Melbourne, Florida
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Melbourne, Florida | |||
 |
|||
|
|||
| Nickname: The Harbor City | |||
 |
|||
| Coordinates: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Country |  United States |
||
| State |  Florida |
||
| County | Brevard | ||
| Settled | c. 1867 | ||
| Incorporated (village) | 22 December 1888 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Type | Council-Manager | ||
| - Mayor | Harry Goode | ||
| - City Manager | Jack M. Schluckebier | ||
| Area [1] | |||
| - City | 35.49 sq mi (91.9 km²) | ||
| - Land | 30.20 sq mi (78.2 km²) | ||
| - Water | 5.29 sq mi (13.7 km²) 14.9% | ||
| Elevation | 20 ft (6 m) | ||
| Population (2006)[2] | |||
| - City | 76,371 | ||
| - Metro | 534,359 | ||
| Census Bureau estimate | |||
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) | ||
| ZIP code | 32901 | ||
| Area code(s) | 321 | ||
| FIPS code | 12-43975[3] | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0294589[4] | ||
| Website: City of Melbourne | |||
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.[2] Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is home to 534,359 people.[5]
Contents |
[edit] History
Melbourne, in South Brevard County, originally was a training area for Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War.[citation needed] Some soldiers, who were attracted to the river and the ocean, returned and bought land at 5 cents per acre.[citation needed] 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.[6] 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.[7] In 1969, the cities of Eau Gallie and Melbourne voted to merge, forming modern day Melbourne.
[edit] Geography
Melbourne is located approximately 60 miles (97 km) 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 35.49 square miles (91.9 km²). 30.20 square miles (78.2 km²) of it is land and 5.29 square miles (13.7 km²) of it (14.9%) is water.[1]
[edit] Climate
| Monthly Normal and Record High and Low Temperatures | ||||||||||||
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec High °F | 89 | 92 | 93 | 97 | 97 | 101 | 102 | 101 | 98 | 96 | 91 | 89 |
| Norm High °F | 72 | 73 | 77 | 81 | 85 | 89 | 91 | 90 | 88 | 83 | 78 | 73 |
| Norm Low °F | 50 | 51 | 55 | 60 | 66 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 72 | 67 | 60 | 53 |
| Rec Low °F | 17 | 27 | 25 | 35 | 47 | 55 | 60 | 60 | 58 | 41 | 30 | 21 |
| 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 |
| Source: USTravelWeather.com[8] | ||||||||||||
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[3] 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/mi² (912.6/km²). There were 33,678 housing units at an average density of 1,115.3/mi² (430.6/km²). 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.
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.
[edit] Economy
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.[9] The following corporations have operations in Melbourne:
- DRS Technologies
- General Electric Transportation Systems
- Harris Corporation (including corporate headquarters)
- Liberty Aerospace
- Northrop Grumman
- Rockwell Collins
In May 2005, the Melbourne-Titusville-Palm Bay area was among the top 20 in home price appreciation from 2003 to 2004.[10] Melbourne is also home to the Florida Institute of Technology and houses a campus for the Brevard Community College (BCC).
[edit] Healthcare
The area has three hospitals, day care for senior citizens, hospice, walk-in and urgent care facilities.[11]
[edit] Arts and culture
[edit] Annual cultural events
- The annual Melbourne Independent Filmmakers' Festival, held in early November, provides a venue for new filmmaker talent.
- The film I'll Believe You was shown both filmed in Melbourne and shown at the festival under the name "First Time Caller". It was released nationwide in 2007.[citation needed]
- 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.[12]
[edit] Museums and points of interest
[edit] Historic Sites
There are three places on the National Register of Historic Places[13]:
- Florida Power and Light Company Ice Plant (1927) located at 1604 South Harbor City Boulevard
- William H. Gleason House located at 1736 Pineapple Avenue
- James Wadsworth Rossetter House (c.1860s) located at 1320 Highland Avenue
The following places are also historic:
- Henegar Center (1919) located at 625 East New Haven Avenue
- Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (1886) located at 50 West Strawbridge Avenue
- Melbourne Bone Bed located at Crane Creek
- Nannie Lee House - Strawberry Mansion (1905) located at 1218 East New Haven Avenue
- Roesch House (c.1901) located at 1320 Highland Avenue
- Winchester Symphony House (1890s) located at 1500 Highland Avenue
[edit] Museums
- Brevard Art Museum located on 1463 Highland Avenue
- Historic Rossetter House Museum located on 1320 Highland Avenue
- Liberty Bell Memorial Museum located on 1601 Hickory Street
[edit] Performing Arts
- Brevard Symphony Orchestra - headquartered in Melbourne
- Henegar Center for the Performing Arts located at 625 East New Haven Avenue
- Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts located at 3865 North Wickham Road
- City of Melbourne Pipes and Drums located at the Melbourne Jaycees on Post Road
- Melbourne Civic Theatre located in downtown Melbourne
[edit] Sports
Melbourne is the home of the Brevard County Manatees baseball club of the Florida State League and Washington Nationals spring training.[14][15]
Melbourne also was an official host city for the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay.[16]
[edit] Parks, recreation, and attractions
The City of Melbourne contains over 554.72 acres (2.2449 km²) of city park land, including 17 community parks[17], 13 neighborhood parks[18], and five smaller city parks[19].
- Brevard Zoo
- Nearby beaches in Indialantic and Melbourne Beach are near Melbourne.
- Fall 2007 Leisure Pursuits - The City of Melbourne Publications
- Andretti Thrill Park located on 3960 South Babcock Street
[edit] Government
 |
Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. |
The Melbourne City Council consists of the mayor and six district council members[20][21]. Melbourne utilizes a Council-Manager form of government[22].
