Melbourne Beach, Florida

Interesting facts about Melbourne Beach, Florida 32951

Interesting facts about Melbourne Beach Florida, air conditioning, heating, repair and service.
Melbourne Beach is a town in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,335 at the 2000 census. As of 2005, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 3,314.[3] It is part of the Palm Bay¯Melbourne¯Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

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.[4]

When Ponce de Leon landed near Melbourne Beach in 1513, he became the first European to set foot in Florida.[5]

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 acres (66 ha) location near Aquarina.[4]

The town was established[clarification needed] in 1883 by a retired Union general. Pineapples were grown until 1895, when freezing weather wiped out crops and ended commercial farming.

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.

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.[6]
[edit] Government
Wiki letter w cropped.svg This section requires expansion.

In 2007, the town had a taxable real estate base of $371.45 million.[7]
[edit] Past mayors

1. Bud Conroy 1982-1985
2. Richard Coston c 1985- c. 1997
3. Robert Wille 1997 - 2002
4. Mark Crispin 2003 resigned before end of term
5. Steve Walters 2003-2004 (Interim Mayor)
6. William Stacey 2004 - 2007[8]
7. Rita A. Karpie 2007 -

[edit] Geography

Melbourne Beach is located at 28°04′04″N 80°33′42″W / 28.067745°N 80.561724°W / 28.067745; -80.561724.[9] It is situated on an (apparently unnamed) barrier island that separates the Indian River Lagoon from the Atlantic Ocean. This island, approximately 35 miles (56 km) in length, stretches from Cape Canaveral to the north to the Sebastian Inlet (see The Sebastian Inlet State Park) to the south. Melbourne Beach is neighbored by the town of Indialantic to the north.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.3 km² (1.3 mi²). 2.7 km² (1.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (19.53%) is water.
[edit] Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 3,335 people, 1,422 households, and 992 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,250.1/km² (3,243.5/mi²). There were 1,556 housing units at an average density of 583.3/km² (1,513.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.51% White, 0.09% African American, 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.

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 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.
[edit] Economy
[edit] Personal income

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 [10]

Melbourne Beach is second in Brevard for per capita income and 124 out of 887 places.
[edit] Points of interest

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

[edit] Notable residents

* Bobby Dall, musician, bass player with the rock band Poison
* Jorja Fox, television actress, was raised in Melbourne Beach
* Doug Flutie, football player, lived in Melbourne Beach for part of his childhood, and returned to raise his family.
* James Henry Gillis, Rear Admiral, retired here
* Homer Rodeheaver, Billy Sunday`s music arranger; later formed a subdivision in town, "Christian Colony," for retired evangelists. Rody Road intersects with SR A1A north of the Oak Lodge site.[4]

[edit] References

1. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
2. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
3. ^ http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2005-04-12.xls
4. ^ a b c Florida Today
5. ^ And not at St. Augustine.
6. ^ Brandon, Emily (June 11, 2007). 10 Bargain Retirement Spots. US News and World Report.
7. ^ Dean, James (April 26, 2008). More taxes or fewer services. Florida Today.
8. ^ [1]
9. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
10. ^ http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/fl/melbourne-beach