| Cocoa, Florida | |
| Official Name: | City of Cocoa |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Seal Size: | 200 |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Brevard |
| Government Type: | Council-Manager |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Michael Blake |
| Leader Title1: | City Manager |
| Leader Name1: | Stockton Whitten |
| Leader Title2: | Deputy Mayor |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Km2: | 38.21 |
| Area Land Km2: | 35.57 |
| Area Water Km2: | 2.64 |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 14.75 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 13.73 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 1.02 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 19041 |
| Population Density Km2: | 535.32 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | 1386.51 |
| Timezone: | Eastern (EST) |
| Utc Offset: | −5 |
| Timezone Dst: | EDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | −4 |
| Coordinates: | 28.3694°N -80.7439°W |
| Elevation M: | 11 |
| Elevation Ft: | 36 |
| Area Code: | 321 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 12-13150[2] |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 0280608[3] |
Cocoa is a city in Brevard County, Florida. The population was 19,041 at the 2020 United States Census, up from 17,140 at the 2010 census.[4] It is part of the Palm Bay - Melbourne - Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Several stories circulate among Cocoa old timers as to how the town got its name. One story says that the mail used to come by river boat and was placed in an empty tin box labeled Baker's Cocoa. The box was nailed to a piling in the river next to downtown. Additionally, an early hotel in the area, located on the Indian River lagoon, was named Cocoa House.[5] Another story speaks of an elderly African American woman who lived on the banks of the Indian River. She would supply hot cocoa to sailors traversing the Indian River. It was said, the sailors approaching her house would yell out "Cocoa! Cocoa!" alerting the woman that they were present and wanted the beverage.[6]
In 1885, the S. F. Travis Hardware store opened. As of 2023, the business remains open.[7] Cocoa's business district was mostly destroyed by fire in 1890. But soon, significant development was stimulated by the extension of the Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Indian River Railway to Cocoa.[8]
The city was chartered on October 1, 1895.[9] In the winter of 1894–1895, Cocoa had an economic setback when the "Great Freeze" destroyed the citrus crop and forced many citrus workers to seek new jobs. By 1903, the population of Cocoa had declined to 382.[10]
In the 1910s, population growth in Cocoa accelerated. The state business directory of 1911–1912 stated the population was 550.
In October 1918, the mayor of Cocoa proclaimed that all places of assembly, including schools, churches, and movies be closed to avoid spreading the Spanish flu.[11]
By 1925, the population was estimated at 1,800. By 1930, despite the Great Depression, the population had risen to 2,200.
The population rose dramatically following the development of the space industry, quadrupling from 3,098 in 1940 to 12,244 in 1960. Cocoa and the surrounding area also became integrated with the tourist industry for the first time, as thousands visited the area to witness the launches from Cape Canaveral. By 1980, the population had grown to 16,096.[12]
Education was segregated until the 1960s, at which time Monroe High School and elementary schools for black students were closed.[13]
In 1964, the Cocoa Expo Sports Center (Cocoa Stadium) was built for the Colt 45s spring baseball training and Grapefruit League games. The team later became the Houston Astros.[14] In the early 1980s, the city attempted to upgrade the stadium by asking the Astros to pay for needed repairs. In 1985, the team responded by moving its training to Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. As a result, it was decided that future negotiations with major league teams would be done by the county government.
Clearlake Middle School was closed in 2013. Students were moved to Cocoa High School, which was converted to a junior and senior high school.[15]
Cocoa first approved the Council-Manager form of government in 1959, and subsequent changes to the state statutes mirrored the City of Cocoa's Council-Manager Plan. The City Council serves as the board of directors for the city, with the Mayor as chairman. The City Manager serves as the Chief Executive. The City Council for the City of Cocoa is made up of five members; the Mayor is elected at large and the four council members are elected by each of their districts.
In 2007, the city had a taxable real estate base of $1.18 billion.[18]
Cocoa has its own police and fire department. The Cocoa Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency within the city. It is aided by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, for court and civil process. The Cocoa Fire Department has three stations. Brevard County Fire Rescue also has a station within the city limits.[19]
In 2021, the city had an authorized police force of 72 police officers and 44 firefighters.
Cocoa is located at .[20]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.9km2. 34.5km2 of it is land and 5.4km2 of it (13.46%) is water.[21] Cocoa is home to the highest point in Brevard County, listed by the USGS as being above sea level at its apex.[22]
The Cocoa Bird Count has annually counted species of birds in or near Cocoa since 1950. In 2010, it counted 150 species. There was an annual "Christmas Bird Count" before this, starting in 1900.[23]
| White (NH) | 9,285 | 9,449 | 54.17% | 49.62% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 5,253 | 5,011 | 30.65% | 26.32% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 75 | 41 | 0.44% | 0.22% |
| Asian (NH) | 175 | 241 | 1.02% | 1.27% |
| Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) | 10 | 16 | 0.06% | 0.08% |
| Some other race (NH) | 38 | 92 | 0.22% | 0.48% |
| Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) | 373 | 976 | 2.18% | 5.13% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1,931 | 3,215 | 11.27% | 16.88% |
| Total | 17,140 | 19,041 | ||
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 19,041 people, 8,062 households, and 4,550, families residing in the city.[26]
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 17,140 people, 7,429 households, and 4,480 families residing in the city.[27]
As of the census[28] of 2000, there were 16,412 people, 6,939 households, and 4,232 families residing in the city. The population density was 2200.3sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 8,064 housing units at an average density of 1081.1/mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 62.47% White, 32.28% African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 1.58% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.93% of the population.
