment, and retail areas of Melbourne. It serves as a route to Kissimmee and the tourist corridor of Orlando to the west, and the town of Indialantic to the east via the Melbourne Causeway. Major intersections include Evans Road/Hollywood Boulevard, Dairy Road, SR 507/CR 507, New Haven Avenue, and U.S. 1.
 * I-95.svg Interstate 95 – This highway is six-lanes throughout its run in Melbourne. There are three exits within city limits: Exit 180 (U.S. 192), Exit 182 (Ellis Road), and Exit 183 (SR 518).
 * Florida A1A.svg SR A1A – This road runs along the barrier island portion of Melbourne and provides access to Indian Harbour Beach and Indialantic. There is only one major intersection: SR 518.
 * Florida 507.svg SR 507 – The state road portion of Babcock Street, this road runs from the city limits of Palm Bay to U.S. 192, serving the Florida Institute of Technology along the way. Major intersections include Florida Avenue, University Boulevard, and U.S. 192.
 * Brevard County Road 507 FL.svg CR 507 – The county road portion of Babcock Street, this road runs from U.S. 192 to U.S. 1, serving one of the main economic centers of Melbourne. Major intersections include U.S. 192, SR 508, and U.S. 1.
 * Florida 508.svg SR 508 – This road runs from U.S. 1 to the Melbourne Orlando International Airport. Major intersections include Air Terminal Parkway, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, CR 507, and U.S. 1.
 * Brevard County Road 509 FL.svg CR 509 – Known locally as Wickham Road, this is one of the busiest roads in Melbourne: Up to 38,680 cars use Wickham Road weekdays, and the average is 33,850. Major intersections include Ellis Road/NASA Bouelvard, SR 5054/CR 5054, SR 518, CR 511, Lake Washington Boulevard, and Post Road.
 * Brevard County Road 511 FL.svg CR 511 – Known almost universally as John Rodes Boulevard while north–south and Aurora Road while east–west, this road enters from West Melbourne and ends at U.S. 1, running through some impoverished areas of the town. Major intersections include Ellis Road, SR 518, CR 509, and U.S. 1.
 * Florida 518.svg SR 518 – Known locally as Eau Gallie Boulevard, this road's run is entirely in Melbourne, running from Interstate 95 to SR A1A over the Eau Gallie Causeway. It runs through the Eau Gallie Arts District. Major intersections include Interstate 95, SR 5054, CR 509, U.S. 1, SR 513, and SR A1A.
 * Florida 5054.svg SR 5054 – The state road designation being entirely unsigned, the road is mostly known as Sarno Road. It has a short run from SR 518 to CR 509, where Sarno Road continues as CR 5054.
 * Brevard County Road 5054 FL.svg CR 5054 – The more urban portion of Sarno Road. Major intersections include CR 509, Croton Boulevard, Apollo Boulevard, and U.S. 1.

Rail
The Union Cypress Company Railroad ran east to west through south Melbourne in the early 1900s. The mill town of Hopkins was near the present-day streets of Mill Street and Main Street.

The Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) runs through Melbourne, staying west of U.S. 1 through its entire run. Into the early 1960s, passengers could take one of two Chicago-bound trains (on alternating days), the City of Miami or the South Wind (both via Birmingham) and the New York-bound East Coast Champion, Havana Special, and Miamian from Melbourne's Florida East Coast station. Into the latter 1950s, passengers could take the Dixie Flagler to Chicago via Atlanta from the station. The FEC operated local passenger service between Jacksonville and the Miami area until July 31, 1968.

The Brightline passenger rail company is considering service to extend north from West Palm Beach to the Space Coast, but so far, has passed over Melbourne for Cocoa.

Bus

 * Space Coast Area Transit operates a public bus service in Melbourne and vicinity. The city subsidizes two routes internal to the city so Melbourne residents ride for free.
 * Greyhound Bus Lines has a bus station in Melbourne

Airport
Melbourne Orlando International Airport is located about 1.5 mi northwest of the city's original business district. The airport has daily flights on six passenger airlines and a cargo one, including Delta, Delta Connection, American Eagle and Elite Airways.

Utilities
Power is provided by Florida Power and Light. Gas is provided by Florida City Gas.

Cable TV service is provided by Spectrum.

Traditional landline telephone service is mainly provided by AT&T, while some cable customers use Spectrum digital telephone (VOIP) service.

Internet service providers in Melbourne range from various 56 kbit/s providers, AT&T (formerly BellSouth) FastAccess DSL, and Spectrum cable internet. Fiber-optic networks are installed in the city mainly for business purposes and have not been integrated for home use.

The Water Department not only provides water for the city, but for surrounding towns and cities for a premium, including Melbourne Beach, Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Satellite Beach, Palm Shores, Melbourne Village, West Melbourne, and a portion of unincorporated Brevard County south of the Pineda Causeway. In 2020, it served about 170,000 people. Wholesale water service is provided to West Melbourne. The total distribution area is about 100 sqmi Two water treatment plants take water from Lake Washington and deep wells, providing 25000000 USgal of drinking water per day. This water is treated with chloramine and ozone. Almost annually, the city is obliged to substitute the stronger free chlorine for the summer months when algae blooms are prevalent. In 2003, water rates were $2.27/1000 USgal sewer $4.47/1000 USgal.

Solid waste removal and recycling is provided by Solid Waste Management, part of the city of Melbourne's Environmental Community Outreach (ECO) Division.

Namesakes
Melbourne Square, in the city of Melbourne, located on US 192 west of downtown, is one of the largest shopping centers in Brevard County. In the 1960s, the motto of Melbourne was, "Crossroads to the Universe".

