Near Titusville is the Windover Archeological Site, a National Historic Landmark recognizing its important collection of human remains and artifacts of the early Archaic Period (6,000 to 5,000 BC.). A secondary, de facto county seat was established beginning in 1989, at Viera, Florida, in the geographic center of the county, to better serve the more populous southern portion of the county.
History
Washington Avenue c.1910
Indigenous peoples had inhabited this area for thousands of years, as shown by discovery in 1982 of the Windover Archeological Site, dating to the early Archaic Period (6000 to 5000 BC). It has been designated as a National Historic Landmark because of the significance of its remains.
At the time of European encounter, this area was inhabited by the AisIndians, who gathered palmetto, cocoplum and seagrape berries. They also fished the Indian River, called the Rio de Ais by Spanish explorers. By 1760, however, the tribe had disappeared due largely to infectious disease, slave raids, and the disruptive effects of rum.
The United States acquired Florida from Spain in 1821, and the Seminole Wars delayed settlement of portions of the new territory.[9]
This community was originally called Sand Point, and a post office was established in 1859, although it closed a few months later. Henry T. Titus arrived in 1867, intending to build a town on land owned by his wife, Mary Hopkins Titus, daughter of a prominent planter from Darien, Georgia. He laid out roads and in 1870 erected the Titus House, a large, one-story hotel next to a saloon. He also donated land for four churches and a courthouse, the latter an effort to get the town designated as county seat.[2]
Local history says that Titus challenged Capt. Clark Rice to a game of dominoes to decide the name of the town. Titus won the game, and Sand Point was renamed as Titusville in 1873.[3] The city was incorporated in 1887, the year construction began on St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, as listed in the 1972 National Register of Historic Places. At one point, Titusville was nicknamed "The City of Churches".[10]
In addition, the railroad was a means to ship area produce to northern markets, and the Indian River area increasingly became an agricultural and shipping center for pineapple and citrus goods. A wooden bridge was built east to Playalinda Beach in 1922.[11]
In October 1918, Titusville officials were the first in the county to order closed all places of assembly, including schools, churches, and movies, to avoid spreading the Spanish flu.[12]
Beginning in the late 1950s, the growth of Cape Canaveral, and later the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, stimulated growth in the community's economy, population and tourism. The association with the space program led to the city's two nicknames in the 1960s: Space City USA and Miracle City.[citation needed]
Searstown Mall opened in 1966. Miracle City Mall opened in 1968, built on 32 acres (13ha). It had 275,000 square feet (25,500m2) of covered floor space.[13]
The jail at the county courthouse became overcrowded by the 1980s. A new jailhouse was built in Sharpes in 1986.[citation needed]
Computer Shopper was founded in Titusville in 1979 by Glenn Patch, first as a tabloid. It was later expanded as a magazine of over 800 pages per issue. It was published in Titusville until September 1989.[14] That year operations were to be moved to New York City in a joint venture between Patch Communications of Titusville and Ziff Davis.[14]
In May 2012, the Brevard County School Board closed Riverview Elementary School for budgetary reasons. It closed South Lake Elementary School on May 25, 2013.[15]
In January 2013, Miracle City Mall closed, a victim of a declining local economy after the termination of the Space Shuttle program in 2012. In addition, county population had moved to the south, and changing shopping habits had adversely affected malls across the country.[13] Demolition of Miracle City Mall occurred February 2015. The site has been redeveloped as a mixed-use outdoor shopping complex called Titus Landing.[16]
Because of population decline, the USPS had closed two post offices in Titusville by 2013, and discussed closing a third.[17]
Geography
Titusville is located in the northern half of Brevard County. According to the US Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 34.2 square miles (88.7km2). 29.4 square miles (76.1km2) of it is land, and 4.9 square miles (12.7km2) of it (14.26 percent) is water.[18] Titusville is located on the Indian River Lagoon, part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
Flora
The city is the only place in the world where the endangered Dicerandra thinicola, or "Titusville mint" grows. The fields are located along a 13 miles (21km) strip between the Titusville wellfield and Mims.[19]
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 48,789 people, 18,930 households, and 11,012 families residing in the city.[25]
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 43,761 people, 18,174 households, and 11,508 families residing in the city.[26]
In 2010, the median age was 43.4 years.[27] Also, for residents 25 and older in 2010, 89.3% had completed high school, 22.6% had at least a bachelor's degree.[27]
2000 census
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 40,670 people, 17,200 households, and 11,094 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,913.4 inhabitants per square mile (738.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 83.80 percent White, 12.64 percent African American, 0.39 percent Native American, 0.94 percent Asian, 0.04 percent Pacific Islander, 0.73 percent from other races, and 1.46 percent from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.52 percent of the population.
