Palm Bay, Florida
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| Palm Bay | |||
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| Motto: A perfect place to grow | |||
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| Coordinates: | |||
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Florida |
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| County | Brevard | ||
| Government | |||
| - Type | Council-Manager | ||
| - Mayor | John Mazziotti | ||
| - City Manager | Lee Feldman | ||
| Area [1] | |||
| - City | 66.75 sq mi (172.9 km²) | ||
| - Land | 63.65 sq mi (164.8 km²) | ||
| - Water | 3.1 sq mi (8.0 km²) 4.64% | ||
| Elevation [2] | 19 ft (5 m) | ||
| Population (1 July 2006)[3] | |||
| - City | 92,357 | ||
| - Metro | 534,359 | ||
| Census Bureau estimate | |||
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) | ||
| ZIP code | 32905-32911 | ||
| Area code(s) | 321 | ||
| FIPS code | 12-54000[4] | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0288389[5] | ||
| Website: http://www.palmbayflorida.org | |||
Palm Bay is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population as 92,357 on 1 July 2006;[3] it is the most populous city in the county. Palm Bay is a Principal City[6] of the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 534,359 on 1 July 2006.[7]
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[edit] History
The Timucuan Indians, attracted to the mouth of Turkey Creek at the Indian River by fresh water springs, fish, oysters, and wildlife, are thought to have been the first inhabitants in the Palm Bay area.
Palm Bay's recent history began in the 1850s when the first European settlers built homes along Turkey Creek. Originally referred to as Tillman, the settlement was described as a "small strip of hammock...on each side of Turkey Creek...mostly pine and palmetto, miserable sandy barren oak scrub, some ponds and interspersed with sawgrass and gallberry."[citation needed]
By the mid-nineteenth century, there was a lumbering operation, packing house, and orange groves, but growth was slow until the arrival of the railroad in 1894. Goods were brought in and produce was shipped to market faster.
Between 1910 and 1914, Tillman became the center for a land company known as the Indian River Catholic Colony. Attempting to grow two crops a season, farmers quickly depleted the soil, and the colony failed. Those remaining built St. Joseph's Church on Miller Street, the oldest building still standing.
In the 1920s, the city was renamed after the bay bordered with palm trees known as Palm Bay located at the mouth of Turkey Creek. A group of Tillman businessmen established the Melbourne-Tillman Drainage District, and issued $1.5 million worth of bonds. Starting in 1922, a 180 mile grid of 80 canals was dug to drain 40,000 acres (160 km²) of swampy land west of Palm Bay. The canals made it possible to control flooding and turn marsh lands to agricultural use. Farmers planted citrus groves and truck farms which shipped winter produce by the Florida East Coast Railroad to northern markets. Farmers sold timber and land to paper companies. In 1926, a fire among the dredges and a severe hurricane economically depressed Palm Bay. The Melbourne-Tillman Drainage District went bankrupt.
In 1959, General Development Corporation purchased land for a residential project now known as the Port Malabar subdivision.
[edit] Geography
Palm Bay is located at Coordinates: . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 66.75 mi²( km²), of which 63.65 square miles (165 km²) is land and 3.1 square miles (8 km²) is water (4.64%).
The city is broken up into four sections: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast, each contain multiple zip codes. The most urban area is in the Northeast. The most rural area is in the Southwest, containing an area called The Compound. This area is home to Bombardier Recreational Products. A small portion of Bayside Lakes lies in the area.
Drainage continues to be a problem in some parts of the city, caused primarily by the sudden unplanned transfer from General Development Corporation to the city of the responsibility for planning future growth and designing adequate drainage. This problem has been mitigated since 2000 with the continued design and construction work by Palm Bay City employees. During the early 1990s, Palm Bay Regional Park, a soccer and athletic complex in the Western part of the city, was constructed. It is the largest of a citywide system of parks and recreation areas. The Turkey Creek Sanctuary is a small nature reserve in the northeast part of the city.
[edit] Surrounding Areas
- St. Johns River; Sawgrass Lake; Lake Hellen Blazes; Indian Fields; St. John's Marsh; Osceola County
- Grant-Vakaria; Malabar; Indian River Lagoon
- West Melbourne; Melbourne
- Deer Run; St John's Marsh
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 79,413 people, 30,336 households, and 21,781 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,247.7/mi² (481.7/km²). There were 32,902 housing units at an average density of 517.0/mi² (199.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 77.54% White, 14.31% African American, 0.35% Native American, 1.71% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.38% from other races, and 2.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.63% of the population.