City Officials[23]
- 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.[24]
In 2007, the city had a taxable real estate base of $4.96 billion.[25]
A local soup kitchen has been trying to expand its facility since 2005. Neighbors have opposed this thereby stopping the expansion.[26]
[edit] Education
Public Schools are run by the Brevard County School Board.
[edit] Colleges and Universities
[edit] Elementary Schools [27]
|
[edit] Middle Schools
[edit] High Schools
[edit] Adult Education
|
[edit] Media
[edit] Print
- Orlando Sentinel - Orlando
- Florida Today - Space Coast and Central Florida
- The Crimson [1] - The Florida Institute of Technology Student-Run Newspaper
[edit] Radio
|
||||||||||||||
[edit] Television
|
|
Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. |
- See also: List of television stations in Florida
Cable is provided by Bright House Networks.
|
|||||
[edit] Infrastructure
[edit] Transportation
[edit] Major Roads
U.S. Route 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)[28] (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
[edit] 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.
[edit] Bus
- Space Coast Area Transit operates a public bus service in Melbourne and vicinity.[29]
- Greyhound Bus Lines has a bus station in Melbourne[30]
[edit] Airport
The Melbourne International Airport (IATA: MLB, ICAO: KMLB, FAA LID: MLB) is located within the city limits.
[edit] Utilities
_1.jpg/120px-Melbourne_Water_Tower_(Florida)_1.jpg)
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 56k 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.
Water is provided by the City of Melbourne Water Department.
Solid Waste & Recycling is provided by Solid Waste Management, part of the City of Melbourne government's Environmental Community Outreach (ECO) Division.
[edit] Notable natives and residents
- Thomas Barbour - Author and naturalist, lived in Eau Gallie as a boy[31]
- Robbie Carrico - season 7 contestant on American Idol
- Bobby Dall - Resident, Bass player for the band Poison
- Cecil Fielder - Professional baseball player. His son, Prince Fielder, also lived here and went to Eau Gallie High School
- William Henry Gleason - Founded and lived in Eau Gallie
- Darrell Hammond - comedian and actor. Resided in Melbourne 1953-1975
- Devon Hughes - Professional wrestler better known as Brother Devon from Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
- Billy Lane - Owner of Choppers, Inc. and builder of custom motorcycles.
- Ray Herring - current safety for the University of Notre Dame Football Team[citation needed]
- Jeff Lett - Birthplace of bass player of Cartel
- Melbourne Man - Human that lived in Melbourne in 10,000 BC
- Jim Morrison - Birthplace of the lead singer for The Doors
- Henry Mucci - Army Colonel who led the great raid in WWII to free the Bataan survivors - retired to Melbourne
- Reggie Nelson - Birthplace of University of Florida football star safety
- Tom Rapp - Singer/songwriter. Leader of 60s/70s band Pearls Before Swine, lived here from childhood
- Tim Wakefield - Birthplace of baseball player (Boston Red Sox)
- Jason Steele - State Representative 1980-2[32].
[edit] Sister Cities
[edit] References
- ^ a b Florida by Place. Population, Housing, Area, and Density: 2000. US Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2007-10-24.
- ^ a b Annual Estimates of the population for the Incorporated Places of Florida (XLS). US Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2007-10-24.
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006 (XLS). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2007-10-24.
- ^ The History of Melbourne, Florida.
- ^ The History of Melbourne Florida
- ^ Melbourne Weather at with Weather Channel. Retrieved on 2007-08-11.
- ^ U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Metro areas with highest percentages of high-tech workers”. Bureau of Labor Statistics website, August 25, 2003. Accessed October 23, 2007.
- ^ "Home prices up 11% in fourth quarter" by Steve Kerch for MarketWatch.
- ^ Community Links - City of Melbourne, Florida
- ^ Onorato, Lisa M. (April 20, 2007). Popular art festival to draw 70,000. Hometown News.
- ^ Brevard places on National Register of Historic Places
- ^ Brevard County Manatees: Home
- ^ Washington Nationals Spring Training Tickets - Nationals Spring Training Tickets in Viera, Florida at StubHub
- ^ Information about the City of Melbourne, Florida
- ^ Community Parks - Parks Division - City of Melbourne, Florida
- ^ Neighborhood Parks - Parks Division - City of Melbourne, Florida
- ^ Other Parks - Parks Division - City of Melbourne, Florida
- ^ Map of City Council Districts - City of Melbourne, Florida
- ^ Melbourne City Council Members - City of Melbourne, Florida
- ^ Council-Manager Form of Government - City of Melbourne, Florida
- ^ http://www.melbourneflorida.org/forms/pdf-forms/officials.pdf
- ^ Florida Today retrieved July 24, 2007
- ^ Dean, James (April 26, 2008). More taxes or fewer services. Florida Today.
- ^ Neale, Rick and Torres, John A. (January 16, 2008). Melbourne shelves soup kitchen's expansion request. Florida Today.
- ^ Schools Listing
- ^ 500 feet to the west of Melbourne in the county
- ^ Space Coast Area Transit official website
- ^ Information about Melbourne Greyhound station
- ^ Bowe Gardeners. A Tribute to Thomas Barbour (1884 - 1946) memorial dated 1976 located in Ballard Park, Melbourne, Florida.
- ^ Florida House of Representatives archive
[edit] See also
- Brevard Community College
- Brevard County, Florida
- Crane Creek
- Florida Institute of Technology
- Indialantic, Florida
- Melbourne Beach, Florida
- Melbourne International Airport
- Palm Bay, Florida
[edit] External links
- City of Melbourne Geographic Information Systems Website
- City of Melbourne Official Website
- City of Melbourne Police Department Official Website
- Code of the City of Melbourne
- Melbourne, Florida is at coordinates Coordinates:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
