Cocoa Beach, Florida
| Cocoa Beach, Florida | |
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country |  United States |
|---|---|
| State |  Florida |
| County | Brevard |
| Area | |
| - Total | 15 sq mi (39 km²) |
| - Land | 4.9 sq mi (12.7 km²) |
| - Water | 10.1 sq mi (26.3 km²) |
| Elevation | 0 ft (0 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 12,482 |
| - Density | 832.1/sq mi (320.1/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP codes | 32931-32932 |
| Area code(s) | 321 |
| FIPS code | 12-13175[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0280609[2] |
Cocoa Beach is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 12,482 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city had a population of 12,435. [2]
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Government
The city owns and runs a golf course on the Banana River.[3]
In 2007, the city had a taxable real estate base of $2.09 billion.[4]
History
Cocoa Beach started its current growth during the 1960s due to America's space program. NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center is located approximately 15 miles north of the town.
After manned space flights, the town held parades in honor of the astronauts.
Many of the homes in Cocoa Beach are built on dredged mud and sand from the Banana River. After NASA's Apollo program came to an end, and before the Shuttle program was in full swing, the town suffered from layoffs. Many families lost their jobs or simply moved away. People could not sell their homes and some walked away from them.
Cocoa Beach was the setting for the 1960s sitcom I Dream of Jeannie, although only one episode was actually filmed there (Jeannie's wedding).
The city is just south of Cape Canaveral on Florida's eastern "Space Coast".
Geography
Cocoa Beach is located at (28.331035, -80.613035).[5]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.0 km² (15.0 mi²). 12.7 km² (4.9 mi²) of it is land and 26.3 km² (10.1 mi²) of it (67.49%) is water. Bordered on the north is Cape Canaveral; on the south is Cresent Beach; on the east is the Atlantic Ocean; on the west is the Banana River.
Propelled by a powerful hurricane, the ocean pushed its way through the barrier islands centuries ago and formed the Thousand Islands in the Indian River.[6][7]
Surrounding Areas
- Merritt Island
- Atlantic Ocean
- Cape Canaveral
- Crescent Beach
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: The Weather Channel [3] | ||||||||||||
Cocoa Beach's climate can be classified as subtropical.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 12,482 people, 6,529 households, and 3,532 families residing in the city. The population density was 985.5/km² (2,552.1/mi²). There were 8,709 housing units at an average density of 687.6/km² (1,780.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.64% White, 0.62% African American, 0.22% Native American, 1.07% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.52% of the population.
There were 6,529 households out of which 12.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.9% were non-families. 38.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.91 and the average family size was 2.47.
In the city the population was spread out with 12.2% under the age of 18, 3.8% from 18 to 24, 22.0% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 34.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54 years. For every 100 females there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.
Economics
Personal Income
The median income for a household in the city was $42,372, and the median income for a family was $51,795. Males had a median income of $39,418 versus $27,113 for females. The per capita income for the city was $28,968. About 3.7% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.8% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.
Cocoa Beach is a retirement area, with the average age being 54. [4]
Industry
Ron Jon's, a surf shop, receives 2 million visitors a year.[8]
The Cocoa Beach Pier formerly known as the Cape Canaveral Pier was built in 1962. An annual Easter Surfing Festival began in 1964. An estimated 100,000 spectators watch.[9] An annual Beach Fest is held in May.
An annual art festival has been drawing tourists since its start in 1963.[10]
Notable residents
- Allen Neuharth - CEO of Gannett and columnist. Founder of USA Today[11]
- Kelly Slater, professional surfer, 9-time World Champion
- Melissa Witek, Miss Florida USA 2005 and contestant on NBC's Treasure Hunters
- George Steele, professional wrestler a.k.a. George "The Animal" Steele[12]
- Rick Martel, professional wrestler
- Joe Williams, former head men's basketball coach at the Jacksonville University, Furman University and Florida State University (1979-1986). Coached against UCLA and John Wooden in the 1970 NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship game. [13]
Sister Cities
Kyustendil, Bulgaria
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "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.
- ↑ Cocoa Beach golf course accessed March 18, 2008
- ↑ Dean, James (April 26, 2008). More taxes or fewer services. Florida Today.
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ↑ Kridler, Chris (April 20, 2007). Paddle a watery wilderness. Florida Today.
- ↑ The Thousand Islands are really but "a few hundred,ibid"
- ↑ Travel Writer'S Magazine - Space Coast Is Great Place For Families To Commune With Nature
- ↑ Moody, R. Norman and Best, Keilani (March 22, 2008). Surf's i[ fpr economy. Florida Today.
- ↑ [1] retrieved November 30, 2008
- ↑ Freedom Forum retrieved April 8, 2008
- ↑ Online World of Wrestling.com retrieved April 8, 2008
- ↑ John Wooden: UCLA Coaching Legend
See also
- Harbor Cay Condominium, which collapsed while under construction in 1981
- I Dream of Jeannie
- Cocoa Beach High School
External links
- City of Cocoa Beach
- Cocoa Beach travel guide from Wikitravel
- Thousand Islands
- Cocoa Beach, Florida is at coordinates
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