Gulf Breeze, Florida | |
---|---|
City of Gulf Breeze | |
Coordinates: 30°21′26″N87°9′50″W / 30.35722°N 87.16389°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Florida |
County | Santa Rosa |
Incorporated | August 10, 1961 |
Government | |
• Type | Council-Manager |
• Mayor | Cherry Fitch |
• Mayor Pro Tem | Tom Naile |
• City Council | JB Schluter, Randy Hebert, and Todd Torgersen |
• City Manager | Samantha D. Abell |
• City Clerk | Leslie A. Guyer |
Area | |
22.14 sq mi (57.34 km2) | |
• Land | 4.68 sq mi (12.12 km2) |
• Water | 17.46 sq mi (45.22 km2) |
Elevation | 16 ft (5 m) |
Population (2020) | |
6,340 | |
• Density | 1,354.70/sq mi (523.10/km2) |
• Metro | 509,905 (Pensacola metropolitan area) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
ZIP codes | 32561, 32562, 32563 [2] |
Area code | 850 |
FIPS code | 12-28000 [3] |
GNIS feature ID | 283485 [4] |
Website | https://cityofgulfbreeze.us/ |
Gulf Breeze is a city in Santa Rosa County, Florida. It is located between Downtown Pensacola and Pensacola Beach, and is part of the Pensacola Metropolitan Area. The population was 6,340 at the 2020 census, up from 5,763 at the 2010 census.
Gulf Breeze is the nearest city to Pensacola Beach, and provides utility services to the island, and most of South Santa Rosa County covering over 33 square miles. The census designated places of Oriole Beach, Tiger Point, and Midway are considered to be a part of unincorporated Gulf Breeze by Santa Rosa County, and carry Gulf Breeze mailing addresses.
The area now known as Gulf Breeze was originally settled in the mid-18th Century by the British. [5] Gulf Breeze's original name was Town Point. Live Oaks from the Gulf Breeze area were used for shipbuilding and blacksmiths set up ship repair shops in the town. A Confederate camp and hospital was set up in the Deer Point area of Gulf Breeze during the Civil War.
In the late 1800s, a dry dock for ship repair was built on Deadman's Island (now a nature preserve). The island was originally was a major ship quarantine area used by Pensacola. [6] Deadman's island got its name from Deadman anchors. Deadman's Island later was host to a glue factory and fertilizer plant.
The five year period between 1928 and 1933 saw large road development in Gulf Breeze. The first bridge between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze was built by Johnson, Drake & Piper. Gulf Breeze's first paved road was U.S. Highway 98, completed in 1933. A wooden swing bridge was established between Pensacola Beach and Gulf Breeze in 1931. The swing bridge was replaced by a concrete toll bridge in 1946, which was converted into Bob Sikes fishing pier in 1973.
The name Gulf Breeze comes from the Gulf Breeze Cottages and Store, where the area's first post office was established in 1936. The city was incorporated on August 10, 1961 as a result of the expansion of Pensacola Bay Bridge. [7] Gulf Breeze became famous after the 1987 Gulf Breeze UFO Incident and the Gulf Breeze Six desertions. [8]
The city has a total area of 23.56 square miles (61.0 km2), of which 4.68 square miles (12.1 km2) is land and 18.88 square miles (48.9 km2) is water. [9]
Growth of the city itself is geographically restricted, surrounded by major water bodies on three sides; the eastern portion of Gulf Breeze is occupied by the Naval Live Oaks Reservation. As a result, new growth takes place east of the city limits along U.S. Highway 98.
Gulf Breeze, FL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Climate chart (explanation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1970 | 4,190 | — | |
1980 | 5,478 | 30.7% | |
1990 | 5,530 | 0.9% | |
2000 | 5,665 | 2.4% | |
2010 | 5,763 | 1.7% | |
2020 | 6,302 | 9.4% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [10] |
Race | Pop 2010 [11] | Pop 2020 [12] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
White (NH) | 5,403 | 5,573 | 93.75% | 88.43% |
Black or African American (NH) | 19 | 19 | 0.33% | 0.30% |
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 27 | 18 | 0.47% | 0.29% |
Asian (NH) | 81 | 98 | 1.41% | 1.56% |
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) | 1 | 3 | 0.02% | 0.05% |
Some other race (NH) | 10 | 18 | 0.17% | 0.29% |
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) | 70 | 306 | 1.21% | 4.86% |
Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 152 | 267 | 2.64% | 4.24% |
Total | 5,763 | 6,302 | ||
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 6,302 people, 2,983 households, and 1,809 families residing in the city. [13]
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 5,763 people, 2,185 households, and 1,758 families residing in the city. [14]
As of the census [3] of 2000, there were 5,665 people, 2,377 households, and 1,678 families living in the city. The population density was 1,192.0 inhabitants per square mile (460.2/km2). There were 2,553 housing units at an average density of 537.2 units per square mile (207.4 units/km2).
