Old page wikitext, before the edit (old_wikitext) | '{{Infobox U.S. County|
county = Brevard County|
state = Florida |
seal = BrevardCountySeal.png |
map = Brevard County Florida.png |
founded = March 14, 1844|
seat = [[Titusville, Florida|Titusville]] |
area_total_sq_mi =1557 |
area_land_sq_mi =1018 |
area_water_sq_mi =539 |
area percentage = 34.60% |
census yr = 2000|
pop = 476230 |
density_km2 = 181|
web = www.brevardcounty.us/|
|}}
'''Brevard County''' is a [[County#United States|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Florida]], along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2007 [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]] estimates, the population is 536,521.<ref name=censuspop>{{cite web |url=http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2008-04-12.csv |title=County population, population change and estimated components of population change: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2008 |publisher=[[US Census Bureau]] |accessdate=2009-10-08 |format=CSV}}</ref> Influenced by the presence of the [[Kennedy Space Center|John F. Kennedy Space Center]], Brevard County is also known as the [[Space Coast]].
The official [[county seat]] has been located in [[Titusville, Florida|Titusville]] since 1894, although most of the county's administration is performed from [[Viera, Florida|Viera]]. Brevard County has more than one county courthouse and sheriff's office because of its elongated north-south county lines. Hence, government services are not centralized in one location, as they are in many American counties.
== History ==
Humans have occupied the county for 12,000 years<ref>Vera Zimmerman. [http://www.rootsweb.com/~flbreva2/History/10K-1820.html THE FIRST SETTLERS, 10,000 BC to 1820] retrieved August 11, 2007</ref> and the [[Ais (tribe)|Ais]] inhabited Brevard when the Spanish explorers discovered the area. [[Juan Ponce de León]] is said to have arrived in [[Florida]] at the shores of the future county in 1513.
The last naval battle of the [[American Revolutionary War]] was fought off the shores of [[Cape Canaveral]] in 1783, between the [[USS Alliance (1778)|USS Alliance]] and the HMS Sybill.<ref>{{cite book | author = Sonnenberg, Maria |title = Group pays homage to the past | publisher = Florida Today, page 3B | date = January 22, 2007}}</ref>
'''"Mosquito County"''' was formed while the state was still a [[Territory (country subdivision)|territory]], and on some maps was absorbed into an unofficial "Leigh Read" county between 1839 and 1845. This eventually became three new counties one of which was "Saint Lucia County" on March 14, 1844 - it was renamed Brevard County in 1855 after Theodore Washington Brevard, who served as [[Florida Comptroller|State Comptroller]] from 1854 to 1860.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://fcit.usf.edu/FLORIDA/maps/county/brevard/brevard.htm
|title=Brevard County Maps
|work=Exploring Florida History
|publisher=[[University of Florida]]
|accessdate=2008-02-05}}</ref> In 1905 [[St. Lucie County, Florida|St. Lucie County]] was created from the southern third of the county.<ref>[http://www.jud10.org/Courthouses/StLucie/st_lucie.htm St. Lucie County Courthouse] Retrieved July 3, 2007</ref>
In the 1800s, the [[Joseph Marion Hernandez#Hernandez-Capron Trail|Hernandez-Capron Trail]] passed through the county.
The first US President to visit this local area was [[Grover Cleveland|President Grover Cleveland]] in 1888. His entourage made an excursion by steamboat called "Rockledge" on the Indian River from Titusville to Cocoa.<ref> [http://books.google.com/books?printsec=frontcover&id=mJlXpPn1OlkC Ebook on President Grover Cleveland's visit]</ref>
The oldest business still operating in 2009 is S. F. Travis Hardware which opened in Cocoa in 1885. The oldest black-owned business is Tucker's Cut-Rate Plumbing still operating in Melbourne.<ref>{{cite news | first=Wayne | last=Price | title=70 years & counting | url= | work= | publisher=Florida Today. | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 1E | date=22 March 2009 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref>
In the early 1900s the [[Union Cypress Company Railroad|Union Cypress Railroad]] was built from present day Lipscomb Rd and University Blvd west of [[Deer Park, Florida|Deer Park]].
On Christmas Day 1951, [[Harry T. Moore|Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore]] (founders of the
<!---move to status of minorities? --->
local NAACP and Civil Rights activists) were slain by a bomb, well before the "Civil Rights Era. "Florida's Attorney General has offered a reward and established a hotline to solve the slaying.<ref>[http://myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsreleases/D0111AB6846E236585256F710050D2A2 Crist to Review 1951 Bombing of Harry Moore Home]</ref>
<!---I have a feeling they think they know who did it. The perp died a long time ago and the case is dead.--->
The Brevard justice center is named after them as a memorial.
In 1964, the Colt 45s started spring training at Cocoa Stadium. The team later became the [[Houston Astros]]. The team left the county in 1985. They were succeeded by the [[Florida Marlins]] at Viera.
In 1989, county administration was moved to a government complex at [[Viera, Florida|Viera]], as part of a mid-county development project that included a Baseball Spring Training complex at [[Space Coast Stadium]], and a [[Urban Planning|master-planned community]], known as Viera.
<!--The county seat CANNOT officially be changed from Titusville. ~~~~-->
In 2008, [[Tropical Storm Fay (2008)#Florida|Tropical Storm Fay]] dropped a record {{convert|21|in}} of rain northwest of Melbourne. The storm caused widespread flooding in the south county area.
In 2008, the county elected its first black county commissioner, Robin Fisher, who won based on the votes of whites, since there is no "black district."<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20081119/NEWS01/811190322/1006]</ref>
==Law and government==
Brevard county commissioners are elected by the public to establish ordinances and policies for the county. The Commission appoints a County Manager, who executes the will of the Commission. The county employed about 2,900 workers in 2009.<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=news01] retrieved January 28, 2009</ref>
A centrally located County Government Center in [[Viera, Florida|Viera]] houses the various county government branches, including Housing and Human Services, Juvenile Justice, Public Safety, Public Works and Solid Waste Management. County and school board meetings are televised, and the public is present for all city and town council meetings.
The various cities, towns and villages of Brevard have varying reliance on services provided by the Brevard County government.
The Brevard County government has annual expenditures approximately $1.16 billion, exclusive of the municipalities.<ref>[http://countygovt.brevard.fl.us/budgetoffice/budget/pdf/BUDGET-SUMMARIES/SUMMARY-BY-CATEGORY.pdf brevard.fl.us] {{Dead link|date=November 2007}}</ref> Real estate taxes for resident homeowners are less than 2% of the real value of the
<!---The reference is hard to read. Be nice if there were one that was clearer --->
<!---If you have another reference that shows otherwise, fine. I've looked up appraisals and taxes for homeowners. They are always under 2%.---->
property.<ref>[http://brevardpropertyappraiser.com/images/pdf/2006millage.pdf brevardpropertyappraiser.com]</ref> The total taxable real estate base was expected to be $37.9 billion in 2008.<ref>{{cite book | author = Dean, James |title = Tax base may fall by $3B | publisher = Florida Today | date = April 26, 2008}}</ref> County taxes rose 26.5% in total per capita revenue from 2002-2007, and 49.8% in property tax per capita in the same time frame.<ref>{{cite book | author = Joslin, J. |title = Revenue, population both grow | publisher = Florida Today | date = April 22, 2007}}</ref> Delinquent taxes were $36 million in 2008.<ref>{{cite news | first=John | last=McCarthy | title=Tardy taxes rech record level | url=| work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= A1 | date=14 May 2009 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref>
[[Image:Brevard County Cumulative Percent Growth from 1997.png|thumb|400px|Brevard County Cumulative Percent Growth since 1997]]
The [[ex officio]] Space Coast League of Cities suggests legislation to its representatives.
The Brevard Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is composed of senior locally elected municipal and county officials. This local multi-jurisdictional agency decides where federal and state road money will be used.<ref>[http://www.brevardmpo.com Brevard MPO Home Page]</ref>
Various elected officials call unofficial "town meetings" to allow the public to express their concerns about issues that the officials should address.<ref>[http://www.cityofcocoabeach.com/news/Current_Newsletter/2003/MAY%2003%20CURRENT.pdf cityofcocoabeach.com]</ref><ref>[http://www.nbbd.com/Beacon/archives/040818/index.html County Commission election draws near]</ref><ref>[http://www.indialantic.com/contents/news_let/2007/Rec02_07.htm indialantic.com] {{Dead link|date=November 2007}}</ref>
The Brevard County Housing Authority acquires and leases housing projects; investigates housing conditions; determines where slums and unsafe housing exist and investigates conditions dangerous to the public. It is managed by citizens appointed by the county commission.<ref>[http://brfamha.org/about.htm About<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
<!---Another bunch that needs merging ---->
Brevard County has two unique election districts. One governs [[Port Canaveral]]; the other, the operation of the [[Sebastian Inlet (Florida)|Sebastian Inlet Recreation Park]].
The Canaveral Port Authority is an independent governmental agency created by the Florida Legislature. Five elected commissioners representing the five port regions are the governing body of Port Canaveral and have jurisdiction over all fiscal and regulatory policies and operations of the Port. The Authority sets policy and can levy taxes. They stopped levying an ad valorum tax on district residents, becoming only the second taxing authority in Florida to do so.<ref>[http://www.portcanaveral.org/portinfo/portauthority.htm portcanaveral.org] {{Dead link|date=November 2007}}</ref>
<!---This is true but can't find a good reference--Brevard County and beach towns have purchased access to the ocean and beaches. Developers and owners were not allowed to "wall off" ocean beach access.--->
The county has hired a federal lobbyist to represent its interests.<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070320/NEWS01/703200331/1010/news0302 Florida Today] {{Dead link|date=November 2007}}</ref>
Brevard expected to have 100,000-300,000 more people by 2020, an increase of 60%. This offers a challenge to local government to keep infrastructure ahead of growth, while preserving the environment.
Based on the mid-point of the growth estimates, if Brevard has 200,000 new residents by 2020, taxpayers will have to meet a list of new requirements, including: 400 more police officers and 362 more firefighters; 25 million more gallons per day of drinking water; 1,334 more teachers; 600 more jail beds. In 2009, the county expected to grow to 763,546 by 2030, a 42% increase.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | title=Editorial:Protecting liquid gold | url=| work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 10A | date=15 April 2009 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref>
===Elected officials===
County Commissioners:
<br>District 1 - Robin Fisher<ref name="brevardcounty.us">[http://www.brevardcounty.us/commission/ Board of County Commissioners Contact Page]</ref>
<br>District 2 - Chuck Nelson<ref>[http://brevardelections.org/county.htm County Government Officials<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
<br>District 3 - Trudie Infantini<ref name="brevardcounty.us"/>
<br>District 4 - Mary Bolin
<br>District 5 -Andy Anderson<ref name="brevardcounty.us"/>
<br>County Manager (appointed) - Stockton Whitten (Interim)
The following are considered state officials but are elected and paid by the county:
<br>Sheriff - J.R. "Jack" Parker
<br>Clerk of the Courts - Scott Ellis
<br>Property Appraiser - Jim Ford
<br>Tax Collector - Lisa Cullen <ref>[http://www.brevardtaxcollector.com/ Brevard Tax Collector Page]</ref>
<br>Supervisor of Elections - Lori Scott <ref>[http://www.votebrevard.com/ Brevard County Elections Page]</ref>
<br>State Attorney - Norm Wolfinger
<br>Public Defender - James F. Russo
In April 2007, the [[Florida Department of Law Enforcement]] seized documents from the office of the county appraiser in connection with an investigation into illegally re-appraising properties at lower values.<ref>{{cite book | author = Torres, John A. |title = FDLE seizes appraiser's files | publisher = Florida Today | date = April 20, 2007}}</ref>
Brevard County lies within [[Florida's 24th congressional district]] which seat is held by [[Suzanne Kosmas]] and within [[Florida's 15th congressional district]] which seat is held by [[Bill Posey]].
===Justice system===
====Courts====
[[File:Brev justicecenter.jpg|thumb|Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Justice Center in Viera]]
The county has centralized most [[County Court of the State of Florida|county]] and circuit courts in Viera which try a variety of cases including felonies, misdemeanors, traffic, and domestic. An elected States Attorney prosecutes cases for the public. Defendants can be represented through the auspices of the office of the elected Public Defender. The [[Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida|18th Circuit Court]] includes [[Seminole County, Florida|Seminole]] as well as Brevard and covers not only the court itself but the prosecutor and the Public Defender.<ref>[http://sa18.state.fl.us States Attorney 18th Circuit Court] accessed January 19, 2008</ref>
The County elects a [[Sheriff#Florida|sheriff]], immediately responsible to the courts but also to the state for the enforcement of state laws.
Police chiefs, appointed by their cities or towns, perform the same function locally. There is no overlap in jurisdictions.
Some volunteers work alongside paid professionals. Included are Citizens Offering Police Support (C.O.P.S.). C.O.P.S. volunteers work under the direction of the County Sheriff and play a part in the county's policing operations.<ref>[http://www.tarleton.edu/~english/tw/acrobat/3103/allen_report.PDF tarleton.edu]</ref>
<!---Can't find a good online reference and don't know how important this is anyway.--Besides an auxiliary force who have no enforcement powers, both the Sheriff and Palm Bay have a reserve status for former officers who wish to work part time.--->
The county jail is a 1976 facility which rapidly became
<!---true of course, but can't find decent reference with FlToday database no longer available--->
overcrowded. When voters consistently turned down expanding the jail, the sheriff solved the problem by the construction of a large but less expensive "hardened tent" to house non-violent offenders.
The county jail retains prisoners who have been sentenced to a year
<!---We need an all-Florida county description. This isn't unique to Brevard.---->
or less. Longer sentences must be served in state prisons, such as the facility in Sharpes for young men.
<!--Note: the CG is not part of the military-->
The Coast Guard, homeported at Port Canaveral, plays a significant role in
preventing illegal immigration, and is the major interdictor of drugs in the area.
Brevard has a Drug Court to reduce the prison population resulting from drug issues.<ref>[http://www.flcourts.org/gen_public/family/drug_court/drgcrt_18.shtml Seventeenth Judicial Circuit]</ref> Drug Court programs adjudicate cases in which offenders are chronic substance abusers through an extensive supervision and
<!---Since Drug Courts are common in Florida, need standard article to link to--->
treatment regimen. Drug Courts require offenders to acknowledge their problems with substances and provide him/her with tools and mechanisms to deal with their addictions, in an effort to reduce or eliminate future criminal conduct. The Drug Court program utilizes a team approach to serve the offenders and the team consists of a judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, treatment
specialists, supervision officers, law enforcement agencies, corrections officials, and others. In exchange for successfully completing this intensive program, the Court may dismiss the charge, reduce the sentence, or offer a combination of other incentives. The police have estimated that 85% of drug dealers and prostitutes are themselves under the influence of drugs or are users trying to get money to purchase drugs.<ref>{{cite book | author = Dodson, Laura |title = Two Brevard communities reclaimed from criminals | publisher = The Florida Catholic | date = April 6-12, 2007}}</ref>
<!---Another one that I can't footnote without Florida Today--->
Melbourne led the nation in [[Methylenedioxymethamphetamine|MDMA]] seizures in 2005.
<!---Area below is new and will need merging --->
Brevard [[Legal Aid]] provides general, civil and domestic violence legal services to low income persons.<ref>[http://brevardcountylegalaid.org/index.html BCLA]</ref> Providers consist of five staff attorneys, three paralegals and 300 volunteer attorneys who offer [[pro bono publico|pro bono]] assistance to referred eligible clients. Victims of domestic violence receive immediate need legal assistance with injunctions for protection through a partnership project with the Women's Center and the domestic violence shelters.
There is a local chapter of the [[American Civil Liberties Union]] (ACLU).<ref>[http://www.legalfreedom.com/brevardaclu/ Brevard Chapter, ACLU of Florida]</ref> In May 2005, the ACLU accused local police and Sheriff's offices of attempting to intimidate protests by conducting surveillance and filming them. As a result, authorities stopped the practice except for good cause.
The county justice system has faced criticism for its reliance on since-discredited dog handler [[John Preston (dog handler)|John Preston]] as an expert witness in the 1980s.<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090621/news01/906210319&template=printart Florida Today, June 21, 2009, Dog handler led to bad evidence: Calls grow for reinvestigating cases from 1980s, BY JOHN A. TORRES and JEFF SCHWEERS]</ref> Brevard County paid Preston over $37,000 as a consultant in the first half of 1984.
The State's Attorney's Office sponsors the Victim/Witness Services.<ref>[http://sa18.state.fl.us/vicsvcs/vicwit.htm Victim/Witness Services]</ref> This provides advocates to victims of violent crime and their families. The advocate helps the family understand the legal system as they navigate through it. They also seek out financial assistance
<!---Again, lack of FlToday database prevents me from citing a ref for the number helped --->
or counseling they might need. In 2005 they helped 8,448 victims in Brevard County.
====Juvenile justice====
The [http://crosswindsyouthservices.org/home/pages/RainwaterCenterforGirls.cfm Rainwater Center for Girls], a day program for girls ages 12–18 who are referred by the Department of Juvenile Justice, offers education, vocational training, counseling, life skills, cultural arts activities, recreation, and community service focused on the developmental needs of girls.
The Department of Juvenile Justice refers selected youths to the Space Coast Marine Institute (SCMI).<ref>[http://www.spacecoastmarineinstitute.org/homepage.html Space Coast Marine Institute: Who are We?]</ref> The SCMI is a six to eight month moderate security residential facility for juvenile boys ages 14–18 who have committed around 4-12 crimes. The young men arrive at the institute with little or no self-esteem and have experienced minimal positive interaction with adults and peers. The mission of SCMI is to address their by providing a scheduled curriculum of academic, vocational and mental health awareness activities. In addition to a personalized academic education, the daily schedule includes programs that build self-confidence and a greater understanding of the world around us.
Juvenile delinquents are sometimes remanded to the Brevard Sheriff's Ranch in Rockledge, a small ranch with buffalo and other animals requiring
<!---Website ref is incredibly uninformative. Little for Brevard-->
care.<ref>[http://www.youthranches.org/mission.htm Mission Statement]</ref><ref>[http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/search.summary/orgid/3703.htm Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches]</ref>
Reentry Brevard contracts with a contractor, often non-profit, to provide halfway services to youth conditionally released from
<!---Lousy ref. The only one I could find online--->
prison.<ref>[http://www.djj.state.fl.us/QA/programreports/conrelease2006/eckbrevard.pdf djj.state.fl.us]</ref>
=== Public services ===
====Public safety====
<!---Please ensure that all information is first placed into BEOC article before placing here. --->
The [[Brevard Emergency Operations Center]] (EOC) provides Homeland Security for the Space Coast.<ref>[http://embrevard.com/ Brevard County Emergency Operation Center]</ref>
The EOC coordinates information regarding the occurrence or threat of any disaster or emergency threatening the safety of the County residents. The EOC uses telephone, television, and the Emergency Services of the County Sheriff, the City Police and Fire Departments to provide coordinated management of all services for cataclysmic events such as Hurricanes, Floods and Terrorism.
The EOC has successfully conducted mass evacuation and relief of hundreds of thousands of residents from hurricanes since 1999 including two in 2004.
Port Canaveral is under the direction of the Port Authority. Emphasis is placed on monitoring the content of containerized cargo on incoming ships, as well as underwater inspection of arriving ships that could be carrying explosive devices.
A Coast Guard Cutter, homeported at USCG Station Port Canaveral, Florida, stops potentially threatening commercial shipping prior to reaching the coast. There are over 40,000 boats registered in the area. A few of these are of continuing concern to CG authorities.<ref>{{cite book | author = Moore, Kimberly C. |title = Coast Guard calls for GPS, ID rules to keep track of boaters | publisher = Florida Today | date = November 25, 2007}}</ref>
<!---Florida Today had a nice article on disarming bombs found towards Sebastian where various training crews dropped live bombs during WWII, some of which failed to go off. FlToday no longer online so can't find it.----The area has been saturated with live bombs during World War II and thereafter.{{Fact|date=March 2007}} The US Army 766th Ordnance Company ([[Bomb disposal|Explosive Ordnance Disposal]]) disarms and safely explodes bombs when they are located.--->
Evacuation routes are insufficient to handle the resulting heavy traffic westbound when an emergency is declared. A major westbound route (US 192) was expanded in 2008 to four lanes to accommodate the south Brevard population.<ref>[http://www.brevardmpo.com/projects/des_cst.htm Design & Construction Projects - This page Under Construction. Information may change.]</ref>
In 2004, hurricanes destroyed one in every hundred homes in the South County area. Within two blocks of the beach nearly every building sustained some damage. Barefoot Bay, a mobile housing development, was essentially destroyed.<ref>[http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20040927-0035-jeanne-barefootbay.html Hurricane Jeanne left few homes unscathed in huge Florida mobile home park]</ref> Winds tore off the roof of a shelter for special needs people in an elementary school.<ref>[http://www.palmbeachpost.com/storm/content/news/epaper/2004/09/27/a21a_melbourne_0927.html Southern reaches bore brunt of winds]</ref> Emergency Workers were forced to evacuate these people at the peak of the storm.
