Editing Gulf Breeze, Florida

{{Redirect|Gulf Breeze|the [[Amtrak]] train|Gulf Breeze (train)|other uses|Gulf breeze (disambiguation){{!}}Gulf breeze}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}

{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->
 | name                     = Gulf Breeze, Florida
 | official_name            = City of Gulf Breeze
 | native_name              = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
 | other_name               = 
 | settlement_type          = [[City (Florida)|City]]
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 | imagesize                = 250px
 | image_caption            = Entrance sign and median in Gulf Breeze, FL heading East on Hwy 98, July 2013
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<!-- images and maps  ----------->
 | image_map                = Santa_Rosa_County_Florida_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Gulf_Breeze_Highlighted.svg
 | mapsize                  = 250x200px
 | map_caption              = Location in [[Santa Rosa County, Florida|Santa Rosa County]] and the state of [[Florida]]
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 | coordinates              = {{coord|30|21|26|N|87|9|50|W|region:US-FL_type:city|display=inline,title}}
 | subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
 | subdivision_name         = {{flag|United States}}
 | subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
 | subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Florida|County]]
 | subdivision_type3        = 
 | subdivision_type4        = 
 | subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Florida}}
 | subdivision_name2        = {{noflag|[[Santa Rosa County, Florida|Santa Rosa]]}}
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<!-- Politics ----------------->
<!---Where's the source?: | established_title        = [[Settler colonialism|Settled]]
 | established_date         = 1875 ---->
<!---Please add source: | established_title2       = Founded
 | established_date2        = 1935 ------->
<!-- Source of this?: Originally named Casablanca as only house visible from mainland Pensacola was white. ----->
 | established_title3       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
 | established_date3        = August 10, 1961
<!-- Area    --------------------->
<!--Provide the source: | founder                  = The Duncan Family --->
 | government_footnotes     = 
 | government_type          = [[Council-manager government|Council-Manager]]
 | leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
 | leader_name              = Cherry Fitch
 | leader_title1            = [[Mayor Pro Tem]]
 | leader_name1             = Tom Naile
 | leader_title2            = [[City Council]]
 | leader_name2             = JB Schluter, <br>Randy Hebert,<br>and Todd Torgersen
 | leader_title3            = [[City Manager]]
 | leader_name3             = Samantha D. Abell
 | leader_title4            = [[City Clerk]]
 | leader_name4             = Leslie A. Guyer
 | 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|archive-date=March 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318014648/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_12.txt|url-status=live}}</ref>
 | area_magnitude           = 
 | area_total_km2           = 57.34
 | area_total_sq_mi         = 22.14
 | area_land_km2            = 12.12
 | area_land_sq_mi          = 4.68
 | area_water_km2           = 45.22
 | area_water_sq_mi         = 17.46
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<!-- Population   ----------------------->
 | elevation_footnotes      = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
 | elevation_m              = 5
 | elevation_ft             = 16
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
 | population_total         = 6340
 | population_as_of         = 2020
 | population_footnotes     = 
 | population_density_km2   = 523.10
 | population_density_sq_mi = 1354.70
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 | population_metro         = 509,905 ([[Pensacola metropolitan area]])
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<!-- General information  --------------->
 | population_note          = 
 | postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]s
 | postal_code              = 32561, 32562, 32563<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.zipdatamaps.com/en/us/zip-maps/fl/city/borders/gulf-breeze-zip-code-map|title=Gulf Breeze Florida ZIP Codes |date=December 21, 2023 }}</ref>
 | area_code                = [[Area code 850|850]]
 | website                  = https://cityofgulfbreeze.us/
 | footnotes                = 
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 | dot_y                    = 
 | timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|CST]]
 | utc_offset               = -6
 | timezone_DST             = [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]]
 | utc_offset_DST           = -5
 | blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
 | blank_info               = 12-28000<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|archive-date=May 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512074548/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/08000.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
 | blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
 | blank1_info              = 283485<ref name="GR3">{{cite gnis|283485|Gulf Breeze|2022-12-21}}</ref>
}}

'''Gulf Breeze''' is a [[city]] in [[Santa Rosa County, Florida]]. It is located between Downtown [[Pensacola, Florida|Pensacola]] and [[Pensacola Beach, Florida|Pensacola Beach]], and is part of the [[Pensacola metropolitan area|Pensacola Metropolitan Area]]. The population was 6,340 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], up from 5,763 at the 2010 census.

Gulf Breeze is the nearest city to [[Pensacola Beach, Florida|Pensacola Beach]], and provides [[utility services]] to the island, and most of South Santa Rosa County covering over 33 square miles. The [[Census-designated place|census designated places]] of [[Oriole Beach, Florida|Oriole Beach]], [[Tiger Point, Florida|Tiger Point]], and [[Woodlawn Beach, Florida|Midway]] are considered to be a part of unincorporated Gulf Breeze by [[Santa Rosa County, Florida|Santa Rosa County]], and carry Gulf Breeze mailing addresses.

