West Melbourne, Florida

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.[7] As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 18,355,[3] 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.[8] Since 2000, the city has experienced the highest population growth percentage of any municipality in Brevard County.[8] It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

West Melbourne, Florida
City
City of West Melbourne
Flag
Seal
Motto(s): 
"Creating New Horizons"[1]
Location in Brevard County and the U.S. state of Florida
West Melbourne, Florida
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 28°4′40″N 80°39′55″W
Country United States of America
State Florida
County Brevard
CreatedSeptember 11, 1959[1]
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • MayorHal J. Rose
 • City ManagerScott Morgan
 • Deputy MayorJohn Dittmore
Area
 • Total10.82 sq mi (28.03 km2)
 • Land10.62 sq mi (27.50 km2)
 • Water0.20 sq mi (0.53 km2)
Elevation
30 ft (9 m)
Population
 • Total18,355
 • Estimate 
(2019)[4]
24,259
 • Density2,284.92/sq mi (882.20/km2)
 Census Bureau estimate
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
32904, 32912
Area code(s)321
FIPS code12-76500[5]
GNIS feature ID0293092[6]
Websitewww.WestMelbourne.org

Geography

West Melbourne is located at 28°4′40″N 80°39′55″W (28.077895, −80.665326).[9]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.2 square miles (26.5 km2). 10.2 square miles (26.4 km2) of it is land, and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2) of it (0.21%) is water.[10]

History

Voters created the city in 1959 to stop the area from being annexed into the City of Melbourne.[7]

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.[11]

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.[12]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
19602,266—
19703,05034.6%
19805,07866.5%
19908,39965.4%
20009,82417.0%
201018,35586.8%
2019 (est.)24,259[4]32.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]

Since 2000, the city has experienced the highest population growth percentage of any municipality in Brevard County.[8]

As of the 2000 census,[5] 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.

Government

The City of West Melbourne utilizes a Council-Manager form of government.[14] The City Council consists of the mayor and six council members.[15] The City Management consists of a city manager and a twelve-person executive management team.[16] 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.[17]

In 2011, about half the city general fund was spent on the police department.[18]

City council[15]
  • 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.[19]

In 2010 the number of police officers dropped from 38 to 33, due to a hiring freeze.[19]

The fee for garbage disposal will be $10.24 per month per household in 2011–2012.[20]

Personnel who operate the city government, under the guidance of the city council, include:

  • Scott Morgan, City Manager[21]
  • Richard T. Wiley, Police Chief[16]
  • Morris Richardson, City Attorney[16]

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[22]
  • Meadowlane Intermediate Elementary
  • Calvary Chapel Academy (private)[23]
  • Brevard Christian School (private)
  • New Hope Lutheran Academy (private)[24]

Middle schools

  • Central Middle
  • 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 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%.[8]

Housing

In 2008, 83 building permits were issued. This was down from 174 permits in 2007, which was up from 142 permits in 2006.[25]

The median home price in 2007 was $226,000.[8]

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 3,000 US gallons (11,000 l; 2,500 imp gal) monthly.[26] The city owns its underground network of conduits.[27]

Recreation

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

References
  1. City of West Melbourne. "Inviting All Citizens", The Sun Newsletter, Vol. 4, Issue 1, First Quarter 2008, 2. West Melbourne received the motto "Creating New Horizons" in 1987.
  2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  3. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): West Melbourne city, Florida". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  4. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  7. City History, West Melbourne, FL - Official Website. Retrieved on 2009-06-25.
  8. West Melbourne Community Data Sheet Economic Development Council of Florida's Space Coast. Retrieved on 2009-06-25.
  9. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  10. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): West Melbourne city, Florida". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  11. "Brevard County and central Florida News | floridatoday.com". Florida Today.
  12. Ryan, Mackenzie (March 27, 2014). "P-R-O-T-E-C-T-O-R-A-T-E". Florida Today. Melbourne, Florida. pp. 3A. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  13. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  14. City of West Melbourne, Florida. "Form of Government", West Melbourne, FL - Official Website. Accessed November 20, 2007.
  15. City of West Melbourne, Florida. "City Council", West Melbourne, FL - Official Website. Accessed January 23, 2009.
  16. City of West Melbourne, Florida. "City Management", West Melbourne, FL - Official Website. Accessed November 20, 2007.
  17. Dean, James (April 26, 2008). More taxes or fewer services. Florida Today.
  18. Cervenka, Suzanne (December 7, 2011). "Council spares Hazlett a censure vote". Florida Today. Melbourne, Florida. pp. 1B.
  19. Knapp, Andrew (16 October 2010). "Crime rate decreases 5.5%". Melbourne, Florida: Florida Today. pp. 1B.
  20. Cervenka, Susanne (April 20, 2011). "City to drop rates by $3 for garbage". Florida Today. Melbourne, Florida. pp. 1B.
  21. "Minutes from May 28, 2009 Special City Council Meeting". Accessed July 22, 2008.
  22. "IIS Windows Server". www.wmelbourne.brevard.k12.fl.us.
  23. "Calvary Chapel Academy".
  24. "Home | New Hope Lutheran Academy - West Melbourne". New Hope Lutheran.
  25. Building Permits United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2009-06-24.
  26. Neale, Rick (February 27, 2017). "West Melbourne eyes building $25M plant for water treatment". Florida Today. Melbourne, Florida. pp. 3A. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  27. Neale, Rick (October 9, 2017). "Melbourne boil water alerts lifed; N. Waterway streets under advisory". Florida Today. Melbourne, Florida. pp. 2A.
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