Notable people

 * Oliver Askew, professional racing driver for Andretti Autosport
 * Thomas Barbour, author and naturalist, lived in Eau Gallie as a boy
 * Peter Blount, former member of the World Cup Bobsled Team and of the US National Track and Field Team
 * Bruce Bochy, manager of the World Champion San Francisco Giants Major League Baseball team
 * Robbie Carrico, Season 7 contestant on American Idol
 * Bobby Dall, bass player for the band Poison, resides in Melbourne
 * Cecil Fielder, professional baseball player
 * Prince Fielder, professional baseball player, son of Cecil Fielder, went to Eau Gallie High School
 * William Henry Gleason, founded and lived in Eau Gallie
 * Kristin Grubka, professional women's soccer player, FSU women's soccer national champion in 2014
 * Darrell Hammond, comedian and actor, born and resided in Melbourne from 1955 to 1975
 * Kim Hammond, former judge and former quarterback for Florida State University and American Football League, played football, basketball and baseball for Melbourne High School
 * C.J. Hobgood, 2001 ASP world champion surfer, born in Melbourne
 * Damien Hobgood, professional surfer born in Melbourne
 * Devon Hughes, professional wrestler, better known as Brother Devon from Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
 * Vicky Hurst, professional golfer, graduated from Holy Trinity
 * Zora Neale Hurston, author, lived in Eau Gallie in the 1920s and 1950s
 * Billy Lane, owner of Choppers, Inc. and builder of custom motorcycles
 * Jeff Lett, bass player of Cartel, born in Melbourne
 * Jack V. Mackmull, U.S. Army lieutenant general
 * Ariana Madix, television personality, actress, author and cast member on Vanderpump Rules
 * Marcus Maye, professional NFL player for the New York Jets, attended Holy Trinity
 * Jim Morrison, lead singer for The Doors, born in Melbourne
 * Henry Mucci, US Army colonel who led the Great Raid in World War II to free the Bataan survivors, retired to Melbourne
 * Bill Nelson, long-time U.S. senator from Florida, raised in Melbourne and graduated from Melbourne High School in 1960
 * Reggie Nelson, safety for NFL's Oakland Raiders
 * Jamie Noble, professional wrestler
 * Hans von Ohain, one of the first people to develop the jet engine, retired and died in Melbourne
 * Stanford Parris, former U.S. congressman from Virginia, was a primary resident of Melbourne after leaving Congress
 * Will Perdue, NBA forward and center (Chicago Bulls), sportscaster, born in Melbourne
 * Toni Pressley, professional women's soccer player, graduated from West Shore High School in 2008
 * Tom Rapp, singer-songwriter, leader of 1960s/1970s band Pearls Before Swine
 * Taylor Rowan, American football placekicker
 * Melana Scantlin, actress
 * Stefanie Scott, teenage actress, stars on the Disney show A.N.T. Farm
 * Lee Stange, professional baseball pitcher
 * Jason Steele, state representative from 1980 to 1982
 * Robbin Thompson, singer-songwriter
 * Amber Torrealba, professional skimboarder
 * George Trofimoff, former U.S. Army colonel and convicted spy for the Soviet Union, lived in Melbourne from 1994 to 2000
 * Kate Upton, model, 2012 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover girl
 * Tim Wakefield, baseball pitcher for the (Boston Red Sox), born in Melbourne
 * Matt Walters, defensive end for the New York Jets
 * Leonard Weaver, National Football League fullback
 * Larry Wolfe, Major League Baseball infielder
 * Mickey Zofko, National Football League running back
 * The Learning Station, kids' band founded in 1987

title: Melbourne, Florida


text:
Melbourne Beach, Florida

Melbourne Beach is a town in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population had 3,231 residents at the 2020 United States Census, up from 3,101 at the 2010 census.

History
The Ais Indians resided in the area in pre-Columbian times. In 2010, a midden near Aquarina included a burial ground for a chief and two handmaidens.

It has been suggested that Juan Ponce de León landed near Melbourne Beach in 1513, where he then became the first European to set foot in Florida. A determination of this was made by a historian in the 1990s, who believed that the spot was "within five to eight nautical miles" on the barrier island with a proposed name of Ponce de León Island. However, this suggestion has not been met with wide acceptance from historians who state that de Leon's landing place cannot be known within a leeway of less than a hundred miles or so. A statue of Ponce de León was erected at "Juan Ponce de León Landing" in Melbourne Beach to commemorate his discovery.

Melbourne Beach is Brevard County's oldest beach community.

In 1879, a hotel, the Oak Lodge, was built for researchers and naturalists on a 164 acre location near Aquarina.

In 1921, the Melbourne Causeway was built, connecting Melbourne Beach to the mainland via the town of Indialantic. In 1923, it was incorporated as a town.

In 1928, Harry J. Brooks, attempting to set a long distance record, crashed a Ford Flivver off the coast of Melbourne Beach, resulting in his death.

The town's population oscillated until World War II, when it began growing steadily. Currently, it is largely residential, with an elementary school, some businesses, and many condominiums in the unincorporated areas to the north and south.

In 2007, it was voted one of ten best bargain retirement spots in America.

In 2016, a Publix located four miles south of Melbourne Beach sold one of the winning tickets in the $1.3 billion Powerball.

Geography
Melbourne Beach is located at 28.06775°N, -80.56172°W. It is situated on the barrier island that separates the Indian River Lagoon from the Atlantic Ocean. This island, approximately 40 mi in length, stretches from Cape Canaveral to the north to the Sebastian Inlet to the south. Melbourne Beach is bordered by the town of Indialantic to the north.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.3 km$2$). 1.0 square miles (2.7 km$2$) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km$2$) of it (19.53%) is water.

Climate
The Town of Melbourne Beach is part of the humid subtropical climate zone with a Köppen Climate Classification of "Cfa" (C = mild temperate, f = fully humid, and a = hot summer).

Fauna
Shorebirds include black-bellied plovers, red knots (winter), gannets, seabirds (offshore), and red-throated loons (winter).

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,231 people, 1,374 households, and 874 families residing in the town.

, the top 10 largest self-reported ancestry groups in Melbourne Beach, Florida are English (18.5%), German (15.2%), Italian (11.4%), Irish (10.4%), "American" (8.1%), Greek (5.7%), Scots-Irish (4.3%), French (except Basque) (4.1%), Scottish (2.9%), and Swedish (2.4%).

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 3,101 people, 1,271 households, and 867 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,335 people, 1,422 households, and 992 families residing in the town. The population density was 3,243.5 PD/sqmi. There were 1,556 housing units at an average density of 1,513.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.51% White, 0.09% Black, 0.12% Native American, 0.99% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 1.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.28% of the population.

In 2000, there were 1,422 households, out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.7% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.77.

In 2000, in the town, the population was spread out, with 20.1% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 22.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.3 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the town is $57,035, and the median income for a family is $62,139. Males have a median income of $46,424 versus $34,028 for females. The per capita income for the town is $31,489. 3.8% of the population and 1.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 0.0% are under the age of 18 and 2.2% are 65 or older.

Government
In 2007, the town had a taxable real estate base of $371.45 million.

Personal income
In 2010, the median income for a household in the town was $87,035, and the median income for a family was $62,139. Males had a median income of $46,424 versus $34,028 for females. The per capita income for the town was $31,489. About 1.6% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.

Median home value was $321,498.00 in 2010.

Melbourne Beach is second in Brevard County for per capita income and 124 out of 887 places.

Tourism
Coconut Point Park is a 36.9 acre community beachside park and sea turtle nesting site. The park is listed in the state of Florida Great Florida Birding Trail.

