Editing Cocoa, Florida

{{short description|City in Florida, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!--See the Table at Infobox settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage-->
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->
|name = Cocoa, Florida
|official_name            = City of Cocoa
|other_name               = 
|native_name              = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
|nickname                 = 
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|motto                    = 
<!-- images and maps  ----------->
|image_skyline            = {{Photomontage
  | photo3b      = Cocoa Welcomes You.jpg|thumb|Cocoa welcome sign
  | photo4c      = Cocoa City Hall front.jpg|thumb|Cocoa City Hall
  | size         = 263
  | border       = 1
  | spacing      = 2
  | color_border = white
  | color        =  white
  | foot_montage = Top: Cocoa welcome sign; Bottom: Cocoa City Hall
}}
|image_flag               = 
|flag_size                = 
|image_seal               = Logo_of_Cocoa,_Florida.png
|seal_size                = 200
|image_shield             = 
|shield_size              = 
|image_map                = Brevard_County_Florida_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Cocoa_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 
|map_caption              = Location in [[Brevard County, Florida|Brevard County]] and the state of [[Florida]]
|pushpin_map              = <!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map -->
|pushpin_label_position   = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
|pushpin_map_caption      = 
|pushpin_mapsize          = 
<!-- Location ------------------>
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = {{nowrap|{{flag|United States of America}}}}
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Florida}}
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Florida|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = {{flagicon image|Flag of Brevard County, Florida.png}} [[Brevard County, Florida|Brevard]]
|subdivision_type3        = 
|subdivision_name3        = 
|subdivision_type4        = 
|subdivision_name4        = 
<!-- Politics ----------------->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = [[Council-Manager government|Council-Manager]]
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Michael Blake
|leader_title1            = [[City Manager]]
|leader_name1             = <nowiki>Stockton Whitten</nowiki>
|leader_title2            = [[Deputy Mayor]]
|leader_name2             = 
|leader_title3            = 
|leader_name3             = 
|leader_title4            = 
|leader_name4             = 
|established_title        = <!-- Settled -->
|established_date         = 
|established_title2       = <!-- Incorporated (town) -->
|established_date2        = 
|established_title3       = <!-- Incorporated (city) -->
|established_date3        = 
<!-- Area    --------------------->
|area_magnitude           = 
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_12.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 31, 2021}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 38.21
|area_land_km2            = 35.57
|area_water_km2           = 2.64
|area_total_sq_mi         = 14.75
|area_land_sq_mi          = 13.73
|area_water_sq_mi         = 1.02
|area_water_percent       = 
<!-- Population   ----------------------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_note          = 
|population_total         = 19041
|population_density_km2   = 535.32
|population_density_sq_mi = 1386.51
|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = −5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = −4
|coordinates              = {{coord|28|22|10|N|80|44|38|W|region:US-FL|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes      = <!--for references: use<ref> </ref> tags-->
|elevation_m              = 11
|elevation_ft             = 36
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
|postal_code_type         = 
|postal_code              = 
|area_code                = [[Area code 321|321]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 12-13150<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0280608<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|http://www.cocoafl.org/|www.CocoaFL.org}}
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|pop_est_footnotes        = 
|population_est           = 
}}

'''Cocoa''' is a city in [[Brevard County, Florida]]. Its population was 19,041 at the [[2020 United States census]], up from 17,140 at the 2010 census.<ref>{{cite web |date= |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Cocoa city, Florida |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/cocoacityflorida/POP010220 |accessdate=2022-07-20 |publisher=Census.gov}}</ref> It is part of the [[Palm Bay, Florida|Palm Bay]]&ndash;[[Melbourne, Florida|Melbourne]]&ndash;[[Titusville, Florida|Titusville]] [[Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area|metropolitan statistical area]].

==History==
===Etymology===
Several stories circulate among Cocoa old timers as to how the town got its name. One story says that the mail used to come by river boat and was placed in an empty tin box labeled Baker's Cocoa. The box was nailed to a piling in the river next to downtown. Additionally, an early hotel in the area, located on the Indian River Lagoon, was named Cocoa House.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.florida-backroads-travel.com/cocoa-florida.html |title=Cocoa Florida from the Civil War to the Space Age |access-date=2016-02-01 |author=Mike Miller |year=2016 |work= Florida Backroads Travel }}</ref> Another story speaks of an elderly African-American woman who lived on the banks of the Indian River. She would supply hot cocoa to sailors traversing the Indian River. The sailors approaching her house were said to yell out "Cocoa!, Cocoa!", alerting the woman that they were present and wanted the beverage.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cocoafl.org/908/History-Culture | title=History & Culture &#124; Cocoa, FL - Official Website }}</ref>

