Indian River County, Florida

Indian River County is a county located in the Treasure Coast region of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 138,028.[2] Its seat is Vero Beach.[3] It is Florida's 7th richest county and in 2000 was the 87th richest county in the U.S. by per capita income.[4]

Indian River County
U.S. county
Indian River County Courthouse in Vero Beach
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 27°42′N 80°35′W
Country United States
State Florida
FoundedMay 30, 1925
Named forIndian River Lagoon
SeatVero Beach
Largest citySebastian
Area
 • Total617 sq mi (1,600 km2)
 • Land503 sq mi (1,300 km2)
 • Water114 sq mi (300 km2)  18.5%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
159,923[1]
 • Density307/sq mi (119/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewww.ircgov.com

Indian River County comprises the Sebastian-Vero Beach, Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Port St. Lucie, Florida, Combined Statistical Area.

History

Prior to 1821 the area of Indian River County was part of the Spanish colony of East Florida. In 1822 this area became part of St. Johns County, and in 1824 it became part of Mosquito County (original name of Orange County).

The Second Seminole War was fought in 1835 and from 1838 to 1839. Fort Vinton was built for this purpose near the intersection of present-day Florida State Road 60 and 122nd Avenue.[5]

In 1844 the county's portion of Mosquito County became part of newly created St. Lucia County. In 1855 St. Lucia County was renamed Brevard County. In 1905 St. Lucie County was formed from the southern portion of Brevard County; in 1925 Indian River County was formed from the northern portion of St. Lucie County.[6] It was named for the Indian River, which runs through the eastern portion of the county.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 617 square miles (1,600 km2), of which 503 square miles (1,300 km2) is land and 114 square miles (300 km2) (18.5%) is water.[7]

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Climate and birds

Eight bird species in Indian River County are listed as "highly vulnerable" to climate change:

A June 2018 report by the Union of Concerned Scientists states that 1,240 homes in Martin County, valued at $358.5M, are at risk of chronic flooding by 2045. The homes house 1,745 people and generate $4.9 million in annual tax revenue.[9]

Sea level rise was identified as a 2017 legislative priority for the county. The county has implemented "comparatively tough" standards for wetland protection, and invested in beach renourishment. Resiliency planning has also been under discussion.[9]

A Martin County Youth Climate Strike took place in December 2019, and the City of Stuart has declared 2020 the Year of Climate Action.[10]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
19306,724—
19408,95733.2%
195011,87232.5%
196025,309113.2%
197035,99242.2%
198059,89666.4%
199090,20850.6%
2000112,94725.2%
2010138,02822.2%
2019 (est.)159,923[11]15.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14]
1990-2000[15] 2010-2019[2]

As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 112,947 people, 49,137 households, and 32,725 families residing in the county. The population density was 224 people per square mile (87/km2). There were 57,902 housing units at an average density of 115 per square mile (44/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 87.43% White, 8.19% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.15% from other races, and 1.21% from two or more races. 6.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 49,137 households, out of which 21.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.50% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.40% were non-families. 28.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.72.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 19.20% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 22.30% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 29.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males.[17]

The median income for a household in the county was $39,635, and the median income for a family was $46,385. Males had a median income of $30,870 versus $23,379 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,227. About 6.30% of families and 9.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.60% of those under age 18 and 5.70% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Airports

Bus systems

GoLine is Indian River County's main method of public transportation. The program was introduced in 1994 to provide an alternative option to driving. Due to County population increases in the early and mid 2000s, Indian River County devised a series of bus routes from Barefoot Bay in southern Brevard County to the south end of Vero Beach. In 2006, GoLine (formerly known as Indian River Transit) was introduced with more stops along and through the Treasure Coast. By 2010, the GoLine system had a total of 14 stops with an additional four stops planned for 2011/2012. Riders pay no fare or fee to board the bus. In 2010 the buses operated between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. weekdays and from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Saturdays. Some routes have extended operating hours depending on location.[19][20]

Train

There is planning underway for an Amtrak station in Vero Beach.[21][22]

Economy

It is home to general aviation manufacturer Piper Aircraft and Velocity Aircraft , CVS distribution Center. The county is headquarters for the Indian River Citrus, locally harvested.[23]