In September 2005, 1,400 survivors of [[Hurricane Katrina]] took refuge in the county.
Experience with hurricanes [[Hurricane Charley|Charley]], [[Hurricane Frances|Frances]] and [[Hurricane Jeanne|Jeanne]] in 2004 prompted the formation of the Brevard Long Term Recovery Coalition, consisting of [[United Way of America]] officials and other emergency-needs experts.<ref>[http://www.taxexemptworld.com/organization.asp?tn=507795 BREVARD LONG TERM RECOVERY COALITION]</ref> They recorded the experiences Brevard had developed to restore services after the storms struck. In fall 2005, they passed information they had learned along to [[Gulf Coast]] planners attempting to recover from Katrina.
The media has estimated that 26,000 people who would need evacuation have not volunteered this information to Emergency Officials. In the past people have tended to postpone evacuation notification until after the causeways and bridges have been closed and no evacuation is possible.
<!--- So what? ---->
Brevard County posts lifeguards at fourteen protected areas at various beach front parks. The county is {{convert|70|mi|km}} long and most areas cannot be protected. The scope of responsibility for the lifeguards include accident and drowning prevention, public education, citizen assist, search and recovery of lost children, basic life support, and swimmer rescue.
Two [[United States Coast Guard Auxiliary|Coast Guard Auxiliary]] Flotillas offer boating safety courses.<!---they all do, I suppose--->
North Brevard stands second in the state and the nation with 22,000 lightning strikes annually.<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080626/NEWS01/806260333/1006/news01&referrer=NEWSFRONTCAROUSEL Florida Today] retrieved June 26, 2008</ref>
<!---Should this be organized with transportation, highways? -->
Highway fatalities have decreased nationally, but increased in Florida and locally. Officials are focused on setting and enforcing speed limits and widening the local turnpike, now underway. The flatness of the area prevent runoff during rainstorms and causes cars to hydroplane. The highway department takes deliberate measures to re-engineer roads to avoid hydroplaning.<ref>[http://www.gannett.com/go/newswatch/2001/february/nw0216-1.htm FLORIDA TODAY REPORT EXAMINES DANGERS OF INTERSTATE 95 -- LEGISLATORS DEMAND BARRIERS; OFFICIALS LOBBY FOR MORE TROOPERS]</ref>
There are 64 firestations in the county, 28 of which are run by various cities.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | title=Fire stations | url= | work= | publisher=Florida Today Fact Book | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 26 | date=28 March 2009 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref>
There are 1,200 law enforcement officers working in the county, of which 361 are sheriff's deputies.<ref>{{cite news | first=Rick | last=Neale | title=Police chase grants, bu there's a catch | url= | work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 1A | date=3 April 2009 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref> Of all crime that came to the attention of the sheriff's office in 2007, 80% was drug-related.<ref>{{cite news | first=Klyne | last=Nowlin| title=Sheriff Faces Tough Challenges | url=| work= | publisher=Intercom (Military Officers Association of America) | location=Patrick AFB, Florida | pages= 11 | date=April 2008 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref><!---Sheriff Jack Parker in a speech to MOACC-->
Project Lifesaver can tag at-risk adults and children with locator devices. This allows guardians to track wandering people with Alzheimers, dementia, autism, etc.<ref>[http://www.mbpd.org/Project%20Lifesaver.htm Project Lifesaver]</ref>
====Public health====
The state<ref>These are often misidentified as "County" medical</ref> has three public health locations in the county which give immunization shots, provide health information, and track and report on serious diseases or conditions, like HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, encephalitis, and West Nile.<ref>[http://www.doh.state.fl.us/chdBrevard/directory/maps.htm Locations and Maps - Brevard County Health Department]</ref>
The area was once named "Mosquito County."<ref>[http://www.floridanetlink.com/brevard.php Map of Brevard County]</ref> [[Mosquitos]] carry serious diseases, including encephalitis. Brevard County Mosquito Control reduces the mosquito population by many means including adulticiding, larviciding, source reduction, aquatic weed control, waste tire abatement, disease monitoring (of chickens and mosquito-susceptible animals,) environmental monitoring, and biological control of mosquitoes.<ref>[http://countygovt.brevard.fl.us/mosquito/ countygovt.brevard.fl.us] {{Dead link|date=November 2007}}</ref>
Brevard is among the top 100 counties in the US for asbestos-related deaths. Government officials have addressed this issue.
While no one has ever died from it in Brevard County, animal [[rabies]] is prevalent, often carried in this area by raccoons.<ref>[http://www.brevardcounty.us/newsdocs/0703HDrabies.pdf brevardcounty.us]</ref> Public announcements and public awareness appear to have prevented fatalities.
In 2005, a woman died from flesh-eating bacteria ([[Necrotizing fasciitis]]) that she contracted from the [[St. Johns River]]. Two or three cases are typically reported in the county each year.
An ocean condition known as "[[red tide]]" occasionally affects people beachside. This occurred in November-December 2007 and November-January 2002.<ref>{{cite book | author = Waymer, Jim |title = Red tide-related ailments may return with onshore winds | publisher = Florida Today | date = December 6, 2007}}</ref>
====Public recreation====
[[File:na col.jpg|thumb|Boardwalk over wetlands area at Chain of Lakes in Titusville]]
More than 200 parks, 3 campgrounds, and 6 public golf courses in the county are managed by local government agencies. Offering residents and visitors a wide range of leisure opportunities, the parks include athletic complexes, community centers, aquatic centers, nature centers, trails, conservation areas, beach parks, historic sites, and boating and fishing access to lakes, the Indian River Lagoon and the St. Johns River.<ref>[http://www.brevardparks.com/index.php County Parks & Recreation]</ref><ref>[http://brevardparks.com/parks_other/index.php Directory of City Parks]</ref>
In 2000, Brevard County voters approved bond referendums that provided funding for construction or improvement of over 50 county parks in North Brevard, Merritt Island, and South Brevard. Citizen Committees and Advisory Boards identified community recreational needs. These projects were submitted by the Recreation Advisory Boards to the Board of County Commissioners to be included in the referendum. While some projects are as simple as improved playground equipment, other projects are of a regional nature requiring extensive community planning, permitting and land acquisition. In November 2006, the Board of County Commissioners provided taxpayers the opportunity to vote on issuing additional bonds. The voters approved the additional bonds and with no tax rate increase resulting, because the millage previously approved generates the revenue to repay both sets of bonds.<ref>[http://www.brevardparks.com/referendum/index.html Parks Referendum Projects]</ref>
In 11 sanctuaries that protect natural ecosystems, the county's Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program offers passive recreation opportunities such as hiking, wildlife viewing, biking and paddling. The Management & Education Center at The Enchanted Forest Sanctuary in Titusville, is the EEL Program's first regional educational facility. The EEL Program was established in 1990 to protect the natural habitats of Brevard County by acquiring environmentally sensitive lands for conservation, passive recreation, and environmental education. This was made possible by citizens who voted to tax themselves up to $55 million dollars for the acquisition and maintenance of Brevard's natural areas. Residents reaffirmed the EEL Program in 2004 under a second referendum to protect the natural habitats within Brevard County by the acquisition of environmentally sensitive lands through a willing seller program for the purpose of conservation, passive recreation, and environmental education.
To maximize the funding, the EEL Program forms partnerships with federal, state and local agencies that are committed to the protection of natural resources and our long-term quality of life. EEL sanctuaries are managed to preserve native habitats and the plants and animals that live there.<ref name="About the EEL Program">[http://www.eelbrevard.com/ About the EEL Program]</ref><ref name="EEL Program on Flickr">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/eelbrevard EEL Program on Flickr]</ref>
In conservation areas managed by the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), recreational opportunities include hiking, bike and equestrian trails, camping, boating and fishing. Although the District's main goal of buying land is to protect water resources, these lands protect plant and wildlife habitat and provide areas for public recreation and environmental education.<ref>[http://www.sjrwmd.com/recreationguide/index.html SJRWMD Recreation Guide]</ref>
The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge<ref>[http://www.fws.gov/merrittisland/ Merritt Island Nat'l Wildlife Refuge]</ref> and the Canaveral National Seashore<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/cana Canaveral Nat'l Seashore]</ref> are 2 national wildlife refuges in the county that offer recreational pursuits such as hiking, wildlife viewing, paddling, and environmental education.
====Libraries====
The county centrally controls all 20 libraries in the county.<ref>{{cite book | author = Test, Linda |title = The Fact Book: Libraries near you | publisher = Florida Today | date = February 24, 2007}}</ref> There
are 900,000 volumes.<ref>[http://www.brev.org/about_bcl/administration/about_bcl.htm About Brevard County Libraries]</ref> One library card is valid at all locations, and
materials are loaned between locations through a daily courier
<!---A bit excessive having its own subsection for 1 para.--->
service and outside our libraries via Inter-Library Loan. Periodical subscriptions stand at about 2,250. The libraries own over
18,000 videos and 21,000 sound recordings. Personal computers for
public use are hooked up on broadband in all libraries.
====Social services====
{{Main|Brevard County Social Services}}
Brevard County tries to provide a number of unique services to help the aged, juveniles, the physically and mentally handicapped, and minorities.
=== Elections ===
{{Unreferenced|date=December 2008}}
{| align="center" border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|+ '''Presidential elections results'''
|- bgcolor=orange
! Year
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
! [[Third Parties|Other]]
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2008|2008]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''54.5%'''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|44.2%
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|0.4%
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2004|2004]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''57.7%'''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|41.6%
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|0.8%
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2000|2000]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''52.8% '''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|44.6%
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|1.8%
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1996|1996]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''45.1%'''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|41.2%
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|13.6%
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1992|1992]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''43.2%'''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|31.2%
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|25.6%
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1988|1988]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''70.3%'''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|28.8%
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|0.9%
|}
==Geography==
===Geographic features===
[[File:Monument US 1 Brevard Volusia county line.jpg|thumb|The Brevard-Volusia county-line]]According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of 1,557 square miles (4,032 km²), of which, 1,018 square miles (2,637 km²) of it is land and 539 square miles (1,395 km²) of it (34.60%) is water, primarily the Atlantic Ocean, the [[St. John's River]] and the [[Indian River Lagoon]]. The county is larger in area than Samoa and nearly the same size, and population, as Cape Verde.<ref>[http://www.mongabay.com/igapo/world_statistics_by_area.htm List of Countries by Land Mass - Ranked by Area] retrieved May 22, 2007</ref> It is one third of the size of Rhode Island.
Located half-way between [[Jacksonville, Florida]] and [[Miami, Florida|Miami]], Brevard County is an extra-long county, extending over {{convert|70|mi|km}} from north to south, but only a handful of miles inland from the seacoast at any point. In marshes in the western part of this county is the source of the [[St. Johns River]].
The [[Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway]] along the eastern edge of Brevard County is the major [[waterway]] route in Brevard County. It includes the [[Indian River (Florida)|Indian River]]. Additional waterways include [[Lake Washington (Florida)|Lake Washington]], [[Lake Poinsett]], [[Lake Winder]], [[Sawgrass Lake]], [[St. Johns River]], and the [[Banana River]].
Brevard County is the sole county in the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area (formerly the Melbourne-Titusville-Cocoa, Florida Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area and Melbourne-Titusville-Palm Bay, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area).
The county has a canals<ref>[http://florida.hometownlocator.com/features/cultural,class,canal,scfips,12009.cfm]</ref> for transportation and drainage:
*[[Merritt Island Barge Canal|Canaveral Barge Canal]], Courtenay - transportation
*Faulk Canal, Cocoa
*Grand Canal, Tropic
*[[Old Haulover Canal|Haulover Canal]], Mims - transportation
*Melbourne Tillman Canal, Melbourne West - drainage
*Old Canal, Wilson
*C-54 Canal - on the south Brevard County Line - drainage
====Climate====
<!---Title is "weather" in WP:counties. I prefer "climate"--->
<!--We need someone who can assess climate on Koppen scale, probably Cf, but not really sure.--->
<!---the first of the following is definitely climate not environment. Move--->
Climate surprisingly varies in this very long (72 mile) county, particularly in winter. In north county, northern flora can thrive, like deciduous trees. In the south county, sub-tropical plants can grow, such as royal palm trees.
Brevard has subtropical climate, with a distinct wet and dry seasons. The dry lasts from December through May. The wet from June through November.
January is the coldest month with an average low of {{convert|50.7|°F|°C}}; average high {{convert|71|°F|°C|abbr=on}}. The warmest months are July and August with average highs of {{convert|90|°F|°C|abbr=on}}; average lows 72.2. The driest month is April with 1.6" rainfall; the wettest September, 6.6".<ref>Space Coast Visitor's Guide,''Florida Today'',2007 Winter/Sprint Edition</ref>
Florida is a large subtropical state that experiences hurricanes. Although Brevard county is located along Florida's eastern peninsula, it is less frequently impacted by direct hurricane landfalls than portions of the Panhandle or South Florida. There are two predominant reasons for this. First, westward moving tropical systems often reach an atmospheric ridge weakness in the Bermuda High by the time they approach Florida at a latitude as northerly as Brevard County. Combined with frontal systems that exit the United States' East Coast, many of these tropical systems are steered northwest and eventually curve northward offshore Florida's East Central Coast. A second reason is that hurricanes landfalling along the Florida peninsular Gulf Coast often weaken to a tropical storm by the time they move northeast to affect Brevard County (with some exceptions, such as 2004's Charley).
Although Brevardians may refer to past storms as "hurricanes", by the time they strike here, some of them may have subsided to tropical storms or depressions. Because of the threat of storm surge, the beach community on the barrier island is often required to evacuate well in advance of the storm.<ref>[http://www.ocean-beach.com/weather_hurricanes.htm#Areas%20At%20Risk Hurricanes]</ref>
[[Tornado]]s spinning off from even small storms can result in severe damage in small areas.<ref>[http://www.wxdude.com/Severe.html Questions on Thunderstorms and Severe Weather<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Five hurricanes have directly affected Brevard since 1950: [[Hurricane David|David]] (September 3, 1979), Hurricane Erin (August 2, 1995) - made landfall near Sebastian Inlet and caused mostly minor wind damage and more extensive flooding countywide, [[Hurricane Charley|Charley]] (August 13, 2004) - Caused damage in Titusville and North Brevard. [[Hurricane Frances|Frances]] (September 3, 2004) - Struck neighboring [[Vero Beach]], [[Indian River County]] directly and caused widespread wind damage throughout Brevard,<ref>[http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1995erin.html TPC NHC ERIN 1995 PRELIMINARY REPORT<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Hurricane Jeanne|Jeanne]] (September 26, 2004) - Struck Vero, directly, following very nearly the same path as Frances. The latter two storms caused widespread damage in South Brevard. Slightly more than half of one percent (0.6%) of houses were lost.<ref>[http://www.bebr.ufl.edu/FloridaFocus/FloridaFocus1_3_2005.pdf bebr.ufl.edu]</ref> <!--this is true but I can't find it documented online!--usually due to a pane or other small hole in the dwelling Wind blew in water. Electricity was out. Resultant mildew in the heat resulted in total destruction of an outwardly appearing solid structure.---- true but no documentation available online-->
The following storms did not affect Brevard County with hurricane force winds: [[Hurricane Floyd|Floyd]] (September 15, 1999),<ref>[http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/floydsum.html Hurricane Floyd Preliminary Summary]</ref> and [[Hurricane Irene (1999)|Irene]] (October 16, 1999).<ref>[http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/irenesum.html Hurricane Irene Preliminary Summary 10-16-99]</ref>
[[Tropical Storm Fay]] dropped a record rainfall of {{convert|27.65|in}} in 2008.<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081002/NEWS01/810020328/1006/news01&referrer=NEWSFRONTCAROUSEL] retrieved October 2, 2008</ref>
====Environment====
{{Main|Environmental issues in Brevard County}}
[[File:Eel scrub.jpg|thumb|Pine flatwoods and sand pine scrub]]
Brevard works together with the federal and state government to control pollution and preserve wetlands and coastal areas through lands dedicated to conservation and wildlife protection. These lands include [[Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge]], the [[Canaveral National Seashore]], the [[St. Johns National Wildlife Refuge]], the [[Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge]], several conservation areas managed by the [[St. Johns River Water Management District]], Brevard County's Environmentally Endangered Lands Program Sanctuaries,<ref name="About the EEL Program"/> and lands dedicated by the State as conservation areas.
===Transportation===
{{Main|Brevard County Transportation}}
Brevard County has transportation available in the usual modes for a coastal county - highways, shipping, and airlines.
Public transportation is provided by [[Space Coast Area Transit]].<ref>[http://www.ridescat.com]</ref>
===Power===
[[Florida Power and Light]] maintains a oil-fired generating plant at [[Sharpes, Florida]]. It generates 800 megawatts, supplying most of the requirements for the county. In 2008 the company announced plans to replace the plant with a more efficient natural gas-powered plant in 2013 with a 1,250 megawatt capacity which can supply 250,000 homes or businesses.<ref>[http://partners.marketcenter.com/cboe/news/story.action?id=KRO122e1174&symbol=&count=10 FPL Company News] retrieved May 4, 2008</ref>
===Adjacent counties===
*[[Volusia County, Florida]] - north
*[[Indian River County, Florida]] - south
*[[Osceola County, Florida]] - southwest
*[[Orange County, Florida]] - west
*[[Seminole County, Florida]] - northwest
{{Geographic Location
|Centre = Brevard County, Florida
|North = [[Volusia County, Florida|Volusia County]]
|Northeast =
|East = [[Atlantic Ocean]]
|Southeast =
|South = [[Indian River County, Florida|Indian River County]]
|Southwest = [[Osceola County, Florida|Osceola County]]
|West = [[Orange County, Florida|Orange County]]
|Northwest = [[Seminole County, Florida|Seminole County]]
}}
===Fauna===
[[Love bug]] season occurs twice annually in May and August-September. Motorists, usually, encounter swarms of these while driving during a four week period.<ref>[http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0015-4040(197003)53%3A1%3C23%3ABOT%22PN%3E2.0.CO%3B2-5 Biology of the "Love-Bug", Plecia Nearctica (Diptera: Bibionidae)] accessed September 21, 2007</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=Jim | last=Waymer| title=Lovebugs like it (your car) hot | url=| work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 1A | date=3 May 2009 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref>
[[Turkey vultures]], a migrating species, are protected by federal law. They migrate north in the summer and return in September.<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090923/NEWS01/909230326/1086/Vultures+migrate+back+to+Brevard Florida Today] retrieved September 23, 2009</ref>
==Economy==
===Personal income===
As of the census of 2000:
* Median income for a family - $47,571
* Median income for males - $36,542
* Median income for females - $24,632
* [[Per capita income]] - $21,484
* Median income for a household - $40,099
* In 2005, the median income for a household had risen to $43,281<ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=Brevard+county&_cityTown=Brevard+county&_state=04000US12&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010 Brevard County, Florida]</ref>
The county ranked 17th for per capita income, out of Florida's 67 counties.
