Rockledge, Florida
Encyclopedia
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.
, 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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
. 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.
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.
The city publishes an official newsletter for residents of Rockledge.
and aerospace
, especially those related to nearby Kennedy Space Center
and Cape Canaveral
.
Citrus grove production is nominal, producing citrus confections, juice and souvenir
s for the tourist trade and for local consumption.
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.
Rivian Automotive
, a tiny start-up, plans to begin production of cars in 2013.
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.
The median home price in 2007 was $214,965.
In February 2011, the average price of homes actually sold was $131,500.
.
Private schools include St. Mary's Catholic School, Rockledge Christian School, Trinity Lutheran School, and Rockledge Montessori School.
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
County Roads
National Roads
Brevard County, Florida
Brevard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the population is 536,521, making it the 10th most populous county in the state. Influenced by the presence of the John F. Kennedy Space Center, Brevard...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. 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
Palm Bay, Florida
Palm Bay is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population as 100,786 on 1 July 2008; it is the most populous city in the county...
–Melbourne
Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of 2009, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 78,323. The municipal area is the second largest by size and by population in the county. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida...
–Titusville
Titusville, Florida
Titusville is a city in Brevard County, Florida in the United States. It is the county seat of Brevard County. Nicknamed Space City, USA, Titusville is on the Indian River, west of Merritt Island and the Kennedy Space Center and south-southwest of the Canaveral National Seashore...
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, 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
Cocoa, Florida
Cocoa is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 16,412 at the 2000 census. As of 2008, the estimated population according to the U.S. Census Bureau was 16,478. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Cocoa was...
, on the west by the St. Johns River
St. Johns River
The St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...
and scrubland, to the south by Viera
Viera, Florida
Viera is a master planned community located in the central coastal region of Brevard County, Florida. It is part of an unincorporated section adjacent to the Melbourne, Florida area.-Geography:...
(unincorporated
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
) and Melbourne
Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of 2009, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 78,323. The municipal area is the second largest by size and by population in the county. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida...
, and to the east by the Indian River Lagoon
Indian River Lagoon
The Indian River Lagoon is a grouping of three lagoons: Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River, and the Indian River, on the Atlantic Coast of Florida. It was originally named Rio de Ais after the Ais Indian tribe, who lived along the east coast of Florida....
and Merritt Island
Merritt Island, Florida
Merritt Island is a census-designated place in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It is located on the east coast of the state on the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2000 census, the population was 36,090. It is part of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area...
(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
Coquina
Coquina is a sedimentary rock that is composed either wholly or almost entirely of the transported, abraded, and mechanically sorted fragments of the shells of either molluscs, trilobites, brachiopods, or other invertebrates. For a sediment to be considered to be a coquina, the average size of the...
rock that line the Indian River
Indian River (Florida)
The Indian River is a waterway in Florida, a part of the Indian River Lagoon system which forms the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. It extends southward from the Ponce de Leon inlet in New Smyrna Beach, Florida [Volusia County] southward and across the "Haulover Canal" and along the western shore...
. It was originally referred to as Rock Ledge.
Early industry in the area was based on the citrus trade
Citrus production
Citrus fruits are the highest value fruit crop in terms of international trade. There are two main markets for citrus fruit:* the fresh fruit market* the processed citrus fruits market...
and accommodation for tourists
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
traveling to South Florida via the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway of the Indian River.
President Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
, 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 censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 20,170 people, 7,864 households, and 5,677 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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 governmentCouncil-manager government
The council–manager government form is one of two predominant forms of municipal government in the United States; the other common form of local government is the mayor-council government form, which characteristically occurs in large cities...
. The Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
and City Council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
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
City manager
A city manager is an official appointed as the administrative manager of a city, in a council-manager form of city government. Local officials serving in this position are sometimes referred to as the chief executive officer or chief administrative officer in some municipalities...
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
Municipal solid waste
Municipal solid waste , commonly known as trash or garbage , refuse or rubbish is a waste type consisting of everyday items we consume and discard. It predominantly includes food wastes, yard wastes, containers and product packaging, and other miscellaneous inorganic wastes from residential,...
. 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 technologyTechnology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
and aerospace
Aerospace
Aerospace comprises the atmosphere of Earth and surrounding space. Typically the term is used to refer to the industry that researches, designs, manufactures, operates, and maintains vehicles moving through air and space...