In 2000, there were 2,377 households, out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.83.
In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.6 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $52,522, and the median income for a family was $61,661. Males had a median income of $44,408 versus $28,159 for females. The per capita income for the city was $34,688. About 3.8% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.5% of those under age 18 and 1.2% of those age 65 or over.
In 1828 the U.S. government purchased the land encompassing the Naval Live Oaks Reservation for experimenting with acorns for the cultivation of live oaks to produce wooden ships. Before the Civil War, the wood of the live oak was the primary material of choice for shipbuilders, thus the protection and cultivation of the trees for the United States Navy was considered vital for defense in those turbulent times. Currently, the land comprises over 1,300 acres (530 ha) in Gulf Islands National Seashore and is supervised by the National Park Service. To the south of Highway 98 is a visitor center for the Gulf Islands National Seashore and several public beach areas.
Gulf Breeze Library | |
---|---|
30°21′21″N87°10′18″W / 30.3558°N 87.1717°W | |
Location | Gulf Breeze, Florida |
Established | 1971 |
Branch of | Santa Rosa County Library System |
The Gulf Breeze Library, opened in 1971, is part of the Santa Rosa County Library System. [15] [16]
The Gulf Breeze Academic Plaza is a complex of 14 buildings clustered around US Highway 98 in Gulf Breeze, Florida. The GBAP consists of Gulf Breeze Elementary School, Gulf Breeze Middle School, and Gulf Breeze High School. Also included in the complex is Dolphin Field at Gulf Breeze Stadium (football, soccer, lacrosse, track and field), Dolphin Stadium (baseball), and Gulf Breeze Softball Stadium (softball).
Gulf Breeze is served by route 61 of Escambia County Area Transit. [20] [21]
Escambia County is the westernmost and oldest county in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 321,905. The county seat and largest city is Pensacola. Escambia County is included within the Pensacola Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county population has steadily increased as the City of Pensacola and its surrounding bedroom communities continue to grow with residential and commercial development. The county is part of the Northwest Florida region of the state.
Santa Rosa County is a county located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2020, the population was 188,000. The county seat is Milton, which lies in the geographic center of the county. Other major communities within Santa Rosa County are Navarre, Pace, and Gulf Breeze. Navarre is the most populated community with a population of approximately 45,000 residents. Santa Rosa County is included in the Pensacola—Ferry Pass—Brent, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which also includes Escambia County.
Walton County is a county located on the Emerald Coast in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Florida, with its southern border on the Gulf of Mexico. As of the 2020 census, the population was 75,305. Its county seat is DeFuniak Springs. The county is home to the highest natural point in Florida: Britton Hill, at 345 feet (105 m). Walton County is included in the Crestview–Fort Walton Beach–Destin Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Pensacola is a city in the Florida Panhandle in the United States. It is the county seat and only city in Escambia County. It is the principal city of the Pensacola Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had 511,503 residents in 2020. Pensacola is the first settlement established by Europeans in the United States, in 1559.
Warrington is a census-designated place (CDP) in Escambia County, Florida, United States. Warrington is located between downtown Pensacola and the state line with Alabama; it is 6 miles (10 km) away from both.
Destin is a city located in Okaloosa County, Florida, United States. It is a principal city of the Crestview–Fort Walton Beach–Destin, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 13,931 at the 2020 census, up from 12,305 at the 2010 census.