Points of interest

 * Melbourne Beach Pier
 * Old Melbourne Beach Town Hall
 * Ryckman Park

Notable people

 * Bobby Dall, musician, bass player for rock band Poison
 * Jorja Fox, American actress and producer
 * Doug Flutie, football player
 * James Henry Gillis, Rear Admiral
 * Caroline Marks, Olympic surfer
 * Norma Metrolis, baseball player
 * Pat Neshek, pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals
 * Homer Rodeheaver, music arranger for Billy Sunday; later formed a subdivision in town, "Christian Colony," for retired evangelists
 * Kate Chastain, reality tv star of “Below Deck” fame

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Melbourne Beach, Florida


text:
Melbourne Village, Florida

Melbourne Village is a town in Brevard County, Florida. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is the smallest incorporated municipality (by population) in Brevard County. The population was 681 at the 2020 US Census, up from 662 at the 2010 census.

History
Virginia Wood, Elizabeth Nutting, and Margaret Hutchinson came from Dayton, Ohio, following the end of World War II to the area of Melbourne, Florida. Their goal was to establish a community for people seeking a lifestyle that was simple and close to nature. This social experiment was an “intentional community”, a response to the hardships of the Great Depression. The founders were influenced by the concepts and teachings of Ralph Borsodi, who also lived in Melbourne Village from 1950 to 1960. Many early residents cleared their land, built their own houses, and ran small home businesses, from organic gardening to raising chinchillas, in order to help support themselves and their families. There was a community store run on the honor system. Early families overcame the lack of construction materials for civilian use immediately following World War II by purchasing and relocating surplus military barracks from nearby bases. Two of these barracks still remain, one being the Original Melbourne Village Hall and the other a private residence.

The Town of Melbourne Village was incorporated in 1957 out of concern of being annexed by Melbourne or included in the subsequent incorporation of West Melbourne, Florida.

Geography
The exact coordinates for the Town of Melbourne Village is located at 28.08833°N, -80.66694°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.0 km$2$), primarily land, with several small ponds.

The village is surrounded by West Melbourne, except the northeastern portion of the town, where it is bordered by Melbourne.

Environment
Over 90% of lots are between 0.33 acre and 1.0 acres, with houses nestled in among the native oaks and pines. It is common in Melbourne Village for a lot to have at least 30% canopy coverage, from mature live oaks and southern pines.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the Town of Melbourne Village has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 681 people, 322 households, and 238 families residing in the town.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 662 people, 285 households, and 201 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 706 people, 307 households, and 210 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,239.4 PD/sqmi. It has the smallest population of any municipality in the county.

In 2000, there were 325 housing units at an average density of 570.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 99.01% White, 0.71% Asian, and 0.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.27% of the population.

In 2000, there were 307 households, out of which 21.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.0% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.73.

In 2000, in the town, the population was spread out, with 17.8% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 26.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.3 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $48,750, and the median income for a family was $60,000. Males had a median income of $51,058 versus $27,375 for females. The per capita income for the town was $27,782. About 2.6% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.3% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government
The Town of Melbourne Village is governed by a Town Commission of seven members, one of whom is the Mayor/Commissioner. By town charter, these are unpaid positions. The Mayor and Commissioners are non-partisan positions and are elected in November during the general elections for two year terms. Terms are staggered, with three commission seats up for election each year plus the mayoral seat up every other year. Each year, the Commission elects one of their members as the Vice Mayor. The Commission meets at least once a month to deal with town business, in a modified "town hall"-style meeting. This form of government is a mixture of the "Council-Manager" and the "Mayor-Council" systems, as the Mayor is elected (rather than appointed) yet does have a vote on the Commission. While the Mayor is responsible for the day-to-day executive oversight and guidance for the town (in essence, the Town's "city manager"), the Commission can reverse or direct the Mayor's actions.

Three departments serve the town with paid employees: Administration, Public Works, and Police. The Police department has been subcontracted to Brevard County Sheriff's department recently.

American Homesteading Foundation
The American Homesteading Foundation was the entity behind the founding of Melbourne Village. All homeowners in the town are given the option of being members of the AHF. The AHF was founded in 1946 by Virginia Wood, Elizabeth Nutting, and Margaret Hutchinson, and is a not-for-profit corporation and independent of the official municipality. The AHF serves the community by owning, maintaining, and operating all the community property within the town, and sponsors recreational and educational activities throughout the year. The community property includes approximately 45 acre of parks and paths, the Village Hall, and the AHF Swimming Pool. In its modern form, the main function of the AHF is sometimes described as an independent self-funded Parks and Recreation department for the town's residents.

Community involvement
More than 25 percent of the residents of Melbourne Village are routinely involved in committees and volunteer events. In the 2008 elections, voter turnout for Melbourne Village (Precinct 31) was 95 percent. Even in non-presidential election years, turnout is typically 60 percent to 80 percent.

Planned development
The Vision 2012 Committee was chartered by the Town Commission in March 2006, as a response to trends and concerns about recent construction that, if not addressed, could significantly change the existing neighborhood character via the larger size of structures, greater lot coverage, and the loss of green-space.

The result of this work was the Responsible Growth Plan, a set of ordinances that developed building coverage ranges for all lot sizes, devised incentive strategies to encourage homeowners and builders to minimize the visual and environmental impact of larger lot coverage, improved the town's code emphasis on tree canopy, green conservation, and native vegetation, and provided a way to manage all these objectives via the Town Review Board.

Parks and recreation
Erna Nixon Park is a 54 acre park opened in 1976. It is a habitat for native plants, birds, and animals, including gopher tortoises, indigo snakes, and bobcats.

title: Melbourne Village, Florida


text:
Merritt Island, Florida

Merritt Island is a peninsula, commonly referred to as an island, in Brevard County, Florida, United States, located on the eastern Florida coast, along the Atlantic Ocean. It is also the name of an unincorporated town in the central and southern parts of the island and a census-designated place (CDP).

The population was 34,518 at the 2020 census, down from 34,743 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center is located on Merritt Island to the north of the town, and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is located north of the space center.

The central part of Merritt Island, previously known as Merritt City, is home to the majority of the population and includes the local high school, library, and shopping district. The southern area is heavily residential, with centralized light commercial and light industrial areas.

Etymology
Merritt Island owes its name to the King of Spain. The entire island was part of a land grant given by the King to a nobleman named Merritt.

Pre-Columbian
Archaeological excavations have uncovered the fossils of extinct animals such as mastodons, giant land tortoise, camel, glyptodont, horse, mammoth, giant armadillo, peccary, and tapir, which lived in the area up to 11,000 years ago. Their extinction was part of a larger North American die-off in which native horses, mastodons and other camelidaes also died out. Possibilities for extinction include global climate change and hunting pressure from the arrival of the Clovis people, who were prolific hunters with distinct fluted stone tools which allowed for a spear to be attached to the stone tool. This megafaunal extinction coincided roughly with the appearance of the big game hunting Clovis culture, and biochemical analyses have shown that Clovis tools were used in hunting camels.