== History ==
The area now known as Gulf Breeze was originally settled in the mid-18th Century by the British.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Heritage of Santa Rosa County, Florida |publisher=Heritage Publishing Consultings, Inc |year=2003 |isbn=1-891647-69-5}}</ref> Gulf Breeze's original name was Town Point. [[Live oak|Live Oaks]] from the Gulf Breeze area were used for shipbuilding and blacksmiths set up ship repair shops in the town. A [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] camp and hospital was set up in the Deer Point area of Gulf Breeze during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]. 

In the late 1800s, a dry dock for ship repair was built on Deadman's Island (now a nature preserve). The island was originally was a major ship quarantine area used by Pensacola.<ref>{{Cite web |last=carriestevenson |date=2022-07-27 |title=Weekly "What is it?": Deadman's Island |url=https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2022/07/27/weekly-what-is-it-deadmans-island/ |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County |language=en}}</ref> Deadman's island got its name from Deadman anchors. Deadman's Island later was host to a glue factory and fertilizer plant. 

The five year period between 1928 and 1933 saw large road development in Gulf Breeze. The first bridge between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze was built by [[Johnson, Drake & Piper]]. Gulf Breeze's first paved road was [[U.S. Route 98|U.S. Highway 98]], completed in 1933. A wooden swing bridge was established between Pensacola Beach and Gulf Breeze in 1931. The swing bridge was replaced by a concrete toll bridge in 1946, which was converted into [[Bob Sikes]] fishing pier in 1973.

The name Gulf Breeze comes from the Gulf Breeze Cottages and Store, where the area's first post office was established in 1936. The city was incorporated on August 10, 1961 as a result of the expansion of [[Pensacola Bay Bridge]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-09-12 |title=The Gulf Breeze Story - City of Gulf Breeze |url=https://cityofgulfbreeze.us/living-in/the-gulf-breeze-story/ |access-date=2024-06-21 |language=en-US}}</ref> Gulf Breeze became famous after the 1987 [[Gulf Breeze UFO incident|Gulf Breeze UFO Incident]] and the [[Gulf Breeze Six]] desertions.<ref name=LAT>{{Cite news |last=Clary |first=Mike |date=6 August 1990 |title=Flights of Fancy or UFOs? : Space: Strange encounters aren't unusual in one small town. But mere mortals, not aliens, may be responsible. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-08-06-vw-117-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250102192951/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-08-06-vw-117-story.html |archive-date=2 January 2025 |access-date=2 January 2025 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> 

==Geography==
The city has a total area of {{convert|23.56|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|4.68|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|18.88|sqmi|km2}} is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2016">{{cite web|title=2018 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2018_Gazetteer/2018_gaz_place_12.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=Jul 19, 2019|archive-date=July 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719172934/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2018_Gazetteer/2018_gaz_place_12.txt|url-status=live}}</ref>

Growth of the city itself is geographically restricted, surrounded by major water bodies on three sides; the eastern portion of Gulf Breeze is occupied by the [[Naval Live Oaks Reservation]]. As a result, new growth takes place east of the city limits along [[U.S. Route 98 in Florida|U.S. Highway 98]].

===Climate===
{{climate chart
|Gulf Breeze, FL
|43|61|5.70
|45|64|4.90
|52|70|6.30
|57|75|4.00
|65|83|4.40
|72|88|5.20
|74|90|7.10
|74|92|6.10
|70|87|6.70
|59|79|4.20
|51|71|4.40
|45|64|4.00
|source=weather.com/NOAA.gov
|float=none
|clear=none
|units=imperial
}}

==Demographics==

{{US Census population
|1970= 4190
|1980= 5478
|1990= 5530
|2000= 5665
|2010= 5763
|2020= 6302
|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|archive-date=April 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426102944/http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

===2010 and 2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Gulf Breeze 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) - Gulf Breeze city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Gulf+Breeze+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) - Gulf Breeze city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Gulf+Breeze+city;+Florida+&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2010
!% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|5,403
|5,573
|93.75%
|88.43%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|19
|19
|0.33%
|0.30%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|27
|18
|0.47%
|0.29%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|81
|98
|1.41%
|1.56%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]] (NH)
|1
|3
|0.02%
|0.05%
|-
|[[Other races (U.S. Census)|Some other race]] (NH)
|10
|18
|0.17%
|0.29%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races/Multiracial]] (NH)
|70
|306
|1.21%
|4.86%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|152
|267
|2.64%
|4.24%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''5,763'''
|'''6,302'''
|
|
|-
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 6,302 people, 2,983 households, and 1,809 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Gulf Breeze city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Gulf+Breeze+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1101|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 5,763 people, 2,185 households, and 1,758 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Gulf Breeze city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Gulf+Breeze+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2010.S1101|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 5,665 people, 2,377 households, and 1,678 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,192.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,553 housing units at an average density of {{convert|537.2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}.

In 2000, there were 2,377 households, out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.83.

In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.6 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $52,522, and the median income for a family was $61,661. Males had a median income of $44,408 versus $28,159 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $34,688. About 3.8% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 5.5% of those under age 18 and 1.2% of those age 65 or over.