===19th century===
In 1885, the S. F. Travis Hardware store opened. As of 2023, the business remains open.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://travishardware.com/ |title=S.F. Travis Hardware - home page |date=2023-01-22 |work= The S.F. Travis Company }}</ref> Cocoa's business district was mostly destroyed by fire in 1890, but significant development soon was stimulated by the extension of the Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Indian River Railway to Cocoa.<ref>{{cite web|title=History & Culture {{!}} Cocoa, FL - Official Website|url=https://www.cocoafl.org/908/History-Culture|access-date=2021-04-28|website=www.cocoafl.org}}</ref>

The city was chartered on October 1, 1895.<ref name="cocoa-2017">{{cite web |url=https://www.choosecocoa.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/65 |title=2017 Annual Economic Development Update |work=Cocoa Economic Development |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813192744/https://www.choosecocoa.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/65 |archive-date=August 13, 2019 |date=2018 |access-date=August 13, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the winter of 1894–1895, Cocoa had an economic setback when the "[[Great Freeze]]" destroyed the [[citrus]] crop and forced many citrus workers to seek new jobs. By 1903, the population of Cocoa had declined to 382.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.cocoafl.org/index.aspx?NID=132 |title=History |date=2010-01-17 |work=cocoafl.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101102112151/http://cocoafl.org/index.aspx?NID=132 |archive-date=November 2, 2010 }}</ref>

===Early 20th Century===
In the 1910s, population growth in Cocoa accelerated. The state business directory of 1911–1912 stated the population was 550.<ref name=":0" />
In October 1918, the mayor of Cocoa proclaimed that all places of assembly, including schools, churches, and movies, be closed to avoid spreading the [[Spanish flu]].<ref>{{Cite news | first=Rick | last=Neale | title=Flu | url=https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2020/08/13/1918-spanish-flu-shuttered-schools-killed-young-and-old-alike-across-brevard-county/3191226001/| newspaper=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida| pages= 12A | date=August 15, 2020 | access-date=November 7, 2020}}</ref>
By 1925, its population was estimated at 1,800. By 1930, despite the [[Great Depression]], the population had risen to 2,200.<ref name=":0" />

===World War II and beyond===
The population rose dramatically following the development of the space industry, quadrupling from 3,098 in 1940 to 12,244 in 1960. Cocoa and the surrounding area also became integrated with the tourist industry for the first time, as thousands visited the area to witness the launches from [[Cape Canaveral]]. By 1980, the city's population had grown to 16,096.<ref>[http://www.cocoafl.org/index.aspx?nid=131 History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021185103/http://cocoafl.org/index.aspx?NID=131 |date=2010-10-21 }} Cocoa, Fla. Official Website. Accessed on 2009-06-24.</ref>

Education was [[Racial segregation in the United States|segregated]] until the 1960s, when Monroe High School and elementary schools for black students were closed.<ref>{{Cite news | first=Rebecca | last=Basu | title=Cocoa's class of 1950 shares life stories at reunion | url=http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20100314/LIFE/3140303/Cocoa-s-class-of-1950-shares-life-stories-at-reunion | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages=1D | date=14 March 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703220748/http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20100314/LIFE/3140303/Cocoa-s-class-of-1950-shares-life-stories-at-reunion | archive-date=3 July 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1964, the [[Cocoa Expo Sports Center]] (Cocoa Stadium) was built for the Colt 45s spring baseball training and [[Grapefruit League]] games. The team later became the [[Houston Astros]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.springtrainingonline.com/teams/houston-astros.htm|title=Houston Astros Spring Training|work=Spring Training Online|access-date=3 February 2015}}</ref> In the early 1980s, the city attempted to upgrade the stadium by asking the Astros to pay for needed repairs. In 1985, the team responded by moving its training to [[Osceola County Stadium]] in [[Kissimmee, Florida|Kissimmee]]. As a result, future negotiations with major league teams would be done by the county government.