By at least 800 to 900 BC, permanent Native American structures occupied the area. Their mounds populated the lagoon margin.

Post-Columbian
In 1605, Spanish explorer Álvaro Mexía visited while on a diplomatic mission to the local tribes living in the Indian River area. He called the local tribe of Ais people, part of the native province of Ulumay. Merritt Island is the prominent island on a color map he drew of the area, a copy of which is in the archives at the Library of Congress and the archives in Seville, Spain. Within a few years, all but a handful of these natives were dead from an epidemic that plagued the area after the arrival of a shipwrecked British merchant.

In the 1760s, the Elliott Plantation grew sugar and milled it. Remains of the plantation can be found in the Wildlife Refuge. In April 1788, French botanist André Michaux traveled in Merritt Island, near Cape Canaveral. He spent five days looking for plants. He wrote a letter on April 24, 1788, from St Augustine. He reported discovering the flag or bigflower paw-paw, Asimina obovata (Annona grandiflora (Bartr.)).

In 1837, Fort Ann was constructed on the east coast of Merritt Island near the present day Haulover Canal, to protect the area against the Seminoles. Merritt Island's recent history dates back to the mid-19th century and centers on the growth of citrus, stressing the cultivation of pineapples and oranges. The Indian River oranges and grapefruit come from this sandy area. Freezes destroyed the local pineapple industry in the late 1890s. Freed slaves constructed small towns in the area after the Civil War, including Haulover, Clifton, and Shiloh.

The island's population grew in the 1950s and 1960s as the Space Race began and nearby NASA expanded. Construction of a barge canal to the Intracoastal Waterway from the Atlantic Ocean (for power plant oil shipments) cut off the northern half of the island for many years. To this day, the northern portion of the island remains slightly less developed, with a few areas remaining as cattle pasture or citrus land. The small towns on the island vanished with the coming of the Space Age, and now only live on in the names of streets and historic churches. In 1988, citizens defeated a proposed incorporation into a city, 77% opposed to 23% in favor.

Sea Ray Boats operated a factory on Merritt Island from 1978 to 2012. At one time it employed 1200 people. It closed the plant in 2013.

Geography

Merritt Island extends some 46 mi from the Volusia County line to Dragon Point near Melbourne. It connects to the Florida mainland where SR 3 now intersects US 1 in Volusia County. To the west it is separated from the mainland by the Indian River and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. To the east it is separated by the Mosquito Lagoon and the Banana River from the barrier island on which Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach stand. The east side of Merritt Island splits and is divided by Sykes Creek and Newfound Harbor.

In the north, the Haulover Canal, first dug in the 19th century, separates the island from the mainland. To the west, the island is connected by causeways to mainland Brevard County near Titusville and Cocoa on its northern end, and in Melbourne on its southern end. To the east the island is connected to Cape Canaveral by the Crawlerway, and by causeways to Cocoa Beach and Satellite Beach.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 122.2 km2, of which 45.4 km2 is land and 76.8 km2, or 62.88%, is water.

Fauna
To the north, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, along with a narrow barrier island that make up Canaveral National Seashore, offer an unpopulated protected buffer area for rocket launches at Kennedy Space Center. There are about 356 species of birds on the peninsula, one of the most diverse in the country. Migratory birds join the more resident wildlife, including alligators, manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, bald eagles, ospreys, bobcats, and the elusive Florida panther. A number of bald eagle nests are monitored atop power line poles along SR 3 within Kennedy Space Center.

There are about 12,000 feral pigs in North Merritt Island. Licensed trappers catch about 2,000 annually, which keeps the population even. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service would like to reduce the population.

Places on Merritt Island
Merritt Island has or had 23 named communities, all unincorporated, including: • Allenhurst

• Angel City

• Audubon

• Banyan

• Courtenay

• Fairyland

• Georgiana

• Heath

• Indianola

• Lotus

• Merritt City

• Orsino

• Shiloh

• Tropic

• Wilson

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 34,518 people, 13,790 households, and 8,600 families residing in the CDP.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 34,743 people, 14,247 households, and 9,385 families residing in the CDP.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 36,090 people, 14,955 households, and 10,049 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,044.6 PD/sqmi. There were 15,813 housing units at an average density of 895.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 90.22% White, 5.31% African American, 0.41% Native American, 1.65% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 1.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.83% of the population.

In 2000, there were 14,955 households, out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18, 52.9% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband, and 32.8% were non-families. Of households, 26.8% were solely individuals and 11.4% had a lone resident of 65 or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.86.

In 2000, in the CDP, the population was spread out, with 21.8% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% of 65 or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.

Government
Merritt Island is under the administrative care of the local county government, with water being handled by the neighboring city of Cocoa. The county maintains operations for the sheriff's office, fire department, emergency medical services, and sewage systems.

Personal income
According to the 2000 Census:
 * Median household income  = $43,532
 * Median family income     = $52,388
 * Median income for males  = $41,393
 * Median income for females = $25,787
 * Per capita income    = $23,961
 * Below the poverty line:
 * Families                = 7.2%
 * Population              = 9.4%
 * Those under age 18      = 13.8%
 * Those over age 64       = 7.0%

Industry
There are light industrial fabrication centers on the Merritt Island Airport, and NASA-related industrial activities to support the Space Shuttle, which was retired in summer of 2011, and other rocket launches on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Air Liquide operates a plant there. Arnott Air Suspension Products, develops and sells aftermarket automotive air suspension products, is also headquartered in Merritt Island.

Redevelopment
Merritt Island has a redevelopment agency funded by the county.

Education
Merritt Island has several schools.

Public schools are operated by Brevard Public Schools:
 * MILA Elementary
 * Tropical Elementary
 * Audubon Elementary
 * Robert Louis Stevenson School of the Arts
 * Lewis Carroll Elementary
 * Gardendale Elementary (Closed since 2014)
 * Thomas Jefferson Middle School
 * Edgewood Junior/Senior High School
 * Merritt Island High School

Private schools:
 * Merritt Island Christian
 * Calvary Chapel Christian School
 * Brevard Private Academy

Library district
The Merritt Island Public Library, though a part of the Brevard County Library System, is a state-designated special library district. Since Merritt Island is an unincorporated area of Brevard County, in 1965 the area applied for, and was designated, a special library district under Chapter 65-1289 by the Florida Legislature. In 2005, the Florida House of Representatives codified all special acts and amendments, in regards to the Merritt Island Public Library District, under HB 1079.

Roads
The residential areas of Merritt Island, East and West Merritt Island, are only accessible by causeway or drawbridge at all points. The island is linked by causeways, SR 520 (Merritt Island Causeway),, State Road 404 (Pineda Causeway), , State Road 405, , State Road 406, and  SR 528, to the barrier island to its east and the mainland to the west. Mathers Bridge connects the southernmost area to the barrier island.

