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Melbourne, Florida
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Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of 2006, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 76,371. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is home to 534,359 people.
ourne, in South Brevard County, originally was a training area for Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War. Some soldiers, who were attracted to the river and the ocean, returned and bought land at 5 cents per acre.
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Encyclopedia
Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of 2006, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 76,371. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is home to 534,359 people.
History
Melbourne, in South Brevard County, originally was a training area for Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War. Some soldiers, who were attracted to the river and the ocean, returned and bought land at 5 cents per acre. After the Civil War, pioneer families arrived and Melbourne was founded in the late 1860s by former slaves. The city was named Melbourne in honor of its first postmaster, Cornthwaite John Hector, an Englishman who had spent much of his life in Melbourne, Australia. The first school in Melbourne was built in 1883 and is now part of the Florida Tech campus. In late 1942 the Naval Air Station Melbourne was established as a site to train newly commissioned Navy and Marine pilots for WWII. The program ran until 1946, and the land that was used for that program makes up most of what is currently the Melbourne International Airport. In 1969, the cities of Eau Gallie and Melbourne voted to merge, forming modern day Melbourne.
Geography
Melbourne is located approximately 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 . of it is land and of it (14.9%) is water.
Climate
| Monthly Normal and Record High and Low Temperatures | | Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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| Rec High °F | 89 | 92 | 93 | 97 | 97 | 101 | 102 | 101 | 98 | 96 | 91 | 89 |
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| Norm High °F | 72 | 73 | 77 | 81 | 85 | 89 | 91 | 90 | 88 | 83 | 78 | 73 |
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| Norm Low °F | 50 | 51 | 55 | 60 | 66 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 72 | 67 | 60 | 53 |
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| Rec Low °F | 17 | 27 | 25 | 35 | 47 | 55 | 60 | 60 | 58 | 41 | 30 | 21 |
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| Precip (in) | 2.48 | 2.49 | 2.92 | 2.08 | 3.94 | 5.83 | 5.38 | 5.78 | 7.20 | 4.76 | 3.12 | 2.31 |
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| Source: USTravelWeather.com |
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 71,382 people, 30,788 households, and 18,257 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,363.9/mi˛ (912.6/km˛). There were 33,678 housing units at an average density of 1,115.3/mi˛ (430.6/km˛). The racial makeup of the city was 84.53% White, 9.33% African American, 0.34% Native American, 2.32% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.20% from other races, and 2.21% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race constitute 5.54% of the population. Melbourne-Palm Bay is also ranked #2 heaviest drinking metropolitan area according to a poll by Caron Treatment Centers.
There were 30,788 households out of which 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 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.
Economy
Personal income
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. The per capita income for the city was $19,175. 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.
Industry
The Melbourne International Airport is located in the center of the city. Melbourne is one of the cities which makes up the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville metropolitan area. Its proximity to Orlando and access to the beach have helped establish a tourism industry. It has the second largest population on the Space Coast. Melbourne contains defense and technology companies with a high concentration of high-tech workers. The following corporations have operations in Melbourne:
In May 2005, the Melbourne-Titusville-Palm Bay area was among the top 20 in home price appreciation from 2003 to 2004. Melbourne is also home to the Florida Institute of Technology and houses a campus for the Brevard Community College (BCC).
Healthcare
The area has three hospitals, day care for senior citizens, hospice, walk-in and urgent care facilities.
Arts and culture
Annual cultural events
- The annual Melbourne Independent Filmmakers' Festival, held in early November, provides a venue for new filmmaker talent.
- The Melbourne Area Pilots Association hosts a General Aviation Day at Melbourne International Airport in September.
- The Melbourne Arts Festival, held in April, drew about 70,000 visitors in 2006.
- The Melbourne Oktoberfest has been held each October since 1977. Most recently this was held at the Wickham Park Pavilion.
Museums and points of interest
Historic Sites
There are three places on the National Register of Historic Places:
The following places are also historic:
Museums
Performing Arts
Groups
Buildings
Sports
Melbourne is the home of the Brevard County Manatees baseball club of the Florida State League and Washington Nationals spring training.
Melbourne also was an official host city for the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay.
Parks, recreation, and attractions
The City of Melbourne contains over of city park land, including 17 community parks, 13 neighborhood parks, and five smaller city parks.
Government
The Melbourne City Council consists of the mayor and six district council members. Melbourne utilizes a Council-Manager form of government.
