West Melbourne, Florida
Encyclopedia
West Melbourne is a city in Brevard County
, Florida
, United States
. It was created in 1959 to stop the area from being annexed into the City of Melbourne. The population was 9,824 at the 2000 census
. In 1970, the city's population was approximately 3,050. As of 2008, the estimated population according to the U.S. Census Bureau was 15,328. Since 2000, the city has experienced the highest population growth percentage of any municipality in Brevard County. It is part of the Palm Bay
–Melbourne
–Titusville
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
In 2005, the City of West Melbourne started charging property taxes for the first time in its existence (since 1959). Prior to 2005, the city survived on "fees only" for its $17 million budget.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 7.8 square miles (20.3 km²). 7.8 square miles (20.3 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.26%) is water.
In 2005, the City of West Melbourne started charging property taxes for the first time in its existence (since 1959). Prior to 2005, the city survived on "fees only" for its $17 million budget.
As of the 2000 census
, there were 9,824 people, 4,497 households, and 2,693 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,255.7 inhabitants per square mile (485.0/km²). There were 4,874 housing units at an average density of 623.0 per square mile (240.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.68% White, 1.40% African American, 0.13% Native American, 2.08% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.21% from other races
, and 1.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.84% of the population.
There were 4,497 households out of which 19.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples
living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.1% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.63.
The population in the city was spread out with 15.9% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 31.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females there were 85.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males.
form of government. The City Council
consists of the mayor
and six council members. The City Management consists of a city manager
and a twelve person executive management team. The city government offices are located at the West Melbourne City Hall.
In 2007, the city had a taxable real estate base of $1.32 billion.
In 2010 the number of police officers has dropped from 38 to 33, due to a hiring freeze.
The fee for garbage disposal will be $10.24 per month per household in 2011-2012.
Personnel who operate the city government, under the guidance of the city council, include:
for the city was $24,006. About 4.9% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.9% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.
The median home price in 2007 was $226,000.
Brevard County, Florida
Brevard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the population is 536,521, making it the 10th most populous county in the state. Influenced by the presence of the John F. Kennedy Space Center, Brevard...
, 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...
. It was created in 1959 to stop the area from being annexed into the City of Melbourne. The population was 9,824 at the 2000 census
Census
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...
. In 1970, the city's population was approximately 3,050. As of 2008, the estimated population according to the U.S. Census Bureau was 15,328. Since 2000, the city has experienced the highest population growth percentage of any municipality in Brevard County. It is part of the Palm Bay
Palm Bay, Florida
Palm Bay is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population as 100,786 on 1 July 2008; it is the most populous city in the county...
–Melbourne
Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of 2009, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 78,323. The municipal area is the second largest by size and by population in the county. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida...
–Titusville
Titusville, Florida
Titusville is a city in Brevard County, Florida in the United States. It is the county seat of Brevard County. Nicknamed Space City, USA, Titusville is on the Indian River, west of Merritt Island and the Kennedy Space Center and south-southwest of the Canaveral National Seashore...
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
In 2005, the City of West Melbourne started charging property taxes for the first time in its existence (since 1959). Prior to 2005, the city survived on "fees only" for its $17 million budget.
Geography
West Melbourne is located at 28°4′40"N 80°39′55"W (28.077895, -80.665326).According to the U.S. 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 7.8 square miles (20.3 km²). 7.8 square miles (20.3 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.26%) is water.
History
Voters created the city in 1959 to stop the area from being annexed into the City of Melbourne.In 2005, the City of West Melbourne started charging property taxes for the first time in its existence (since 1959). Prior to 2005, the city survived on "fees only" for its $17 million budget.
Demographics
Since 2000, the city has experienced the highest population growth percentage of any municipality in Brevard County.As of the 2000 census
Census
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...
, there were 9,824 people, 4,497 households, and 2,693 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 1,255.7 inhabitants per square mile (485.0/km²). There were 4,874 housing units at an average density of 623.0 per square mile (240.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.68% White, 1.40% African American, 0.13% Native American, 2.08% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.21% 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 1.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.84% of the population.
There were 4,497 households out of which 19.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% 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, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.1% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.63.
The population in the city was spread out with 15.9% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 31.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females there were 85.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males.
Government
The City of West Melbourne utilizes a Council-ManagerCouncil-manager government
The council–manager government form is one of two predominant forms of municipal government in the United States; the other common form of local government is the mayor-council government form, which characteristically occurs in large cities...
form of government. The City Council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
consists of the mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
and six council members. The City Management consists of a city manager
City manager
A city manager is an official appointed as the administrative manager of a city, in a council-manager form of city government. Local officials serving in this position are sometimes referred to as the chief executive officer or chief administrative officer in some municipalities...
and a twelve person executive management team. The city government offices are located at the West Melbourne City Hall.
In 2007, the city had a taxable real estate base of $1.32 billion.
City Council
- Hal Rose, Mayor (November 2007 - November 2010)
- John D’Amico, Deputy Mayor, Council Member (November 2007 - November 2009)
- Pat Bentley, Council Member (November 2008 - November 2010)
- Stephany Eley, Council member (November 2008 - November 2010)
- Mike Hazlett, Council Member (November 2007 - November 2009)
- Andrew Jones, Council Member (November 2007 - November 2009)
- William Mettrick, Council Member (November 2008 - November 2010)
City Management
The city experienced a 35% increase in crime for 2010, the highest rise in Brevard county, most of which experienced a drop in crime. This included 48.5% more burglaries.In 2010 the number of police officers has dropped from 38 to 33, due to a hiring freeze.
The fee for garbage disposal will be $10.24 per month per household in 2011-2012.
Personnel who operate the city government, under the guidance of the city council, include:
- Scott Morgan, City Manager
- Brian Lock, Police Chief
- James Wilson, City Attorney
Elementary schools
- Meadowlane Primary Elementary
- West Melbourne Elementary School for Science
- Meadowlane Intermediate Elementary
- Calvary Chapel Academy (private)
Personal Income
The median income for a household in the city was $37,391, and the median income for a family was $46,486. Males had a median income of $38,693 versus $27,040 for females. The per capita incomePer 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 $24,006. About 4.9% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.9% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.
Workforce
In 2007, the average size of West Melbourne's labor force was 5,074. Of that group, 4,783 were employed and 291 were unemployed, for an unemployment rate of 5.7%.Housing
In 2008, 83 building permits were issued. This was down from 174 permits in 2007, which was up from 142 permits in 2006.The median home price in 2007 was $226,000.
Retail
The Melbourne Square Mall, the largest in South Brevard, is located within the city limits of West Melbourne.External links
- City of West Melbourne official site
- City Codes and Ordinances