==Arts and culture==
=== Points of interest ===
[[Image:Florida-Pensacola-map-legend-X-6-1756-FAA.gif|thumb|Gulf Breeze (lower center) is north of [[Pensacola Beach, Florida]], south of [[Pensacola]], and surrounded by [[Pensacola Bay]].]]
{{unreferenced section|date=November 2022}}

In 1828 the [[Federal Government of the United States|U.S. government]] purchased the land encompassing the Naval Live Oaks Reservation for experimenting with acorns for the cultivation of live oaks to produce wooden ships. Before the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], the wood of the [[live oak]] was the primary material of choice for shipbuilders, thus the protection and cultivation of the trees for the [[United States Navy]] was considered vital for defense in those turbulent times. Currently, the land comprises over {{convert|1300|acres}} in [[Gulf Islands National Seashore]] and is supervised by the [[National Park Service]]. To the south of Highway 98 is a visitor center for the Gulf Islands National Seashore and several public beach areas.

===Gulf Breeze Library===
{{Infobox library
| library_name = Gulf Breeze Library
| established = 1971
| branch_of = [[Santa Rosa County Library System]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|30.3558|-87.1717|type:landmark_region:US-FL|display=inline}}
| location = Gulf Breeze, Florida
}}

The Gulf Breeze Library, opened in 1971, is part of the [[Santa Rosa County Library System]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sierra |first=Kelly |date=2022-10-15 |title=Gulf Breeze Library closed from building damage until further notice in Santa Rosa County |url=https://weartv.com/news/local/gulf-breeze-library-closed-from-building-damage-until-further-notice-in-santa-rosa-county |access-date=2022-11-15 |website=WEAR |language=en |archive-date=November 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118023316/https://weartv.com/news/local/gulf-breeze-library-closed-from-building-damage-until-further-notice-in-santa-rosa-county |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Staff Directory • Santa Rosa County, FL • CivicEngage |url=https://www.santarosa.fl.gov/Directory.aspx?DID=46 |access-date=2022-11-15 |website=www.santarosa.fl.gov |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208135821/https://santarosa.fl.gov/Directory.aspx?did=46 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Education==

===Gulf Breeze Academic Plaza===

The Gulf Breeze Academic Plaza is a complex of 14 buildings clustered around US Highway 98 in Gulf Breeze, Florida. The GBAP consists of Gulf Breeze Elementary School, Gulf Breeze Middle School, and Gulf Breeze High School. Also included in the complex is Dolphin Field at Gulf Breeze Stadium (football, soccer, lacrosse, track and field), Dolphin Stadium (baseball), and Gulf Breeze Softball Stadium (softball).

[[File:GulfBreezeHS.JPG|thumb|left|[[Gulf Breeze High School]]]]

*[[Gulf Breeze High School]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.santarosa.k12.fl.us/gbh/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205062656/http://www.santarosa.k12.fl.us/gbh/ | archive-date=February 5, 2007 | title=GBHS Home }}</ref>
*Gulf Breeze Middle School<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070101135309/http://www.santarosa.k12.fl.us/gbm/ About us] santarosa.k12.fl.us</ref>
*Gulf Breeze Elementary School<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.santarosa.k12.fl.us/gbe/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208193059/http://www.santarosa.k12.fl.us/gbe/ | archive-date=February 8, 2007 | title=Gulf Breeze Elementary -SRCDS }}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
Gulf Breeze is served by route 61 of [[Escambia County Area Transit]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.goecat.com/routes/_doc/ride-guide.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917081655/http://www.goecat.com/routes/_doc/ride-guide.pdf |archive-date=2013-09-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goecat.com/routes/index.php|title=Route Map|website=www.goecat.com|access-date=23 April 2018|archive-date=September 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928092830/http://www.goecat.com/routes/index.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Notable people==

* [[Bob Armstrong]] (1939–2020), professional wrestler (longtime resident)
* [[Doug Baldwin]] (born 1988), [[American football]] player
* [[Ashley Brown]] (born 1982), singer and actress
* [[Ben Lively]] (born 1992), [[baseball]] pitcher for the [[Cleveland Guardians]]
* [[Jason McKie]] (born 1980), American football player
* [[Frank Spellman]] (1922–2017), Olympic champion weightlifter
* [[Abigail Spencer]] (born 1981), actress; born and raised in Gulf Breeze<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buddytv.com/info/abigail-spencer-info.aspx|title=Abigail Spencer Biography|website=www.buddytv.com|access-date=23 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030233721/http://www.buddytv.com/info/abigail-spencer-info.aspx|archive-date=30 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Adrian Street]] (born 1940), professional wrestler (longtime resident)

== See also ==
* [[Gulf Breeze UFO incident]]
* [[Third Gulf Breeze]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Gulf Breeze, Florida}}
{{Wikivoyage|Gulf Breeze}}
* [http://www.gulfbreezechamber.com/ Gulf Breeze Area Chamber of Commerce]

{{Pensacola metropolitan area}}
{{Santa Rosa County, Florida}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Populated places on the Intracoastal Waterway in Florida]]
[[Category:Cities in Santa Rosa County, Florida]]
[[Category:Cities in Pensacola metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Cities in Florida]]
[[Category:1875 establishments in Florida]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1875]]