West Melbourne is a city in

Brevard County Brevard County ( ) is a county located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 606,612, making it the 10th-most populated county in Florida. The official county seat is located in ...

Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

. It was created in 1959 to stop the area from being annexed into the city of

Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...

.City History
''West Melbourne, FL - Official Website''. Retrieved on 2009-06-25. As of the

2010 United States Census The United States census of 2010 was the twenty-third United States national census. National Census Day, the reference day used for the census, was April 1, 2010. The census was taken via mail-in citizen self-reporting, with enumerators servi ...

, the population was 18,355, reflecting an increase of 8,531 from the 9,824 counted in the 2000 Census. In 1970, the city's population was approximately 3,050.West Melbourne Community Data Sheet
Economic Development Council of Florida's Space Coast. Retrieved on 2009-06-25. Since 2000, the city has experienced the highest population growth percentage of any municipality in Brevard County. It is part of the Palm Bay–

– Titusville

Metropolitan Statistical Area In the United States, a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is a geographical region with a relatively high population density at its core and close economic ties throughout the area. Such regions are neither legally incorporated as a city or tow ...

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 a "fees only" tax revenue system for its $17 million budget. From 2005 to 2014, home-schooled students, all three children from a West Melbourne family, won the state spelling bee championship a total of seven times, from two to three times each.

Government

The City of West Melbourne utilizes a Council-Manager form of government. The

City Council A municipal council is the legislative body of a municipality or local government area. Depending on the location and classification of the municipality it may be known as a city council, town council, town board, community council, rural counc ...

consists of the

mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well ...

and six council members.City of West Melbourne, Florida.
"City Council"
''West Melbourne, FL - Official Website''. Accessed January 23, 2009. The City Management consists of a city manager and a twelve-person executive management team.City of West Melbourne, Florida.
"City Management"
''West Melbourne, FL - Official Website''. Accessed November 20, 2007. 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 2011, about half the city general fund was spent on the police department.

City council

*Hal Rose, Mayor (November 2013 – Present) *Andrea Young, Council Member (November 2011 – Present) *Pat Bentley, Council Member (November 2012 – Present) *John Dittmore, Deputy Mayor, Council Member (May 2018 – Present) *Daniel Batcheldor, Council Member (November 2018 – Present) *Daniel McDow, Council Member (November 2020 – Present) *Stephen Phrampus, Council Member (November 2020 – Present)

City management

The city experienced a 35% increase in crime for 2010, the highest rise in Brevard County, most areas of which experienced a drop in crime. This included 48.5% more burglaries. In 2010 the number of police officers dropped from 38 to 33, due to a hiring freeze. The fee for garbage disposal was $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 *Richard T. Wiley, Police Chief *Morris Richardson, City Attorney

Geography

West Melbourne is located at (28.077895, −80.665326). According to the

U.S. Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...

, the city has a total area of . of it is land, and of it (0.21%) is water.

Climate

Demographics

Since 2000, the city has experienced the highest population growth percentage of any municipality in Brevard County. As of the 2000

census A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses in ...

, there were 9,824 people, 4,497 households, and 2,693 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 4,874 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 93.68%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White o ...

, 1.40%

African American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...

, 0.13% Native American, 2.08% Asian, 0.03%

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the Pacific Islands. As an ethnic/racial term, it is used to describe the original peoples—inhabitants and diasporas—of any of the three major subregions of O ...

, 1.21% from

other races Other often refers to: * Other (philosophy), a concept in psychology and philosophy Other or The Other may also refer to: Film and television * ''The Other'' (1913 film), a German silent film directed by Max Mack * ''The Other'' (1930 film), a ...

, and 1.47% from two or more races.

Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad. The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to viceroyalties forme ...

Latino Latino or Latinos most often refers to: * Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America * Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States * The people or cultures of Latin America; ** Latin A ...

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.

Education

Public schools are run by the Brevard County School Board. Schools within West Melbourne include: PK3–Kindergarten *Brevard Christian School Elementary schools *Meadowlane Primary Elementary *West Melbourne Elementary School for Science *Meadowlane Intermediate Elementary *Calvary Chapel Academy (private) *Brevard Christian School (private) *New Hope Lutheran Academy (private) Middle schools *Central Middle School *Calvary Chapel Academy (private) *Brevard Christian School (private) *New Hope Lutheran Academy (private) High schools *Brevard Christian School *West Melbourne Christian Academy, K–12

Economy

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 income Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population. Per capita i ...

for the city was $24,006. About 4.9% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...

, 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.

Infrastructure

Roads

Interstate 95 – There is one exit in West Melbourne: Exit 180 (U.S. 192). The newer Exit 182 is nearby to West Melbourne, however. * US 192

U.S. 192 – The main route through West Melbourne, locally known as New Haven Avenue. Almost all economic activity is located along this road. Major intersections include Interstate 95, CR 511, and CR 509. * Brevard County Road 509 FL

CR 509 – Locally known as Wickham Road north of U.S. 192 and Minton Road south of U.S. 192, this route forms a main transportation route through the south-central part of the county. Major intersections include U.S. 192 and Ellis Road. * Brevard County Road 511 FL

CR 511 – Locally known as John Rodes Parkway, this road is a non-freeway parallel to Interstate 95. Major intersections include U.S. 192 and Ellis Road.

Potable water

In 2017, West Melbourne residents were still purchasing their water from the utility owned by the neighboring City of Melbourne. It cost slightly over 1.1 cents per gallon, for a consumer of monthly. The city owns its underground network of conduits.

Recreation

On 5 January 2016, the Space Coast Field of Dreams opened to the public in the West Melbourne Community Park.

References

External links

*
City Codes and Ordinances
{{authority control Cities in Brevard County, Florida Populated places established in 1959 Cities in Florida 1959 establishments in Florida