Rockledge Florida Real Estate
Phone: (321) 480-6751

www.cityofrockledge.org

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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

 
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