SR 3, a four-lane highway, connects the Kennedy Space Center for workers from the more densely populated central and southern sections of the island.

Sewage
The lift station near the Pineda Causeway was built to handle 9000000 USgal per day. It became overloaded after Hurricane Irma in 2017. Trucks were used to dispose of the excess which rose to 12000000 USgal daily.

Airports
Merritt Island Airport is a public general aviation airport located on South Merritt Island and run by the Titusville-Cocoa (TICO) Airport Authority.

Landmarks

 * J. R. Field Homestead
 * Hacienda del Sol, large historic agricultural estate on South Merritt Island (home still exists, property is now a private estate)
 * Haulover Canal
 * Dr. George E. Hill House
 * Kennedy Space Center
 * Mather's Bridge Restaurant (now closed), previously Hacienda del Sol's workers mess hall, was joined by former field workers quarters (since destroyed) across South Tropical Trail at Mather's Bridge
 * Merritt Island Airport
 * Merritt Island (Canaveral) Barge Canal
 * Merritt Island Dragon
 * Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
 * Kiwanis Island Park
 * Merritt Island Rotary Park Nature Trail and Center
 * Pine Island Conservation Area, 950 acre preserve. Pine Island contains Sams House, built in 1875. It is Brevard's oldest standing structure.
 * Old St. Luke's Episcopal Church and Cemetery
 * Ulumay Wildlife Sanctuary
 * Futch Cove on Banana Creek (location of Apollo/Saturn Visitors Center)
 * Merritt Square Mall

Notable people

 * Tim DeMorat, football player
 * Arias Deukmedjian, racing driver
 * Taylor Jordan, baseball player
 * Travis Kittleson, racing driver
 * Roy Padrick, actor and journalist

title: Merritt Island, Florida


text:
Micco, Florida

Micco is a census-designated place (CDP) in Brevard County, Florida. The population was 9,574 at the 2020 United States census, up from 9,052 at the 2010 United States Census. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Frank Smith was the first settler in 1877. In 1880, a post office was established under the name Chipco, however it was discontinued after only a year. It was re-established under the name Micco in 1884. In 1993, the post office was merged with the Sebastian post office. They are in two separate buildings next to one another, but one is merely a counterpart of the other.

Geography
Micco is mapped at 27.8775°N, -80.51444°W (27.877504, −80.514578).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 25.6 km2, of which 19.7 km2 is land and 5.8 km2, or 22.78%, is water.

Micco shares its zip code with Sebastian.

Surrounding areas

 * Grant-Valkaria [[File:North.svg]]
 * Deer Run [[File:West.svg]]
 * Indian River Lagoon [[File:Boxed East arrow.svg]]
 * Indian River County [[File:South.svg]]

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,498 people, 5,212 households, and 3,163 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,009.9 PD/sqmi. There were 6,400 housing units at an average density of 680.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.82% White, 0.24% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.32% of the population.

There were 5,212 households, out of which 5.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.3% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 26.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.82 and the average family size was 2.23.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 5.9% under the age of 18, 2.0% from 18 to 24, 9.3% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 58.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 69 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $27,673, and the median income for a family was $34,645. Males had a median income of $25,638 versus $20,352 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $20,649. About 5.1% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.3% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

title: Micco, Florida


text:
Mims, Florida

Mims is a census-designated place (CDP) holding the single zip code 32754 located within Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 7,336 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Palm Bay—Melbourne—Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Mims is located at 28.66861°N, -80.84806°W (28.668670, −80.847949).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 57.9 km2, of which 44.1 km2 is land and 13.7 km2, or 23.71%, is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,147 people, 3,591 households, and 2,574 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 462.0 PD/sqmi. There were 4,171 housing units at an average density of 210.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 86.57% White, 10.98% African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.54% of the population.

There were 3,591 households, out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.3% were non-families. 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 24.0% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.9 males.

Personal income
The median income for a household in the CDP was $35,216, and the median income for a family was $41,044. Males had a median income of $33,886 versus $21,925 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $17,433. About 11.3% of families and 15.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.

Industry
Praxair in Mims produces liquid oxygen for the Kennedy Space Center.

History
Mims, Florida received its name after its earliest settlers; Britton J. Mims, Robert Mims, and Casper Neil Mims. The three brothers were reputedly distant relatives to Jesse James. Casper later established the first Mims general store circa 1876.

Henry Flagler's East Coast Railroad construction starting 1885 expanded the community. By 1893, with railroad in place, both Mims and neighboring city Titusville began shipping citrus and lumber to northern cities. By the end of the 19th century citrus farms began to dominate the local economy.

The settlement was organized as a city in the early 1900s; continuing slow growth until the start of the great depression. During the first years of the great depression large numbers of residents reportedly left looking for work. Mims, unable to sustain a municipal government, subsequently reverted to an unincorporated township within Brevard County, Florida.

Mims civil rights leader Harry T. Moore and his family resided in Mims from at least the 1920s. Known as a national civil rights leader, teacher and founder of the Brevard County NAACP, he and his wife Harriette were targeted for assassination Christmas Eve, 1951; they received fatal injuries when a bomb exploded from under their home. Moore died in the blast; his wife survived until January 3, 1952. Both of their daughters survived the attack. The murders were racially motivated and believed to have been committed by members of the Ku Klux Klan.

The FBI investigated the case in 1951–1952, and the county and state in the 1970s and 1990s. The state reinvestigated in 2005, after suspected perpetrators had died. No prosecutions or charges were ever brought against the purpetrator(s). Multiple sites in Mims and Brevard County are dedicated to the Moores including the Moore Memorial Park and Cultural Center in Mims.

Education
There are four schools located in Mims; three public and one private.
 * Christ Aid Academy (Private, K-12)
 * Devereux Center at Normandy School (Public, 1–12)
 * Mims Elementary School (Public, K-6)
 * Pinewood Elementary School (Public, K-6)

title: Mims, Florida


text:
Palm Bay, Florida

Palm Bay is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The city's population was 119,760 at the 2020 United States census, up from 103,190 at the 2010 census, making it the most populous city in the county and the largest by land mass. The historic section of the city lies on the mouth of the Turkey Creek and the Palm Bay. Palm Bay has historically expanded south and to the west. The newer section is mostly situated west of Interstate 95 and south of the Tillman Canal.

Palm Bay is a principal city of the Palm Bay−Melbourne−Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a population of 606,612 at the 2020 census.

History
The Ais people, attracted to the mouth of Turkey Creek at the Indian River by freshwater springs, fish, oysters, and wildlife, are thought to have been the first inhabitants in the Palm Bay area.