The following were below the [[poverty line]] in 2000:
* Families - 6.80%
* Total population - 9.50%
* Under age 18 - 13.00%
* Age 65 or older - 6.50%
===Housing===
The county's median home price reached a high in August 2005 at $248,700.<ref>''Florida Today'',March 22, 2007, page 7A</ref> New home permits fell in 2007 to 1,894, the lowest since 1982.<ref>Florida Today, January 20, 2008, "New home permits in Brevard hit lowest level in 25 years. Staff authored</ref> Sales of existing homes fell 19% in 2007 from the prior year to 373 monthly. The median drop in home prices was 50% from 2005 to 2008, from $248, 700 to $125,200. However, when choices for smaller homes was eliminated, prices on individual homes fell 25%; down 33% for individual condos.<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/content/databases/allsales.shtml]</ref> In 2000, the median sale price of homes in Brevard was $100,000. With the collapse in the [[United States housing bubble|housing bubble]], homes now are often about the same price, with median homes in 2009 selling for $89,400.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20091108/BUSINESS/91108001&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL |title=$100K homes dominate the market |accessdate= |author=John McCarthy |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2009-11-08 |year= |month= |work= Florida Today |publisher=Florida Today |pages= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref><!---need to think about moving some of this stuff out to "history." Getting a bit crowded in here--->
In a separate study, a consulting firm determined that house prices in the county were 46.1% overvalued in 2005 at $212,000 average. The same firm determined that prices were 19.3% undervalued in 2008 at $129,400.<ref>{{cite news | first=Anne | last=Straub | title=Home prices undervalued | url=| work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 1F | date=31 May 2009 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref>
In 2008, a number of mortgage insurers [[blacklisted|blackmarked]] Brevard, along with a quarter of the total nations zip codes. This was intended to thwart potential buyers who wish to pay less than 20% down on a home.<ref>{{cite book | author = Staff and wire reports |title = Insurers strike homebuyers | publisher = Florida Today | date = March 21, 2008}}</ref>
In 2009 an economist said that the Brevard housing market will not recover until at least 2011.<ref>Orlando economist Hank Fishkind. See next footnote</ref><ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090109/BUSINESS/901090311/1006/NEWS01] retrieved January 10, 2009</ref> A later analysis in 2009 seemed to agree, saying that the market would fall 41.4% to bottom out by the end of 2010.<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/home/2009/01/07/housing-cities-realestate-forbeslife-cx_do_0107realestateweak.html] retrieved January 23, 2009</ref><!---article was a bit ambiguous saying once that it needed to fall 41.4% from the top and later, 41.4% from where it was at the start of 2009. This is too painful to insert without a little more clarification---><!---while the article says "Palm Bay" it clearly meant the metro area BTW so we don't get off that easy. Sorry--->
In 2008 Brevard expected to have 100,000-300,000 more people by 2020, an increase of 60%.
In 2008, there were 1,550 permits for residential projects valued at $355.45 million. That is the lowest number of filings since 1975.<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090203/BUSINESS/902030308/1006/NEWS01] retrieved February 4, 2009</ref>
Annual foreclosures rose from a low of 1,144 in 2005 to 9,228 in 2008.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | title=Foreclosure filings keep coming | url= | work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 8C | date=30 March 2009 | id=| accessdate=}}</ref>
====Communities====
Rockledge is hoping to revitalize Barton Boulevard.
Three communities have either decided or are considering placing
<!---When footnoting, I need to state which communities--->
electric lines most vulnerable to high winds, underground despite the high cost.
Cape Canaveral and Satellite Beach have declared a moratorium on converting commercially zoned areas to residential.
The company developing West Viera gained state permission and county acquiescence to create a self-governing board that could raise taxes and sell bonds to pay for roads, water lines, pumping stations and other infrastructure needed to support the construction of 16,500 houses, apartments and condominiums. The company proved that development could fund itself.
===Industry===
<!---Some of the following will need to be moved below--->
The Brevard economy has been driven by Trade, Transportation and Utilities
<!---Great header, I think --->
(18%), Professional and Business Services (17%), Total government (15%), Education and Health (14%), Manufacturing (12%), Leisure and hospitality (10%), Construction (6%), Financial (4%).
In 2005, Inc. Magazine voted the Space Coast as the best place to do business in Florida and sixth in the country.
In 2004, Brevard County ranked 13th out of 318 largest counties in the US for increase in the number of jobs. The county moved from 70 to 31 out of the top 200 metropolitan areas "Best Performing." This improvement was driven mainly by job growth.
Port Canaveral is the world's busiest cruise port. It is served by seven cruise lines. They have six major cruise terminals. There is 750,000 SF of covered freight storage capacity. It handled 4 million tons of cargo in 2004. The port has boosted Brevard's economy by $500 million annually.
American City Business Journals rated Brevard 7th for quality of life out of 67.
Two hospitals were among the top five private employers in the county.
A concern has been the probable re-assignment of thousands of space coast workers when the shuttle is discontinued in 2010. In 2009, 3,500 jobs were expected to be lost.<ref>{{cite book | author= Ash, Jim | title= Agencies face close scrutiny | publisher= [[Florida Today]] | date= March 8, 2009}}</ref>
Two locally headquartered builders, Mercedes and Holiday were among the top 30 in the nation. Mercedes had $1 billion in sales in 2004.
The Cocoa Redevelopment Center has worked on programs to improve housing in the city's older areas.
Inc. magazine selected two local small companies as among the fastest growing in the country over the past 3 years - Applied Global Technology (nearly 100% annually) and Stops (nearly 200% annually).
Though the area has a relatively small number of high technology companies, 736, a business journal ranked it eighth in the country as a high tech center in 2009. The area had 23,096 high-tech jobs with a ratio of 124 per 1,000 total jobs.<ref>{{cite news | first=Patrick | last=Peterson | title=Florida Tech, KSC are technology assets | url=| work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 11A | date=15 May 2009 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref>
====Military====
Military installations in Brevard County include [[Patrick Air Force Base]], near [[Satellite Beach, Florida|Satellite Beach]], [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station]] (CCAFS), adjacent to the Kennedy Space Center, and the U.S. Air Force Malabar Test Facility on Minton Road in
<!---Isn't this a tracking station for NASA run by the USAF?--->
suburban Palm Bay.
The Navy maintains a Trident turning basin at Port Canaveral for [[Ballistic Missile Submarine]]s. The [[Naval Ordnance Test Unit]] (NOTU) tests weapons on these subs which arrive at the rate of one a month. The 2005 Base closures included realigning NOTU out of state. However, the community was successful in getting this decision revoked. Much credit goes to the Space Coast Defense Alliance, a branch of the Economic Development Council.
CCAFS houses the [[Air Force Space & Missile Museum]] that is in the
<!---Well more than just that. Needs at least one more sentence here--->
launch control bunker of Launch Pad 26 where many unmanned rockets were launched early in the U.S. space program including the Explorer, one of the first space craft placed in earth orbit.
The Cape Canaveral [[Navy League]] council supports the Sea Services
<!---Probably should be deleted--->
by adopting ships and units of the Navy and Coast Guard. It also provides a means for civilians to socialize with the officers and crew of allied Navies when they visit port.
[[Northrup Grumman]] develops the military [[E-8 Joint STARS|JSTARS]] electronics surveillance system used in all major US conflicts since 1990.
The {{USS|Brevard|AK-164}} was a World War II Alamosa-class naval cargo ship that was decommissioned shortly after the war.<!---I placed this here, but maybe it would be better in the history section?--->
====Agriculture====
23% of Brevard County is agricultural-usable for citrus, raising cattle or horses. Cattle ranches include the Deseret and Duda Ranches; citrus growers include Victory Groves and Harvey's Indian River Groves.
The county ranked 21 out of 24 Florida counties in the shipment of gift fruit.
There are 40 [[4-H]] related clubs in the county including livestock- and pet-related and after school clubs.<ref>[http://www.nbbd.com/npr/4H/index.html nbbd.com]</ref>
====Tourism====
In 2008, tourists spent $2.89 billion in the county. This is distributed in several categories: lodging $839 million, eating and drinking $509 million, Kennedy Space Center $597 million, Retail sales $450 million, entertainment $120 million, and Port Canaveral $109 million.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | title=Tourist dollar dreams | url= | work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 1E | date=19 April 2009 | id=| accessdate=}}</ref> Brevard tourists come mainly from ten states: Florida itself is first, followed by Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Virginia, Wisconsin, Georgia, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. The five primary sources of foreign visitors are: Canada, England, Germany, China and Italy.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | title=More tourists may not mean more buying | url= | work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 3E | date=19 April 2009 | id=| accessdate=}}</ref>
Brevard competes with other Florida areas for tourists. A number of organizations help promote the area.
The Space Coast Office of Tourism consists of county staff and the Brevard County Tourist Development Council (TDC). They attempt to attract tourists. The TDC serves as an advisory council to the county on the expenditures of revenues received from a tourist tax. This revenue is spent on beach improvements, visitor information centers and website,<ref>[http://www.space-coast.com//] Florida's Space Coast</ref> promotion and advertising, the [[Brevard Zoo]], additional beach improvements and the Space Coast Stadium.
In 2008 monthly tourist tax revenue slumped from a high of $1,174,742 in March to a seasonal low in September of $432,145.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | title=Tourism tax wanes | url= | work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 8C | date=30 March 2009 | id=| accessdate=}}</ref>
In 2004, Brevard experienced its best October and November tourism until then, despite widespread hurricane damage and loss of five beachside hotels. Four of these hotels were restored by 2006.
In 2008, the county had 11,000 hotel rooms available. In July 2007, there was a 66.1% occupancy rate.<ref>{{cite book | author = Bakancia, Donna |title = Brevard hotels strive to attract guests as summer nears and new facilities open | publisher = Florida Today | date = April 27, 2008}}</ref> In 2008, the county had a nearly identical 81%+ occupancy rate in March and April. This fell to a seasonal low of 42.3% in September.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | title=Room occupancy could pick up | url= | work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 8C | date=30 March 2009 | id=| accessdate=}}</ref>
''Cocoa Main Street'', a member of the Florida and National Main Street Programs, works toward restoring business sites in the historic area known as "Cocoa Village." ''Cocoa Main Street'' has received six Florida Main Street Awards given by the Secretary of State. The restored area is a tourist attraction and an economic magnet.<ref>[http://www.cocoamainstreet.com/] Cocoa Main Street</ref> ''Melbourne Main Street'' is another historic business area and tourist attraction restored through the Main Street Programs.<ref>[http://www.downtownmelbourne.com/] Melbourne Main Street</ref>
Brevard has five judged art festivals annually attracting tens of thousands of people to art displays. Most festivals are held in the spring or fall when many tourists can attend. Many other annual festivals are held in parks and public sites throughout the year. The Brevard Cultural Alliance (BCA) maintains an event calendar<ref>[http://www.artsbrevard.org/events/] BCA Cultural Events Calendar</ref> and a map of sites of historic, cultural, and ecological interest.<ref>[http://www.artsbrevard.org/resources/map.html] BCA Arts Map</ref>
For Brevard County businesses, fishing tournaments, such as the Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series tournament in August, bring more than $2.5 million a year in direct spending and more in indirect spending. Tournaments provide a revenue source for the county and local businesses.
The annual Grant Seafood Festival attracts as many as 50,000 people for the two day February event. It is the Southeast's largest and longest running seafood festival.<ref>[http://www.grantseafoodfestival.com] Grant Seafood Festival</ref>
The Globe Sebastian Inlet Pro surfing contest, on the county line, draws 16,000 visitors the second weekend in January.{{Citation needed|date=January 2008}}
An ice skating rink in Rockledge serves the county's residents and visitors with hockey and figure skating events.<ref>{{cite book | author = Dowling, Lyn |title = IcePlex gets new owners | publisher = Florida Today | date = January 14, 2008}}</ref>
====Competitiveness====
In August 2009, Florida Trend rated two Brevard companies, Harris Corporation<ref>[http://www.floridatrend.com/article.asp?aID=51437] "Best Large Companies - 2009". Florida Trend.</ref> and Health First Health Plans<ref>[http://www.floridatrend.com/article.asp?aID=51438] "Best Midsized Companies - 2009". Florida Trend.</ref>, in their rankings of the best places to work in Florida.
In May 2009, the Palm Bay-Melbourne area was ranked as the #8 tech center in the United States by [[Bizjournals]]. It overcame its low number of total high-tech companies and jobs by having a high number of jobs per high tech company (#4) and high tech jobs compared to total private-sector jobs (#2).<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/edit_special/79.html] G. Scott Thomas (May 11, 2009). "San Jose leads as America's top tech center". bizjournals.</ref>
<!---It's possible that some of this should be under Labor--->
The Milken institute ranked Brevard number one, out of 200 largest metropolitan areas, in overall job growth for 2005.
Forbes magazine ranked Melbourne 2nd out of 150 metropolitan areas in the US, for the percentage of the population that are engineers,
<!---Need year as well as footnote--->
6.6%, just ahead of Silicon Valley.
Brevard County's unemployment rate fell to a record low 2.8% in December 2005.
In 2006, [[Forbes magazine]] named Harris Corporation, headquartered in
<!---check on redundancy--->
Brevard, to its "Platinum 400" List.
The Technological Research and Development Authority, based in the Space Coast, delivers technologies to schools and small businesses throughout the State of Florida. They obtain this information through strategic alliances with NASA, the federal government, the aerospace industry and state partners. They also sponsor a business incubator at the [[Melbourne International Airport|Melbourne Airport]].
The [[National Association of Realtors]] reported that existing homes prices in Brevard rose 33% annually the third quarter of 2005,
<!---Boy, this is outdated. Badly needs to be replaced.--->
the sixth highest metropolitan area in the nation (out of 147). There was a slight decrease in existing home prices the last quarter of 2005.
In October, 2005, Brevard realized that the average owner of a house
<!---Needs replacement--->
could not afford that house at current prices! The same month, the sale price of existing homes dropped by 8%.
In January 2005, [[CNN]]/[[Money]] ranked the homes in "Palm Bay" perhaps referring to all of the Space Coast as "49% overvalued" and within 10% of the most overvalued homes in the United States.
In 2005, the [[Sunrise Bank]] of Cocoa Beach became the first bank in the state to have a mobile branch.
The City of Palm Bay made the finals for "All American City" for three years 2003-2005.
===Labor===
Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is the largest employer in the county with 15,000 contractors and civil servants.<ref>{{cite book | author = Halvorson, Todd |title = KSC chief says more tech work needed | publisher = Florida Today | date = May 12, 2007}}</ref> While there is concern about the new generation of space vehicles requiring 1/3 fewer workers, about that number are eligible for retirement by 2011.
Unions represented at KSC include American Federation of Government Workers, International Association of Machinists and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Brevard County Teachers are represented by the Brevard Federation of Teachers (AFT).
In 2005, the Next Generation Consulting for Leadership Brevard, a leadership development organization for local business and civic groups, and Brevard Tomorrow commissioned a survey of people 21-44. Basically, these people often found the area "boring", mainly because it is family-friendly at the expense of being singles-friendly. While this may have labor repercussions later, currently business is having no problems hiring.
The county had an unemployment rate of 3.5% in August 2005, near a record low.
In early 2005, Forbes ranked the area 27th in job growth out of 150 metropolitan areas in the country. The county ranked 18th in the nation for mid-sized areas in 2006.<ref>{{cite book | author = Price, Wayne T. |title = Brevard's ranking slips, but it's still a boomtown | publisher = Florida Today | date = May 1, 2007}}</ref>
Manpower Employment Outlook Survey said the hiring outlook in Brevard for the last quarter of 2005 was the 19th-best in the nation among the 470 communities participating in the survey.
2004 Hurricane recovery has helped the area achieve high employment.
===Banking===
The Space Coast Credit Union is the largest locally-based financial institution in Brevard and the largest credit union in the state with assets of $1.44 billion.<ref>[http://www.corillian.com/corporate/news/XcNewsPlus.asp?cmd=view&articleid=280 Space Coast Credit Union to Strengthen Its Online Banking with Corillian Consumer Banking]</ref><ref>{{cite book | author = Sonnenberg, Maria|title = Union Label | publisher = Florida Today | date = April 8, 2007}}</ref>
===Communication and utilities===
The [[area code]] for most of the county became "[[Area code 321|321]]" in 1999: as in the "3...2...1... Lift Off!" countdown sequence. A small portion of the county along the southern border, including the communities of Micco and Barefoot Bay, share a [[Area code 772|772 area code]] with a neighboring county to the south.
Two power plants in Brevard generate electricity from petroleum delivered by barge. The output from one plant (Florida Power and Light) is used locally, the other by Orlando.
==Demographics==
[[File:US12A009 Age.png|thumb|left|200px|Aging (2000 census)]]
[[File:US12A009 Income.png|thumb|right|200px|Median income (2000 census)]]
As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were in the county:
* People - 476,230 people
* Households - 198,195
* Families - 132,394
* [[population density]] - 181/km² (468/sq mi)
* Housing units - 222,072
* Average housing density - 84/km² (218/sq mi)
The total population is larger than America's least-populated state, Wyoming.
The racial makeup of the county was:
* [[Race (United States Census)|White]] - 84.81%
* [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]] - 10.40%
*[[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] - 4.61%
* two or more races - 1.77%
* [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]] - 1.50%
* [[Race (United States Census)|other races]] - 1.09%
* [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]] - 0.37%
* [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]] - 0.06%
There were 198,195 households out of which 26.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.00% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.20% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.84.
The population was distributed as follows: 22.00% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 19.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males. In 2007, 30% of the population was over 55.<ref>{{cite book | author = Kim, Eun Kyung |title = Law's impact increases with age | publisher = Florida Today | date = December 17, 2007}}</ref>
9.50% of the population and 6.80% of families are below the poverty
line. Out of the total population, 13.00% of those under the age of 18 and 6.50% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
In 2005, the [[Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area]], which consists solely of Brevard County, was estimated to stand 91st in population out of 263 in the country.<ref>See [[List of United States metropolitan areas]].</ref>
In 2006, the county stood 10th in population in the state, out of 67.<ref>''Florida Today'', March 22, 2007, page 1A</ref> The increase in population from 2000 was 11.8%, less than the Florida average of 12.7%.
According to the 2000 census, the county had about 80,000 veterans. 21% of the population older than 18 is a veteran.<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090306/NEWS01/903060329/1006/rss01] retrieved March 6, 2009</ref>
=== Health ===
The Brevard Alzheimer's Foundation is unique for being a local organization only. It has three adult daycare service locations and often provides transportation and funding.<ref>www.brevardalzheimers.org</ref>
The Space Coast Early Intervention Center is a nationally recognized not-for-profit pre-school and therapeutic center that offers care and aids with the development of small children with special needs.<ref>[http://www.sceic.com/_site2005/home_template.php SCEIC]</ref> Children are treated and educated with the specific goal of mainstreaming children diagnosed with the following into public school: [[Down syndrome]], [[William's syndrome]], [[Cerebral palsy]], [[22q11.2 deletion syndrome|Deletion syndrome]], [[Pervasive developmental disorder|PDD]]s including [[Rett syndrome]], [[Autism]], and [[Apert syndrome]], as well as children with visual, speech and hearing delays.
Health Outreach Prevention & Education (HOPE) is a network of community partners working together to provide care for people without insurance, and for children with special needs. This network includes hospitals.
Brevard introduced (2005-6) a Federally approved experimental Medicaid program which puts volunteering 60+ years olds in an HMO-like organization in order to save money.
The non-profit Circles of Care provides mental health programs to Brevard.<ref>[http://www.circlesofcare.org/current/locate.html Circles of Care: Physical Locations]</ref>
211 Brevard responds to people in crisis and/or needing information about community resources.<ref>[http://www.211brevard.org/home/pages/helpline.cfm 2-1-1 Helpline]</ref>
Space Coast Center for Independent Living offers over-all services for individuals with all types of disabilities: Peer support, advocacy, skills training, accessibility surveys, support groups, transportation, specialized equipment and sign language interpreter coordination services.<ref>[http://ese.brevard.k12.fl.us/ICB/SCCIndLiving.html Space Coast Center for Independent Living (SCCIL)]</ref> Additional program for high school students for career development.
