| Sebastian, Florida | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
| City hall | |
| Motto: "Home of Pelican Island" | |
| Location in Indian River County and the state of Florida | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Indian River |
| Settled | Mid 1870s |
| Incorporated (town) | 1882 |
| Incorporated (city) | 1923 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-manager government |
| • City Manager | Alfred Minner |
| • City Mayor | Jim Hill |
| • Vice Mayor | Don Wright |
| Area | |
| • Total | 13.5 sq mi (35.1 km2) |
| • Land | 12.6 sq mi (32.7 km2) |
| • Water | 0.9 sq mi (2.4 km2) |
| Elevation | 20 ft (6 m) |
| Population (2010)[1] | |
| • Total | 22,371 |
| • Density | 1,198.6/sq mi (461/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 32958, 32978 |
| Area code(s) | 772 |
| FIPS code | 12-64825[2] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0295607[3] |
| Website | http://www.cityofsebastian.org/ |
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.[4] As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 21,929.[5]
Sebastian is a principal city of the Sebastian–Vero Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Indian River County.
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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.[6] 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[6] 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.
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.
Sebastian is located in northeastern Indian River County, Florida at .[7]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.6 square miles (35 km2). 12.6 square miles (33 km2) of it is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km2) of it (6.86%) is water.
As of the census[2] 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.[8] 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.
The median income for a Sebastian household was $39,327, and the median income for a family was $43,044.
As of a 2007[9][10] estimate, the median income was $45,723, and the median income for a family was $52,141.
As of a 2010 estimate[11] the median income was $49,975 and the median income for a family was $59,600[12] 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. [13]. 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.
Airplane manufacturer Velocity Aircraft[14] is located at Sebastian Municipal Airport along with Skydive Sebastian.[15]
Mel Fisher's Treasure Museum is located here.
The Sebastian area has one acute care hospital, Sebastian River Medical Center.[16]
The City Council includes Mayor Jim Hill, Vice-Mayor Don Wright, Richard H. Gillmor, Andrea B. Coy, and Robert McPartlan.[17]
The Government of the City of Sebastian follows a Council-manager government model with a five member City Council as the elected governing body and a City Manager as the chief operating officer. Currently, Al Minner serves as the City Manager.[18] Members of the City Council serve two-year terms with staggered elections. On even numbered years, two seats are up for election and on odd numbered years, three seats are up for election. Per the City Charter, Council members are sworn in the first meeting after the results are certified.[19]
Robert Ginsburg serves as the City Attorney and represents the City in all legal matters.
There are three elementary schools (Sebastian Elementary[20], Pelican Island Elementary[21], and Treasure Coast Elementary[22]) two middle schools (Sebastian River Middle School[23] and Storm Grove Middle School[24]) and one high school, Sebastian River High School, in the city.
Located to the west of the city center on County Route 512, the Sebastian Public Library[25] is part of the Indian River County Library System. Also known as the North IRC Library, the Sebastian Public Library serves as a venue for many local clubs and organizational meetings. From garden groups and Spanish classes to Scrabble and chess, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Notable current and former residents of Sebastian include:
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