Clearlake Middle School was closed in 2013. Students were moved to [[Cocoa High School]], which was converted to a junior and senior high school.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://spacecoastdaily.com/2013/02/school-board-votes-to-shutter-three-schools/|title=School Board Votes To Shutter Three Schools|date=February 13, 2013 |access-date=3 February 2015}}</ref>

==Government==
Cocoa first approved the [[Council–manager government|council-manager form of government]] in 1959, and subsequent changes to the state statutes mirrored the City of Cocoa's plan. The city council serves as the board of directors for the city, with the mayor as chairman. The city manager serves as the chief executive. The city council for the City of Cocoa is made up of five members; the mayor is elected at large and the four council members are elected by each of their districts.<ref name="cocoa-2017" />
[[File:Cocoa Police entrance 1.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Entrance to the [[Cocoa Police Department (Florida)|Cocoa Police Department]], as seen from King Street]]

* Mayor – Michael C. Blake
* Councilman, District 1 – Alex Goins
* Councilman, District 2 – Lavander Hearn
* Councilman, District 3 – Matthew Barringer (appointed, upon resignation of previous councilman)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2023/10/25/former-titusville-councilman-appointed-to-cocoa-council-to-fill-vacancy/71306997007/ | title=Former Titusville councilman appointed to Cocoa City Council to fill vacancy left by Rip Dyal }}</ref>
* Councilwoman, District 4 – Lorraine Koss
* City Manager (appointed) – Stockton Whitten
<ref>City of Cocoa website www.CocoaFl.org</ref>

In 2007, the city had a taxable real-estate base of $1.18 billion.<ref>{{cite book|author=Dean, James|title=More taxes or fewer services|date=April 26, 2008|publisher=Florida Today}}</ref>

Cocoa has its own police and fire departments. The [[Cocoa Police Department (Florida)|Cocoa Police Department]] is the primary law enforcement agency within the city. It is aided by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, for court and civil process. The Cocoa Fire Department has three stations. Brevard County Fire Rescue also has a station within the city limits.<ref>{{Cite news|date=March 26, 2011|title=The Fact Book|page=29|newspaper=[[Florida Today]]|location=Melbourne, Florida|url=http://www.floridatoday.com/article/99999999/NEWS0310/3270308/Fire-stations-}}</ref> In 2021, the city had an authorized police force of 72 police officers and 44 firefighters. <!---article did not specify "benefits" but figure implied it-->

==Geography==
[[File:Florida - Cocoa - NARA - 23936573 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Cocoa in 1933]]
Cocoa is located at {{Coord|28.369334|-80.743779|type:city_region:US|format=dms|display=inline}}.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|39.9|km2|order=flip}}, {{convert|5.4|km2|order=flip}} (13.46%) are covered by water.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Cocoa city, Florida |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 27, 2012 }}</ref> Cocoa is home to the highest point in [[Brevard County]], listed by the [[USGS]] as being {{convert|83|ft}} above [[sea level]] at its [[Apex (geometry)|apex]].<ref name="USGS Height">{{cite web|url=http://data.labins.org/imf3/USGS_Download/usgs.jsp|title=High Point Height|last=USGS|first=USGS|date=April 19, 2007|publisher=USGS|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041024222955/http://data.labins.org/imf3/USGS_Download/usgs.jsp|archive-date=October 24, 2004|url-status=dead|access-date=2007-04-19}}</ref>

===Fauna===
The Cocoa Bird Count has annually counted species of birds in or near Cocoa since 1950. In 2010, it counted 150 species. An annual "Christmas Bird Count" was conducted before this, starting in 1900.<ref>{{Cite news | first=Keith | last=Winston | title=Brevard Naturally:Citizen scientists collect vital information | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 4D | date=25 December 2010 }}</ref>

