West Melbourne, Florida

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West Melbourne, Florida
—  City  —
Motto: Creating New Horizons[1]
Location in Brevard County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 28°4′40″N 80°39′55″W / 28.07778°N 80.66528°W / 28.07778; -80.66528Coordinates: 28°4′40″N 80°39′55″W / 28.07778°N 80.66528°W / 28.07778; -80.66528
Country  United States
State  Florida
County  Brevard
Created September 11, 1959[1]
Government
 • Type Council-Manager
 • Mayor Hal J. Rose
 • City Manager Scott Morgan
 • Deputy Mayor John D’Amico
Area
 • Total 10.2 sq mi (26.5 km2)
 • Land 10.2 sq mi (26.4 km2)
 • Water 0.04 sq mi (0.1 km2)
Elevation 30 ft (9 m)
Population (2010)[2]
 • Total 18,355
 • Density Bad rounding here1,800/sq mi (Bad rounding here690/km2)
  Census Bureau estimate
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes 32904, 32912
Area code(s) 321
FIPS code 12-76500[3]
GNIS feature ID 0293092[4]
Website www.westmelbourne.org

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.[5] The population was 18,355 at the 2010 census,[2] up from 9,824 at the 2000 census. In 1970, the city's population was approximately 3,050.[6] Since 2000, the city has experienced the highest population growth percentage of any municipality in Brevard County.[6] 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.[7]

Contents

Geography [edit]

West Melbourne is located at 28°4′40″N 80°39′55″W / 28.07778°N 80.66528°W / 28.07778; -80.66528 (28.077895, -80.665326).[8]

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.[9]

History [edit]

Voters created the city in 1959 to stop the area from being annexed into the City of Melbourne.[5]

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.[7]

Demographics [edit]

Since 2000, the city has experienced the highest population growth percentage of any municipality in Brevard County.[6]

As of the 2000 census[3], 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 [edit]

[icon] This section requires expansion. (June 2008)

The City of West Melbourne utilizes a Council-Manager form of government.[10] The City Council consists of the mayor and six council members.[11] The City Management consists of a city manager and a twelve-person executive management team.[12] 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.[13]

In 2011, about half the city general fund was spent on the police department.[14]

City council[11] [edit]

  • 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 [edit]

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.[15]

In 2010 the number of police officers dropped from 38 to 33, due to a hiring freeze.[15]

The fee for garbage disposal will be $10.24 per month per household in 2011-2012.[16]

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

  • Scott Morgan, City Manager[17]
  • Richard T. Wiley, Police Chief[12]
  • James Wilson, City Attorney[12]

Education [edit]

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[18]
  • Meadowlane Intermediate Elementary
  • Calvary Chapel Academy (private)[19]
  • Brevard Christian School (private)

Middle schools

  • Central Middle
  • Calvary Chapel Academy (private)
  • Brevard Christian School (private)

High Schools

  • Brevard Christian School
  • West Melbourne Christian Academy, K-12

Economy [edit]

Personal income [edit]

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 [edit]

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%.[6]

Housing [edit]

In 2008, 83 building permits were issued. This was down from 174 permits in 2007, which was up from 142 permits in 2006.[20]

The median home price in 2007 was $226,000.[6]

Retail [edit]

The Melbourne Square Mall, the largest in South Brevard, is located within the city limits of West Melbourne.

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): West Melbourne city, Florida". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved January 30, 2012. 
  3. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  4. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  5. ^ a b City History, West Melbourne, FL - Official Website. Retrieved on 2009-06-25.
  6. ^ a b c d e West Melbourne Community Data Sheet Economic Development Council of Florida's Space Coast. Retrieved on 2009-06-25.
  7. ^ a b http://www.flatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/FACTBOOK/70208035/-1/factbook
  8. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
  9. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): West Melbourne city, Florida". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved January 30, 2012. 
  10. ^ City of West Melbourne, Florida. "Form of Government", West Melbourne, FL - Official Website. Accessed November 20, 2007.
  11. ^ a b City of West Melbourne, Florida. "City Council", West Melbourne, FL - Official Website. Accessed January 23, 2009.
  12. ^ a b c City of West Melbourne, Florida. "City Management", West Melbourne, FL - Official Website. Accessed November 20, 2007.
  13. ^ Dean, James (April 26, 2008). More taxes or fewer services. Florida Today. 
  14. ^ Cervenka, Suzanne (December 7, 2011). "Council spares Hazlett a censure vote". Florida Today (Melbourne, Florida). pp. 1B. 
  15. ^ a b Knapp, Andrew (16 October 2010). "Crime rate decreases 5.5%". Melbourne, Florida: Florida Today. pp. 1B. 
  16. ^ Cervenka, Susanne (April 20, 2011). "City to drop rates by $3 for garbage". Florida Today (Melbourne, Florida). pp. 1B. 
  17. ^ "Minutes from May 28, 2009 Special City Council Meeting". Accessed July 22, 2008.
  18. ^ [1]
  19. ^ Calvary Chapel Academy
  20. ^ Building Permits United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2009-06-24.

External links [edit]

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Municipalities and communities of Brevard County, Florida, United States
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