, especially those related to nearby Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center
The John F. Kennedy Space Center is the NASA installation that has been the launch site for every United States human space flight since 1968. Although such flights are currently on hiatus, KSC continues to manage and operate unmanned rocket launch facilities for America's civilian space program...
and Cape Canaveral
Cape Canaveral
Cape Canaveral, from the Spanish Cabo Cañaveral, is a headland in Brevard County, Florida, United States, near the center of the state's Atlantic coast. Known as Cape Kennedy from 1963 to 1973, it lies east of Merritt Island, separated from it by the Banana River.It is part of a region known as the...
.
Citrus grove production is nominal, producing citrus confections, juice and souvenir
Souvenir
A souvenir , memento, keepsake or token of remembrance is an object a person acquires for the memories the owner associates with it. The term souvenir brings to mind the mass-produced kitsch that is the main commodity of souvenir and gift shops in many tourist traps around the world...
s 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 incomePer capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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
Rivian Automotive
Rivian Automotive is an automaker based in Rockledge, Florida. It plans to begin production of a new design of fuel-efficient cars in 2013.-Company:...
, 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 SchoolRockledge High School
Rockledge High School is located in Rockledge, Florida and is part of the Brevard Public Schools District.-Sports:In 2009, the estimated income to fund sports at the school was $144,502. That amounted to $312 per athlete.-Alumni:...
.
Private schools include St. Mary's Catholic School, Rockledge Christian School, Trinity Lutheran School, and Rockledge Montessori School.
Major roads
Rockledge is served by one Interstate 95Interstate 95 in Florida
Interstate 95 is the main Interstate Highway on the east coast of the United States; it serves the Atlantic coast of Florida. It begins at a partial interchange with U.S. Highway 1 just south of downtown Miami, and heads north past Daytona Beach and Jacksonville to the Georgia state line at the St...
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. 1U.S. Route 1 in FloridaU.S. Route 1 in Florida runs along the state's east coast from Key West to its crossing of the St. Marys River into Georgia north of Boulogne, and south of Folkston. US 1 was designated through Florida when the U.S. Highway System was established in 1926.US 1 runs in the state of Florida, and...
. 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 HouseH. S. Williams HouseThe H. S. Williams House was a historic U.S. home located at 1219 Rockledge Drive, Rockledge, Florida. Hiram Smith Williams built the house in 1880 after moving to the area in 1874 from Alabama. The third floor of the home was used as a schoolroom for children. Brevard County purchased the home in...
- Rockledge Drive Residential DistrictRockledge Drive Residential DistrictThe Rockledge Drive Residential District is a U.S. historic district located in Rockledge, Florida. The district runs from 15 through 23 Rockledge Avenue, 219 through 1361 Rockledge Drive and 1 through 11 Orange Avenue. It contains 100 historic buildings.-External links:* at...
- Whaley, Marion S., Citrus Packing House
- Persimmon MoundPersimmon MoundThe Persimmon Mound is a historic site near Rockledge, Florida, located approximately 10 miles southwest of Rockledge on the east bank of a former channel of the St. Johns River. On 14 April 1994 it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places....
- Barton Avenue Residential District
- Valencia Subdivision Residential District
Notable residents
- DeLane MatthewsDeLane MatthewsDeLane Matthews is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Beth Barry in the CBS television series Dave's World from 1993 to 1997.-Career:...
, actress, most notably as Beth Barry on Dave's WorldDave's WorldDave's World is an American sitcom that aired on CBS from 1993 to 1997. The series was based on the writing of Miami Herald columnist Dave Barry.-Plot:...
(1993–1997) - Jessi Peralta, Contestant on "So You Think You Can DanceSo You Think You Can Dance (U.S. TV series)So You Think You Can Dance is an American dance competition and reality show that airs on Fox in the United States.The series first premiered on July 20, 2005, and was created by American Idol producers Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe and is produced by 19 Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions...
2007" - Melissa WitekMelissa WitekMelissa Witek is an entrepreneur and beauty queen who competed in the Miss USA pageant and appeared on the reality television show Treasure Hunters.-Biography:...
, Miss Florida USA 2005 and contestant on NBC's Treasure Hunters - Mel MitchellMel MitchellMel Mitchell III is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
, American football player with the New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... - Laurent RobinsonLaurent RobinsonLaurent Robinson is an American football wide receiver who is currently a member of the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Illinois State.He has also been a member of the St...
, American football player with the St Louis Rams