West Melbourne, Florida

History

Voters created the city in 1959 to stop the area from being annexed into the City of Melbourne.

In 1970, the city's population was approximately 3,050.

Since 2000, the city has experienced the highest population growth percentage of any municipality in Brevard County.

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.

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.

Government

The City of West Melbourne utilizes a Council-Manager form of government. The City Council consists of the mayor and six council members. The City Management consists of a city manager and a twelve-person executive management team. 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.

In 2011, about half the city general fund was spent on the police department.

City council

Source:

• 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.

In 2010 the number of police officers dropped from 38 to 33, due to a hiring freeze.

The fee for garbage disposal was $10.24 per month per household in 2011–2012.

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

• Tim Rhode, City Manager
• Gregory Vesta, Police Chief
• John Cary, City Attorney

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 26.5 sqkm. 26.4 sqkm of it is land, and 0.1 sqkm of it (0.21%) is water.

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). | May record low F = 47 | Nov record low F = 30 | Oct record low F = 41 | Sep record low F = 57 | Aug record low F = 60 | Jul record low F = 60 | Jun record low F = 55 | Apr record low F = 35 | year record low F = 17 | Mar record low F = 25 | Feb record low F = 27 | Jan record low F = 17 | Dec record low F = 21 | Aug record high F = 101 | year record high F = 102 | Dec record high F = 93 | Nov record high F = 91 | Oct record high F = 96 | Sep record high F = 98 | Jul record high F = 102 | Jun record high F = 101 | May record high F = 99 | Apr record high F = 97 | Mar record high F = 93 | Feb record high F = 91 | Jan record high F = 89

Demographics

2010 and 2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 25,924 people, 8,941 households, and 5,332 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 18,355 people, 6,923 households, and 4,598 families residing in the city.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 9,824 people, 4,497 households, and 2,693 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,255.7 PD/sqmi. There were 4,874 housing units at an average density of 623.0 /mi2. 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
• PCCA Pineapple Cove Classical Academy K-12 (charter) reply to this comment: melbourne square mall is actually located in Melbourne--

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%.

Housing

In 2008, 83 building permits were issued. This was down from 174 permits in 2007, which was up from 142 permits in 2006.

The median home price in 2007 was $226,000.

Infrastructure

Roads

• [[File:I-95.svg|20x20px]] 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|20x20px]] 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|20x20px]] 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|20x20px]] 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 3000 USgal monthly. The city owns its underground network of conduits.

Recreation

In January 2016, the Space Coast Field of Dreams opened to the public in the West Melbourne Community Park. In 2019, management of the Space Coast Field of Dreams's programs and operations was transferred to the City of West Melbourne.

References

References

1. City of West Melbourne. "Inviting All Citizens", ''The Sun Newsletter'', Vol. 4, Issue 1, First Quarter 2008, 2. West Melbourne received the motto "Creating New Horizons" in 1987.
2. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
3. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
4. {{GNIS. 2405709
5. [http://www.westmelbourne.org/index.aspx?nid=32 City History], ''West Melbourne, FL - Official Website''. Retrieved on 2009-06-25.
6. [http://spacecoastedc.org/portals/0/municipalities/west%20melbourne/west%20melbourne%20community%20data.pdf West Melbourne Community Data Sheet] Economic Development Council of Florida's Space Coast. Retrieved on 2009-06-25.
7. "Brevard County and central Florida News | floridatoday.com".
8. Ryan, Mackenzie. (March 27, 2014). "P-R-O-T-E-C-T-O-R-A-T-E". Florida Today.
9. City of West Melbourne, Florida. [http://www.westmelbourne.org/index.asp?nid=33 "Form of Government"], ''West Melbourne, FL - Official Website''. Accessed November 20, 2007.
10. City of West Melbourne, Florida. [http://www.westmelbourne.org/index.asp?nid=122 "City Council"], ''West Melbourne, FL - Official Website''. Accessed January 23, 2009.
11. City of West Melbourne, Florida. [http://www.westmelbourne.org/index.asp?NID=123 "City Management"], ''West Melbourne, FL - Official Website''. Accessed November 20, 2007.
12. Dean, James. (April 26, 2008). "More taxes or fewer services". Florida Today.
13. Cervenka, Suzanne. (December 7, 2011). "Council spares Hazlett a censure vote". [[Florida Today]].
14. Knapp, Andrew. (16 October 2010). "Crime rate decreases 5.5%". Florida Today.
15. Cervenka, Susanne. (April 20, 2011). "City to drop rates by $3 for garbage". [[Florida Today]].
16. [https://www.westmelbourne.gov/15/City-Administration "City Administration"]
17. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): West Melbourne city, Florida". [[United States Census Bureau]].
18. "West Melbourne, FL Monthly Weather Forecast". Weather.com.
19. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
20. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - West Melbourne city, Florida".
21. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - West Melbourne city, Florida".
22. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: West Melbourne city, Florida".
23. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: West Melbourne city, Florida".
24. [http://censtats.census.gov/bldg/bldgprmt.shtml Building Permits] [[United States Census Bureau]]. Retrieved on 2009-06-24.
25. Neale, Rick. (February 27, 2017). "West Melbourne eyes building $25M plant for water treatment". Florida Today.
26. Neale, Rick. (October 9, 2017). "Melbourne boil water alerts lifed; N. Waterway streets under advisory". Florida Today.
27. "Space Coast Field of Dreams {{!}} Unique All-Access Sports Park.".