In 2000, there were 17,200 households, out of which 26.7 percent had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9 percent were married couples living together, 12.6 percent had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5 percent were non-families. 29.9 percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9 percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.86.
In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 22.9 percent under the age of 18, 6.9 percent from 18 to 24, 26.2 percent from 25 to 44, 23.2 percent from 45 to 64, and 20.8 percent who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.
Personal income
In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $35,607, and the median income for a family was $42,453. This had risen to $44,925 median per household in 2010; $24,374 per capita income.[27] Males had a median income of $36,076 versus $23,998 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,901. About 9.3 percent of families and 12.4 percent of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6 percent of those under age 18 and 6.8 percent of those age 65 or over.
In 2018, Titusville, had a median household income of $43,765. Between 2017 and 2018 its median household income grew from $42,561 to $43,765.[28]
Economy
In 2010, private business was 24.7 percent "other"; 21.5 percent trade, transportation and utilities, 18.1 percent professional and business services; 13.7 percent educational and health services; 12 percent construction; and 10 percent leisure and hospitality.[27] The economy shrunk after lay-offs involving the end of the space shuttle program in 2011, since many employees live in Titusville. Titusville has a high[clarification needed] unemployment rate.[29]
Industry
Many of Titusville's major employers are aerospace companies.[30]Knight's Armament Company in Titusville is believed to be the state's largest manufacturer of small arms.[31] Parrish Medical Center, located in Titusville, is the city's largest employer. In October 2013, Barn Light Electric Company opened a new manufacturing plant, providing work for at least 60 former NASA workers and men who had completed drug rehabilitation.[32]
Tourism
The city has benefited from tourism associated with the space program, and the TICO Warbird Air Show each March draws about 40,000–50,000 visitors.[33]
While 47 miles (76km) from the event, the city gets a noticeable economic effect from bikers on their way to the annual Daytona Beach Bike Week.[34]
The unemployment rate was 3.6% in 2000 and 2005.[27] In 2007, the average size of Titusville's labor force was 20,716. Of that group, 19,879 were employed and 837 were unemployed, for an unemployment rate of 4 percent.[30] In December 2010, the city had the highest unemployment in the county, 13.8 percent.[36]
Housing
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 19,178 housing units at an average density of 902.3 per square mile (348.4/km2). In 2008, 55 building permits for 64 units were issued. This was down from 195 permits for 657 units in 2007. The city issued 292 permits for 360 units in 2006.[37]
In 2001 149 permits were issued for $18.6 million worth of property; 453 in 2005 for $65.7 million; 45 in 2010 for $9.5 million.[27]
Titusville is run by a council-manager government. The elected city council serves as the city's legislative branch, while the appointed city manager carries out policies defined by the council. The city is governed according to its Charter, adopted on June 3, 1963.[39]
Titusville has the highest city tax rate in the county.[40] In 2007, the city had a taxable real estate base of $2.34 billion.[41]
The city has 1.8 police officers per thousand residents. This is 52% below average statewide for cities of its size.[42]
A 2011 study rated the pension fund for city employees as mediocre or poor.[43]
City council
Titusville's five city council members (one of whom is the mayor) are elected at-large to four-year, staggered terms. As the city's legislative body, the council determines all municipal policies not explicitly covered by the city charter or state legislation. It also adopts ordinances and resolutions, cote appropriations, approve budgets, determine the tax rate, and appoint citizens to serve on advisory boards and commissions.[44]
The mayor presides over all city council meetings and votes as a council member. The mayor is the recognized head of city government for ceremonial and military law purposes, but has no regular administrative duties. The vice mayor is chosen from among the council members at their annual organizational meeting and takes the mayor's place during absence or disability.[44] The maayor is Daniel "Dan" E. Diesel.
Education
It was estimated in 2007 that 88.1 percent of all Titusville residents 25 years or older are high school graduates, and 23.6 percent have a bachelor's degree or higher.[30]
Titusville Star-Advocate–began publication in 1920 when the East Coast Advocate and Indian River Chronicle merged with the Indian River Star; bought by Henry Hudson in 1925; became Brevard's first daily newspaper in 1965; the Star-Advocate was sold by Henry Hudson and his son Bob Hudson to Gannett Company in 1965. As part of the deal, publication of the Star-Advocate would be retained as long as editor Bob Hudson wished. Daily publication (Monday to Friday) ceased after January 31, 1975, when the Star-Advocate was changed to a weekly local insert for Titusville residents in Gannett's Florida Today starting Wednesday, February 5, 1975. The format was changed from a newspaper to a small tabloid in the early 2000s. In July 2013, publication of the Star-Advocate was ceased.
The North Brevard Beacon–biweekly newspaper based in Titusville that served the communities of North Brevard; publication started November 5, 2003; ceased publication after March 4, 2010.
The News Observer of North Brevard–semiweekly newspaper based in Titusville; ceased publication September 4, 2003 after 15 years.
