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Cocoa, Florida
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Cocoa is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 16,412 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city had a population of 16,898. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.
city was founded by fishermen. The first families arrived in Cocoa around 1860. A post office was established at Magnolia Point two miles north and the first commercial building in Cocoa was erected in 1881 or 1882.
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Encyclopedia
Cocoa is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 16,412 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city had a population of 16,898. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
The city was founded by fishermen. The first families arrived in Cocoa around 1860. A post office was established at Magnolia Point two miles north and the first commercial building in Cocoa was erected in 1881 or 1882. First plats of the new settlement were made in 1882 under the name "Indian River City" on land owned by Captain R. A. Hardee. The name Indian River City was unacceptable to the U.S. Postal authorities who claimed it was too long for use on a postmark.
In 1925, the Cocoa Tribune published several accounts, supplied by readers, of the town's naming. Ruby Myers credited Captain R.C. May with recommending the name Cocoa at a town meeting in 1884. Those attending the meeting focused on a local product or characteristic feature of the area; e.g., citrus plants and Cedar Key. The name was forwarded to Washington, D.C. where it was approved.
Another story suggests that while a group of citizens were seeking a name for the town, an old woman received inspiration from a box of Baker's Cocoa and her suggestion was adopted. Still another version suggests that along the bank of the Indian River lived an old woman who would supply hot cocoa to the sailors as they traversed the Indian River. As they passed, they would call out "cocoa, cocoa" until the woman supplied them with refreshment. Whatever its origin, by 1884 the name Cocoa had become permanently associated with what was then an infant settlement
The City of Cocoa Celebrated its centennial in 1995
Government
Cocoa first approved the Council-Manager form of government in 1959, and subsequent changes to the state statutes mirrored the City of Cocoa's Council-Manager Plan. The City Council serves as the Board of Directors for the City, with the Mayor as Chairman. The City Manager serves as the Chief Executive. The City Council for the City of Cocoa is made up of five members; the Mayor is elected at large and the four council members are elected by each of their districts.
- Mayor - Mike Blake
- Councilman District 1- Clarence Whipple 2006-2010-
- Councilman District 2- Jake Williams
- Councilman District 3- Charlie Love
- Deputy Mayor and Councilman District 4- James McCarthy 2002
- Blake was the first African American mayor elected in the city of Cocoa
Downtown, now called "Cocoa Village", has been revived with a series of government grants and private investment. The Diamond Square Redevelopment Agency has been established with the goal of improving residential and commercial values in the citys minority areas.
In 2007, the city had a taxable real estate base of $1.18 billion.
Activities
From 2002-7, Cocoa subsidized YMCA membership at the Brevard Community College for city residents at a cost of $70,000 annually.
Sister city
On October 7 2007, the city became a sister city with Beit Shemesh. Brevard Community College also stated that they would participate in the twinning by exchanging students.
Geography
Cocoa is located at (28.369334, -80.743779).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.7 km˛ (9.5 mi˛). 19.3 km˛ (7.5 mi˛) of it is land and 5.3 km˛ (2.1 mi˛) of it (21.64%) is water.
Infrastructure
The city provides water not only to its residents but to surrounding cities and towns and county at a premium, including Port St. John, south to the Pineda Causeway in north Melbourne, and includes residents from Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach, Suntree, Viera and Cape Canaveral. The city stores about of water underground using aquifer storage and recovery technology.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,412 people, 6,939 households, and 4,232 families residing in the city. The population density was 849.4/km˛ (2,200.3/mi˛). There were 8,064 housing units at an average density of 417.4/km˛ (1,081.1/mi˛). The racial makeup of the city was 62.47% White, 32.28% African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 1.58% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.93% of the population.
There were 6,939 households out of which 28.5% had children under the living with them, 37.0% were married couples living together, 19.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% 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 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.4% under the , 8.6% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.
Economy
Personal Income
According to the 2000 Census:
- Median household income = $27,062
- Median family income = $31,243
- Median income for males = $27,294
- Median income for females = $22,500
- Per capita income = $15,665
- Below the poverty line:
- Families = 21.8%
- Population = 24.1%
- Those under age 18 = 38.7%
- Those over age 64 = 11.8%
Industry
Kel-Tec CNC Industries, located in Cocoa, is the third-largest manufacturer of pistols in the United States.
Media
Radio stations
Notable residents
- Kim Adler Professional Bowler, 15 national titles including 1999 US Open
- Michael Blake, first African-American President of the Space Coast League of Cities. Linebacker, Miami Dolphins
- Ben Going AKA Boh3m3 - Popular Youtube video maker.
- Scott Thompson aka Carrot Top - Former resident
- Kelly Slater - Professional Surfer
External links
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