Health First is the largest healthcare provider in the county consisting of three not-for-profit hospitals—Cape Canaveral Hospital in Cocoa Beach, Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, and Palm Bay Community Hospital in Palm Bay. Besides hospitalization, services include outpatient centers; the county's only trauma center; home care; specialized programs for cancer, diabetes, heart, stroke, and rehabilitative services; central Brevard's largest medical group; three fitness centers; and Medicare Advantage, commercial POS, and commercial HMO health plans. Health First tries to integrate quality healthcare services with state-of-the-art technology.<ref>[http://www.health-first.org/ Health First]</ref>
Harmony Farms runs "[[Horses and the Handicapped]]", a [[Therapeutic horseback riding|therapeutic riding program]] located on the Duda Ranch in Viera.<ref>[http://www.harmonyfarmsinc.com/ HARMONY FARMS, INC.]</ref>
<!--spam needs to be deleted--->
Parrish Medical Center is a 210-bed, not-for-profit public medical center serving Florida's Space Coast for 50 years. The Center is Brevard's only Spirit of Women network hospital. It has been recognized as Modern Healthcare magazine's Spirit of Excellence for Service award winner, Starizon & Healthcare Design magazine's Discovery Award winner for exceptional patient experience, and has earned more disease-specific Gold Seals of Approval for quality and excellence from the Joint Commission than any other hospital in Central Florida.{{Citation needed|date=June 2008}} Parrish Medical Center has been named America's No. 1 Healing Hospital for the third straight year by the [[Baptist Healing Trust]].<ref>[http://www.parrishmed.com/ Parrish Medical Center]</ref>
Health care services tend to cost more in Brevard than Orlando or the statistical average in Florida. A nursing home private room averaged $79,023 annually, semi-private $74,643, private one-bedroom assisted living $39,000. A home health aide, medicare-certified was $88,660 was substantially higher than the Florida average of $51,480. Adult day care (44 hours) was cheaper at $12,870 annually as was a home health aide "licensed-only" $38,896.<ref>{{cite news | first=Staff and Wire Reports | last= | title=Health care services | url=| work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 10C | date=1 May 2009 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref>
According to 2007 health risk data from the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]], Brevard County ([[Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area|Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville MSA]]) is tied for fourth highest among all [[Micropolitan Statistical Area|Micro]]- and [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]]s in percentage of heavy drinkers.<ref>[http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/BRFSS-SMART/MMSARiskChart.asp?MMSA=215&yr=2007&qkey=4413&cat=AC&grp=0 SMART: BRFSS City and County Health Risk Data] Heavy drinkers are adult men having more than two drinks per day and adult women having more than one drink per day</ref>
==Cities and towns==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
=== Incorporated===
*City of [[Cape Canaveral, Florida|Cape Canaveral]]
*City of [[Cocoa, Florida|Cocoa]]
*City of [[Cocoa Beach, Florida|Cocoa Beach]]
*Town of [[Grant-Valkaria, Florida|Grant-Valkaria]]
*Town of [[Indialantic, Florida|Indialantic]]
*City of [[Indian Harbour Beach, Florida|Indian Harbour Beach]]
*Town of [[Malabar, Florida|Malabar]]
*City of [[Melbourne, Florida|Melbourne]]
*Town of [[Melbourne Beach, Florida|Melbourne Beach]]
*Town of [[Melbourne Village, Florida|Melbourne Village]]
*City of [[Palm Bay, Florida|Palm Bay]] (formerly Tillman)
*Town of [[Palm Shores, Florida|Palm Shores]]
*City of [[Rockledge, Florida|Rockledge]]
*City of [[Satellite Beach, Florida|Satellite Beach]]
*City of [[Titusville, Florida|Titusville]]
*City of [[West Melbourne, Florida|West Melbourne]]
{{col-break}}
=== Unincorporated===
*[[Allenhurst, Florida|Allenhurst]]
*[[Angel City, Florida|Angel City]]
*[[Aurantia, Florida|Aurantia]]
*[[Aurora, Florida|Aurora]]
*[[Ballard Pines, Florida|Ballard Pines]]
*[[Barefoot Bay, Florida|Barefoot Bay]]
*[[Bellwood, Florida|Bellwood]]
*[[Bonaventure, Florida|Bonaventure]]
*[[Canaveral Groves, Florida|Canaveral Groves]]
*[[City Point, Florida|City Point]]
*[[Cocoa West, Florida|Cocoa West]]
<!---*[[Deer Run]]---Deer Run is a neighborhood, at best. Brevard documents refer to it as an "Equestrian Subdivision." New developments do not rate a slot here unless they are "old" generally accepted names. See http://199.241.8.125/index.cfm?FuseAction=MinutesRecords.View&BoardMinute_id=894---->
*[[Courtenay, Florida|Courtenay]]
*[[Delespine, Florida|Delespine]]
*[[Dummit Cove, Florida|Dummit Cove]]
*[[Dummit Grove, Florida|Dummit Grove]]
*[[East Mims, Florida|East Mims]]
*[[Eau Gallie, Florida|Eau Gallie]]
*[[Floridana Beach, Florida|Floridana Beach]]
*[[Footman, Florida|Footman]]
*[[Frontenac, Florida|Frontenac]]
*[[Georgiana, Florida|Georgiana]]
*[[Indian River City, Florida|Indian River City]]
*[[Jay Jay, Florida|Jay Jay]]
*[[June Park, Florida|June Park]]
*[[John F. Kennedy Space Center|Kennedy Space Center]]
*[[Kings Park, Florida|Kings Park]]
*[[La Grange, Florida|La Grange]]
*[[Lotus, Florida|Lotus]]
*[[Melbourne Village, Florida|Melbourne Village]]
*[[Merritt Island, Florida|Merritt Island]]
*[[Micco, Florida|Micco]]
*[[Mims, Florida|Mims]]
*[[Pineda, Florida|Pineda]]
*[[Port St. John, Florida|Port St. John]]
*[[Rockwell, Florida|Rockwell]]
*[[Scottsmoor, Florida|Scottsmoor]]
*[[Sharpes, Florida|Sharpes]]
*[[Sherwood, Florida|Sherwood]]
*[[Shiloh, Florida|Shiloh]]
*[[South Cocoa Beach, Florida|South Cocoa Beach]]
*[[South Patrick Shores, Florida|South Patrick Shores]]
*[[Southmere, Florida|Southmere]]
*[[Sunnyland Beach, Florida|Sunnyland Beach]]
*[[Suntree, Florida|Suntree]]
*[[Tropic, Florida|Tropic]]
*[[Turnbull, Florida|Turnbull]]
*[[Viera, Florida|Viera]]
*[[West Eau Gallie, Florida|West Eau Gallie]]
*[[Whispering Hills, Florida|Whispering Hills]]
*[[Wiley, Florida|Wiley]]
*[[Williams Point, Florida|Williams Point]]
*[[Wilson, Florida|Wilson]]
{{col-end}}
=== Former place names ===
{{Main|Former place names in Brevard County, Florida}}
There are place names currently used, or used at one time by the USGS. Some are early developments, others are former stations along the main line of the [[Florida East Coast Railway]]. Several of these disappeared when Kennedy Space Center took over their area.
==Education==
The Space Coast contains a higher percentage of college graduates than any of the other 66 Florida counties.
===Undergraduate and graduate===
<!---extraordinary stuff only. Ordinary offerings will be deleted. Sorry---->
College education in Brevard County is provided by the [[Brevard Community College]] and [[Florida Institute of Technology]] in Melbourne.
The Brevard Community College (BCC) is a two-year college, which has multiple campuses. 13,600 students attend BCC with campuses in Melbourne, Palm Bay, Titusville and Cocoa.
The Palm Bay branch of BCC offers technical and vocational training for Associate Degrees and Certificates for entering the workforce, improving professional skills, and developing new competence.
Other courses include a two year nursing degree and certification by the "Police Academy" which is a basic requirement for employment in law enforcement in Brevard County.
Florida Tech (Florida Institute of Technology) is a university which offers Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees, specializing in the sciences. 4,400 students are enrolled on site, of which half are at the graduate level. About 26% are from abroad. It is located in Melbourne.
The [[University of Central Florida]] has a branch on the Community College Cocoa Campus. Additionally it operates the Florida Solar Energy Center.<ref>[http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/about/organization/index.htm fsec.ucf.edu] {{Dead link|date=November 2007}}</ref>
Other colleges include [[Barry University]],<ref>[http://www.barry.edu/ace/files/Melbourne.pdf barry.edu] {{Dead link|date=November 2007}}</ref><ref>[http://discoverbrevard.com/Schools.php Brevard County Schools]</ref> Columbia College,<ref>[http://www.ccis.edu/nationwide/main.asp?PAFB Columbia College–Patrick Air Force Base]</ref> a cooperating program with [[Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach|Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University]],<ref>[http://www.erau.edu/ec/wwc/articulation/bcc-asmto.pdf Embry Riddle] retrieved April 28, 2008</ref> [[Florida Metropolitan University]]-Melbourne, [[Keiser University - Melbourne]] and [[Webster University]].
===Elementary and secondary===
{{Main|Brevard Public Schools}}
<!---This needs to be more of a summary--->
For 2005, the students had higher SAT scores than any other Florida School District.
The superintendent of schools was selected as best in state by his peers in 2005.
For 2005, the District has a higher percentage (9%) of National Board Certified Teachers than any of the other largest ten districts in the state.
In 2005, Brevard is first in Florida in the number of "A"-rated schools in the 10 largest districts.
[[AARP]] ranked the school district No. 8 on the 2005 list of Best Employers for Workers Over 50. It was the only public-school system and the highest-ranked Florida employer on the national list.
In 2005, Brevard led the state in science in fifth and 11th grade assessments.
In 2006, Brevard students took almost a third of all prizes at the
<!---Note that this comment cannot be automatically be moved to the Brevard (public) schools article because private and parochial schools are involved as well--->
state science fair, including the most first-place awards.<ref>{{cite book | author = Downs, Megan |title = Brevard's the county to beat at science fair | publisher = Florida Today | date = April 13, 2007}}</ref> This occurred in 2007, as well.
A team consisting of Brevard high school students stood second in the world in the robotics world championship in 2007.<ref>{{cite book | author = Downs, Megan |title = Students place 2nd in robotics | publisher = Florida Today | date = April 19, 2007}}</ref>
In 2007, the Division 3 Technical Team from Eau Gallie High School placed 1st Place in World Odyssey of the Mind tournament.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}}<!---needs to be moved to Brevard Public schools anyway, But WHERE was the title, state? national? world?--->
In 2006, the District had 5 of the top 10 Elementary Schools in the state, according to the Florida Dept. of Ed.
Brevard is in the top ten in the state in each of the 22 areas of assessment on the standard statewide exams given students each year.
In 2005 & 2006, Newsweek ranked Cocoa Beach High School among the top 100 US high schools (out of 21,000) in part due to its International Baccalaureate program.
10th graders led the state in the writing exam in 2006.
The state has ranked 15 of the elementary schools as tops in the state including a Title I South Lake, a former "D"-ranked school!
Brevard leads the state in the number of high school students dual enrolled in secondary and college courses.
===Continuing education===
Continuing education is provided by the Brevard Community College, and the University of Central Florida.
Life long learning is offered by the Community College at four branches throughout the county as well as evening courses at high schools.
The County School Board sponsors BPS-TV. Those interested can study for the [[General Education Development]] exam, learn a foreign language, or learn about the arts. From midnight to 6 a.m., the station's Classic Arts Showcase offers ballet, jazz and classical music programming.
==Sports teams==
;Minor league baseball
Brevard County is the home of the [[Brevard County Manatees]], the Class-A Affiliate of the [[Milwaukee Brewers]].
In 2009, the Space Coast Surge, a member of the [[Florida Winter Baseball League]] has the Cocoa Stadium as their home stadium.<ref>[http://www.spacecoastsurge.com Space Coast Surge]</ref>
;Major league baseball
The [[Washington Nationals]] hold their [[spring training]] at [[Space Coast Stadium]] in [[Viera, Florida|Viera]].They play about 14 games against other professional teams locally in March as part of the "Grapefruit" League.<ref>''Grapefruit League'',Florida Today, February 28, 2007</ref>
;Professional Basketball
The [[Brevard Blue Ducks]], members of the [[USBL]], played their home schedule at the Clemente Center at Florida Tech. They have changed their home city more times than any other USBL team. They have been in Brevard since 2002. In 2007 the Clemente Center opted not to extend the team a lease of its facilities, prompting a cancellation of the season.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}
;Minor League Football
Brevard County is home to the [[Brevard Warriors]], a minor league football team whose first season was 2008-2009 and in that first year climbed the Minor League Football ranks to #2 in the country, and won it's Southeast Football League Championship 45-10 over the Central Florida Thoroughbreds while finishing the season 14-1.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}
The Brevard Rams and Space Coast Predators are scheduled to play as members of the [[Florida Football Alliance]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.floridatoday.com/content/blogs/fitness/2009/09/semi-pro-football-space-coast-predators.shtml |title=Semi-pro football Space Coast Predators |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=14 |year=2009 |month=September |work=Florida Today |publisher=Gannett |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>
==Media==
===Newspapers===
''[[Florida Today]]'' is the major daily newspaper serving Melbourne, Brevard County and the Space Coast region of Florida. It is owned by the media conglomerate [[Gannett]]. The monthly newspaper, ''El Playero'', serves the Spanish-speaking population of the Space Coast. The weekly ''Home Town News'' is a free newspaper, supported by advertising, that has versions in other Florida counties. It presents local news.
The ''Brevard Technical Journal'' is the industry monthly newspaper for business management, engineering, purchasing, manufacturing, and staff. It features news & features about the business and the science of technology in Brevard County - Florida's Space & Technology Coast.
===Radio===
See [[Template:Melbourne Radio]].
===Television===
<!---reviewing editor felt this was redundant. A bit too commercial
Cable is provided by [[Bright House Networks]] with [[Comcast Cable]] serving Micco and Palm Bay.
---->
Independent stations include:
<!---unfortunately we have to exclude stations without articles. Okay to stub station ---->
*Channel 9 [[BPS-TV]]
<!--- stubbed out for lack of article. Note that once all of these are at least stubbed, we can set up a separate section in List of television stations in Florida and list ourselves there
*Channel 15 NASA Select, Space Launches and News
*Brighthouse 1 or 99/Comcast 26 - Space Coast Government Television
*Channel 22 WMJV
*Channel 31 WSCF
---->
*Channel 43 [[WOTF-TV]] Univision Spanish Language
*Channel 68 [[WBCC]] Brevard Community College Education
===Films===
The following films were filmed (in parts) in Brevard County.
*''[[Matinee]]'' - 1993 film starring John Goodman. Filmed in Cocoa Village and Cocoa Playhouse.
* ''[[Apollo 13]]'', ''[[Contact]]'', ''[[Armageddon]]'', ''[[Moonraker (film)|Moonraker]]'' and ''[[I Dream of Jeanie]]'' all utilized Cape Canaveral's NASA headquarters.
*''[[The Number 23]]'' shot scenes on the shore of [[Cocoa Beach]].
*''[[Marvin's Room]]'' a 1996 drama starring [[Meryl Streep]], [[Diane Keaton]], and [[Leonardo DiCaprio]] was filmed in [[Rockledge]].
*''[[Nightmare]]'' a 1981 horror film was shot in [[Merritt Island]], [[Cocoa]], [[Cocoa Beach]] and [[Titusville]]
*'' [[A Night in Heaven]] starring Christopher Atkins was filmed in Titusville
==Arts and culture==
<!---Needs a smooth introduction--->
The King Center, seating 2000, features locally produced and former Broadway shows, ballet, and symphony. Several different performances are scheduled each week.
The [[Brevard Symphony Orchestra]] and the Space Coast Ballet offer shows performed by professionals. Both have encountered obstacles to production: fundraising, recruiting skilled professionals and rehearsing them. For the Ballet, integrating a large number of qualified amateurs into their company for performances. There are two other professional symphony orchestras, plus a community orchestra and band in Melbourne.<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090712/LIFE/907120313&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL Conductor forms county's third symphony] retrieved July 12, 2009</ref>
The [[Brevard Zoo]] is a 56 acre facility.<ref>[http://www.brevardzoo.org/aboutthezoo/index.html Brevard Zoo Information]</ref>
;Ballet
The Space Coast Ballet incorporates professional principal dancers and instructors together with many roles for local senior talent as well as roles for students. They annually stage the "[[The Nutcracker]]."
;Classical music
The Brevard Symphony Orchestra has been bringing the classics, performed by professionals, to the Space Coast for over fifty years.
The Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra (BSYO) was founded in 1984 to provide a musical experience for youth. They are the only non-profit organization in Brevard devoted solely to the orchestral training of young musicians.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}
The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra consists of professional musicians and qualified youth.
;Traditional Music
The [[City of Melbourne Pipes and Drums]] is a teaching band.
;Museums
<!----Arts seems like a good place for "museums" --->
The Space Coast has a number of museums from the rocket exhibitions at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Complex, and the [[Air Force Space & Missile Museum]], to local museums and others of unique character such as the [[American Police Hall of Fame & Museum]], and the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame Museum.
<!---probably should be moved to tourism the way it is written--->
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers an educational look at the accomplishments of America's space program. A visitor can have a close look at the launch pads, first built for NASA's Apollo missions and presently used by the Space Shuttle fleet. The Observation Gantry near Launch Complex 39 offers a view of the Space Shuttle launch pads, the [[Vehicle Assembly Building]], and the crawler-way over which the rockets are taken to the pad. The Saturn V Complex displays the largest vehicle ever flown.
The Astronaut Hall of Fame is the only facility in the nation dedicated to telling the stories of American astronauts and features the world's largest collection of astronauts' personal effects.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}
The U.S. Spacewalk Walk of Fame commemorates Kennedy Space Center's history with a museum, monuments and programs.
The [[Brevard Museum of History & Natural Science]] features the remains of the "Windover Man", the oldest human remains found on the North American continent and a re-creation of the Windover Dig, a 'wet' archaeological site. A visitor may see how Native Americans lived and Florida pioneers survived.
Honor America runs the [[Liberty Bell Memorial Museum]]. This houses a replica of the Liberty Bell, historical documents, and patriotic memorabilia. Items are permanent reminders of our nation's history, as well as a memorial to military veterans.
The Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Memorial Park and Cultural Center features a museum with artifacts and time line of the civil rights movement and the story of the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore, civil rights leaders who were killed when their home was bombed.
== Notes and references ==
<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count: 2; column-count: 2;"><references /></div>
===See also===
* [[Brevard County School District|Brevard County Public Schools]]
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
;Government links and constitutional offices
* [http://www.brevardcounty.us/ Brevard County Government / Board of County Commissioners]
* [http://brevardcountyclerkofcourts.net/ Brevard County Clerk of Courts Public Records]
* [http://brevardelections.org/ Brevard County Supervisor of Elections]
* [http://www.brevardpropertyappraiser.com/ Brevard County Property Appraiser]
* [http://www.sheriff.co.brevard.fl.us/ Brevard County Sheriff's Office]
* [http://www.brevardparks.com/ Brevard County Parks and Recreation]
*Water
**[http://www.brevardcounty.us/usd/sc-reuse.cfm Reclaimed water]
;Special districts
* [http://www.sjrwmd.com St. Johns River Water Management District]
;Education
* [http://4brevard.com/schools.htm "Shopping" Guide to all local schools]
* [http://www.isbcmelbourne.org/ Islamic school in Melbourne, Fl]
;Judicial branch
* [http://www.brevardclerk.us/ Brevard County Clerk of Courts]
* [http://www.brevardcounty.us/publicdefender/ Brevard County Public Defender]
* [http://sa18.state.fl.us/ Office of the State Attorney, 18th Judicial Circuit] serving Brevard and [[Seminole County, Florida|Seminole]] Counties
* [http://www.jud18.flcourts.org/ Circuit and County Court for the 18th Judicial Circuit of Florida]
;Local references
* [http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=factbook Florida Today "Fact Book" on Brevard County]
* [http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/maps/county/brevard/brevard.htm USF Maps of Historical Brevard County]
* [http://www.cfhf.net/maps/1839.htm Explanation of "Leigh Read" county]
* [http://www.brevardclerk.us/PAGES/brevard.htm Brevard County Fact Sheet - Brevard Clerk of Courts]
* [http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/maps/maps.htm Old Florida Map Collection]
* [http://nbbd.com/ North Brevard - Titusville, Florida - Community Directory]
*{{wikitravel|Brevard County}}
{{Brevard County, Florida}}
{{Florida}}
{{Coord|28.30|-80.70|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-FL_source:UScensus1990}}
[[Category:Charter counties in Florida]]
[[Category:Brevard County, Florida| ]]
[[Category:1844 establishments]]
[[de:Brevard County]]
[[es:Condado de Brevard (Florida)]]
[[fr:Comté de Brevard]]
[[bpy:ব্রেভার্ড কাউন্টি, ফ্লোরিডা]]
[[it:Contea di Brevard]]
[[nl:Brevard County]]
[[no:Brevard County]]
[[nds:Brevard County]]
[[pt:Condado de Brevard]]
[[ru:Бревэрд (округ, Флорида)]]
[[sv:Brevard County]]
[[zh:布里瓦德縣 (佛羅里達州)]]' |
New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext) | '{{Infobox U.S. County|
county = Brevard County|
state = Florida |
seal = BrevardCountySeal.png |
map = Brevard County Florida.png |
founded = March 14, 1844|
seat = [[Titusville, Florida|Titusville]] |
area_total_sq_mi =1557 |
area_land_sq_mi =1018 |
area_water_sq_mi =539 |
area percentage = 34.60% |
census yr = 2000|
pop = 476230 |
density_km2 = 181|
web = www.brevardcounty.us/|
|}}
'''Brevard County''' is a [[County#United States|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Florida]], along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2007 [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]] estimates, the population is 536,521.<ref name=censuspop>{{cite web |url=http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2008-04-12.csv |title=County population, population change and estimated components of population change: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2008 |publisher=[[US Census Bureau]] |accessdate=2009-10-08 |format=CSV}}</ref> Influenced by the presence of the [[Kennedy Space Center|John F. Kennedy Space Center]], Brevard County is also known as the [[Space Coast]].