The earliest place names for this area on early maps of the late 1700s were Turkey Creek, Elbow Creek and Crane Creek. An 1870 map of the Indian River by John Andrew Bostrom shows the area void of any settlements within about 15 miles of Turkey Creek. The first prominent European-American settler was John Tillman in the late 1870s. Tillman's wharf marked the mouth of Turkey Creek at what became known as Palm Bay on the Indian River.

By the late 1880s, Tillman was operating a profitable orange and banana grove on the north shore of the creek. He had the most notable banana grove on the Indian River. Tillman's wharf also attracted settlers, as it was a steamboat stop.

By the mid-nineteenth century, there was a lumber operation, orange groves, and packing house. Growth was slow until the arrival of the railroad in 1894. Then goods were brought in and produce was shipped to market faster.

1900s
Between 1910 and 1914, a land company known as the Indian River Catholic Colony became established at Tillman. Attempting to grow two crops a season, farmers quickly depleted the soil, and the colony failed. Those remaining built St. Joseph's Church on Miller Street, the oldest building still standing.

In the 1920s, the city was renamed as Palm Bay, after the bay bordered with sabal palm trees known as Palm Bay, located at the mouth of Turkey Creek. A group of Tillman businessmen established the Melbourne-Tillman Drainage District, and issued $1.5 million worth of bonds. Starting in 1922, a 180 mi grid of 80 canals was dug to drain 40000 acre of swampy land west of Palm Bay for other uses. The canals made it possible to control flooding and redevelop marsh lands to agricultural use. These actions had the unintended consequences of leaving the land more vulnerable to flooding from storms and destroying important habitats for complex ecology.

Farmers planted citrus groves and truck farms which shipped winter produce by the Florida East Coast Railroad to northern markets. Farmers sold timber and land to paper companies. Based on use of the Tillman and Hopkins canals, ranchers raised beef cattle in West Melbourne.

In 1926, a fire among the dredges and a severe hurricane caused extensive damage, leading to an economic downturn in Palm Bay. The Melbourne-Tillman Drainage District went bankrupt.

In 1959, General Development Corporation purchased and platted extensive tracts of land in Palm Bay for a large residential project known as Port Malabar. The city of Palm Bay incorporated on January 16, 1960. Prior to expanding its borders, the city population was 2,808 that year.

The active development of the city after that point was intertwined with GDC, which laid out and built many of the streets, sold and built many of the city's homes, and built a water treatment plant. This was later purchased by the city of Palm Bay after GDC filed for bankruptcy in 1991.

The Melbourne-Tillman Water District was revived under the auspices of the County Government. In 2019, it controlled 100 mi2 of land.

On April 23, 1987, William Bryan Cruse Jr. shot and killed six people, including two college students and two police officers, at a local shopping center. He also wounded ten other people. The shooting by the 59-year-old, who was retired or unemployed and caring for a chronically ill wife, made national news. Convicted and sentenced to death, Cruse died on Florida's death row in 2009.

In October 1994, $500,000 of gold and gems stolen from a jewelry store which was at the time the largest single robbery in the city's history. Police suspected a connection with a similar robbery in May 1994 in Daytona Beach. Larry Lawton was later charged in 1996 with the crime after fingerprint evidence linked him to the crime.

2000s
For three consecutive years between 2003 and 2005, Palm Bay was a finalist for the All-America City Award.

In 2008, the city was named in an article from U.S. News & World Report as the second "Drunkest City" in the US behind Reno, Nevada.

In 2008, the former Port Malabar Country Club property was revalued at $300,000. This was considered an essentially "worthless" valuation because arsenic had been found in the groundwater and remediation would cost an estimated $12 million to clean up.

Hundreds of miles of roads in the city are in such poor condition that the city Public Works Department considers them unserviceable. The voters have consistently defeated measures to raise money to invest in infrastructure to improve the roads, which are described as the worst in Brevard County. In 2005, they voted down a $58.7 million bond measure. In 2009, they defeated a $75.2 million tax referendum. In 2010, voters living in areas with the worst roads voted 9–1 against $44.7 million assessment for repairing them. In 2011, the city government created a Palm Bay Road Maintenance District that they hope can levy taxes and alleviate the situation.

In 2008, fires on Mother's Day destroyed 37 homes in the southwest area of the city. Arson has been blamed as the cause of at least a few of the numerous fires.

In 2009, the Brevard Zoo moved the remaining 15 Florida scrub jay families native to the city to Buck Lake Conservation Area in Mims. The Florida scrub jay is a threatened species due to it being territorial; it is unable to move to better grounds when its habitat is jeopardized.

2010s
In 2010, plans were revealed by a private company to develop Emerald City, a large planned development within the city limits. The company intends to develop a multi-use, eco-friendly urban community to include residential zones consisting of townhouses, and commercial zones consisting of state-of-the-art medical facilities, research and development centers for technology firms, and urbanized retail shopping centers. As of February 2016, Emerald City is in the development phase.

City fiscal concern over firefighters' pensions rose during 2010. Firefighters' salaries averaged $71,100 annually plus $5,590 overtime pay. They were eligible for 100% of base pay after 28 years of service.

In 2012, construction began on the St. John's Heritage Parkway (also known as the Palm Bay Parkway), an arterial roadway that runs north to south along with the western limits of the city. A portion of the parkway opened to the public in 2015. The project was in development for more than a decade. It is intended to alleviate traffic for commuters on the main thoroughfares of SR 507, CR 509, and I-95. Later phases of the project will bring the roadway further south and then east following the lower city limits, eventually connecting to I-95 just north of Micco Road. A state roadway improvement project includes planned widening SR 507 (Babcock Street) from four lanes to six.

In 2015, the Harris Corporation constructed a new 464,000-square-foot technology center near Palm Bay Road and Troutman Boulevard. The building is one of the largest in the northeast section of the city and is reported to house approximately 1,400 scientists and engineers for the company.

In 2017, construction began on the southern Interstate 95 interchange and the southern portion of the St. John's Heritage Parkway. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is constructing a new diverging diamond interchange DDI on Interstate 95 just north of Micco Road within the city limits. The city is working on the southern portion of the parkway to extend from Babcock Street SE to Micco Road. The project is intended to improve traffic capacity, operations, and safety, as well as promote economic development in southern Brevard County.

The city formerly monitored some intersections with radar cameras, resulting in the issuing of traffic tickets to drivers who ran red lights. In 2013, these monitored intersections were found to be no safer than unmonitored ones. These cameras were removed in 2014.

In 2018, voters passed a referendum in the November 2018 elections, electing to fund a city-wide road repair project with a general obligation bond worth $150,000,000 payable from annual ad valorem taxes. Planning, design, and construction for the city's four quadrants are currently underway with a tentative 8-year plan projected. Construction of several units began in August 2019.

