Sebastian, Florida
Encyclopedia
Sebastian is a city in Indian River County
, in the Treasure Coast
region of Florida
, United States
. The population was 16,181 at the 2000 census. In 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 18,671. As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 21,929.
Sebastian is a principal city of the Sebastian–Vero Beach
Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Indian River County.
The Ais people occupied the area that now contains the Pelican Island Wildlife refuge for thousands of years.
In 1715, several Spanish ships loaded with treasure (known as the 1715 Treasure Fleet) encountered a storm off the shores of the Treasure Coast and were lost. It is estimated that only a portion of the sunken treasure has been found. The value placed on the treasure lost from the 1715 fleet has been estimated at over $500 million USD.
The town of Sebastian was a fishing village as early as the 1870s. It was officially founded in 1882 and originally named St. Sebastian, after the name of a river that flowed nearby. Later “St.” was removed from the name of the town, but not from the river. Sebastian was incorporated as a city in 1923. Nearby Pelican Island
was declared the country’s first National Wildlife refuge in 1903.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 13.6 square miles (35.2 km²). 12.6 square miles (32.6 km²) of it is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²) of it (6.86%) is water.
of 2000, there were 16,181 people, 6,844 households, and 5,044 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,282.2 inhabitants per square mile (495.0/km²). As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 22,371. There were 7,287 housing units at an average density of 577.4 per square mile (222.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.66% White, 3.18% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.95% from other races
, and 1.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.86% of the population.
There were 6,844 households out of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples
living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, with the remaining 26.3% non-traditional families or unrelated individuals. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.72.
In the city the population was distributed among a variety of age ranges, with 20.2% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 27.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.
As of a 2007 estimate, the median income was $45,723, and the median income for a family was $52,141.
As of a 2010 estimate the median income was $49,975 and the median income for a family was $59,600 Males had a median income of $30,787 versus $23,936 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $24,959 in 2010. . About 4.8% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.
as is Skydive Sebastian.
, in the city.
The unincorporated township of Roseland
is often included into the city of Sebastian, but is outside city limits. Roseland was actually founded earlier than the city of Sebastian (but later than the incorporated town). The Sebastian Highlands neighborhood has new construction projects, parks, and sports facilities.
Indian River County, Florida
Indian River County is a county located in the Treasure Coast region in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 112,947. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 128,594...
, in the Treasure Coast
Treasure Coast
The Treasure Coast is a region in the U.S. state of Florida, generally considered to include Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin counties. The area stretches from Hobe Sound in the south to north of Sebastian in the north and includes the cities of Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, and Vero Beach...
region of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 16,181 at the 2000 census. In 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 18,671. As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 21,929.
Sebastian is a principal city of the Sebastian–Vero Beach
Vero Beach, Florida
Vero Beach is a city in Indian River County, Florida, USA. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 estimates, the city had a population of 16,939. It is the county seat of Indian River County...
Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Indian River County.
History
About ten thousand years ago, the Indian River Lagoon formed along the east central coast of Florida.The Ais people occupied the area that now contains the Pelican Island Wildlife refuge for thousands of years.
In 1715, several Spanish ships loaded with treasure (known as the 1715 Treasure Fleet) encountered a storm off the shores of the Treasure Coast and were lost. It is estimated that only a portion of the sunken treasure has been found. The value placed on the treasure lost from the 1715 fleet has been estimated at over $500 million USD.
The town of Sebastian was a fishing village as early as the 1870s. It was officially founded in 1882 and originally named St. Sebastian, after the name of a river that flowed nearby. Later “St.” was removed from the name of the town, but not from the river. Sebastian was incorporated as a city in 1923. Nearby Pelican Island
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is a United States National Wildlife Refuge located just off the western coast of Orchid Island in the Indian River Lagoon east of Sebastian, Florida. The refuge consists of a island that includes an additional of surrounding water and is located off the...
was declared the country’s first National Wildlife refuge in 1903.
Geography
Sebastian is located in northeastern Indian River County, Florida at 27.782751°N 80.482352°W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 13.6 square miles (35.2 km²). 12.6 square miles (32.6 km²) of it is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²) of it (6.86%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 16,181 people, 6,844 households, and 5,044 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,282.2 inhabitants per square mile (495.0/km²). As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 22,371. There were 7,287 housing units at an average density of 577.4 per square mile (222.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.66% White, 3.18% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.95% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.86% of the population.
There were 6,844 households out of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, with the remaining 26.3% non-traditional families or unrelated individuals. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.72.
In the city the population was distributed among a variety of age ranges, with 20.2% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 27.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.
Personal income
The median income for a Sebastian household was $39,327, and the median income for a family was $43,044.As of a 2007 estimate, the median income was $45,723, and the median income for a family was $52,141.
As of a 2010 estimate the median income was $49,975 and the median income for a family was $59,600 Males had a median income of $30,787 versus $23,936 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $24,959 in 2010. . About 4.8% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.
Industry
Airplane manufacturer Velocity Aircraft is located at Sebastian Municipal AirportSebastian Municipal Airport
Sebastian Municipal Airport is a public-use airport located west of the central business district of the city of Sebastian in Indian River County, Florida, United States...
as is Skydive Sebastian.
Government
The City Council includes Mayor Jim Hill, Vice-Mayor Don Wright, Richard H. Gillmor, Andrea B. Coy, and Eugene Wolff.Education
There are three elementary schools (Sebastian Elementary, Pelican Island Elementary, and Treasure Coast Elementary) two middle schools (Sebastian River Middle School and Storm Grove Middle School) and one high school, Sebastian River High SchoolSebastian River High School
Sebastian River High School is a co-educational International Baccalaureate high school. It opened August 1994 and was ranked 304th by Newsweek's 1,000 top U.S. High schools. The school is operated by the Indian River County School District.-Features:...
, in the city.
The unincorporated township of Roseland
Roseland, Florida
Roseland is a census-designated place in Indian River County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,775 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Sebastian–Vero Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
is often included into the city of Sebastian, but is outside city limits. Roseland was actually founded earlier than the city of Sebastian (but later than the incorporated town). The Sebastian Highlands neighborhood has new construction projects, parks, and sports facilities.
Culture
There is a small library with a limited amount of books, and once a year the inhabitants sell their folk art.Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Sebastian include:- Jim GaryJim GaryJim Gary was an American sculptor popularly known for his large, colorful creations of dinosaurs made from discarded automobile parts...
(1939–2006), sculptor, was born in Sebastian. - Arlo GuthrieArlo GuthrieArlo Davy Guthrie is an American folk singer. Like his father, Woody Guthrie, Arlo often sings songs of protest against social injustice...
, the folk singer of Alice's Restaurant, owns a home in Roseland, FloridaRoseland, FloridaRoseland is a census-designated place in Indian River County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,775 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Sebastian–Vero Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
which is adjacent to Sebastian, along the Indian River. After the hurricanes, Frances and Jeanne in 2004, the house was damaged. Guthrie has been in a battle with the city over repair work done to the home.---Guthrie does not live within the Sebastian City Limits. He lives in Roseland, Florida, which borders Sebastian to the north.
- Bryan AugensteinBryan AugensteinBryan Christopher Augenstein is an American professional baseball player who is currently a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball.-Professional career:...
, professional baseball player, was born in Sebastian in 1986. He graduated high school from Sebastian River High School in 2004.