There were 30,336 households out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the city the population distribution was: 26.5% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
[edit] Economy
[edit] Personal income
The median income for a household in the city was $36,508, and the median income for a family was $41,636. Males had a median income of $31,060 versus $22,203 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,992. About 7.1% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Industry
The following corporations are located in the city:
- Harris Corporation manufacturing
- Intersil
The Big Squeeze Festival promotes Florida citrus, exotic fruit and vegetable juices & related products. It is held the last weekend in March. 30,000 people attended in 2007.[8]
Palm Bay is developing its Bayfront "downtown" to create a focus for the city.
[edit] Government
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Mayor - John Mazziotti; Councilmembers - Kristine Isnardi, Ed Geier, Milo Zonka, Pat Woodard; City Manager - Lee Feldman
In June of 1999 Mazziotti was removed from office by then Governor Jeb Bush when it was revealed that the mayor had previously served two prison sentences and did not have his civil rights restored. Mazziotti had served 27 months in a federal penitentiary for a marijuana trafficking conviction in Pennsylvania and a second separate conviction for smuggling amphetamines across the Canadian border.[9] It was also discovered that, as a 17 year old, Mazziotti drove the getaway car during a robbery.[10] After having his civil rights restored, he ran again for the City Council and won. He ran unopposed during his last campaign for mayor in 2005.[10]
In 2007, the city had a taxable real estate base of $5.84 billion.[11] This amount was the largest of any municipality in the county.
City Hall is located at: Coordinates:
[edit] Schools
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[edit] Transportation
Major roads in Palm Bay include:
Interstate 95 - This interstate highway runs through the eastern side of Palm Bay. There are two exits in the city, Palm Bay Road (exit 176) and Malabar Road (exit 173).
US Route 1 - This road serves the northeastern section of the city. It is intersected by 4 main roads: Malabar Road, Port Malabar Boulevard, Robert J. Conlan Boulevard and Palm Bay Road.
Babcock Street - This road runs through the eastern portion of Palm Bay. It provides a direct route to Fellsmere in Indian River County from Brevard County. Main intersections include Palm Bay Road, Port Malabar Boulevard, Malabar Road, Waco Boulevard, Valkaria Road, Grant Road, Eldron Boulevard, and Cogan Drive.
Malabar Road - This road connects U.S. Route 1 along the Indian River (Florida) on the far eastern end of the city to the far western end at the headwaters of the St. Johns River. It is the main road to the town of Malabar, which gives its name to the road and is largely surrounded by Palm Bay. City Hall and Palm Bay Regional Park are located at its western terminus. Main intersections include Interstate 95, Babcock Street, Minton Road, San Filippo Drive, Emerson Drive, Jupiter Boulevard and Eldron Boulevard.
- Emerson Drive, Bayside Lakes Boulevard, and Bombardier Boulevard - All 3 roads make a large crescent-shaped roadway. The northern terminus is Amador Avenue, the southern terminus is a dead end in The Compound. There is a dirt road, Emerson Drive, off Degroodt Road. The western terminus of the route is Sappodilla Road. Main intersections include Wingham Drive, Sapodilla Road, Degroodt Road, Eldron Boulevard, Walden Boulevard, Waco Boulevard, Malabar Road, Minton Road, and Jupiter Boulevard.
Most roads in the area west of DeGroodt Road are unpaved.
[edit] Famous Residents
- Deanne Bell, an American reality television show host known for PBS's Design Squad and Discovery Channel's Smash Lab is originally from Palm Bay
- Xavier Carter, Louisiana State University track athlete
- Joe Cohen, San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle
[edit] References
- ^ Florida by place Population, Housing Units, Area and Density:2000. US Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2007-07-24.
- ^ Palm Bay, United States Page. Falling Rain Genomics. Retrieved on 2007-08-08.
- ^ a b Annual Estimates of the population for the Incorporated Places of Florida (XLS). US Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2007-11-25.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Update of Statistical Area Definitions and guidance on their uses. Office of Management and Budget. Retrieved on 2007-11-25.
- ^ 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 2007-07-24.
- ^ Moore, Kimberly C. (April 1, 2007). Crowds have juicy time at Big Squeeze. Florida Today.
- ^ "Governor Suspends Mayor", Associated Press, 26 June 1999. Retrieved on 2007-08-18.
- ^ a b [1] Florida Today archive search–keywords john mazzioti prison]. Florida Today. Retrieved on 2007-08-18.
- ^ Dean, James (April 26, 2008). More taxes or fewer services. Florida Today.
[edit] External links
- City of Palm Bay
- Palm Bay - Central Florida Community page - Palm Bay events
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