=== Climate <!--  no, the record low 33 is not a mistake. visit source and look at record low for Aug 2. --> ===
{{Weather box
| single line = Y
| Sep low F = 74
| Jul record low F = 54
| Jul high F = 92
| Jul low F = 74
| Aug record high F = 101
| Aug record low F = 33
| Aug high F = 91
| Aug low F = 75
| Sep record high F = 101
| Sep record low F = 51
| Sep high F = 89
| Oct record high F = 99
| Jun record low F = 56
| Oct record low F = 30
| Oct high F = 84
| Oct low F = 62
| Nov record high F = 93
| Nov record low F = 27
| Nov high F = 78
| Nov low F = 61
| Dec record high F = 88
| Dec record low F = 19
| Dec high F = 70
| Jul record high F = 108
| Jun low F = 71
| location = Cocoa, FL
| Mar low F = 58
| source = <ref name="weather.com">{{cite web |url=https://weather.com/weather/monthly/l/3be52649f587423c53950070bb4fc14d74dd48d4c0b4a9d676483d15160c555d |title= |publisher=Weather.com |access-date=March 14, 2021 }}</ref>
| Jan high F = 70
| Jan low F = 50
| Jan record high F = 91
| Jan record low F = 19
| Feb high F = 73
| Feb low F = 53
| Feb record high F = 92
| Feb record low F = 23
| Mar high F = 77
| Mar record high F = 94
| Jun record high F = 103
| Mar record low F = 26
| Apr high F = 81
| Apr low F = 62
| Apr record high F = 97
| Apr record low F = 36
| May high F = 86
| May low F = 68
| May record high F = 102
| May record low F = 47
| Jun high F = 87
| Dec low F = 53
| Mar mean F = 68
| Nov avg record high F = 89
| Nov avg record low F = 35
| Dec avg record high F = 86
| Dec avg record low F = 26
| Jan mean F = 60
| Feb mean F = 63
| Jun mean F = 79
| Apr mean F = 72
| May mean F = 77
| Oct avg record high F = 93
| Jul mean F = 83
| Aug mean F = 83
| Sep mean F = 82
| Oct mean F = 73
| Nov mean F = 70
| Oct avg record low F = 47
| Aug avg record high F = 99
| Sep avg record low F = 62
| Apr avg record high F = 94
| Jan avg record low F = 25
| Jan avg record high F = 86
| Feb avg record high F = 88
| Feb avg record low F = 28
| Mar avg record high F = 91
| Mar avg record low F = 34
| Apr avg record low F = 41
| Sep avg record high F = 97
| May avg record high F = 98
| May avg record low F = 52
| Jun avg record high F = 100
| Jun avg record low F = 61
| Jul avg record high F = 100
| Jul avg record low F = 64
| Aug avg record low F = 64
| Dec mean F = 62
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 312
|1900= 382
|1910= 613
|1920= 1445
|1930= 2164
|1940= 3098
|1950= 4245
|1960= 12294
|1970= 16110
|1980= 16096
|1990= 17722
|2000= 16412
|2010= 17140
|2020= 19041
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2010 and 2020 censuses===
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Cocoa racial composition'''<br> (Hispanics excluded from racial categories)<br> (''NH = Non-Hispanic'')<br>
!Race
!Pop 2010<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Cocoa city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Cocoa+city;+Florida+&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!Pop 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Cocoa city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Cocoa+city;+Florida+&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2010
!% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|9,285
|9,449
|54.17%
|49.62%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|5,253
|5,011
|30.65%
|26.32%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|75
|41
|0.44%
|0.22%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|175
|241
|1.02%
|1.27%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]] (NH)
|10
|16
|0.06%
|0.08%
|-
|[[Other races (U.S. Census)|Some other race]] (NH)
|38
|92
|0.22%
|0.48%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Multiracial]] (NH)
|373
|976
|2.18%
|5.13%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|1,931
|3,215
|11.27%
|16.88%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''17,140'''
|'''19,041'''
|
|
|-
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census]], 19,041 people, 8,062 households, and 4,550, families were residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Cocoa city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Cocoa+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1101|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

As of the [[2010 United States census]], 17,140 people, 7,429 households, and 4,480 families resided in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Cocoa city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Cocoa+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2010.S1101|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the 2000 [[census]],<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> 16,412 people, 6,939 households, and 4,232 families lived in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,200.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The 8,064 housing units had an average density of {{convert|1,081.1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The [[Race (United States census)|racial makeup]] of the city was 62.47% White, 32.28% African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 1.58% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 4.93% of the population.

Of the 6,939 households, 28.4% had children under 18 living with them, 37.0% were married couples living together, 19.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were not families. About 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.97.

In 2000, in the city, the age distribution was 26.4% under 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.

==Economy==
[[File:Cocoa Riverfront Park 4.jpg|left|thumb|[[Medal of Honor]] recipient [[Emory L. Bennett|Emory Bennett's]] statue in Cocoa Riverfront Park]]

===Personal income===
According to 2020 [[United States census]] data:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/cocoacityflorida/PST045221 |title=QuickFacts: Cocoa City, Florida |website=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=December 20, 2022}}</ref>
* Median household income = $45,011
* [[Per capita income]] = $26,831
* Below the [[poverty line]]: 13.0% of the population