The official [[county seat]] has been located in [[Titusville, Florida|Titusville]] since 1894, although most of the county's administration is performed from [[Viera, Florida|Viera]]. Brevard County has more than one county courthouse and sheriff's office because of its elongated north-south county lines. Hence, government services are not centralized in one location, as they are in many American counties.
== History ==
People stink. They always think this isnt the answer, and that this is all that matters. Love matters. But percapita income is important. History shows that 99.9% of people don't care. They take this al for granted
The last naval battle of the [[American Revolutionary War]] was fought off the shores of [[Cape Canaveral]] in 1783, between the [[USS Alliance (1778)|USS Alliance]] and the HMS Sybill.<ref>{{cite book | author = Sonnenberg, Maria |title = Group pays homage to the past | publisher = Florida Today, page 3B | date = January 22, 2007}}</ref>
'''"Mosquito County"''' was formed while the state was still a [[Territory (country subdivision)|territory]], and on some maps was absorbed into an unofficial "Leigh Read" county between 1839 and 1845. This eventually became three new counties one of which was "Saint Lucia County" on March 14, 1844 - it was renamed Brevard County in 1855 after Theodore Washington Brevard, who served as [[Florida Comptroller|State Comptroller]] from 1854 to 1860.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://fcit.usf.edu/FLORIDA/maps/county/brevard/brevard.htm
|title=Brevard County Maps
|work=Exploring Florida History
|publisher=[[University of Florida]]
|accessdate=2008-02-05}}</ref> In 1905 [[St. Lucie County, Florida|St. Lucie County]] was created from the southern third of the county.<ref>[http://www.jud10.org/Courthouses/StLucie/st_lucie.htm St. Lucie County Courthouse] Retrieved July 3, 2007</ref>
In the 1800s, the [[Joseph Marion Hernandez#Hernandez-Capron Trail|Hernandez-Capron Trail]] passed through the county.
The first US President to visit this local area was [[Grover Cleveland|President Grover Cleveland]] in 1888. His entourage made an excursion by steamboat called "Rockledge" on the Indian River from Titusville to Cocoa.<ref> [http://books.google.com/books?printsec=frontcover&id=mJlXpPn1OlkC Ebook on President Grover Cleveland's visit]</ref>
The oldest business still operating in 2009 is S. F. Travis Hardware which opened in Cocoa in 1885. The oldest black-owned business is Tucker's Cut-Rate Plumbing still operating in Melbourne.<ref>{{cite news | first=Wayne | last=Price | title=70 years & counting | url= | work= | publisher=Florida Today. | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 1E | date=22 March 2009 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref>
In the early 1900s the [[Union Cypress Company Railroad|Union Cypress Railroad]] was built from present day Lipscomb Rd and University Blvd west of [[Deer Park, Florida|Deer Park]].
On Christmas Day 1951, [[Harry T. Moore|Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore]] (founders of the
<!---move to status of minorities? --->
local NAACP and Civil Rights activists) were slain by a bomb, well before the "Civil Rights Era. "Florida's Attorney General has offered a reward and established a hotline to solve the slaying.<ref>[http://myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsreleases/D0111AB6846E236585256F710050D2A2 Crist to Review 1951 Bombing of Harry Moore Home]</ref>
<!---I have a feeling they think they know who did it. The perp died a long time ago and the case is dead.--->
The Brevard justice center is named after them as a memorial.
In 1964, the Colt 45s started spring training at Cocoa Stadium. The team later became the [[Houston Astros]]. The team left the county in 1985. They were succeeded by the [[Florida Marlins]] at Viera.
In 1989, county administration was moved to a government complex at [[Viera, Florida|Viera]], as part of a mid-county development project that included a Baseball Spring Training complex at [[Space Coast Stadium]], and a [[Urban Planning|master-planned community]], known as Viera.
<!--The county seat CANNOT officially be changed from Titusville. ~~~~-->
In 2008, [[Tropical Storm Fay (2008)#Florida|Tropical Storm Fay]] dropped a record {{convert|21|in}} of rain northwest of Melbourne. The storm caused widespread flooding in the south county area.
In 2008, the county elected its first black county commissioner, Robin Fisher, who won based on the votes of whites, since there is no "black district."<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20081119/NEWS01/811190322/1006]</ref>
==Law and government==
Brevard county commissioners are elected by the public to establish ordinances and policies for the county. The Commission appoints a County Manager, who executes the will of the Commission. The county employed about 2,900 workers in 2009.<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=news01] retrieved January 28, 2009</ref>
A centrally located County Government Center in [[Viera, Florida|Viera]] houses the various county government branches, including Housing and Human Services, Juvenile Justice, Public Safety, Public Works and Solid Waste Management. County and school board meetings are televised, and the public is present for all city and town council meetings.
The various cities, towns and villages of Brevard have varying reliance on services provided by the Brevard County government.
The Brevard County government has annual expenditures approximately $1.16 billion, exclusive of the municipalities.<ref>[http://countygovt.brevard.fl.us/budgetoffice/budget/pdf/BUDGET-SUMMARIES/SUMMARY-BY-CATEGORY.pdf brevard.fl.us] {{Dead link|date=November 2007}}</ref> Real estate taxes for resident homeowners are less than 2% of the real value of the
<!---The reference is hard to read. Be nice if there were one that was clearer --->
<!---If you have another reference that shows otherwise, fine. I've looked up appraisals and taxes for homeowners. They are always under 2%.---->
property.<ref>[http://brevardpropertyappraiser.com/images/pdf/2006millage.pdf brevardpropertyappraiser.com]</ref> The total taxable real estate base was expected to be $37.9 billion in 2008.<ref>{{cite book | author = Dean, James |title = Tax base may fall by $3B | publisher = Florida Today | date = April 26, 2008}}</ref> County taxes rose 26.5% in total per capita revenue from 2002-2007, and 49.8% in property tax per capita in the same time frame.<ref>{{cite book | author = Joslin, J. |title = Revenue, population both grow | publisher = Florida Today | date = April 22, 2007}}</ref> Delinquent taxes were $36 million in 2008.<ref>{{cite news | first=John | last=McCarthy | title=Tardy taxes rech record level | url=| work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= A1 | date=14 May 2009 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref>
[[Image:Brevard County Cumulative Percent Growth from 1997.png|thumb|400px|Brevard County Cumulative Percent Growth since 1997]]
The [[ex officio]] Space Coast League of Cities suggests legislation to its representatives.
The Brevard Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is composed of senior locally elected municipal and county officials. This local multi-jurisdictional agency decides where federal and state road money will be used.<ref>[http://www.brevardmpo.com Brevard MPO Home Page]</ref>
Various elected officials call unofficial "town meetings" to allow the public to express their concerns about issues that the officials should address.<ref>[http://www.cityofcocoabeach.com/news/Current_Newsletter/2003/MAY%2003%20CURRENT.pdf cityofcocoabeach.com]</ref><ref>[http://www.nbbd.com/Beacon/archives/040818/index.html County Commission election draws near]</ref><ref>[http://www.indialantic.com/contents/news_let/2007/Rec02_07.htm indialantic.com] {{Dead link|date=November 2007}}</ref>
The Brevard County Housing Authority acquires and leases housing projects; investigates housing conditions; determines where slums and unsafe housing exist and investigates conditions dangerous to the public. It is managed by citizens appointed by the county commission.<ref>[http://brfamha.org/about.htm About<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
<!---Another bunch that needs merging ---->
Brevard County has two unique election districts. One governs [[Port Canaveral]]; the other, the operation of the [[Sebastian Inlet (Florida)|Sebastian Inlet Recreation Park]].
The Canaveral Port Authority is an independent governmental agency created by the Florida Legislature. Five elected commissioners representing the five port regions are the governing body of Port Canaveral and have jurisdiction over all fiscal and regulatory policies and operations of the Port. The Authority sets policy and can levy taxes. They stopped levying an ad valorum tax on district residents, becoming only the second taxing authority in Florida to do so.<ref>[http://www.portcanaveral.org/portinfo/portauthority.htm portcanaveral.org] {{Dead link|date=November 2007}}</ref>
<!---This is true but can't find a good reference--Brevard County and beach towns have purchased access to the ocean and beaches. Developers and owners were not allowed to "wall off" ocean beach access.--->
The county has hired a federal lobbyist to represent its interests.<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070320/NEWS01/703200331/1010/news0302 Florida Today] {{Dead link|date=November 2007}}</ref>
Brevard expected to have 100,000-300,000 more people by 2020, an increase of 60%. This offers a challenge to local government to keep infrastructure ahead of growth, while preserving the environment.
Based on the mid-point of the growth estimates, if Brevard has 200,000 new residents by 2020, taxpayers will have to meet a list of new requirements, including: 400 more police officers and 362 more firefighters; 25 million more gallons per day of drinking water; 1,334 more teachers; 600 more jail beds. In 2009, the county expected to grow to 763,546 by 2030, a 42% increase.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | title=Editorial:Protecting liquid gold | url=| work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 10A | date=15 April 2009 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref>
===Elected officials===
County Commissioners:
<br>District 1 - Robin Fisher<ref name="brevardcounty.us">[http://www.brevardcounty.us/commission/ Board of County Commissioners Contact Page]</ref>
<br>District 2 - Chuck Nelson<ref>[http://brevardelections.org/county.htm County Government Officials<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
<br>District 3 - Trudie Infantini<ref name="brevardcounty.us"/>
<br>District 4 - Mary Bolin
<br>District 5 -Andy Anderson<ref name="brevardcounty.us"/>
<br>County Manager (appointed) - Stockton Whitten (Interim)
The following are considered state officials but are elected and paid by the county:
<br>Sheriff - J.R. "Jack" Parker
<br>Clerk of the Courts - Scott Ellis
<br>Property Appraiser - Jim Ford
<br>Tax Collector - Lisa Cullen <ref>[http://www.brevardtaxcollector.com/ Brevard Tax Collector Page]</ref>
<br>Supervisor of Elections - Lori Scott <ref>[http://www.votebrevard.com/ Brevard County Elections Page]</ref>
<br>State Attorney - Norm Wolfinger
<br>Public Defender - James F. Russo
In April 2007, the [[Florida Department of Law Enforcement]] seized documents from the office of the county appraiser in connection with an investigation into illegally re-appraising properties at lower values.<ref>{{cite book | author = Torres, John A. |title = FDLE seizes appraiser's files | publisher = Florida Today | date = April 20, 2007}}</ref>
Brevard County lies within [[Florida's 24th congressional district]] which seat is held by [[Suzanne Kosmas]] and within [[Florida's 15th congressional district]] which seat is held by [[Bill Posey]].
===Justice system===
====Courts====
[[File:Brev justicecenter.jpg|thumb|Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Justice Center in Viera]]
The county has centralized most [[County Court of the State of Florida|county]] and circuit courts in Viera which try a variety of cases including felonies, misdemeanors, traffic, and domestic. An elected States Attorney prosecutes cases for the public. Defendants can be represented through the auspices of the office of the elected Public Defender. The [[Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida|18th Circuit Court]] includes [[Seminole County, Florida|Seminole]] as well as Brevard and covers not only the court itself but the prosecutor and the Public Defender.<ref>[http://sa18.state.fl.us States Attorney 18th Circuit Court] accessed January 19, 2008</ref>
The County elects a [[Sheriff#Florida|sheriff]], immediately responsible to the courts but also to the state for the enforcement of state laws.
Police chiefs, appointed by their cities or towns, perform the same function locally. There is no overlap in jurisdictions.
Some volunteers work alongside paid professionals. Included are Citizens Offering Police Support (C.O.P.S.). C.O.P.S. volunteers work under the direction of the County Sheriff and play a part in the county's policing operations.<ref>[http://www.tarleton.edu/~english/tw/acrobat/3103/allen_report.PDF tarleton.edu]</ref>
<!---Can't find a good online reference and don't know how important this is anyway.--Besides an auxiliary force who have no enforcement powers, both the Sheriff and Palm Bay have a reserve status for former officers who wish to work part time.--->
The county jail is a 1976 facility which rapidly became
<!---true of course, but can't find decent reference with FlToday database no longer available--->
overcrowded. When voters consistently turned down expanding the jail, the sheriff solved the problem by the construction of a large but less expensive "hardened tent" to house non-violent offenders.
The county jail retains prisoners who have been sentenced to a year
<!---We need an all-Florida county description. This isn't unique to Brevard.---->
or less. Longer sentences must be served in state prisons, such as the facility in Sharpes for young men.
<!--Note: the CG is not part of the military-->
The Coast Guard, homeported at Port Canaveral, plays a significant role in
preventing illegal immigration, and is the major interdictor of drugs in the area.
Brevard has a Drug Court to reduce the prison population resulting from drug issues.<ref>[http://www.flcourts.org/gen_public/family/drug_court/drgcrt_18.shtml Seventeenth Judicial Circuit]</ref> Drug Court programs adjudicate cases in which offenders are chronic substance abusers through an extensive supervision and
<!---Since Drug Courts are common in Florida, need standard article to link to--->
treatment regimen. Drug Courts require offenders to acknowledge their problems with substances and provide him/her with tools and mechanisms to deal with their addictions, in an effort to reduce or eliminate future criminal conduct. The Drug Court program utilizes a team approach to serve the offenders and the team consists of a judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, treatment
specialists, supervision officers, law enforcement agencies, corrections officials, and others. In exchange for successfully completing this intensive program, the Court may dismiss the charge, reduce the sentence, or offer a combination of other incentives. The police have estimated that 85% of drug dealers and prostitutes are themselves under the influence of drugs or are users trying to get money to purchase drugs.<ref>{{cite book | author = Dodson, Laura |title = Two Brevard communities reclaimed from criminals | publisher = The Florida Catholic | date = April 6-12, 2007}}</ref>
<!---Another one that I can't footnote without Florida Today--->
Melbourne led the nation in [[Methylenedioxymethamphetamine|MDMA]] seizures in 2005.
<!---Area below is new and will need merging --->
Brevard [[Legal Aid]] provides general, civil and domestic violence legal services to low income persons.<ref>[http://brevardcountylegalaid.org/index.html BCLA]</ref> Providers consist of five staff attorneys, three paralegals and 300 volunteer attorneys who offer [[pro bono publico|pro bono]] assistance to referred eligible clients. Victims of domestic violence receive immediate need legal assistance with injunctions for protection through a partnership project with the Women's Center and the domestic violence shelters.
There is a local chapter of the [[American Civil Liberties Union]] (ACLU).<ref>[http://www.legalfreedom.com/brevardaclu/ Brevard Chapter, ACLU of Florida]</ref> In May 2005, the ACLU accused local police and Sheriff's offices of attempting to intimidate protests by conducting surveillance and filming them. As a result, authorities stopped the practice except for good cause.
The county justice system has faced criticism for its reliance on since-discredited dog handler [[John Preston (dog handler)|John Preston]] as an expert witness in the 1980s.<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090621/news01/906210319&template=printart Florida Today, June 21, 2009, Dog handler led to bad evidence: Calls grow for reinvestigating cases from 1980s, BY JOHN A. TORRES and JEFF SCHWEERS]</ref> Brevard County paid Preston over $37,000 as a consultant in the first half of 1984.
The State's Attorney's Office sponsors the Victim/Witness Services.<ref>[http://sa18.state.fl.us/vicsvcs/vicwit.htm Victim/Witness Services]</ref> This provides advocates to victims of violent crime and their families. The advocate helps the family understand the legal system as they navigate through it. They also seek out financial assistance
<!---Again, lack of FlToday database prevents me from citing a ref for the number helped --->
or counseling they might need. In 2005 they helped 8,448 victims in Brevard County.
====Juvenile justice====
The [http://crosswindsyouthservices.org/home/pages/RainwaterCenterforGirls.cfm Rainwater Center for Girls], a day program for girls ages 12–18 who are referred by the Department of Juvenile Justice, offers education, vocational training, counseling, life skills, cultural arts activities, recreation, and community service focused on the developmental needs of girls.
The Department of Juvenile Justice refers selected youths to the Space Coast Marine Institute (SCMI).<ref>[http://www.spacecoastmarineinstitute.org/homepage.html Space Coast Marine Institute: Who are We?]</ref> The SCMI is a six to eight month moderate security residential facility for juvenile boys ages 14–18 who have committed around 4-12 crimes. The young men arrive at the institute with little or no self-esteem and have experienced minimal positive interaction with adults and peers. The mission of SCMI is to address their by providing a scheduled curriculum of academic, vocational and mental health awareness activities. In addition to a personalized academic education, the daily schedule includes programs that build self-confidence and a greater understanding of the world around us.
Juvenile delinquents are sometimes remanded to the Brevard Sheriff's Ranch in Rockledge, a small ranch with buffalo and other animals requiring
<!---Website ref is incredibly uninformative. Little for Brevard-->
care.<ref>[http://www.youthranches.org/mission.htm Mission Statement]</ref><ref>[http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/search.summary/orgid/3703.htm Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches]</ref>
Reentry Brevard contracts with a contractor, often non-profit, to provide halfway services to youth conditionally released from
<!---Lousy ref. The only one I could find online--->
prison.<ref>[http://www.djj.state.fl.us/QA/programreports/conrelease2006/eckbrevard.pdf djj.state.fl.us]</ref>
=== Public services ===
====Public safety====
<!---Please ensure that all information is first placed into BEOC article before placing here. --->
The [[Brevard Emergency Operations Center]] (EOC) provides Homeland Security for the Space Coast.<ref>[http://embrevard.com/ Brevard County Emergency Operation Center]</ref>
The EOC coordinates information regarding the occurrence or threat of any disaster or emergency threatening the safety of the County residents. The EOC uses telephone, television, and the Emergency Services of the County Sheriff, the City Police and Fire Departments to provide coordinated management of all services for cataclysmic events such as Hurricanes, Floods and Terrorism.
The EOC has successfully conducted mass evacuation and relief of hundreds of thousands of residents from hurricanes since 1999 including two in 2004.
Port Canaveral is under the direction of the Port Authority. Emphasis is placed on monitoring the content of containerized cargo on incoming ships, as well as underwater inspection of arriving ships that could be carrying explosive devices.
A Coast Guard Cutter, homeported at USCG Station Port Canaveral, Florida, stops potentially threatening commercial shipping prior to reaching the coast. There are over 40,000 boats registered in the area. A few of these are of continuing concern to CG authorities.<ref>{{cite book | author = Moore, Kimberly C. |title = Coast Guard calls for GPS, ID rules to keep track of boaters | publisher = Florida Today | date = November 25, 2007}}</ref>
<!---Florida Today had a nice article on disarming bombs found towards Sebastian where various training crews dropped live bombs during WWII, some of which failed to go off. FlToday no longer online so can't find it.----The area has been saturated with live bombs during World War II and thereafter.{{Fact|date=March 2007}} The US Army 766th Ordnance Company ([[Bomb disposal|Explosive Ordnance Disposal]]) disarms and safely explodes bombs when they are located.--->
Evacuation routes are insufficient to handle the resulting heavy traffic westbound when an emergency is declared. A major westbound route (US 192) was expanded in 2008 to four lanes to accommodate the south Brevard population.<ref>[http://www.brevardmpo.com/projects/des_cst.htm Design & Construction Projects - This page Under Construction. Information may change.]</ref>
In 2004, hurricanes destroyed one in every hundred homes in the South County area. Within two blocks of the beach nearly every building sustained some damage. Barefoot Bay, a mobile housing development, was essentially destroyed.<ref>[http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20040927-0035-jeanne-barefootbay.html Hurricane Jeanne left few homes unscathed in huge Florida mobile home park]</ref> Winds tore off the roof of a shelter for special needs people in an elementary school.<ref>[http://www.palmbeachpost.com/storm/content/news/epaper/2004/09/27/a21a_melbourne_0927.html Southern reaches bore brunt of winds]</ref> Emergency Workers were forced to evacuate these people at the peak of the storm.