Titusville is served by SCAT's #1, #2, and #5 routes.[45]
Utilities
As of 2006, the city owned water utility drew about 3.8 million US gallons (14 million L) of its water supply from two wellfields tapping a surficial aquifer. A new wellfield drawing 2.75 million US gallons (10.4 million L) per day from the Floridan aquifer was added in 2016.[46][47] The water department had 22,000 customers in 2010.[48]
Parrish Medical Center, originally established as North Brevard Hospital in 1958, is the hospital that serves Titusville.[49] A new 371,000-sq.ft., $80 million hospital was completed in 2002.[49] It was the first medical center in the Southeast region designed and constructed using the 7 Principles of Evidence-Based Design to create a healing environment. It was also among the first participants of The Pebble Project, a national research initiative to demonstrate that healing environments improve overall quality of care and create life-enhancing environments for patients, families and employees.
Brevard County is a county in the U.S. state of Florida. It is on the Atlantic coast of eastern Central Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 606,612, making it the 10th-most populated county in Florida. The official county seat is located in Titusville. A secondary center of county administration, including a circuit courthouse, was built in 1989 in the planned community of Viera, Florida, the geographic center of the county.
Cape Canaveral is a city in Brevard County, Florida. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 9,912 at the 2020 US census.
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. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Cocoa Beach is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 11,354 at the 2020 United States Census, up from 11,231 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Indialantic is a town in Brevard County, Florida. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town's population was 3,010 at the 2020 United States Census, up from 2,720 at the 2010 census.
Indian Harbour Beach is a coastal city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 9,019 at the 2020 census, up from 8,225 at the 2010 census.
Malabar is a town in Brevard County, Florida. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,949 at the 2020 United States Census, up from 2,757 at the 2010 census.
Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It is located 72 miles (116 km) southeast of Orlando and 175 miles (282 km) northwest of Miami. It had population of 84,678 at the 2020 United States Decennial Census, up from 76,068 at the 2010 census. The municipality is the second-largest in the county by both size and population. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 1969, the city was expanded by merging with nearby Eau Gallie. The city is also home to the National Weather Service office that serves East Central Florida including the cities of Orlando, Kissimmee, Sanford, Deltona, Daytona Beach, Cape Canaveral, Port St. Lucie and Stuart.
Melbourne Beach is a town in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population had 3,231 residents at the 2020 United States Census, up from 3,101 at the 2010 census.
Melbourne Village is a town in Brevard County, Florida. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is the smallest incorporated municipality in Brevard County. The population was 681 at the 2020 US Census, up from 662 at the 2010 census.
Merritt Island is a peninsula, commonly referred to as an island, in Brevard County, Florida, United States, located on the eastern Florida coast, along the Atlantic Ocean. It is also the name of an unincorporated town in the central and southern parts of the island and a census-designated place (CDP).
Mims is a census-designated place (CDP) holding the single zip code 32754 located within Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 7,336 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Palm Bay—Melbourne—Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Palm Bay is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The city's population was 119,760 at the 2020 United States census, up from 103,190 at the 2010 census, making it the most populous city in the county and the largest by land mass. The historic section of the city lies on the mouth of the Turkey Creek and the Palm Bay. Palm Bay has historically expanded south and to the west. The newer section is mostly situated west of Interstate 95 and south of the Tillman Canal.
Palm Shores is a town in Brevard County, Florida. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,200 at the 2020 US Census, up from 900 at the 2010 census.
Port St. John is a census-designated place located between Titusville and Cocoa in Brevard County, Florida. The population was 23,474 at the 2020 United States Census, up from 12,267 at the 2010 United States Census. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Rockledge is the oldest city in Brevard County, Florida. The city's population was 27,678 at the 2020 Census, up from 24,926 at the 2010 United States Census, and is part of the Palm Bay−Melbourne−Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Satellite Beach is a coastal city in Brevard County, Florida, U.S. The population was 11,226 at the 2020 United States Census, up from 10,109 at the 2010 census, and it is located with the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Banana River to the west. Satellite Beach is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Sharpes is a census-designated place (CDP) in Brevard County, Florida. The population was 3,115 at the 2020 United States census, down from 3,411 at the 2010 United States Census. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
West Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It was created in 1959 to stop the area from being annexed into the city of Melbourne. Since 2000, the city has experienced the highest population growth percentage of any municipality in Brevard County. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 US Census, the population was 25,924, up from 18,355 at the 2010 census.
Grant-Valkaria is a town in Brevard County, Florida. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town's population was 4,509 as the 2020 census, up from 3,850 at the 2010 census.
References
↑ Walters, Mark Jerome (1992). A Shadow and a Song. White River Junction, Vermont: Chelsea Green Classics. p.xiv. ISBN978-1-933392-56-1.
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