===Industry===
Construction and retail trade are the two largest industries by employment in Cocoa as of 2017.<ref name="cocoa-2017" /> In 2008, [[Kel-Tec]] CNC Industries, located in Cocoa, was the third-largest manufacturer of [[pistol]]s in the United States.<ref>according to the [[Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives]] (ATF)</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Price |first=Wayne T. |date=23 August 2008 |title=Brevard a gun-slinger |url=http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20080824%2FBUSINESS%2F808240313%2F1006%2Fnews01 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512054040/http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20080824%2FBUSINESS%2F808240313%2F1006%2Fnews01 |archive-date=12 May 2015 |work=Florida Today}}</ref> Cocoa has 1,381 registered businesses that include light manufacturing and industrial, retail, and office businesses as of 2017.<ref name="cocoa-2017" /> Cocoa hosts one of the facilities building [[SpaceX Starship]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-construction-florida-photos.html |title=SpaceX's 'Starship' Prototype Coming Together in Florida |author=Amy Thompson |date=June 24, 2019 |publisher=[[Space.com]] |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref>

===Workforce===
In 2017, 9,633 persons were employed, with 84% having a high school education or higher.<ref name="cocoa-2017" />

==Tourism==
[[File:AladdinTheater.jpg|thumb|left|Aladdin Theater (also known as Cocoa Playhouse)]]
Tourism is high in the downtown historic business district. Cruise passenger tourists come from [[Port Canaveral]] on excursions or day trips.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://traveltips.usatoday.com/day-cruises-cape-canaveral-fl-63993.html |title=Day Cruises in Cape Canaveral, FL |access-date=July 23, 2020 }}</ref> In addition, tourists are attracted to the historic sites and local attractions such as the [[Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science]], the [[Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory|Eastern Florida State College Planetarium and Observatory]], Historic Cocoa Village, ''Indian River Queen'' (excursion boat), Indian River Drive scenic by-pass, the [[Aladdin Theater]], Historic Porcher House, and Riverfront Park. Historic Cocoa Village has shopping and two Golden Spoon award-winning restaurants, and boutiques. The city sponsors more than 50 special events each year.<ref name="cocoa-2017" />

===Cocoa Village===
[[File:Florida Historical Society State Headquarters and the Library of Florida History P002.jpg|thumb|right|Historic Cocoa Post Office, now the home of the Florida Historical Society State Headquarters]]
The historic downtown area is called Cocoa Village, situated along Florida Avenue to Stone Street, and stretching to Riverfront Park along the [[Indian River (Florida)|Indian River]]. It has shops and restaurants, and is surrounded by historic buildings and the Cocoa Riverfront Park. The [[Florida Historical Society]] is headquartered in the historic Cocoa Post Office, originally built in 1939 by the [[Works Progress Administration]]. The area was revitalized by funding for public infrastructure through the Cocoa Redevelopment Agency, city, and private investment. Cocoa Village is also home to the [[Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse]], which was originally called The Aladdin Theatre.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Aladdin Society {{!}} The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse|url=https://cocoavillageplayhouse.com/involved/aladdin|access-date=2021-03-19|website=cocoavillageplayhouse.com}}</ref>
[[File:PorcherHouseFL.JPG|thumb|right|Porcher House in Cocoa Village]]

==Education==
The city area has these educational institutions:

Higher education:
* [[Eastern Florida State College]], Cocoa Campus<ref>[http://www.easternflorida.edu/ Eastern Florida State College]</ref>
* [[University of Central Florida]], Cocoa Campus<ref>[http://regionalcampuses.ucf.edu/campus/cocoa/ Cocoa Campus]</ref>

Public school system:
* Cambridge Elementary School<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.edline.net/pages/Cambridge_Elementary_School/|title=Cambridge Elementary School|work=Edline|access-date=2017-09-14|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Cocoa High School]]<ref>[http://www.edline.net/pages/Cocoa_High_School/ Cocoa High School]</ref>
* Endeavor Elementary Magnet School<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.edline.net/pages/Endeavor_Elementary_Magnet|title=Endeavour Elementary Magnet|work=Edline|access-date=2017-09-14|language=en}}</ref>
* Saturn Elementary School<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.edline.net/pages/Saturn_Elementary_School|title=Saturn Elementary School|work=Edline|access-date=2017-09-14|language=en}}</ref>

Private schools:
* Emma Jewel Charter Academy{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.emmajewelcharter.com/pages/Emma_Jewel_Charter|title=Emma Jewel Charter Academy|work=Edline|access-date=2017-09-14|language=en}}{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* St. Marks Episcopal Academy<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stmarksacademy.org/|title=stmarksacademy|website=stmarksacademy|access-date=2017-09-14}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
[[File:Bridge at Cocoa, Florida.jpg|thumb|500px|The [[Hubert Humphrey|Hubert H. Humphrey]] Bridge spans the [[Indian River Lagoon]], linking Cocoa with [[Merritt Island, Florida|Merritt Island]].]]