Libraries
Main article: Indian River County Library System

Education

Indian River County School District operates public schools. Public high schools include:

Private schools
  • Glendale Christian School
  • Indian River Christian School
  • Master's Academy
  • St. Edwards School
  • St. Helen Catholic School
  • Tabernacle Baptist School
  • The Willow School
  • SunCoast Primary School

Colleges and universities

Elections

Indian River County lies at the northern end of a belt stretching to Collier County in the southwest that was the first part of Florida to politically distance itself from the "Solid South": the last Democrat to win a majority in the county was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944.[24] In 1992, indeed, Ross Perot came second, fifteen votes ahead of President-elect Bill Clinton, this being one of only three Florida counties where he did so.[25]

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results
Year Republican Democratic Other
2020 60.2% 58,872 38.7% 37,844 1.1% 1,024
2016 60.2% 48,620 36.0% 29,043 3.9% 3,106
2012 60.7% 43,450 38.4% 27,492 0.9% 638
2008 56.7% 40,176 42.0% 29,710 1.3% 916
2004 60.2% 36,938 39.0% 23,956 0.9% 520
2000 57.7% 28,639 39.8% 19,769 2.5% 1,219
1996 51.7% 22,714 37.2% 16,375 11.1% 4,883
1992 43.5% 19,140 28.1% 12,360 28.4% 12,462
1988 69.7% 24,630 29.6% 10,451 0.7% 252
1984 73.1% 23,716 26.9% 8,736
1980 63.0% 15,568 31.4% 7,759 5.6% 1,390
1976 52.6% 9,818 45.6% 8,512 1.7% 324
1972 77.9% 11,741 22.0% 3,316 0.2% 25
1968 51.3% 6,518 25.0% 3,179 23.8% 3,022
1964 54.7% 6,191 45.3% 5,122
1960 61.1% 4,656 39.0% 2,970
1956 70.5% 4,059 29.5% 1,699
1952 65.9% 3,055 34.1% 1,578
1948 46.3% 1,134 43.1% 1,055 10.6% 259
1944 37.0% 759 63.0% 1,292
1940 37.8% 904 62.2% 1,487
1936 29.5% 532 70.5% 1,270
1932 25.4% 446 74.6% 1,308
1928 55.6% 847 43.1% 657 1.3% 19

Communities
Vero Beach

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

See also

References
  1. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/indianrivercountyflorida/PST045217
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. Florida locations by per capita income
  5. Brotemarkle, Ben (August 23, 2017). "Florida couple documents Seminole Indian Wars". Florida Today. Melbourne, Florida. pp. 5A. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  6. According to the Historical Records and State Archives Surveys published by Florida Works Progress Administration (available in the digital historical maps of Florida section of the UF library) and the Indian River County Historian Ruth Stanbridge
  7. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  8. Waymer, Jim (2020-01-07). "New Audubon site shows bird decline on Treasure Coast, nationally from climate change". TCPalm. Archived from the original on 2020-02-15. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
  9. Smart, Gil (December 4, 2018). "Are Martin County governments doing enough to prepare for climate change?". TCPalm. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  10. Brugal, Sommer (January 16, 2020). "Stuart's climate-change proclamation 'a step in the right direction' for youth activists". TCPalm. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  11. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  12. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  13. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  14. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  15. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  17. "Indian River County Chamber of Commerce | Business Site Selection". www.indianriversites.com. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  18. "AirNav: X52 - New Hibiscus Airpark". www.airnav.com. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  19. "Indian River Transit - GoLine Information". GoLineIRT.com. Archived from the original on 2013-04-06. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
  20. http://www.golineirt.com/GoLineGuide.pdf
  21. http://www.irmpo.com/Documents/Amtrak.pdf
  22. "Home". irmpo.com. 2012-07-01. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
  23. "Indian River Citrus". Indian-river.fl.us. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
  24. Sullivan, Robert David; ‘How the Red and Blue Map Evolved Over the Past Century’; America Magazine in The National Catholic Review; June 29, 2016
  25. David Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections; 1992 Presidential General Election Data Graphs – Florida by County

Governmental

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