Rockledge is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 20,170 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 23,295 http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2004-04-12.xls.

Geography

Rockledge is located at (28.324938, -80.732686).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 31.5 km² (12.2 mi²). 27.7 km² (10.7 mi²) of it is land and 3.8 km² (1.5 mi²) 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

In 2007, the city had a taxable real estate base of $1.55 billion.^[1]

Demographics

As of the census 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 , 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

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 industrous people. As forementioned construction and landscaping is one of the most popular jobs. That along with teaching is the most populated job venue.

Culture

Being a Central Florida city Rockledge's local culture exhibits many aspect of the Deep Southern culture. However this is paired with the culture of different ethncities and background due to many people moving and immigrating to Florida. Rockledge is a prime example of this. Traditional Southern culture tends to be the dominant culture in Rockledge yet glimpses of others can be found.

History

Rockledge was founded on August 7, 1887, making it the oldest incorporated municipality in Brevard County. 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

• Rockledge High School

Points of interest

Historic Sites

• H. S. Williams House

Notable residents

• Stephanie Shinn Darden, artist with work on permanent display in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (Washington D.C.)
• Andy Hutchins, contestant on Jeopardy! Teen Tournament Summer Games 2007
• Joseph D. Kernan, Rear Admiral, commander of the United States Fourth Fleet 2008-current
• DeLane Matthews, actress, most notably as Beth Barry on Dave's World (1993-1997)
• Danny McKnight, U.S. Army Colonel and Ranger Commander in Somalia during "Black Hawk Down"
• Jessi Peralta, Contestant on "So You Think You Can Dance 2007"
• Melissa Witek, Miss Florida USA 2005 and contestant on NBC's Treasure Hunters
• Mel Mitchell, American football player with the New England Patriots
• Admiral Joseph D. Kernan - Commander of the USN 4th Fleet, also the first US Navy SEAL to command a Fleet. Admiral Kernan is a graduate of Rockledge High School.

References

External links

• City of Rockledge official site
• Old Photos and Postcards from the Rockledge Heritage Foundation

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