In 2000, there were 6,939 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.0% were married couples living together, 19.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% 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 2.97.
In 2000, in the city, the population was distributed as follows: 26.4% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.
According to 2020 United States Census data:[29]
Construction and retail trade are the two largest industries by employment in Cocoa as of 2017. In 2008, Kel-Tec CNC Industries, located in Cocoa, was the third-largest manufacturer of pistols in the United States.[30] [31] Cocoa has 1,381 registered businesses that include light manufacturing and industrial, retail and office businesses as of 2017. Cocoa hosts one of the facilities building SpaceX Starship.[32]
In 2017, 9,633 persons were employed, with 84% having a high school education or higher.
Tourism is high in the downtown historic business district. Cruise passenger tourists come from Port Canaveral on excursions or day trips.[33] In addition, tourists are attracted to the historic sites and local attractions such as the Brevard Museum of History & Natural Science, the Eastern Florida State College Planetarium and Observatory, Historic Cocoa Village, Indian River Queen (excursion boat), Indian River Drive scenic by-pass, the Aladdin Theater, Historic Porcher House, and Riverfront Park. Historic Cocoa Village has shopping and two Golden Spoon award-winning restaurants, and boutiques. The city sponsors more than 50 special events each year.
The historic downtown area is called Cocoa Village, situated along Florida Avenue to Stone Street, and stretching to Riverfront Park along the Indian River. It has shops and restaurants, and is surrounded by historic buildings and the Cocoa Riverfront Park. The Florida Historical Society is headquartered in the historic Cocoa Post Office, originally built in 1939 by the Works Progress Administration. The area was revitalized by funding for public infrastructure through the Cocoa Redevelopment Agency, City and private investment. Cocoa Village is also home to the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse which was originally called, The Aladdin Theatre.[34]
The city area has the following educational institutions:
Higher education:
Public school system:
Private schools:
All are at least four-lane roads, unless otherwise designated.
The Florida East Coast Railway runs through Cocoa. Into the early 1960s, passengers could take one of two Chicago-bound trains (on alternating days), the City of Miami or the South Wind (both via Birmingham) and the New York-bound East Coast Champion, Havana Special, and Miamian from the Florida East Coast Railway's Cocoa-Rockledge station.[44] Into the latter 1950s, passengers could take the Dixie Flagler to Chicago via Atlanta from the station.[45] All passenger trains along the FEC were suspended in 1963 due to a strike. The FEC resumed local passenger service between Jacksonville and the Miami area from 1965 until July 31, 1968.[46]
Brightline is an inter-city rail route that currently runs between Miami and Orlando. On March 12, 2024, Brightline officials confirmed that an infill station on the Space Coast would be built in Cocoa.[47] [48]
Space Coast Area Transit operates a public bus service in Cocoa and vicinity.[49] [50]
Since 1957, Cocoa has supplied the communities of central Brevard County with potable water. Cocoa made major investments in the water supply and treatment facilities needed to produce a sub-regional water system.
In 2017, Cocoa provided an average of of water daily to over 80,000 customers (250,000 people)[51] in Cocoa, Rockledge, Port St. John, Merritt Island, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Suntree/Viera, Patrick Air Force Base, Kennedy Space Center and Port Canaveral.
Cocoa's water system includes the wellfield and raw water collection system, Wewahootee Water Treatment Plant, transmission mains, and the Dyal Water Treatment Plant (WTP). Cocoa's drinking water sources include the Floridian Aquifer, Intermediate Aquifer, Taylor Creek Reservoir, and Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) wells. All of these facilities are located in east Orange County. A distribution system and storage pumping facilities are located in Brevard County.The Dyal WTP processes about nine billion gallons per year, with peak flows reaching 38 million gallons per day (mgd) during the summer. Daily flows average 25 mgd. The Dyal WTP is unusual for Central Florida because it is capable of treating both ground and surface water.
The flag was originally painted on the water tower free of charge by a Greek immigrant. He wanted to decorate the tower in time for the United States Bicentennial celebration in 1976.[52] In 2014, the City re-furbished and re-painted the tower with the iconic American flags.
The Houston Astros held spring training in Cocoa from 1964 through 1984, and the Florida Marlins trained in Cocoa in 1993. Cocoa Stadium was also the long-time home of the Florida State League Cocoa Astros.
In 2009, the Space Coast Surge, a member of the Florida Winter Baseball League, had Cocoa Stadium as its home stadium.[54] The league suspended operations in November 2009.[55]
Cocoa High School has numerous state champion athletic teams. In 2015, the Cocoa High School football team was ranked 13th in the State of Florida and 1st in the county and had a 35-game winning streak against other Brevard County schools.
Beit Shemesh, State of Israel. On October 7, 2007, the city became a sister city with Beit Shemesh.[60] Eastern Florida State College announced that it would participate by exchanging students.