Fort Walton Beach, often referred to by the initialism FWB, is a city in southern Okaloosa County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the population was 20,922, up from 19,507 in 2010. It is a principal city of the Crestview−Fort Walton Beach−Destin, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Bagdad is a census-designated place (CDP) in Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States. The population was 4,467 at the 2020 census, up from 3,761 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Pensacola–Ferry Pass–Brent, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Jay is a town in Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States. Located in the Florida Panhandle in North Florida, it is part of the Pensacola–Ferry Pass–Brent, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 524 at the 2020 census, down from 533 at the 2010 census.
Milton is a city and county seat of Santa Rosa County, Florida. It is located within the Pensacola Metropolitan Area. The city was first Incorporated in 1844, however certain areas such as East Milton, Point Baker, and Bagdad remain unincorporated. Milton is located in the geographic center of Santa Rosa County, and it is bordered by Pace to the west, and Navarre to the south. As of 2020, the population of the city of Milton was 10,197, up from 8,826 at the 2010 census.
Pace is an unincorporated community in Santa Rosa County, Florida. It is the second largest community in Santa Rosa County, and is a part of the Pensacola Metropolitan Area. Pace has experienced exponential growth, and has evolved from a small, rural community to a thriving bedroom community of Pensacola with growing residential and commercial options. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 24,684, up from 20,093 at the 2010 census. From 2000 to 2010, the Pace CDP population growth percentage was 171.1%, and from 2010 to 2020, the population growth percentage was 22.8%.
DeFuniak Springs is a city in and the county seat of Walton County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,919 as of the 2020 Census, up from 5,177 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Crestview—Fort Walton Beach—Destin, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. DeFuniak Springs also serves as a hub for residents in surrounding unincorporated communities.
Navarre is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in Santa Rosa County in the northwest Florida Panhandle. It is a major bedroom community for mostly U.S. military personnel, federal civil servants, local population, retirees and defense contractors. Due to Navarre Beach and the 4 miles (6.4 km) of beach front on the Gulf of Mexico thereof, as well as several miles of beaches within the Navarre Beach Marine Park and the Gulf Islands National Seashore, it has a small, but rapidly growing community of nature enthusiasts and tourists. Navarre has grown from being a small town of around 1,500 in 1970 to a town with a population estimated at 43,540 as of 2022, if including both the Navarre and Navarre Beach Census Designated Places. The Navarre CDP recorded a population of 40,817 at the 2020 census.
Gulf Islands National Seashore is an American National seashore that offers recreation opportunities and preserves natural and historic resources along the Gulf of Mexico barrier islands of Florida and Mississippi. In 2023, it was the fifth-most visited unit of the National Park Service.
The Fairpoint Peninsula, also referred to as the Gulf Breeze Peninsula or the Navarre Peninsula or historically the Santa Rosa Peninsula, is located in northwest Florida between Santa Rosa Sound and Pensacola Bay.
Oriole Beach is an unincorporated community located in Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States on Santa Rosa Sound. It lies east of Gulf Breeze on the Fairpoint Peninsula, and about three miles north of Pensacola Beach. The population was 1,679 at the 2020 census, up from 1,420 at the 2010 census. Oriole Beach is part of the Pensacola–Ferry Pass–Brent, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The Pensacola metropolitan area is the metropolitan area centered on Pensacola, Florida. It is also known as the Pensacola–Ferry Pass–Brent Metropolitan Statistical Area, a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) used for statistical purposes by the United States Census Bureau and other agencies. The Pensacola Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area was first defined in 1958, with Pensacola as the principal city, and included Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The MSA was renamed Pensacola–Ferry Pass–Brent MSA in 2003, with the unincorporated census-designated places Ferry Pass and Brent added as principal cities. The population of the MSA in the 2020 census was 511,502.
Midway is an unincorporated community and census designated place (CDP) in southern Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Pensacola–Ferry Pass–Brent, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The area is located between the communities of Gulf Breeze and Navarre, on the Fairpoint Peninsula. Midway is often considered to be part of one, if not both, of these communities. Its actual boundaries vary from source to source, but unofficially include most areas from the intersection of Soundside Drive with U.S. Highway 98, eastward until Highway 98 becomes Navarre Parkway.
Mulat is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States. Its population was 322 at the 2020 census, up from 259 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Pensacola metropolitan area.
Tiger Point is a census-designated place in Santa Rosa County, Florida. It is considered to be a part of Gulf Breeze. The population was 3,342 at the 2020 census, up from 3,090 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Pensacola—Ferry Pass—Brent, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)