Geography
The approximate coordinates for the City of Palm Bay is located at 27.99792°N, -80.67001°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 101.4 mi, of which 97.86 mi is land and 8.1 sqkm, or 4.56%, is water.

The city is often referred to in four quadrants: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast, each containing multiple zip codes. The most urban area is in Northeast. The most rural area is in Southwest, containing an area called The Compound. This area is home to Bombardier Recreational Products. “The compound” area is primarily used by recreational off road vehicles and persons engaging in various recreational activities.

During the early 1990s, Fred Poppe Regional Park (formerly Palm Bay Regional Park), a soccer and athletic complex in the western part of the city, was constructed. It is the largest of a citywide system of parks and recreation areas. The Turkey Creek Sanctuary is a small nature reserve in the northeast part of the city.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of Palm Bay has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

Surrounding areas

 * St. Johns River; Sawgrass Lake; Lake Hell 'n Blazes; Osceola County [[File:West.svg]]
 * Grant-Valkaria; Malabar; Indian River Lagoon [[File:Boxed East arrow.svg]]
 * West Melbourne; Melbourne [[File:North.svg]]
 * Indian River County [[File:South.svg]]

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 119,760 people, 39,109 households, and 26,872 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 103,190 people, 36,940 households, and 26,528 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of 2000, 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% are non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.03.

In 2000, the city's population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $36,508, and the median income for a family was $41,636. Males had a median income of $31,060 versus $22,203 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,992. 9.5% of the population and 7.1% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 11.5% were under the age of 18 and 8.1% were 65 or older.

Languages
As of 2000, English spoken as a first language accounted for 88.55% of all residents, while 11.44% spoke other languages as their mother tongue. The most significant was Spanish speakers who made up 7.45% of the population.

Industry
Forbes magazine ranked the city the 11th most innovative in the nation in 2010.

Large employers in the city include:
 * L3Harris Technologies has 3,400 employees on its Palm Bay campus on Palm Bay Road
 * Intersil employed 700 people in 2010
 * Palm Bay Hospital

Workforce
In 2007, the average size of Palm Bay's labor force was 49,935. Of that group, 47,542 were employed and 2,393 were unemployed, for an unemployment rate of 4.8%. This figure had risen to 6,571 (12.7%) and was the highest rate in the county.

Tourism
The city has some frequently visited recreational locations, such as the area known as "the compound" and the Turkey Creek area. The city has a riverfront area that the city government is attempting to further develop and focus on.

The 2015 Tough Mudder 12.5 mi race drew 9,875 visitors to the area including 6,835 participants. The Brevard County Tourist Development Council spent $40,000 promoting and staging the event.

Government

Palm Bay utilizes the council-manager form of government.

The Mayor and City Council are the legislative branch of city government; its members are the community's decision makers. The Mayor is the presiding officer at the Council Meetings and is the official head of the city for all ceremonial occasions. Power is centralized in the elected Mayor and Council (City Council), which approves the budget, determines the tax rate, focuses on the community's goals, major projects, and such long-term considerations as community growth, land use development, capital improvement plans, capital financing, and strategic planning.

In Palm Bay, a five-member Mayor and Council, operate in accordance with the City Charter. Three positions created by the Charter (Charter Officers) are appointed by and report directly to the City Council: City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk.

The City Manager is responsible for all activities related to the operations of the city. The City Manager hires a professional staff to assist in the administration and enforcement of the City Charter, ordinances, resolutions, financial conditions and all of the various procedures and policies that are required for the city to function properly. In 2011, the annual salary of the city manager was $168,000. The office of Mayor receives an annual salary of $0.20 per capita while council members receive $0.10 per capita.

As of 2024, the city is represented by the following people:
 * Mayor – Rob Medina
 * Deputy Mayor – Donny Felix
 * Councilmembers – Kenny Johnson and Randy Foster
 * City Manager – Suzanne Sherman
 * City Attorney – Patricia Smith
 * City Clerk – Terese Jones

In 2010, the city opened a data base to the public, that tracks city income and expenditures.

In 2010, the city employed 913 full-time equivalent workers.

In 2008, the police department won an award for training patrolmen to properly collect DNA samples. At the time, they were the only police force in the world with this program.

In 2007, the city had a taxable real estate base of $5.84 billion. This amount was the largest of any municipality in the county.

Utilities Department
In 2009, the utilities department had 545 mi of water lines, 300 mi of sewer lines, 2,250 fire hydrants, and 120 full-time equivalent employees.

Police Department
The City of Palm Bay Police Department is authorized 172 sworn police officers, in addition to numerous civilian and support personnel. The police agency is broken into various sections, such as the Uniform Services Division, Support Services Division, and the Criminal Investigations Division. Each section assigns officers to various tasks, such as patrol, traffic enforcement, training officers, detectives, and similar tasks. There are three police districts within the city. Police officers are assigned to each district.

A 2009 survey indicated that the city was ranked 263 out of 400 in crime statistics, with #1 being the worst. Crimes included murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and motor vehicle theft.

In 2011, Skype was used 32 times to obtain warrants promptly.

Fire Department
Palm Bay Fire Rescue consists of about a hundred firefighters and six stations. Most firefighters work 24 hour shifts followed by 48 hours off. The Palm Bay Fire Department responded to over 12,000 calls in 2011.

In May 2008 (Mothers Day Fires), a wild fire was started that burned a total of almost 26000 acres—40 mi2, 30 homes were destroyed and 140 were damaged. Firefighters from Palm Bay and across the state fought the fires around the clock.

In 2013, the city concluded an agreement with the county to furnish fire and emergency medical aid to whichever governmental unit was closer to the problem: a Palm Bay unit or a Brevard County unit.

Education
All public schools are run by the Brevard County School Board.

Public Elementary Schools:

 * Christa McAuliffe Elementary School
 * Columbia Elementary School
 * John F. Turner Sr. Elementary School
 * Jupiter Elementary School
 * Lockmar Elementary School
 * Palm Bay Elementary School
 * Port Malabar Elementary School
 * Riviera Elementary School
 * Sunrise Elementary School
 * Westside Elementary School

Public Middle School:
 * Southwest Middle School

Public High Schools:
 * Bayside High School
 * Palm Bay High School (located in Melbourne, but serves Palm Bay and Malabar)
 * Heritage High School

