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Rockledge is a 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
Rockledge is located at 28°19'30?N 80°43'58?W? /
?28.325°N 80.73278°W? / 28.325; -80.73278 (28.324938,
-80.732686).
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.
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.
In 2007, the city had a taxable real estate base of $1.55
billion.
Demographics
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 20,170 people, 7,864
households, and 5,677 families residing in the city. The population
density was 727.8/km² (1,884.4/mi²). There were
8,353 housing units at an average density of 301.4/km²
(780.4/mi²). 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.
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, and 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.
Economy / 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
Due to its proximity to Cape Canaveral, there is a large
number of Rockledge citizens who are employed in the space
industry.
This area as with most areas in this region of the state
of Florida is mostly run by construction. Many of the local
business with open job listings are construction companies.
The people of this area are an industrious people. Construction/landscaping
is one of the most popular jobs. That along with teaching
is the most populated job venue.
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%.
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.
History
Rockledge was founded on August 7, 1887, making it the oldest
incorporated municipality in Brevard County. The name Rockledge
comes from the many ledges of coquina rock that line the Indian
River. 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.
The town's original hotel, the Brevard Hotel, was razed in
the 1990s to make room for condominium and marina development.
Current citrus groves are now nominal, producing citrus confections,
juice and souvenirs for the tourist trade and for local consumption.
Local businesses now focus greatly on technology and aerospace,
especially those related to nearby Kennedy Space Center and
Cape Canaveral. The city also sees a fair amount of ghost
hunters coming to visit Ashley's restaurant, a reportedly
haunted establishment.
Education
The public schools serving Rockledge are Hans Christian Anderson
Elementary; Golfview Elementary; Ralph M. Williams, Jr. Elementary;
John F. Kennedy Middle School; Ronald McNair Magnet Middle
School; Rockledge High School; Central Area Adult Education;
and Central Area Alternative Learning Center.
Points of interest
St. Mary's Catholic Church, an ultra modern church recently
rebuilt in 2002. The parish began in 1881. The original church
building, constructed in 1917, is used for choir practice.
Historic Sites
* H. S. Williams House
* Rockledge Drive Residential District |