West Melbourne, Florida

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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.<ref name="City History">City History, West Melbourne, FL - Official Website. Retrieved on 2009-06-25.</ref> Since 2000, the city has experienced the highest population growth percentage of any municipality in Brevard County.<ref name="edc" /> It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 US Census, the population was 25,924, up from 18,355 at the 2010 census.

History

Voters created the city in 1959 to stop the area from being annexed into the City of Melbourne.<ref name="City History" />

In 1970, the city's population was approximately 3,050.<ref name="edc">West Melbourne Community Data Sheet Economic Development Council of Florida's Space Coast. Retrieved on 2009-06-25.</ref>

Since 2000, the city has experienced the highest population growth percentage of any municipality in Brevard County.<ref name="edc" />

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 a "fees only" tax revenue system for its $17 million budget.<ref name="flatoday.com">Template:Cite web</ref>

From 2005 to 2014, home-schooled students, all three children from a West Melbourne family, won the state spelling bee championship a total of seven times, from two to three times each.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Government

The City of West Melbourne utilizes a Council-Manager form of government.<ref>City of West Melbourne, Florida. "Form of Government", West Melbourne, FL - Official Website. Accessed November 20, 2007.</ref> The City Council consists of the mayor and six council members.<ref name="City Council">City of West Melbourne, Florida. "City Council", West Melbourne, FL - Official Website. Accessed January 23, 2009.</ref> The City Management consists of a city manager and a twelve-person executive management team.<ref name="City Management">City of West Melbourne, Florida. "City Management", West Melbourne, FL - Official Website. Accessed November 20, 2007.</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In 2011, about half the city general fund was spent on the police department.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

City council<ref name="City Council" />

Pat Bentley, Mayor (November 2020 – Present)
Diana Adams, Deputy Mayor (November 2022 – Present)
Andrea Young, Council Member (November 2022 – Present)
John Dittmore, Council Member, Council Member (November 2022 – Present)
Stephen Phrampus, Council Member (November 2020 – Present)
Daniel McDow, Council Member (November 2020 – Present)
Helen Voltz, Council Member (November 2023 – Present)

City management

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.<ref name="ft101015">Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2010 the number of police officers dropped from 38 to 33, due to a hiring freeze.<ref name="ft101015" />

The fee for garbage disposal was $10.24 per month per household in 2011–2012.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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

Tim Rhode, City Manager<ref name=cityadm>"City Administration"</ref>
Gregory Vesta, Police Chief<ref name=cityadm/>
John Cary, City Attorney<ref name=cityadm/>

Geography

The approximate coordinates for the City of West Melbourne is located at Template:Coord (28.077895, −80.665326).<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref>

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert. Template:Convert of it is land, and Template:Convert of it (0.21%) is water.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of West Melbourne has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa). Template:Weather box

Demographics

Template:US Census population

2010 and 2020 census

**West Melbourne racial composition**
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(*NH = Non-Hispanic*)
Race	Pop 2010<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Pop 2020<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	% 2010	% 2020
White (NH)	14,547	17,858	79.25%	68.89%
Black or African American (NH)	805	1,335	4.39%	5.15%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	36	62	0.20%	0.24%
Asian (NH)	904	1,924	4.93%	7.42%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH)	3	18	0.02%	0.07%
Some other race (NH)	38	186	0.21%	0.72%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH)	369	1,320	2.01%	5.09%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1,653	3,221	9.01%	12.42%
Total	18,355	25,924

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 25,924 people, 8,941 households, and 5,332 families residing in the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 18,355 people, 6,923 households, and 4,598 families residing in the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,<ref name="GR2" /> there were 9,824 people, 4,497 households, and 2,693 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 4,874 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. 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.

In 2000, 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.

In 2000, 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.

Education

West Melbourne served by the Brevard Public Schools.

Schools within West Melbourne include:

Elementary schools

Meadowlane Primary/Intermediate Elementary
West Melbourne Elementary School for Science

Middle school

Central Middle School

Private schools

Brevard Christian School
Calvary Chapel Academy
New Hope Lutheran Academy
West Melbourne Christian Academy, K–12

Economy

Personal income

In 2000, 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

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%.<ref name="edc" />

Housing

In 2008, 83 building permits were issued. This was down from 174 permits in 2007, which was up from 142 permits in 2006.<ref>Building Permits United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2009-06-24.</ref>

The median home price in 2007 was $226,000.<ref name="edc" />

Infrastructure

Roads

File:I-95.svg Interstate 95 – There is one exit in West Melbourne: Exit 180 (U.S. 192). The newer Exit 182 is nearby to West Melbourne, however.
File:US 192.svg U.S. 192 – The main route through West Melbourne, locally known as New Haven Avenue. Almost all economic activity is located along this road. Major intersections include Interstate 95, CR 511, and CR 509.
File:Brevard County Road 509 FL.svg CR 509 – Locally known as Wickham Road north of U.S. 192 and Minton Road south of U.S. 192, this route forms a main transportation route through the south-central part of the county. Major intersections include U.S. 192 and Ellis Road.
File:Brevard County Road 511 FL.svg CR 511 – Locally known as John Rodes Parkway, this road is a non-freeway parallel to Interstate 95. Major intersections include U.S. 192 and Ellis Road.

Potable water

In 2017, West Melbourne residents were still purchasing their water from the utility owned by the neighboring City of Melbourne. It cost slightly over 1.1 cents per gallon, for a consumer of Template:Convert monthly.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The city owns its underground network of conduits.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>