In September 2005, 1,400 survivors of [[Hurricane Katrina]] took refuge in the county.
Experience with hurricanes [[Hurricane Charley|Charley]], [[Hurricane Frances|Frances]] and [[Hurricane Jeanne|Jeanne]] in 2004 prompted the formation of the Brevard Long Term Recovery Coalition, consisting of [[United Way of America]] officials and other emergency-needs experts.<ref>[http://www.taxexemptworld.com/organization.asp?tn=507795 BREVARD LONG TERM RECOVERY COALITION]</ref> They recorded the experiences Brevard had developed to restore services after the storms struck. In fall 2005, they passed information they had learned along to [[Gulf Coast]] planners attempting to recover from Katrina.
The media has estimated that 26,000 people who would need evacuation have not volunteered this information to Emergency Officials. In the past people have tended to postpone evacuation notification until after the causeways and bridges have been closed and no evacuation is possible.
<!--- So what? ---->
Brevard County posts lifeguards at fourteen protected areas at various beach front parks. The county is {{convert|70|mi|km}} long and most areas cannot be protected. The scope of responsibility for the lifeguards include accident and drowning prevention, public education, citizen assist, search and recovery of lost children, basic life support, and swimmer rescue.
Two [[United States Coast Guard Auxiliary|Coast Guard Auxiliary]] Flotillas offer boating safety courses.<!---they all do, I suppose--->
North Brevard stands second in the state and the nation with 22,000 lightning strikes annually.<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080626/NEWS01/806260333/1006/news01&referrer=NEWSFRONTCAROUSEL Florida Today] retrieved June 26, 2008</ref>
<!---Should this be organized with transportation, highways? -->
Highway fatalities have decreased nationally, but increased in Florida and locally. Officials are focused on setting and enforcing speed limits and widening the local turnpike, now underway. The flatness of the area prevent runoff during rainstorms and causes cars to hydroplane. The highway department takes deliberate measures to re-engineer roads to avoid hydroplaning.<ref>[http://www.gannett.com/go/newswatch/2001/february/nw0216-1.htm FLORIDA TODAY REPORT EXAMINES DANGERS OF INTERSTATE 95 -- LEGISLATORS DEMAND BARRIERS; OFFICIALS LOBBY FOR MORE TROOPERS]</ref>
There are 64 firestations in the county, 28 of which are run by various cities.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | title=Fire stations | url= | work= | publisher=Florida Today Fact Book | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 26 | date=28 March 2009 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref>
There are 1,200 law enforcement officers working in the county, of which 361 are sheriff's deputies.<ref>{{cite news | first=Rick | last=Neale | title=Police chase grants, bu there's a catch | url= | work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 1A | date=3 April 2009 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref> Of all crime that came to the attention of the sheriff's office in 2007, 80% was drug-related.<ref>{{cite news | first=Klyne | last=Nowlin| title=Sheriff Faces Tough Challenges | url=| work= | publisher=Intercom (Military Officers Association of America) | location=Patrick AFB, Florida | pages= 11 | date=April 2008 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref><!---Sheriff Jack Parker in a speech to MOACC-->
Project Lifesaver can tag at-risk adults and children with locator devices. This allows guardians to track wandering people with Alzheimers, dementia, autism, etc.<ref>[http://www.mbpd.org/Project%20Lifesaver.htm Project Lifesaver]</ref>
====Public health====
The state<ref>These are often misidentified as "County" medical</ref> has three public health locations in the county which give immunization shots, provide health information, and track and report on serious diseases or conditions, like HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, encephalitis, and West Nile.<ref>[http://www.doh.state.fl.us/chdBrevard/directory/maps.htm Locations and Maps - Brevard County Health Department]</ref>
The area was once named "Mosquito County."<ref>[http://www.floridanetlink.com/brevard.php Map of Brevard County]</ref> [[Mosquitos]] carry serious diseases, including encephalitis. Brevard County Mosquito Control reduces the mosquito population by many means including adulticiding, larviciding, source reduction, aquatic weed control, waste tire abatement, disease monitoring (of chickens and mosquito-susceptible animals,) environmental monitoring, and biological control of mosquitoes.<ref>[http://countygovt.brevard.fl.us/mosquito/ countygovt.brevard.fl.us] {{Dead link|date=November 2007}}</ref>
Brevard is among the top 100 counties in the US for asbestos-related deaths. Government officials have addressed this issue.
While no one has ever died from it in Brevard County, animal [[rabies]] is prevalent, often carried in this area by raccoons.<ref>[http://www.brevardcounty.us/newsdocs/0703HDrabies.pdf brevardcounty.us]</ref> Public announcements and public awareness appear to have prevented fatalities.
In 2005, a woman died from flesh-eating bacteria ([[Necrotizing fasciitis]]) that she contracted from the [[St. Johns River]]. Two or three cases are typically reported in the county each year.
An ocean condition known as "[[red tide]]" occasionally affects people beachside. This occurred in November-December 2007 and November-January 2002.<ref>{{cite book | author = Waymer, Jim |title = Red tide-related ailments may return with onshore winds | publisher = Florida Today | date = December 6, 2007}}</ref>
====Public recreation====
[[File:na col.jpg|thumb|Boardwalk over wetlands area at Chain of Lakes in Titusville]]
More than 200 parks, 3 campgrounds, and 6 public golf courses in the county are managed by local government agencies. Offering residents and visitors a wide range of leisure opportunities, the parks include athletic complexes, community centers, aquatic centers, nature centers, trails, conservation areas, beach parks, historic sites, and boating and fishing access to lakes, the Indian River Lagoon and the St. Johns River.<ref>[http://www.brevardparks.com/index.php County Parks & Recreation]</ref><ref>[http://brevardparks.com/parks_other/index.php Directory of City Parks]</ref>
In 2000, Brevard County voters approved bond referendums that provided funding for construction or improvement of over 50 county parks in North Brevard, Merritt Island, and South Brevard. Citizen Committees and Advisory Boards identified community recreational needs. These projects were submitted by the Recreation Advisory Boards to the Board of County Commissioners to be included in the referendum. While some projects are as simple as improved playground equipment, other projects are of a regional nature requiring extensive community planning, permitting and land acquisition. In November 2006, the Board of County Commissioners provided taxpayers the opportunity to vote on issuing additional bonds. The voters approved the additional bonds and with no tax rate increase resulting, because the millage previously approved generates the revenue to repay both sets of bonds.<ref>[http://www.brevardparks.com/referendum/index.html Parks Referendum Projects]</ref>
In 11 sanctuaries that protect natural ecosystems, the county's Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program offers passive recreation opportunities such as hiking, wildlife viewing, biking and paddling. The Management & Education Center at The Enchanted Forest Sanctuary in Titusville, is the EEL Program's first regional educational facility. The EEL Program was established in 1990 to protect the natural habitats of Brevard County by acquiring environmentally sensitive lands for conservation, passive recreation, and environmental education. This was made possible by citizens who voted to tax themselves up to $55 million dollars for the acquisition and maintenance of Brevard's natural areas. Residents reaffirmed the EEL Program in 2004 under a second referendum to protect the natural habitats within Brevard County by the acquisition of environmentally sensitive lands through a willing seller program for the purpose of conservation, passive recreation, and environmental education.
To maximize the funding, the EEL Program forms partnerships with federal, state and local agencies that are committed to the protection of natural resources and our long-term quality of life. EEL sanctuaries are managed to preserve native habitats and the plants and animals that live there.<ref name="About the EEL Program">[http://www.eelbrevard.com/ About the EEL Program]</ref><ref name="EEL Program on Flickr">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/eelbrevard EEL Program on Flickr]</ref>
In conservation areas managed by the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), recreational opportunities include hiking, bike and equestrian trails, camping, boating and fishing. Although the District's main goal of buying land is to protect water resources, these lands protect plant and wildlife habitat and provide areas for public recreation and environmental education.<ref>[http://www.sjrwmd.com/recreationguide/index.html SJRWMD Recreation Guide]</ref>
The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge<ref>[http://www.fws.gov/merrittisland/ Merritt Island Nat'l Wildlife Refuge]</ref> and the Canaveral National Seashore<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/cana Canaveral Nat'l Seashore]</ref> are 2 national wildlife refuges in the county that offer recreational pursuits such as hiking, wildlife viewing, paddling, and environmental education.
====Libraries====
The county centrally controls all 20 libraries in the county.<ref>{{cite book | author = Test, Linda |title = The Fact Book: Libraries near you | publisher = Florida Today | date = February 24, 2007}}</ref> There
are 900,000 volumes.<ref>[http://www.brev.org/about_bcl/administration/about_bcl.htm About Brevard County Libraries]</ref> One library card is valid at all locations, and
materials are loaned between locations through a daily courier
<!---A bit excessive having its own subsection for 1 para.--->
service and outside our libraries via Inter-Library Loan. Periodical subscriptions stand at about 2,250. The libraries own over
18,000 videos and 21,000 sound recordings. Personal computers for
public use are hooked up on broadband in all libraries.
====Social services====
{{Main|Brevard County Social Services}}
Brevard County tries to provide a number of unique services to help the aged, juveniles, the physically and mentally handicapped, and minorities.
=== Elections ===
{{Unreferenced|date=December 2008}}
{| align="center" border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|+ '''Presidential elections results'''
|- bgcolor=orange
! Year
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
! [[Third Parties|Other]]
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2008|2008]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''54.5%'''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|44.2%
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|0.4%
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2004|2004]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''57.7%'''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|41.6%
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|0.8%
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2000|2000]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''52.8% '''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|44.6%
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|1.8%
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1996|1996]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''45.1%'''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|41.2%
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|13.6%
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1992|1992]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''43.2%'''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|31.2%
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|25.6%
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1988|1988]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''70.3%'''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|28.8%
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|0.9%
|}
==Geography==
===Geographic features===
[[File:Monument US 1 Brevard Volusia county line.jpg|thumb|The Brevard-Volusia county-line]]According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of 1,557 square miles (4,032 km²), of which, 1,018 square miles (2,637 km²) of it is land and 539 square miles (1,395 km²) of it (34.60%) is water, primarily the Atlantic Ocean, the [[St. John's River]] and the [[Indian River Lagoon]]. The county is larger in area than Samoa and nearly the same size, and population, as Cape Verde.<ref>[http://www.mongabay.com/igapo/world_statistics_by_area.htm List of Countries by Land Mass - Ranked by Area] retrieved May 22, 2007</ref> It is one third of the size of Rhode Island.
Located half-way between [[Jacksonville, Florida]] and [[Miami, Florida|Miami]], Brevard County is an extra-long county, extending over {{convert|70|mi|km}} from north to south, but only a handful of miles inland from the seacoast at any point. In marshes in the western part of this county is the source of the [[St. Johns River]].
The [[Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway]] along the eastern edge of Brevard County is the major [[waterway]] route in Brevard County. It includes the [[Indian River (Florida)|Indian River]]. Additional waterways include [[Lake Washington (Florida)|Lake Washington]], [[Lake Poinsett]], [[Lake Winder]], [[Sawgrass Lake]], [[St. Johns River]], and the [[Banana River]].
Brevard County is the sole county in the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area (formerly the Melbourne-Titusville-Cocoa, Florida Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area and Melbourne-Titusville-Palm Bay, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area).
The county has a canals<ref>[http://florida.hometownlocator.com/features/cultural,class,canal,scfips,12009.cfm]</ref> for transportation and drainage:
*[[Merritt Island Barge Canal|Canaveral Barge Canal]], Courtenay - transportation
*Faulk Canal, Cocoa
*Grand Canal, Tropic
*[[Old Haulover Canal|Haulover Canal]], Mims - transportation
*Melbourne Tillman Canal, Melbourne West - drainage
*Old Canal, Wilson
*C-54 Canal - on the south Brevard County Line - drainage
====Climate====
<!---Title is "weather" in WP:counties. I prefer "climate"--->
<!--We need someone who can assess climate on Koppen scale, probably Cf, but not really sure.--->
<!---the first of the following is definitely climate not environment. Move--->
Climate surprisingly varies in this very long (72 mile) county, particularly in winter. In north county, northern flora can thrive, like deciduous trees. In the south county, sub-tropical plants can grow, such as royal palm trees.
Brevard has subtropical climate, with a distinct wet and dry seasons. The dry lasts from December through May. The wet from June through November.
January is the coldest month with an average low of {{convert|50.7|°F|°C}}; average high {{convert|71|°F|°C|abbr=on}}. The warmest months are July and August with average highs of {{convert|90|°F|°C|abbr=on}}; average lows 72.2. The driest month is April with 1.6" rainfall; the wettest September, 6.6".<ref>Space Coast Visitor's Guide,''Florida Today'',2007 Winter/Sprint Edition</ref>
Florida is a large subtropical state that experiences hurricanes. Although Brevard county is located along Florida's eastern peninsula, it is less frequently impacted by direct hurricane landfalls than portions of the Panhandle or South Florida. There are two predominant reasons for this. First, westward moving tropical systems often reach an atmospheric ridge weakness in the Bermuda High by the time they approach Florida at a latitude as northerly as Brevard County. Combined with frontal systems that exit the United States' East Coast, many of these tropical systems are steered northwest and eventually curve northward offshore Florida's East Central Coast. A second reason is that hurricanes landfalling along the Florida peninsular Gulf Coast often weaken to a tropical storm by the time they move northeast to affect Brevard County (with some exceptions, such as 2004's Charley).
Although Brevardians may refer to past storms as "hurricanes", by the time they strike here, some of them may have subsided to tropical storms or depressions. Because of the threat of storm surge, the beach community on the barrier island is often required to evacuate well in advance of the storm.<ref>[http://www.ocean-beach.com/weather_hurricanes.htm#Areas%20At%20Risk Hurricanes]</ref>
[[Tornado]]s spinning off from even small storms can result in severe damage in small areas.<ref>[http://www.wxdude.com/Severe.html Questions on Thunderstorms and Severe Weather<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Five hurricanes have directly affected Brevard since 1950: [[Hurricane David|David]] (September 3, 1979), Hurricane Erin (August 2, 1995) - made landfall near Sebastian Inlet and caused mostly minor wind damage and more extensive flooding countywide, [[Hurricane Charley|Charley]] (August 13, 2004) - Caused damage in Titusville and North Brevard. [[Hurricane Frances|Frances]] (September 3, 2004) - Struck neighboring [[Vero Beach]], [[Indian River County]] directly and caused widespread wind damage throughout Brevard,<ref>[http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1995erin.html TPC NHC ERIN 1995 PRELIMINARY REPORT<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Hurricane Jeanne|Jeanne]] (September 26, 2004) - Struck Vero, directly, following very nearly the same path as Frances. The latter two storms caused widespread damage in South Brevard. Slightly more than half of one percent (0.6%) of houses were lost.<ref>[http://www.bebr.ufl.edu/FloridaFocus/FloridaFocus1_3_2005.pdf bebr.ufl.edu]</ref> <!--this is true but I can't find it documented online!--usually due to a pane or other small hole in the dwelling Wind blew in water. Electricity was out. Resultant mildew in the heat resulted in total destruction of an outwardly appearing solid structure.---- true but no documentation available online-->
The following storms did not affect Brevard County with hurricane force winds: [[Hurricane Floyd|Floyd]] (September 15, 1999),<ref>[http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/floydsum.html Hurricane Floyd Preliminary Summary]</ref> and [[Hurricane Irene (1999)|Irene]] (October 16, 1999).<ref>[http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/irenesum.html Hurricane Irene Preliminary Summary 10-16-99]</ref>
[[Tropical Storm Fay]] dropped a record rainfall of {{convert|27.65|in}} in 2008.<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081002/NEWS01/810020328/1006/news01&referrer=NEWSFRONTCAROUSEL] retrieved October 2, 2008</ref>
====Environment====
{{Main|Environmental issues in Brevard County}}
[[File:Eel scrub.jpg|thumb|Pine flatwoods and sand pine scrub]]
Brevard works together with the federal and state government to control pollution and preserve wetlands and coastal areas through lands dedicated to conservation and wildlife protection. These lands include [[Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge]], the [[Canaveral National Seashore]], the [[St. Johns National Wildlife Refuge]], the [[Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge]], several conservation areas managed by the [[St. Johns River Water Management District]], Brevard County's Environmentally Endangered Lands Program Sanctuaries,<ref name="About the EEL Program"/> and lands dedicated by the State as conservation areas.
===Transportation===
{{Main|Brevard County Transportation}}
Brevard County has transportation available in the usual modes for a coastal county - highways, shipping, and airlines.
Public transportation is provided by [[Space Coast Area Transit]].<ref>[http://www.ridescat.com]</ref>
===Power===
[[Florida Power and Light]] maintains a oil-fired generating plant at [[Sharpes, Florida]]. It generates 800 megawatts, supplying most of the requirements for the county. In 2008 the company announced plans to replace the plant with a more efficient natural gas-powered plant in 2013 with a 1,250 megawatt capacity which can supply 250,000 homes or businesses.<ref>[http://partners.marketcenter.com/cboe/news/story.action?id=KRO122e1174&symbol=&count=10 FPL Company News] retrieved May 4, 2008</ref>
===Adjacent counties===
*[[Volusia County, Florida]] - north
*[[Indian River County, Florida]] - south
*[[Osceola County, Florida]] - southwest
*[[Orange County, Florida]] - west
*[[Seminole County, Florida]] - northwest
{{Geographic Location
|Centre = Brevard County, Florida
|North = [[Volusia County, Florida|Volusia County]]
|Northeast =
|East = [[Atlantic Ocean]]
|Southeast =
|South = [[Indian River County, Florida|Indian River County]]
|Southwest = [[Osceola County, Florida|Osceola County]]
|West = [[Orange County, Florida|Orange County]]
|Northwest = [[Seminole County, Florida|Seminole County]]
}}
===Fauna===
[[Love bug]] season occurs twice annually in May and August-September. Motorists, usually, encounter swarms of these while driving during a four week period.<ref>[http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0015-4040(197003)53%3A1%3C23%3ABOT%22PN%3E2.0.CO%3B2-5 Biology of the "Love-Bug", Plecia Nearctica (Diptera: Bibionidae)] accessed September 21, 2007</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=Jim | last=Waymer| title=Lovebugs like it (your car) hot | url=| work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 1A | date=3 May 2009 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref>
[[Turkey vultures]], a migrating species, are protected by federal law. They migrate north in the summer and return in September.<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090923/NEWS01/909230326/1086/Vultures+migrate+back+to+Brevard Florida Today] retrieved September 23, 2009</ref>
==Economy==
===Personal income===
As of the census of 2000:
* Median income for a family - $47,571
* Median income for males - $36,542
* Median income for females - $24,632
* [[Per capita income]] - $21,484
* Median income for a household - $40,099
* In 2005, the median income for a household had risen to $43,281<ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=Brevard+county&_cityTown=Brevard+county&_state=04000US12&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010 Brevard County, Florida]</ref>
The county ranked 17th for per capita income, out of Florida's 67 counties.