City Officials
- Harry Goode, Mayor - Elected on November 2004, term expires November 2008
- Richard P. Contreras, District 1 Council Member - Elected on November 2004, term expires November 2008
- Mark LaRusso, District 2 Council Member - Elected on November 2006, term expires November 2010
- Kathy Meehan, District 3 Council Member and Vice Mayor - Elected on November 2004, term expires November 2008
- John Thomas, District 4 Council Member - Elected on November 2006, term expires November 2010
- Cheryl Palmer, District 5 Council Member - Elected on November 2004, term expires November 2008
- Joanne Corby, District 6 Council Member - Elected on November 2006, term expires November 2010
- Paul R. Gougelman, III, City Attorney
- Jack M. Schluckebier, City Manager
- Cathleen A. Wysor, City Clerk
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 being built is just the latest (2005) step in an effort to revitalize this area.
Melbourne is also attempting to revitalize the downtown Eau Gallie Riverfront district.
A $156 million budget was proposed for the 2007-8 fiscal year.
In 2007, the city had a taxable real estate base of $4.96 billion.
A local soup kitchen has been trying to expand its facility since 2005. Neighbors have opposed this thereby stopping the expansion.
Education
Public Schools are run by the Brevard County School Board.
Colleges and Universities
Elementary Schools
- Roy Allen Elementary
- Ascension Catholic School
- Dr. W. J. Creel Elementary
- Croton Elementary
- Harbor City Elementary
- Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Lower School (Preschool – 6)
- Longleaf Elementary
- New Covenant Christian School
- Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
- Quest Elementary
- Sabal Elementary
- Sherwood Elementary
- Suntree Elementary
- University Park Elementary
Middle Schools
- Ascension Catholic School
- Central Middle School
- Florida Air Academy
- Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Upper School
- L. B. Johnson Middle School
- New Covenant Christian School
- Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
- Stone Middle School
- West Shore Junior/Senior High School
High Schools
Adult Education
- Palm Bay High Adult/Community Education
- South Area Adult Center
Media
Print
Radio
Television
Cable is provided by Bright House Networks.
Infrastructure
Transportation
Major Roads
- U.S. 1
- Harbor City Boulevard is the local street name, and it runs parallel to the Indian River on the eastern side of the city. This road allows access to the beaches over 3 causeways: Pineda, Eau Gallie, and Melbourne Causeway.
- U.S. Route 192
- Locally named New Haven Avenue and Strawbridge Avenue (downtown), pass 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.
- Interstate 95
- This 4 laned interstate passes through the city limits, with 3 exit ramps (U.S. Route 192 (Exit 180), Eau Gallie Blvd. (Exit 183) (formerly Sarno Rd.), and Wickham Rd. (Exit 191). It serves as a north-south route in the metropolitan area.
- SR
A1A
- This road runs along the beaches and provides access to other areas of Brevard County.
- SR 507 - Babcock Street
- SR 508 - NASA Boulevard
- SR 518 - Eau Gallie Boulevard
- CR 509 - Wickham/Minton Road
- CR 511 - John Rodes Boulevard/Aurora Road
- CR 516 - Palm Bay Road
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 runs through Melbourne, staying west of U.S. 1 through its entire run.
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
The Melbourne International Airport is located within the city limits.
Utilities
Power is provided by Florida Power and Light. Gas is provided by Florida City Gas.
Cable TV service is provided by Bright House Networks. Satellite reception in Florida varies from area to area and often have service interruptions with Florida’s erratic weather patterns and random cloud cover.
Traditional landline telephone service is mainly provided by AT&T, while some cable customers use Bright House Networks digital phone (VOIP) service.
Internet Service Providers in Melbourne range from various 56 kbit/s providers, AT&T (formerly BellSouth) FastAccess DSL, and Bright House Networks cable internet, which uses Road Runner as their ISP. 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 surrounding towns and cities for a premium, including Melbourne Beach, Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Satellite Beach, Palm Shores, Melbourne Village and a portion of Brevard County. Wholesale water service is provided to West Melbourne. The total distribution area is about A reverse osmosis plant on Lake Washington provides 5 million US gallons of water a day. In 2003, water rates were $2.27/ sewer $4.47/.
Solid Waste & Recycling is provided by Solid Waste Management, part of the City of Melbourne government's Environmental Community Outreach (ECO) Division.
Notable natives and residents
Sister Cities
See also
External links
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