Rockledge, Florida

Rockledge, Florida
—  City  —
Location in Brevard County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 28°19′30″N 80°43′58″W
Country	United States
State	Florida
County	Brevard
Founded	August 7, 1887
Government
• Type	Council-Manager
• Mayor	Larry L. Schultz
• City Manager	James P. “Jim” McKnight
• Deputy Mayor, Chairman	E. Georgia Phillips
• Vice Chairman	Colleen Stuart
Area
• Total	12.2 sq mi (31.5 km2)
• Land	10.7 sq mi (27.7 km2)
• Water	1.5 sq mi (3.8 km2)
Elevation	23 ft (7 m)
Population (1 July 2008)
• Total	24,747
• Density	2,312.8/sq mi (893.4/km2)
	Census Bureau estimate
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes	32955-32956
Area code(s)	321
FIPS code	12-61500
GNIS feature ID	0294132
Website	www.cityofrockledge.org

Rockledge is the oldest city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 20,170 at the 2000 census. As of 2008, the estimated population according to the U.S. Census Bureau is 24,747. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 31.5 square kilometres (12.2 sq mi). 27.7 square kilometres (10.7 sq mi) of it is land and 3.8 square kilometres (1.5 sq mi) of it (12.15%) is water.

It is bounded on the north by Cocoa, on the west by the St. Johns River and scrubland, to the south by Viera (unincorporated) and Melbourne, and to the east by the Indian River Lagoon and Merritt Island (unincorporated) on the opposite shore.

History

The original name of Rockledge was Peru, named after the Peruvian Mining Company. The company set up small houses for the workers in the area.

Rockledge was officially founded on August 7, 1887, making it the oldest incorporated municipality in Brevard County. The name Rockledge, attributed to Gardner S. Hardee, an early settler, comes from the many ledges of coquina rock that line the Indian River. It was originally referred to as Rock Ledge.

Early industry in the area was based on the citrus trade and accommodation for tourists traveling to South Florida via the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway of the Indian River.^{[citation needed]}

President Grover Cleveland, still in his first term, and his wife visited the city in 1888.

The town had several large hotels in the late 19th century to the early 20th century that catered to Northern tourists escaping cold winters. The condominiums are located where the Hotel Indian River was.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 20,170 people, 7,864 households, and 5,677 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,884.4 inhabitants per square mile (727.8/km²). There were 8,353 housing units at an average density of 780.4 per square mile (301.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.06% White, 14.64% African American, 0.28% Native American, 1.66% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.73% from other races, and 1.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.28% of the population.

There were 7,864 households out of which 31.0% had children under the living with them, 56.8% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.93.

Per the 2000 Census, the population was distributed as follows:

• 23.8% under the age of 18
• 6.0% from 18 to 24
• 28.6% from 25 to 44
• 25.2% from 45 to 64
• 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older.

The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.

In 2010, the city had the lowest percentage of people living in poverty than any other municipality measured in the county, 5%, compared to an average of 10% countywide.

Government

The City of Rockledge functions under a Council-Manager government. The Mayor and City Council members are elected to three-year terms. There are six City Council members whose terms are staggered to allow election of two council seats each year. The city holds municipal elections on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November each year.

While the Mayor and the City Council act as the legislative body of the City of Rockledge, the actual operation of the city and its functions lies with the City Manager and his departmental support staff consisting of Assistant City Manager/Finance Director, City Clerk/Public Relations Officer, Building Official, Fire Chief, Chief of Police, Director of Public Works and Director of Wastewater Treatment and Water Reclamation.

The Chairman of the City Council appoints members of the City Council to serve on subcommittees and to represent the City Council on other governmental bodies that require the city's input.

Finances

In 2007, the city had a taxable real estate base of $1.55 billion.

In 2009-10, the city paid $2.2 million for solid waste disposal. This was furnished at a cost of $168.48 annually per residence. Non residential (business) collection cost $632.89 each, annually.

Fire protection

Along with one other city in the county, Rockledge has its own fire department with three stations. There is a county fire department within the city limits.