The following were below the [[poverty line]] in 2000:
* Families - 6.80%
* Total population - 9.50%
* Under age 18 - 13.00%
* Age 65 or older - 6.50%
===Housing===
The county's median home price reached a high in August 2005 at $248,700.<ref>''Florida Today'',March 22, 2007, page 7A</ref> New home permits fell in 2007 to 1,894, the lowest since 1982.<ref>Florida Today, January 20, 2008, "New home permits in Brevard hit lowest level in 25 years. Staff authored</ref> Sales of existing homes fell 19% in 2007 from the prior year to 373 monthly. The median drop in home prices was 50% from 2005 to 2008, from $248, 700 to $125,200. However, when choices for smaller homes was eliminated, prices on individual homes fell 25%; down 33% for individual condos.<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/content/databases/allsales.shtml]</ref> In 2000, the median sale price of homes in Brevard was $100,000. With the collapse in the [[United States housing bubble|housing bubble]], homes now are often about the same price, with median homes in 2009 selling for $89,400.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20091108/BUSINESS/91108001&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL |title=$100K homes dominate the market |accessdate= |author=John McCarthy |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2009-11-08 |year= |month= |work= Florida Today |publisher=Florida Today |pages= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref><!---need to think about moving some of this stuff out to "history." Getting a bit crowded in here--->
In a separate study, a consulting firm determined that house prices in the county were 46.1% overvalued in 2005 at $212,000 average. The same firm determined that prices were 19.3% undervalued in 2008 at $129,400.<ref>{{cite news | first=Anne | last=Straub | title=Home prices undervalued | url=| work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 1F | date=31 May 2009 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref>
In 2008, a number of mortgage insurers [[blacklisted|blackmarked]] Brevard, along with a quarter of the total nations zip codes. This was intended to thwart potential buyers who wish to pay less than 20% down on a home.<ref>{{cite book | author = Staff and wire reports |title = Insurers strike homebuyers | publisher = Florida Today | date = March 21, 2008}}</ref>
In 2009 an economist said that the Brevard housing market will not recover until at least 2011.<ref>Orlando economist Hank Fishkind. See next footnote</ref><ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090109/BUSINESS/901090311/1006/NEWS01] retrieved January 10, 2009</ref> A later analysis in 2009 seemed to agree, saying that the market would fall 41.4% to bottom out by the end of 2010.<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/home/2009/01/07/housing-cities-realestate-forbeslife-cx_do_0107realestateweak.html] retrieved January 23, 2009</ref><!---article was a bit ambiguous saying once that it needed to fall 41.4% from the top and later, 41.4% from where it was at the start of 2009. This is too painful to insert without a little more clarification---><!---while the article says "Palm Bay" it clearly meant the metro area BTW so we don't get off that easy. Sorry--->
In 2008 Brevard expected to have 100,000-300,000 more people by 2020, an increase of 60%.
In 2008, there were 1,550 permits for residential projects valued at $355.45 million. That is the lowest number of filings since 1975.<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090203/BUSINESS/902030308/1006/NEWS01] retrieved February 4, 2009</ref>
Annual foreclosures rose from a low of 1,144 in 2005 to 9,228 in 2008.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | title=Foreclosure filings keep coming | url= | work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 8C | date=30 March 2009 | id=| accessdate=}}</ref>
====Communities====
Rockledge is hoping to revitalize Barton Boulevard.
Three communities have either decided or are considering placing
<!---When footnoting, I need to state which communities--->
electric lines most vulnerable to high winds, underground despite the high cost.
Cape Canaveral and Satellite Beach have declared a moratorium on converting commercially zoned areas to residential.
The company developing West Viera gained state permission and county acquiescence to create a self-governing board that could raise taxes and sell bonds to pay for roads, water lines, pumping stations and other infrastructure needed to support the construction of 16,500 houses, apartments and condominiums. The company proved that development could fund itself.
===Industry===
<!---Some of the following will need to be moved below--->
The Brevard economy has been driven by Trade, Transportation and Utilities
<!---Great header, I think --->
(18%), Professional and Business Services (17%), Total government (15%), Education and Health (14%), Manufacturing (12%), Leisure and hospitality (10%), Construction (6%), Financial (4%).
In 2005, Inc. Magazine voted the Space Coast as the best place to do business in Florida and sixth in the country.
In 2004, Brevard County ranked 13th out of 318 largest counties in the US for increase in the number of jobs. The county moved from 70 to 31 out of the top 200 metropolitan areas "Best Performing." This improvement was driven mainly by job growth.
Port Canaveral is the world's busiest cruise port. It is served by seven cruise lines. They have six major cruise terminals. There is 750,000 SF of covered freight storage capacity. It handled 4 million tons of cargo in 2004. The port has boosted Brevard's economy by $500 million annually.
American City Business Journals rated Brevard 7th for quality of life out of 67.
Two hospitals were among the top five private employers in the county.
A concern has been the probable re-assignment of thousands of space coast workers when the shuttle is discontinued in 2010. In 2009, 3,500 jobs were expected to be lost.<ref>{{cite book | author= Ash, Jim | title= Agencies face close scrutiny | publisher= [[Florida Today]] | date= March 8, 2009}}</ref>
Two locally headquartered builders, Mercedes and Holiday were among the top 30 in the nation. Mercedes had $1 billion in sales in 2004.
The Cocoa Redevelopment Center has worked on programs to improve housing in the city's older areas.
Inc. magazine selected two local small companies as among the fastest growing in the country over the past 3 years - Applied Global Technology (nearly 100% annually) and Stops (nearly 200% annually).
Though the area has a relatively small number of high technology companies, 736, a business journal ranked it eighth in the country as a high tech center in 2009. The area had 23,096 high-tech jobs with a ratio of 124 per 1,000 total jobs.<ref>{{cite news | first=Patrick | last=Peterson | title=Florida Tech, KSC are technology assets | url=| work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 11A | date=15 May 2009 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref>
====Military====
Military installations in Brevard County include [[Patrick Air Force Base]], near [[Satellite Beach, Florida|Satellite Beach]], [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station]] (CCAFS), adjacent to the Kennedy Space Center, and the U.S. Air Force Malabar Test Facility on Minton Road in
<!---Isn't this a tracking station for NASA run by the USAF?--->
suburban Palm Bay.
The Navy maintains a Trident turning basin at Port Canaveral for [[Ballistic Missile Submarine]]s. The [[Naval Ordnance Test Unit]] (NOTU) tests weapons on these subs which arrive at the rate of one a month. The 2005 Base closures included realigning NOTU out of state. However, the community was successful in getting this decision revoked. Much credit goes to the Space Coast Defense Alliance, a branch of the Economic Development Council.
CCAFS houses the [[Air Force Space & Missile Museum]] that is in the
<!---Well more than just that. Needs at least one more sentence here--->
launch control bunker of Launch Pad 26 where many unmanned rockets were launched early in the U.S. space program including the Explorer, one of the first space craft placed in earth orbit.
The Cape Canaveral [[Navy League]] council supports the Sea Services
<!---Probably should be deleted--->
by adopting ships and units of the Navy and Coast Guard. It also provides a means for civilians to socialize with the officers and crew of allied Navies when they visit port.
[[Northrup Grumman]] develops the military [[E-8 Joint STARS|JSTARS]] electronics surveillance system used in all major US conflicts since 1990.
The {{USS|Brevard|AK-164}} was a World War II Alamosa-class naval cargo ship that was decommissioned shortly after the war.<!---I placed this here, but maybe it would be better in the history section?--->
====Agriculture====
23% of Brevard County is agricultural-usable for citrus, raising cattle or horses. Cattle ranches include the Deseret and Duda Ranches; citrus growers include Victory Groves and Harvey's Indian River Groves.
The county ranked 21 out of 24 Florida counties in the shipment of gift fruit.
There are 40 [[4-H]] related clubs in the county including livestock- and pet-related and after school clubs.<ref>[http://www.nbbd.com/npr/4H/index.html nbbd.com]</ref>
====Tourism====
In 2008, tourists spent $2.89 billion in the county. This is distributed in several categories: lodging $839 million, eating and drinking $509 million, Kennedy Space Center $597 million, Retail sales $450 million, entertainment $120 million, and Port Canaveral $109 million.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | title=Tourist dollar dreams | url= | work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 1E | date=19 April 2009 | id=| accessdate=}}</ref> Brevard tourists come mainly from ten states: Florida itself is first, followed by Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Virginia, Wisconsin, Georgia, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. The five primary sources of foreign visitors are: Canada, England, Germany, China and Italy.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | title=More tourists may not mean more buying | url= | work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 3E | date=19 April 2009 | id=| accessdate=}}</ref>
Brevard competes with other Florida areas for tourists. A number of organizations help promote the area.
The Space Coast Office of Tourism consists of county staff and the Brevard County Tourist Development Council (TDC). They attempt to attract tourists. The TDC serves as an advisory council to the county on the expenditures of revenues received from a tourist tax. This revenue is spent on beach improvements, visitor information centers and website,<ref>[http://www.space-coast.com//] Florida's Space Coast</ref> promotion and advertising, the [[Brevard Zoo]], additional beach improvements and the Space Coast Stadium.
In 2008 monthly tourist tax revenue slumped from a high of $1,174,742 in March to a seasonal low in September of $432,145.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | title=Tourism tax wanes | url= | work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 8C | date=30 March 2009 | id=| accessdate=}}</ref>
In 2004, Brevard experienced its best October and November tourism until then, despite widespread hurricane damage and loss of five beachside hotels. Four of these hotels were restored by 2006.
In 2008, the county had 11,000 hotel rooms available. In July 2007, there was a 66.1% occupancy rate.<ref>{{cite book | author = Bakancia, Donna |title = Brevard hotels strive to attract guests as summer nears and new facilities open | publisher = Florida Today | date = April 27, 2008}}</ref> In 2008, the county had a nearly identical 81%+ occupancy rate in March and April. This fell to a seasonal low of 42.3% in September.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | title=Room occupancy could pick up | url= | work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 8C | date=30 March 2009 | id=| accessdate=}}</ref>
''Cocoa Main Street'', a member of the Florida and National Main Street Programs, works toward restoring business sites in the historic area known as "Cocoa Village." ''Cocoa Main Street'' has received six Florida Main Street Awards given by the Secretary of State. The restored area is a tourist attraction and an economic magnet.<ref>[http://www.cocoamainstreet.com/] Cocoa Main Street</ref> ''Melbourne Main Street'' is another historic business area and tourist attraction restored through the Main Street Programs.<ref>[http://www.downtownmelbourne.com/] Melbourne Main Street</ref>
Brevard has five judged art festivals annually attracting tens of thousands of people to art displays. Most festivals are held in the spring or fall when many tourists can attend. Many other annual festivals are held in parks and public sites throughout the year. The Brevard Cultural Alliance (BCA) maintains an event calendar<ref>[http://www.artsbrevard.org/events/] BCA Cultural Events Calendar</ref> and a map of sites of historic, cultural, and ecological interest.<ref>[http://www.artsbrevard.org/resources/map.html] BCA Arts Map</ref>
For Brevard County businesses, fishing tournaments, such as the Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series tournament in August, bring more than $2.5 million a year in direct spending and more in indirect spending. Tournaments provide a revenue source for the county and local businesses.
The annual Grant Seafood Festival attracts as many as 50,000 people for the two day February event. It is the Southeast's largest and longest running seafood festival.<ref>[http://www.grantseafoodfestival.com] Grant Seafood Festival</ref>
The Globe Sebastian Inlet Pro surfing contest, on the county line, draws 16,000 visitors the second weekend in January.{{Citation needed|date=January 2008}}
An ice skating rink in Rockledge serves the county's residents and visitors with hockey and figure skating events.<ref>{{cite book | author = Dowling, Lyn |title = IcePlex gets new owners | publisher = Florida Today | date = January 14, 2008}}</ref>
====Competitiveness====
In August 2009, Florida Trend rated two Brevard companies, Harris Corporation<ref>[http://www.floridatrend.com/article.asp?aID=51437] "Best Large Companies - 2009". Florida Trend.</ref> and Health First Health Plans<ref>[http://www.floridatrend.com/article.asp?aID=51438] "Best Midsized Companies - 2009". Florida Trend.</ref>, in their rankings of the best places to work in Florida.
In May 2009, the Palm Bay-Melbourne area was ranked as the #8 tech center in the United States by [[Bizjournals]]. It overcame its low number of total high-tech companies and jobs by having a high number of jobs per high tech company (#4) and high tech jobs compared to total private-sector jobs (#2).<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/edit_special/79.html] G. Scott Thomas (May 11, 2009). "San Jose leads as America's top tech center". bizjournals.</ref>
<!---It's possible that some of this should be under Labor--->
The Milken institute ranked Brevard number one, out of 200 largest metropolitan areas, in overall job growth for 2005.
Forbes magazine ranked Melbourne 2nd out of 150 metropolitan areas in the US, for the percentage of the population that are engineers,
<!---Need year as well as footnote--->
6.6%, just ahead of Silicon Valley.
Brevard County's unemployment rate fell to a record low 2.8% in December 2005.
In 2006, [[Forbes magazine]] named Harris Corporation, headquartered in
<!---check on redundancy--->
Brevard, to its "Platinum 400" List.
The Technological Research and Development Authority, based in the Space Coast, delivers technologies to schools and small businesses throughout the State of Florida. They obtain this information through strategic alliances with NASA, the federal government, the aerospace industry and state partners. They also sponsor a business incubator at the [[Melbourne International Airport|Melbourne Airport]].
The [[National Association of Realtors]] reported that existing homes prices in Brevard rose 33% annually the third quarter of 2005,
<!---Boy, this is outdated. Badly needs to be replaced.--->
the sixth highest metropolitan area in the nation (out of 147). There was a slight decrease in existing home prices the last quarter of 2005.
In October, 2005, Brevard realized that the average owner of a house
<!---Needs replacement--->
could not afford that house at current prices! The same month, the sale price of existing homes dropped by 8%.
In January 2005, [[CNN]]/[[Money]] ranked the homes in "Palm Bay" perhaps referring to all of the Space Coast as "49% overvalued" and within 10% of the most overvalued homes in the United States.
In 2005, the [[Sunrise Bank]] of Cocoa Beach became the first bank in the state to have a mobile branch.
The City of Palm Bay made the finals for "All American City" for three years 2003-2005.
===Labor===
Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is the largest employer in the county with 15,000 contractors and civil servants.<ref>{{cite book | author = Halvorson, Todd |title = KSC chief says more tech work needed | publisher = Florida Today | date = May 12, 2007}}</ref> While there is concern about the new generation of space vehicles requiring 1/3 fewer workers, about that number are eligible for retirement by 2011.
Unions represented at KSC include American Federation of Government Workers, International Association of Machinists and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Brevard County Teachers are represented by the Brevard Federation of Teachers (AFT).
In 2005, the Next Generation Consulting for Leadership Brevard, a leadership development organization for local business and civic groups, and Brevard Tomorrow commissioned a survey of people 21-44. Basically, these people often found the area "boring", mainly because it is family-friendly at the expense of being singles-friendly. While this may have labor repercussions later, currently business is having no problems hiring.
The county had an unemployment rate of 3.5% in August 2005, near a record low.
In early 2005, Forbes ranked the area 27th in job growth out of 150 metropolitan areas in the country. The county ranked 18th in the nation for mid-sized areas in 2006.<ref>{{cite book | author = Price, Wayne T. |title = Brevard's ranking slips, but it's still a boomtown | publisher = Florida Today | date = May 1, 2007}}</ref>
Manpower Employment Outlook Survey said the hiring outlook in Brevard for the last quarter of 2005 was the 19th-best in the nation among the 470 communities participating in the survey.
2004 Hurricane recovery has helped the area achieve high employment.
===Banking===
The Space Coast Credit Union is the largest locally-based financial institution in Brevard and the largest credit union in the state with assets of $1.44 billion.<ref>[http://www.corillian.com/corporate/news/XcNewsPlus.asp?cmd=view&articleid=280 Space Coast Credit Union to Strengthen Its Online Banking with Corillian Consumer Banking]</ref><ref>{{cite book | author = Sonnenberg, Maria|title = Union Label | publisher = Florida Today | date = April 8, 2007}}</ref>
===Communication and utilities===
The [[area code]] for most of the county became "[[Area code 321|321]]" in 1999: as in the "3...2...1... Lift Off!" countdown sequence. A small portion of the county along the southern border, including the communities of Micco and Barefoot Bay, share a [[Area code 772|772 area code]] with a neighboring county to the south.
Two power plants in Brevard generate electricity from petroleum delivered by barge. The output from one plant (Florida Power and Light) is used locally, the other by Orlando.
==Demographics==
[[File:US12A009 Age.png|thumb|left|200px|Aging (2000 census)]]
[[File:US12A009 Income.png|thumb|right|200px|Median income (2000 census)]]
As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were in the county:
* People - 476,230 people
* Households - 198,195
* Families - 132,394
* [[population density]] - 181/km² (468/sq mi)
* Housing units - 222,072
* Average housing density - 84/km² (218/sq mi)
The total population is larger than America's least-populated state, Wyoming.
The racial makeup of the county was:
* [[Race (United States Census)|White]] - 84.81%
* [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]] - 10.40%
*[[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] - 4.61%
* two or more races - 1.77%
* [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]] - 1.50%
* [[Race (United States Census)|other races]] - 1.09%
* [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]] - 0.37%
* [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]] - 0.06%
There were 198,195 households out of which 26.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.00% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.20% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.84.
The population was distributed as follows: 22.00% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 19.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males. In 2007, 30% of the population was over 55.<ref>{{cite book | author = Kim, Eun Kyung |title = Law's impact increases with age | publisher = Florida Today | date = December 17, 2007}}</ref>
9.50% of the population and 6.80% of families are below the poverty
line. Out of the total population, 13.00% of those under the age of 18 and 6.50% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
In 2005, the [[Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area]], which consists solely of Brevard County, was estimated to stand 91st in population out of 263 in the country.<ref>See [[List of United States metropolitan areas]].</ref>
In 2006, the county stood 10th in population in the state, out of 67.<ref>''Florida Today'', March 22, 2007, page 1A</ref> The increase in population from 2000 was 11.8%, less than the Florida average of 12.7%.
According to the 2000 census, the county had about 80,000 veterans. 21% of the population older than 18 is a veteran.<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090306/NEWS01/903060329/1006/rss01] retrieved March 6, 2009</ref>
=== Health ===
The Brevard Alzheimer's Foundation is unique for being a local organization only. It has three adult daycare service locations and often provides transportation and funding.<ref>www.brevardalzheimers.org</ref>
The Space Coast Early Intervention Center is a nationally recognized not-for-profit pre-school and therapeutic center that offers care and aids with the development of small children with special needs.<ref>[http://www.sceic.com/_site2005/home_template.php SCEIC]</ref> Children are treated and educated with the specific goal of mainstreaming children diagnosed with the following into public school: [[Down syndrome]], [[William's syndrome]], [[Cerebral palsy]], [[22q11.2 deletion syndrome|Deletion syndrome]], [[Pervasive developmental disorder|PDD]]s including [[Rett syndrome]], [[Autism]], and [[Apert syndrome]], as well as children with visual, speech and hearing delays.
Health Outreach Prevention & Education (HOPE) is a network of community partners working together to provide care for people without insurance, and for children with special needs. This network includes hospitals.
Brevard introduced (2005-6) a Federally approved experimental Medicaid program which puts volunteering 60+ years olds in an HMO-like organization in order to save money.
The non-profit Circles of Care provides mental health programs to Brevard.<ref>[http://www.circlesofcare.org/current/locate.html Circles of Care: Physical Locations]</ref>
211 Brevard responds to people in crisis and/or needing information about community resources.<ref>[http://www.211brevard.org/home/pages/helpline.cfm 2-1-1 Helpline]</ref>
Space Coast Center for Independent Living offers over-all services for individuals with all types of disabilities: Peer support, advocacy, skills training, accessibility surveys, support groups, transportation, specialized equipment and sign language interpreter coordination services.<ref>[http://ese.brevard.k12.fl.us/ICB/SCCIndLiving.html Space Coast Center for Independent Living (SCCIL)]</ref> Additional program for high school students for career development.