===Transportation===

====Major roads====
All are at least four-lane roads, unless otherwise designated.<ref name="cocoa-2017" />
* {{jct|state=FL|US|1}} – This is the main north–south route through the city, known officially as Cocoa Boulevard. From north to south, the road enters Cocoa via the [[census-designated place]] [[Sharpes, Florida|Sharpes]]. The road follows a vaguely northwest–southeast course as it passes through Cocoa Village. Major intersections include SR&nbsp;528 ([[diamond interchange]]), Michigan Avenue, CR&nbsp;503, and SR&nbsp;520. 
* {{jct|state=FL|I|95}} – There are three interchanges within city limits: SR&nbsp;520 (exit 201), SR&nbsp;524 (exit 202), and SR&nbsp;528 (exit 205).
* {{jct|state=FL|SR|501}} – This is the secondary north–south road in Cocoa, known locally as Clearlake Road. It runs from SR&nbsp;524 to SR&nbsp;520. Major intersections include SR&nbsp;524, Michigan Avenue, CR&nbsp;503, Lake Drive, and SR&nbsp;520.
* {{jct|state=FL|CR|503|county1=Brevard}} – This is a minor county road, known locally as Dixon Boulevard, running from SR&nbsp;501 to US&nbsp;1. Major intersections include SR&nbsp;501, Fiske Boulevard and US&nbsp;1.
* {{jct|state=FL|CR|515|county1=Brevard}} – This scenic two-lane county road, known locally as, from north to south, Indian River Drive, Brevard Drive/Delannoy Avenue (south/north), and Rockledge Drive, is a slow residential route running directly parallel to the Indian River. Major intersections include Dixon Boulevard and SR&nbsp;520 (northbound shares a brief concurrency). 
* {{jct|state=FL|SR|520}} – This is the main east–west route through the city; 25,000 vehicles/day drive through Cocoa Village.<ref>{{cite news |title='State of the System' identifies Brevard County's busiest roads |author=Rick Neale |date=2010-09-15 |work= Florida Today |publisher=Florida Today }}</ref> Starting from the west, the road enters the city limits of Cocoa from unincorporated [[Brevard County, Florida|Brevard County]] and takes on the name King Street. It then intersects SR&nbsp;524. Following a brief interruption from [[Cocoa West, Florida|Cocoa West]], the road then runs through Cocoa Village on a pair of one-way streets, eastbound named King Street and westbound named Willard Street, and onto the [[Merritt Island Causeway]]. Major intersections include SR&nbsp;524, I-95 ([[diamond interchange]]), SR&nbsp;501, SR&nbsp;519, US&nbsp;1, and Indian River Drive.
* {{jct|state=FL|SR|524}} – This is a rural, sometimes two-lane, secondary road running from SR&nbsp;520 to SR&nbsp;528. It has no local name. Major intersections include SR&nbsp;520, I-95, SR&nbsp;501, and SR&nbsp;528.
* {{jct|state=FL|SR|528}} – This is an east–west [[Controlled-access highway|highway]] running from unincorporated areas of the county to the census-designated and unincorporated place of [[Merritt Island, Florida|Merritt Island]]. Major intersections include I-95, SR&nbsp;524, and US&nbsp;1.

====Rail====
The [[Florida East Coast Railway]] runs through Cocoa. Into the early 1960s, passengers could take one of two [[Chicago]]-bound trains (on alternating days), the ''[[City of Miami (train)|City of Miami]]'' or the ''[[South Wind (train)|South Wind]]'' (both via [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]]) and the [[New York City|New York]]-bound ''[[Champion (train)|East Coast Champion]],'' ''Havana Special,'' and ''Miamian'' from the Florida East Coast Railway's Cocoa-Rockledge station.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Florida East Coast Railway, Table 1 |journal=Official Guide of the Railways |publisher=National Railway Publication Company |volume=94 |issue=8 |date=January 1962}}</ref> Into the latter 1950s, passengers could take the ''[[Dixie Flagler]]'' to Chicago via [[Atlanta]] from the station.<ref>Herr, Kincaid A. ''University Press of Kentucky,'' 1964, p. 273.</ref> All passenger trains along the FEC were suspended in 1963 due to a strike. The FEC resumed local passenger service between [[Jacksonville]] and the Miami area from 1965 until July 31, 1968.<ref>Bramson, Seth H. ''Speedway to Sunshine: the story of the Florida East Coast Railway'', Boston Mills Press, 2010, p. 153. {{ISBN|9781554077533}}.</ref>