Boards and Committees

The City of Rockledge contains several citizen run boards and committees that make recommendations to the City of Rockledge on various issues. The positions held on the boards and committees are on a voluntary basis and non-paid. The list of boards and committees is as follows:

• Board of Adjustment
• Board of Adjustment and Appeals
• Business Development Committee
• Citizens Advisory Committee
• Citizens Recreation Advisory Board
• Code Enforcement Board
• Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners
• Education Advisory Committee
• Planning Commission
• Retirement Board, Fire Employees
• Retirement Board, General Employees
• Retirement Board, Police Employees
• The Rockledge Environmental Enhancement Board

The city publishes an official newsletter for residents of Rockledge.

Economy

Local businesses focus on technology and aerospace, especially those related to nearby Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral.

Citrus grove production is nominal, producing citrus confections, juice and souvenirs for the tourist trade and for local consumption.

Personal income

The median income for a household in the city was $45,218, and the median income for a family was $52,332. Males had a median income of $39,434 versus $25,918 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,700. About 4.0% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.2% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

Industry

The leading industries in Rockledge, Florida are Educational, health and social services, 20%; Manufacturing, 12%; and Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services, 11%.

Rivian Automotive, a tiny start-up, plans to begin production of cars in 2013.

Workforce

In 2007, the average size of Rockledge's labor force was 11,886. Of that group, 11,455 were employed and 431 were unemployed, for an unemployment rate of 3.6%.

Among the most common occupations in Rockledge are Management, professional, and related occupations, 36%. Sales and office occupations, 28%. and Service occupations, 15%. Approximately 72 percent of workers in Rockledge, Florida work for companies, 19 percent work for the government and 6 percent are self-employed.

Housing

In 2008, 45 building permits were issued for 105 units. This was down from 131 permits for 158 units in 2007, which was down from an estimated 106 permits for 341 units in 2006.

The median home price in 2007 was $214,965.

In February 2011, the average price of homes actually sold was $131,500.

Education

The public schools in are operated by the Brevard School Board. Local schools include Hans Christian Andersen Elementary; Golfview Elementary; John F. Kennedy Middle School; Ronald McNair Magnet Middle School; and Rockledge High School.

Private schools include St. Mary's Catholic School, Rockledge Christian School, Trinity Lutheran School, and Rockledge Montessori School.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Major roads

Rockledge is served by one Interstate 95 interchange (exit 195) and US1. Major roads are oriented towards the north-south road, US 1, with compass directions measured east and west from that road.

The following are at least four-lane roads, unless otherwise designated.

State Roads

• SR 519 Fiske Blvd) is a State Road which at the southern most point connects to Stadium Parkway in Viera and at the northern most point to US1 in Cocoa. SR 519 is a four-lane road.

County Roads

• CR 502 (Barnes Blvd) links US1, Murrell Road, SR519 and I-95. CR 502 is a two lane road except for the eastern most portion which has four lanes that eventually merge into two.

National Roads

• U.S. 1. In 2010, this road was widened to 6 lanes throughout Rockledge. A landscaped median was installed. Construction in 2010 cost $27.5 million for 2.6 miles (4.2 km).This section of the road carries approximately 45,000 vehicles daily.

Parks and Recreation

Rockledge has the following parks:

• Anderson Stormwater Park
• Barton Park [under construction]
• Columbia Park
• Community Park of Rockledge
• Cruickshank Sanctuary
• Golfview Park
• Holland Park
• McClarty Park
• Memorial Walk at Levitt Park
• Morris Park
• Raider Park
• River Groves Dock
• Rockledge Park
• Taylor Park
• Valencia Dock

Historic Sites

• H. S. Williams House
• Rockledge Drive Residential District
• Whaley, Marion S., Citrus Packing House
• Persimmon Mound
• Barton Avenue Residential District
• Valencia Subdivision Residential District

Notable residents

• DeLane Matthews, actress, most notably as Beth Barry on Dave's World (1993–1997)
• Jessi Peralta, Contestant on "So You Think You Can Dance 2007"
• Melissa Witek, Miss Florida USA 2005 and contestant on NBC's Treasure Hunters
• Mel Mitchell, American professional football player
• Laurent Robinson, American professional football player

External links

• City of Rockledge official site
• Old Photos and Postcards from the Rockledge Heritage Foundation
• Newspaper