Health First is the largest healthcare provider in the county consisting of three not-for-profit hospitals—Cape Canaveral Hospital in Cocoa Beach, Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, and Palm Bay Community Hospital in Palm Bay. Besides hospitalization, services include outpatient centers; the county's only trauma center; home care; specialized programs for cancer, diabetes, heart, stroke, and rehabilitative services; central Brevard's largest medical group; three fitness centers; and Medicare Advantage, commercial POS, and commercial HMO health plans. Health First tries to integrate quality healthcare services with state-of-the-art technology.<ref>[http://www.health-first.org/ Health First]</ref>
Harmony Farms runs "[[Horses and the Handicapped]]", a [[Therapeutic horseback riding|therapeutic riding program]] located on the Duda Ranch in Viera.<ref>[http://www.harmonyfarmsinc.com/ HARMONY FARMS, INC.]</ref>
<!--spam needs to be deleted--->
Parrish Medical Center is a 210-bed, not-for-profit public medical center serving Florida's Space Coast for 50 years. The Center is Brevard's only Spirit of Women network hospital. It has been recognized as Modern Healthcare magazine's Spirit of Excellence for Service award winner, Starizon & Healthcare Design magazine's Discovery Award winner for exceptional patient experience, and has earned more disease-specific Gold Seals of Approval for quality and excellence from the Joint Commission than any other hospital in Central Florida.{{Citation needed|date=June 2008}} Parrish Medical Center has been named America's No. 1 Healing Hospital for the third straight year by the [[Baptist Healing Trust]].<ref>[http://www.parrishmed.com/ Parrish Medical Center]</ref>
Health care services tend to cost more in Brevard than Orlando or the statistical average in Florida. A nursing home private room averaged $79,023 annually, semi-private $74,643, private one-bedroom assisted living $39,000. A home health aide, medicare-certified was $88,660 was substantially higher than the Florida average of $51,480. Adult day care (44 hours) was cheaper at $12,870 annually as was a home health aide "licensed-only" $38,896.<ref>{{cite news | first=Staff and Wire Reports | last= | title=Health care services | url=| work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 10C | date=1 May 2009 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref>
According to 2007 health risk data from the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]], Brevard County ([[Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area|Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville MSA]]) is tied for fourth highest among all [[Micropolitan Statistical Area|Micro]]- and [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]]s in percentage of heavy drinkers.<ref>[http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/BRFSS-SMART/MMSARiskChart.asp?MMSA=215&yr=2007&qkey=4413&cat=AC&grp=0 SMART: BRFSS City and County Health Risk Data] Heavy drinkers are adult men having more than two drinks per day and adult women having more than one drink per day</ref>
==Cities and towns==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
=== Incorporated===
*City of [[Cape Canaveral, Florida|Cape Canaveral]]
*City of [[Cocoa, Florida|Cocoa]]
*City of [[Cocoa Beach, Florida|Cocoa Beach]]
*Town of [[Grant-Valkaria, Florida|Grant-Valkaria]]
*Town of [[Indialantic, Florida|Indialantic]]
*City of [[Indian Harbour Beach, Florida|Indian Harbour Beach]]
*Town of [[Malabar, Florida|Malabar]]
*City of [[Melbourne, Florida|Melbourne]]
*Town of [[Melbourne Beach, Florida|Melbourne Beach]]
*Town of [[Melbourne Village, Florida|Melbourne Village]]
*City of [[Palm Bay, Florida|Palm Bay]] (formerly Tillman)
*Town of [[Palm Shores, Florida|Palm Shores]]
*City of [[Rockledge, Florida|Rockledge]]
*City of [[Satellite Beach, Florida|Satellite Beach]]
*City of [[Titusville, Florida|Titusville]]
*City of [[West Melbourne, Florida|West Melbourne]]
{{col-break}}
=== Unincorporated===
*[[Allenhurst, Florida|Allenhurst]]
*[[Angel City, Florida|Angel City]]
*[[Aurantia, Florida|Aurantia]]
*[[Aurora, Florida|Aurora]]
*[[Ballard Pines, Florida|Ballard Pines]]
*[[Barefoot Bay, Florida|Barefoot Bay]]
*[[Bellwood, Florida|Bellwood]]
*[[Bonaventure, Florida|Bonaventure]]
*[[Canaveral Groves, Florida|Canaveral Groves]]
*[[City Point, Florida|City Point]]
*[[Cocoa West, Florida|Cocoa West]]
<!---*[[Deer Run]]---Deer Run is a neighborhood, at best. Brevard documents refer to it as an "Equestrian Subdivision." New developments do not rate a slot here unless they are "old" generally accepted names. See http://199.241.8.125/index.cfm?FuseAction=MinutesRecords.View&BoardMinute_id=894---->
*[[Courtenay, Florida|Courtenay]]
*[[Delespine, Florida|Delespine]]
*[[Dummit Cove, Florida|Dummit Cove]]
*[[Dummit Grove, Florida|Dummit Grove]]
*[[East Mims, Florida|East Mims]]
*[[Eau Gallie, Florida|Eau Gallie]]
*[[Floridana Beach, Florida|Floridana Beach]]
*[[Footman, Florida|Footman]]
*[[Frontenac, Florida|Frontenac]]
*[[Georgiana, Florida|Georgiana]]
*[[Indian River City, Florida|Indian River City]]
*[[Jay Jay, Florida|Jay Jay]]
*[[June Park, Florida|June Park]]
*[[John F. Kennedy Space Center|Kennedy Space Center]]
*[[Kings Park, Florida|Kings Park]]
*[[La Grange, Florida|La Grange]]
*[[Lotus, Florida|Lotus]]
*[[Melbourne Village, Florida|Melbourne Village]]
*[[Merritt Island, Florida|Merritt Island]]
*[[Micco, Florida|Micco]]
*[[Mims, Florida|Mims]]
*[[Pineda, Florida|Pineda]]
*[[Port St. John, Florida|Port St. John]]
*[[Rockwell, Florida|Rockwell]]
*[[Scottsmoor, Florida|Scottsmoor]]
*[[Sharpes, Florida|Sharpes]]
*[[Sherwood, Florida|Sherwood]]
*[[Shiloh, Florida|Shiloh]]
*[[South Cocoa Beach, Florida|South Cocoa Beach]]
*[[South Patrick Shores, Florida|South Patrick Shores]]
*[[Southmere, Florida|Southmere]]
*[[Sunnyland Beach, Florida|Sunnyland Beach]]
*[[Suntree, Florida|Suntree]]
*[[Tropic, Florida|Tropic]]
*[[Turnbull, Florida|Turnbull]]
*[[Viera, Florida|Viera]]
*[[West Eau Gallie, Florida|West Eau Gallie]]
*[[Whispering Hills, Florida|Whispering Hills]]
*[[Wiley, Florida|Wiley]]
*[[Williams Point, Florida|Williams Point]]
*[[Wilson, Florida|Wilson]]
{{col-end}}
=== Former place names ===
{{Main|Former place names in Brevard County, Florida}}
There are place names currently used, or used at one time by the USGS. Some are early developments, others are former stations along the main line of the [[Florida East Coast Railway]]. Several of these disappeared when Kennedy Space Center took over their area.
==Education==
The Space Coast contains a higher percentage of college graduates than any of the other 66 Florida counties.
===Undergraduate and graduate===
<!---extraordinary stuff only. Ordinary offerings will be deleted. Sorry---->
College education in Brevard County is provided by the [[Brevard Community College]] and [[Florida Institute of Technology]] in Melbourne.
The Brevard Community College (BCC) is a two-year college, which has multiple campuses. 13,600 students attend BCC with campuses in Melbourne, Palm Bay, Titusville and Cocoa.
The Palm Bay branch of BCC offers technical and vocational training for Associate Degrees and Certificates for entering the workforce, improving professional skills, and developing new competence.
Other courses include a two year nursing degree and certification by the "Police Academy" which is a basic requirement for employment in law enforcement in Brevard County.
Florida Tech (Florida Institute of Technology) is a university which offers Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees, specializing in the sciences. 4,400 students are enrolled on site, of which half are at the graduate level. About 26% are from abroad. It is located in Melbourne.
The [[University of Central Florida]] has a branch on the Community College Cocoa Campus. Additionally it operates the Florida Solar Energy Center.<ref>[http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/about/organization/index.htm fsec.ucf.edu] {{Dead link|date=November 2007}}</ref>
Other colleges include [[Barry University]],<ref>[http://www.barry.edu/ace/files/Melbourne.pdf barry.edu] {{Dead link|date=November 2007}}</ref><ref>[http://discoverbrevard.com/Schools.php Brevard County Schools]</ref> Columbia College,<ref>[http://www.ccis.edu/nationwide/main.asp?PAFB Columbia College–Patrick Air Force Base]</ref> a cooperating program with [[Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach|Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University]],<ref>[http://www.erau.edu/ec/wwc/articulation/bcc-asmto.pdf Embry Riddle] retrieved April 28, 2008</ref> [[Florida Metropolitan University]]-Melbourne, [[Keiser University - Melbourne]] and [[Webster University]].
===Elementary and secondary===
{{Main|Brevard Public Schools}}
<!---This needs to be more of a summary--->
For 2005, the students had higher SAT scores than any other Florida School District.
The superintendent of schools was selected as best in state by his peers in 2005.
For 2005, the District has a higher percentage (9%) of National Board Certified Teachers than any of the other largest ten districts in the state.
In 2005, Brevard is first in Florida in the number of "A"-rated schools in the 10 largest districts.
[[AARP]] ranked the school district No. 8 on the 2005 list of Best Employers for Workers Over 50. It was the only public-school system and the highest-ranked Florida employer on the national list.
In 2005, Brevard led the state in science in fifth and 11th grade assessments.
In 2006, Brevard students took almost a third of all prizes at the
<!---Note that this comment cannot be automatically be moved to the Brevard (public) schools article because private and parochial schools are involved as well--->
state science fair, including the most first-place awards.<ref>{{cite book | author = Downs, Megan |title = Brevard's the county to beat at science fair | publisher = Florida Today | date = April 13, 2007}}</ref> This occurred in 2007, as well.
A team consisting of Brevard high school students stood second in the world in the robotics world championship in 2007.<ref>{{cite book | author = Downs, Megan |title = Students place 2nd in robotics | publisher = Florida Today | date = April 19, 2007}}</ref>
In 2007, the Division 3 Technical Team from Eau Gallie High School placed 1st Place in World Odyssey of the Mind tournament.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}}<!---needs to be moved to Brevard Public schools anyway, But WHERE was the title, state? national? world?--->
In 2006, the District had 5 of the top 10 Elementary Schools in the state, according to the Florida Dept. of Ed.
Brevard is in the top ten in the state in each of the 22 areas of assessment on the standard statewide exams given students each year.
In 2005 & 2006, Newsweek ranked Cocoa Beach High School among the top 100 US high schools (out of 21,000) in part due to its International Baccalaureate program.
10th graders led the state in the writing exam in 2006.
The state has ranked 15 of the elementary schools as tops in the state including a Title I South Lake, a former "D"-ranked school!
Brevard leads the state in the number of high school students dual enrolled in secondary and college courses.
===Continuing education===
Continuing education is provided by the Brevard Community College, and the University of Central Florida.
Life long learning is offered by the Community College at four branches throughout the county as well as evening courses at high schools.
The County School Board sponsors BPS-TV. Those interested can study for the [[General Education Development]] exam, learn a foreign language, or learn about the arts. From midnight to 6 a.m., the station's Classic Arts Showcase offers ballet, jazz and classical music programming.
==Sports teams==
;Minor league baseball
Brevard County is the home of the [[Brevard County Manatees]], the Class-A Affiliate of the [[Milwaukee Brewers]].
In 2009, the Space Coast Surge, a member of the [[Florida Winter Baseball League]] has the Cocoa Stadium as their home stadium.<ref>[http://www.spacecoastsurge.com Space Coast Surge]</ref>
;Major league baseball
The [[Washington Nationals]] hold their [[spring training]] at [[Space Coast Stadium]] in [[Viera, Florida|Viera]].They play about 14 games against other professional teams locally in March as part of the "Grapefruit" League.<ref>''Grapefruit League'',Florida Today, February 28, 2007</ref>
;Professional Basketball
The [[Brevard Blue Ducks]], members of the [[USBL]], played their home schedule at the Clemente Center at Florida Tech. They have changed their home city more times than any other USBL team. They have been in Brevard since 2002. In 2007 the Clemente Center opted not to extend the team a lease of its facilities, prompting a cancellation of the season.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}
;Minor League Football
Brevard County is home to the [[Brevard Warriors]], a minor league football team whose first season was 2008-2009 and in that first year climbed the Minor League Football ranks to #2 in the country, and won it's Southeast Football League Championship 45-10 over the Central Florida Thoroughbreds while finishing the season 14-1.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}
The Brevard Rams and Space Coast Predators are scheduled to play as members of the [[Florida Football Alliance]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.floridatoday.com/content/blogs/fitness/2009/09/semi-pro-football-space-coast-predators.shtml |title=Semi-pro football Space Coast Predators |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=14 |year=2009 |month=September |work=Florida Today |publisher=Gannett |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>
==Media==
===Newspapers===
''[[Florida Today]]'' is the major daily newspaper serving Melbourne, Brevard County and the Space Coast region of Florida. It is owned by the media conglomerate [[Gannett]]. The monthly newspaper, ''El Playero'', serves the Spanish-speaking population of the Space Coast. The weekly ''Home Town News'' is a free newspaper, supported by advertising, that has versions in other Florida counties. It presents local news.
The ''Brevard Technical Journal'' is the industry monthly newspaper for business management, engineering, purchasing, manufacturing, and staff. It features news & features about the business and the science of technology in Brevard County - Florida's Space & Technology Coast.
===Radio===
See [[Template:Melbourne Radio]].
===Television===
<!---reviewing editor felt this was redundant. A bit too commercial
Cable is provided by [[Bright House Networks]] with [[Comcast Cable]] serving Micco and Palm Bay.
---->
Independent stations include:
<!---unfortunately we have to exclude stations without articles. Okay to stub station ---->
*Channel 9 [[BPS-TV]]
<!--- stubbed out for lack of article. Note that once all of these are at least stubbed, we can set up a separate section in List of television stations in Florida and list ourselves there
*Channel 15 NASA Select, Space Launches and News
*Brighthouse 1 or 99/Comcast 26 - Space Coast Government Television
*Channel 22 WMJV
*Channel 31 WSCF
---->
*Channel 43 [[WOTF-TV]] Univision Spanish Language
*Channel 68 [[WBCC]] Brevard Community College Education
===Films===
The following films were filmed (in parts) in Brevard County.
*''[[Matinee]]'' - 1993 film starring John Goodman. Filmed in Cocoa Village and Cocoa Playhouse.
* ''[[Apollo 13]]'', ''[[Contact]]'', ''[[Armageddon]]'', ''[[Moonraker (film)|Moonraker]]'' and ''[[I Dream of Jeanie]]'' all utilized Cape Canaveral's NASA headquarters.
*''[[The Number 23]]'' shot scenes on the shore of [[Cocoa Beach]].
*''[[Marvin's Room]]'' a 1996 drama starring [[Meryl Streep]], [[Diane Keaton]], and [[Leonardo DiCaprio]] was filmed in [[Rockledge]].
*''[[Nightmare]]'' a 1981 horror film was shot in [[Merritt Island]], [[Cocoa]], [[Cocoa Beach]] and [[Titusville]]
*'' [[A Night in Heaven]] starring Christopher Atkins was filmed in Titusville
==Arts and culture==
<!---Needs a smooth introduction--->
The King Center, seating 2000, features locally produced and former Broadway shows, ballet, and symphony. Several different performances are scheduled each week.
The [[Brevard Symphony Orchestra]] and the Space Coast Ballet offer shows performed by professionals. Both have encountered obstacles to production: fundraising, recruiting skilled professionals and rehearsing them. For the Ballet, integrating a large number of qualified amateurs into their company for performances. There are two other professional symphony orchestras, plus a community orchestra and band in Melbourne.<ref>[http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090712/LIFE/907120313&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL Conductor forms county's third symphony] retrieved July 12, 2009</ref>
The [[Brevard Zoo]] is a 56 acre facility.<ref>[http://www.brevardzoo.org/aboutthezoo/index.html Brevard Zoo Information]</ref>
;Ballet
The Space Coast Ballet incorporates professional principal dancers and instructors together with many roles for local senior talent as well as roles for students. They annually stage the "[[The Nutcracker]]."
;Classical music
The Brevard Symphony Orchestra has been bringing the classics, performed by professionals, to the Space Coast for over fifty years.
The Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra (BSYO) was founded in 1984 to provide a musical experience for youth. They are the only non-profit organization in Brevard devoted solely to the orchestral training of young musicians.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}
The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra consists of professional musicians and qualified youth.
;Traditional Music
The [[City of Melbourne Pipes and Drums]] is a teaching band.
;Museums
<!----Arts seems like a good place for "museums" --->
The Space Coast has a number of museums from the rocket exhibitions at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Complex, and the [[Air Force Space & Missile Museum]], to local museums and others of unique character such as the [[American Police Hall of Fame & Museum]], and the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame Museum.
<!---probably should be moved to tourism the way it is written--->
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers an educational look at the accomplishments of America's space program. A visitor can have a close look at the launch pads, first built for NASA's Apollo missions and presently used by the Space Shuttle fleet. The Observation Gantry near Launch Complex 39 offers a view of the Space Shuttle launch pads, the [[Vehicle Assembly Building]], and the crawler-way over which the rockets are taken to the pad. The Saturn V Complex displays the largest vehicle ever flown.
The Astronaut Hall of Fame is the only facility in the nation dedicated to telling the stories of American astronauts and features the world's largest collection of astronauts' personal effects.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}
The U.S. Spacewalk Walk of Fame commemorates Kennedy Space Center's history with a museum, monuments and programs.
The [[Brevard Museum of History & Natural Science]] features the remains of the "Windover Man", the oldest human remains found on the North American continent and a re-creation of the Windover Dig, a 'wet' archaeological site. A visitor may see how Native Americans lived and Florida pioneers survived.
Honor America runs the [[Liberty Bell Memorial Museum]]. This houses a replica of the Liberty Bell, historical documents, and patriotic memorabilia. Items are permanent reminders of our nation's history, as well as a memorial to military veterans.
The Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Memorial Park and Cultural Center features a museum with artifacts and time line of the civil rights movement and the story of the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore, civil rights leaders who were killed when their home was bombed.
== Notes and references ==
<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count: 2; column-count: 2;"><references /></div>
===See also===
* [[Brevard County School District|Brevard County Public Schools]]
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
;Government links and constitutional offices
* [http://www.brevardcounty.us/ Brevard County Government / Board of County Commissioners]
* [http://brevardcountyclerkofcourts.net/ Brevard County Clerk of Courts Public Records]
* [http://brevardelections.org/ Brevard County Supervisor of Elections]
* [http://www.brevardpropertyappraiser.com/ Brevard County Property Appraiser]
* [http://www.sheriff.co.brevard.fl.us/ Brevard County Sheriff's Office]
* [http://www.brevardparks.com/ Brevard County Parks and Recreation]
*Water
**[http://www.brevardcounty.us/usd/sc-reuse.cfm Reclaimed water]
;Special districts
* [http://www.sjrwmd.com St. Johns River Water Management District]
;Education
* [http://4brevard.com/schools.htm "Shopping" Guide to all local schools]
* [http://www.isbcmelbourne.org/ Islamic school in Melbourne, Fl]
;Judicial branch
* [http://www.brevardclerk.us/ Brevard County Clerk of Courts]
* [http://www.brevardcounty.us/publicdefender/ Brevard County Public Defender]
* [http://sa18.state.fl.us/ Office of the State Attorney, 18th Judicial Circuit] serving Brevard and [[Seminole County, Florida|Seminole]] Counties
* [http://www.jud18.flcourts.org/ Circuit and County Court for the 18th Judicial Circuit of Florida]
;Local references
* [http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=factbook Florida Today "Fact Book" on Brevard County]
* [http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/maps/county/brevard/brevard.htm USF Maps of Historical Brevard County]
* [http://www.cfhf.net/maps/1839.htm Explanation of "Leigh Read" county]
* [http://www.brevardclerk.us/PAGES/brevard.htm Brevard County Fact Sheet - Brevard Clerk of Courts]
* [http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/maps/maps.htm Old Florida Map Collection]
* [http://nbbd.com/ North Brevard - Titusville, Florida - Community Directory]
*{{wikitravel|Brevard County}}
{{Brevard County, Florida}}
{{Florida}}
{{Coord|28.30|-80.70|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-FL_source:UScensus1990}}
[[Category:Charter counties in Florida]]
[[Category:Brevard County, Florida| ]]
[[Category:1844 establishments]]
[[de:Brevard County]]
[[es:Condado de Brevard (Florida)]]
[[fr:Comté de Brevard]]
[[bpy:ব্রেভার্ড কাউন্টি, ফ্লোরিডা]]
[[it:Contea di Brevard]]
[[nl:Brevard County]]
[[no:Brevard County]]
[[nds:Brevard County]]
[[pt:Condado de Brevard]]
[[ru:Бревэрд (округ, Флорида)]]
[[sv:Brevard County]]
[[zh:布里瓦德縣 (佛羅里達州)]]' |