[[Brightline]] is an [[inter-city rail]] route that currently runs between [[MiamiCentral|Miami]] and [[Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal|Orlando]]. On March 12, 2024, Brightline officials confirmed that an [[infill station]] on the [[Space Coast]] would be built in [[Cocoa station|Cocoa]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dahm |first1=Daniel |date=March 12, 2024 |title=Next stop, Cocoa: Brightline travels toward new station in Brevard |url=https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/brightline-cocoa-station |access-date=April 18, 2024 |work=[[WKMG-TV]] |publisher=[[Graham Media Group]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Burke |first1=Peter |date=March 12, 2024 |title=Brightline announces it's moving forward with Space Coast station in Cocoa |url=https://www.wptv.com/lifestyle/travel/brightline-space-coast-station-in-cocoa |access-date=March 20, 2024 |work=WPTV |publisher=The E.W. Scripps Company}}</ref>

====Bus====
[[Space Coast Area Transit]] operates a public bus service in Cocoa and vicinity.<ref>[http://routefinder.ridescat.com/maps/fares.php Space Coast Area Transit official website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715183914/http://routefinder.ridescat.com/maps/fares.php |date=2011-07-15 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ridescat.com/interactive-system-map/|title=Interactive System Map|access-date=3 February 2015}}</ref>

===Water===
[[File:Cocoa water tower night.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Updated livery of the Cocoa water tower at night, as seen from [[US Route 1]].]]

Since 1957, Cocoa has supplied the communities of central Brevard County with potable water. Cocoa made major investments in the water supply and treatment facilities needed to produce a sub-regional water system.

In 2017, Cocoa provided an average of {{convert|23000000|USgal}} of water daily to over 80,000 customers (250,000 people)<ref>{{Cite news | first=Jim | last=Waymer | title=How the system came undone | url=http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2017/10/21/cocoa-water-how-system-came-undone/681946001/| newspaper=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida| pages= 8A | date=October 22, 2017 | access-date=October 27, 2017}}</ref><ref name="cocoa-2017" /> in Cocoa, Rockledge, Port St. John, Merritt Island, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Suntree/Viera, Patrick Air Force Base, Kennedy Space Center and Port Canaveral.

Cocoa's water system includes the wellfield and raw water collection system, Wewahootee Water Treatment Plant, transmission mains, and the Dyal Water Treatment Plant (WTP). Cocoa's drinking water sources include the Floridian Aquifer, Intermediate Aquifer, Taylor Creek Reservoir, and Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) wells. All of these facilities are located in east Orange County. A distribution system and storage pumping facilities are located in Brevard County.
[[File:Cocoa-Watertower.jpg|thumb|right|Cocoa water tower in 2009, with the original bicentennial paint scheme.]]
The Dyal WTP processes about nine billion gallons per year, with peak flows reaching 38 million gallons per day (mgd) during the summer. Daily flows average 25 mgd. The Dyal WTP is unusual for Central Florida because it is capable of treating both ground and surface water.

The flag was originally painted on the water tower free of charge by a Greek immigrant. He wanted to decorate the tower in time for the [[United States Bicentennial]] celebration in 1976.<ref>{{cite news|author=David Salisbury|date=1986-05-18|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1986/05/18/whats-the-answer-102/|title=What's The Answer?|newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|access-date=2015-10-16|archive-date=2015-10-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022054630/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1986-05-18/news/0220260268_1_water-tower-cocoa-american-flag|url-status=live}}</ref>  In 2014, the city refurbished and repainted the tower with the iconic American flags. 
{{clear}}

==Media==

===Radio stations===
* [[WMMB|WMMV]] 1350 AM
* [[WWBC]] 1510 AM
* [[WMIE-FM]] 91.5
* [[WQCP]] 93.9 FM
* [[WRRQ-LP]] 96.9 FM

===Television station===
*[[WUCF-TV]] 68, a [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] member station operated by a consortium of the [[University of Central Florida]] and Eastern Florida State College.