Higher Education: • Eastern Florida State College

Transportation
Major roads in Palm Bay include the following:
 * US 1.svg U.S. 1 – This road serves the northeastern section of the city. It is intersected by three main roads: Port Malabar Boulevard, Robert J. Conlan Boulevard and Palm Bay Road.
 * I-95.svg Interstate 95 – The major freeway serving the East Coast of the United States runs northwest to southeast through the center of the city's area. The city is served by interchanges 176 (Palm Bay Road), 173 (Malabar Road), and 166 (St. Johns Heritage Parkway).
 * Florida 507.svg Babcock Street – The state road portion of Babcock Street runs through the northeastern portion of Palm Bay. It provides a route from Melbourne, just north of the city, to Malabar Road and County Road 507. Main intersections include CR 516, Port Malabar Boulevard, and SR 514.
 * Brevard County Road 507 FL.svg Babcock Street – The county road portion of Babcock Street runs through the extreme southeast portion of Palm Bay. It provides a direct route to Fellsmere in Indian River County from Brevard County. Main intersections include SR 514, Waco Boulevard, Valkaria Road/Wyoming Drive, Grant Road/Eldron Boulevard, and Cogan Drive.
 * Florida 514.svg Malabar Road – The state road portion of Malabar Road connects the town of Malabar, which gives its name to the road, to eastern Palm Bay and I-95. The only main intersections are Interstate 95 and SR 507.
 * Brevard County Road 514 FL.svg Malabar Road – The county road portion of Malabar Road runs through the center of Palm Bay to CR 509. The City Hall, the Police Department and the main economic center of Palm Bay are all located on this road. Major intersections include Interstate 95, San Filippo Drive, Emerson Drive, Eldron Boulevard and CR 509.
 * Brevard County Road 516 FL.svg Palm Bay Road – This road serves the extreme northern part of Palm Bay, mainly the northeastern portion. It runs from SR 507 to CR 509. Major intersections include SR 507, Port Malabar Boulevard, Dairy Road, Hollywood Boulevard, Interstate 95, and CR 509.
 * Brevard County Road 509 FL.svg Minton Road – This road serves the western part of Palm Bay. It runs from West Melbourne to Malabar Road. Major intersections include CR 516, Emerson Drive, Americana Boulevard, and CR 514.

There are about 851 mi of city-maintained highways. Most roads in the area west of DeGroodt Road are unpaved. In 2013, the public works director reported that most roads in south Palm Bay were "failed roads," for lack of maintenance.

In 2012, Palm Bay had the lowest walkability of any city in the United States with a population over 100,000 people.

In 2018, The city's voters approved a bond referendum to pave the city's failing roadways. The city is repaving or reconstructing various sections or units each fiscal year.

Notable people

 * William G. Bainbridge, 5th Sergeant Major of the Army
 * Deanne Bell, reality television show host known for PBS's Design Squad and Discovery Channel's Smash Lab
 * Xavier Carter, professional track athlete
 * Joe Cohen, San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle
 * Bobby Dall, bassist musician of Poison
 * Ray Dandridge, Hall of Fame Baseball player, retired and died in Palm Bay in 1994
 * Ezio Flagello, Italian-American opera singer

 * David Gewirtz, CNN columnist, cyberterrorism advisor, presidential scholar
 * Chris Heston, San Francisco Giants pitcher
 * Cameron Long (born 1988), basketball player in the Israeli Premier League
 * Reggie Nelson, professional football player

title: Palm Bay, Florida


text:
Palm Shores, Florida

Palm Shores is a town in Brevard County, Florida. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,200 at the 2020 US Census, up from 900 at the 2010 census.

Geography
The approximate coordinates for the Town of Palm Shores is located along the Space Coast at 28.19073°N, -80.65955°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.5 sqmi, all land.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the Town of Palm Shores has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,200 people, 566 households, and 422 families residing in the town.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 900 people, 328 households, and 216 families residing in the town.

2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 794 people, 328 households, and 224 families in the town. The population density was 1,608.4 PD/sqmi. There were 377 housing units at an average density of 763.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 88.04% White, 4.41% African American, 0.50% Native American, 3.27% Asian, 0.50% Pacific Islander, 1.01% from other races, and 2.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.28%.

Of the 328 households in 2000, 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 26.5% of households were one person and 10.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.96.

In 2000, the age distribution was 22.0% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% 65 or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.4 males.

In 2000, the median household income was $47,500 and the median family income was $63,333. Males had a median income of $38,194 versus $26,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,390. About 5.7% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government
In 2007, the town had a taxable real estate base of $64.67 million. It is the only municipality in the county to have its tax base rise in 2008.

title: Palm Shores, Florida


text:
Port St. John, Florida

Port St. John is a census-designated place located between Titusville and Cocoa in Brevard County, Florida. The population was 23,474 at the 2020 United States Census, up from 12,267 at the 2010 United States Census. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Port St. John is located at 28.47694°N, -80.78861°W (28.477056, -80.788597).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.8 sqmi, all of it land.

History
In 2002, a group of five Port St. John residents formed "Port St. John For Tomorrow" (PSJ4T) and tried to incorporate the Port St. John area. Included in PSJ4T's incorporation plans were five separate communities: Delespine, Williams Point, Hardeeville, Frontenac and a part of Sharpes. PSJ4T had not informed these five communities. When the five communities did find out, they expressed disinterest in being included in the incorporation effort. A feasibility study was requested by PSJ4T members. Voters approved the study. The study was funded by Brevard County and performed by the University of Central Florida. The five reviewing committees in Tallahassee said the study was "deeply flawed.". The county allowed the residents of Port St. John and the five communities to vote on becoming a city. Howard Futch and Randy Ball (CS/HB 1071) sponsored the bills in the Senate and House. The incorporation issue was defeated in November 2002, 73% to 27%, including most of the people in the five communities. State statute prevented Port St. John from considering incorporation for ten years.

In 2012, the area received national attention when a mother shot and killed her four teenagers and herself.

In January 2013, a brush fire ignited outside of Port St. John. As of January 13, the fire has burned over 1,000 acres of land, as well as closing both lanes of State Route 407.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,112 people, 4,307 households, and 3,264 families residing in the CDP, although the number has grown since. The population density was 3,172.0 PD/sqmi. There were 4,544 housing units at an average density of 1,190.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 90.70% White, 5.01% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.92% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 0.83% from other races, and 1.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.28% of the population.

There were 4,307 households, out of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.2% were non-families. 17.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $44,030, and the median income for a family was $47,342. Males had a median income of $35,912 versus $26,184 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $17,953. About 4.7% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.

According to the 2010 United States Census info, Port Saint John has a total population of 12,267.

Elementary schools

 * Atlantis Elementary
 * Challenger 7 Elementary
 * Enterprise Elementary

In 2009, Atlantis Elementary was named one of the nation's top 12 schools in terms of character development, school culture and academic achievement. Teaching was termed "absolutely brilliant". It was the only school so cited in Florida. It has been a state A-rated school from 2000-2009. There are 640 students K-6. 45% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch, a typical indication of poverty. 18% are enrolled in exceptional student classes. 20% of the students are minorities.

Middle and high schools

 * Space Coast Jr./Sr. High School

title: Port St. John, Florida