==Points of interest==
* [[Florida Solar Energy Center]]
* [[Brevard Museum of History & Natural Science]]
* Alma Clyde Field Library of Florida History<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/jour/fljhist/collect.html |title=Libraries and Collections &#124; Florida Journalism History Project |publisher=Uflib.ufl.edu |date=2009-11-23 |access-date=2011-12-06}}</ref>

==Historic sites==
* [[Community Woman's Club]]
* [[Aladdin Theater]]
* [[Historic Derby Street Chapel]]
* [[Porcher House]]
* [[St. Mark's Episcopal Church (Cocoa, Florida)|St. Mark's Episcopal Church]]

==Athletics==
The [[Houston Astros]] held [[spring training]] in Cocoa from 1964 through 1984, and the [[Florida Marlins]] trained in Cocoa in 1993. Cocoa Stadium was also the long-time home of the [[Florida State League]] [[Cocoa Astros]].

In 2009, the Space Coast Surge, a member of the [[Florida Winter Baseball League]], had [[Cocoa Expo Sports Center|Cocoa Stadium]] as its home stadium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spacecoastsurge.com|title=車査定|access-date=3 February 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203200135/http://www.spacecoastsurge.com/|archive-date=3 February 2015}}</ref> The league suspended operations in November 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailycommercial.com/localnews/story/111909baseball |title=Leesburg Daily Commercial article, November 19, 2009 |access-date=2009-11-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091122101840/http://www.dailycommercial.com/localnews/story/111909baseball |archive-date=2009-11-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Cocoa High School has numerous state-champion athletic teams. In 2015, the Cocoa High School football team was ranked 13th in Florida and first in the county, and had a 35-game winning streak against other Brevard County schools.

==Notable people==
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* [[Emory L. Bennett]] (1929–1951), [[United States Army]] soldier during the [[Korean War]] and [[Medal of Honor]] recipient.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/810|title=Emory Bennett - Recipient - Military Times Hall Of Valor|publisher= militarytimes.com|access-date= March 26, 2019 }}</ref> A statue of him is in Cocoa Riverfront Park
* [[Tarean Folston]] (born 1995), football player at the [[University of Notre Dame]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/tarean_folston_856672.html|title=Tarean Folston|publisher=UND.com|access-date=July 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801144104/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/tarean_folston_856672.html|archive-date=August 1, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[C. J. Gardner-Johnson|Chauncey "C.J." Gardner-Johnson]] (born 1997), NFL American football player
* [[Jumaine Jones]] (born 1979), professional basketball player <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jonesju01.html|title=Jumaine Lanard Jones|publisher= Basketball-Reference.com|access-date= December 21, 2012 }}</ref>
* [[Chip Skowron]] (c. 1968), hedge fund portfolio manager, convicted of insider trading
* [[Abbie Sweetwine]] (1921–2009), nurse who was called ''"The Angel of Platform 6"''  for her work during the [[Harrow and Wealdstone rail crash]]<ref>{{cite web|date=2016-03-24|title=Abbie Sweetwine Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information|url=https://www.legacy.com/link.asp?i=ls000178906256|access-date=2021-10-08|website=Legacy.com|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Carrot Top|Scott Thompson (aka; Carrot Top)]] (born 1965), a 1983 Cocoa High School graduate, is an American stand-up comedian and actor
* [[Danita Davis]] (born 1981) Strong, commitment to continue the spirit of generosity through philanthropic studies.

==Sister city==
* {{flagicon|Israel}} [[Beit Shemesh]], [[Israel|Israel]]. On October 7, 2007, the city became a [[sister city]] with Beit Shemesh.<ref>Schaefer, Gayla. [http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20070928&Category=NEWS0309&ArtNo=70928060&SectionCat=news0309 "Communities create ties: Cocoa, Israeli town become sister cities with ceremony"]{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''[[Florida Today]]'', September 28, 2007. Accessed October 7, 2007. "As of Sunday, Oct. 7, the city of Cocoa and the city of Beit Shemesh, Israel will become sisters."</ref> [[Eastern Florida State College]] announced that it would participate by [[Student exchange program|exchanging students]].

==See also==
*[[Cocoa Police Department (Florida)|Cocoa Police Department]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{official website|http://www.cocoafl.org/}}
* [http://visitcocoavillage.com/ Historic Cocoa Village Association]

{{Brevard County, Florida}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cocoa, Florida| ]]
[[Category:1860 establishments in Florida]]
[[Category:Cities in Brevard County, Florida]]
[[Category:Cities in Florida]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1860]]
[[Category:Populated places on the Intracoastal Waterway in Florida]]