Cocoa, Florida

Cocoa is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. Its 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, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Etymology

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. 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. The sailors approaching her house were said to yell out "Cocoa!, Cocoa!", alerting the woman that they were present and wanted the beverage.

19th century

In 1885, the S. F. Travis Hardware store opened. As of 2023, the business remains open. Cocoa's business district was mostly destroyed by fire in 1890, but significant development soon was stimulated by the extension of the Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Indian River Railway to Cocoa.

The city was chartered on October 1, 1895. 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.

Early 20th Century

In the 1910s, population growth in Cocoa accelerated. The state business directory of 1911–1912 stated the population was 550.

By 1925, its population was estimated at 1,800. By 1930, despite the Great Depression, the population had risen to 2,200.

Education was segregated until the 1960s, when Monroe High School and elementary schools for black students were closed.

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. 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, 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.

Government

Cocoa first approved the council-manager form of government in 1959, and subsequent changes to the state statutes mirrored the City of Cocoa's 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.

Councilwoman, District 4 – Lorraine Koss
City Manager (appointed) – Stockton Whitten

In 2007, the city had a taxable real-estate base of $1.18 billion.

Cocoa has its own police and fire departments. 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. In 2021, the city had an authorized police force of 72 police officers and 44 firefighters.

Geography

thumb|right|Cocoa in 1933

Cocoa is located at .

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , (13.46%) are covered by water. Cocoa is home to the highest point in Brevard County, listed by the USGS as being above sea level at its apex.

Fauna

The Cocoa Bird Count has annually counted species of birds in or near Cocoa since 1950. In 2010, it counted 150 species. An annual "Christmas Bird Count" was conducted before this, starting in 1900.

Climate

Demographics

Racial and ethnic composition

{| class="wikitable"

|+Cocoa racial composition<br> (Hispanics excluded from racial categories)<br> (NH = Non-Hispanic)<br>

!Race

!Pop 2010

!Pop 2020

!% 2010

!% 2020

|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%

|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

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Cocoa had a population of 19,041. The median age was 42.4 years. 21.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 89.0 males age 18 and over.

There were 8,206 households in Cocoa, of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 32.9% were married-couple households, 22.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 36.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 4,550 families residing in the city.

! Race !! Number !! Percent

| White || 10,121 || 53.2%

| Black or African American || 5,104 || 26.8%

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 86 || 0.5%

| Asian || 252 || 1.3%

| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 22 || 0.1%

| Some other race || 1,433 || 7.5%

| Two or more races || 2,023 || 10.6%

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 3,215 || 16.9%

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, 17,140 people, 7,429 households, and 4,480 families resided in the city.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, 16,412 people, 6,939 households, and 4,232 families lived in the city. The population density was . The 8,064 housing units had an average density of . 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. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 4.93% of the population.

Of the 6,939 households, 28.4% had children under 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 not families. About 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.97.

In 2000, in the city, the age distribution was 26.4% under 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 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.

Economy

left|thumb|[[Medal of Honor recipient Emory Bennett's statue in Cocoa Riverfront Park]]

Personal income

According to 2020 United States census data:

Median household income = $45,011
Per capita income = $26,831
Below the poverty line: 13.0% of the population

Industry

Construction and retail trade are the two largest industries by employment in Cocoa as of 2017. Cocoa has 1,381 registered businesses that include light manufacturing and industrial, retail, and office businesses as of 2017.

Workforce

In 2017, 9,633 persons were employed, with 84% having a high school education or higher. In addition, tourists are attracted to the historic sites and local attractions such as the Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science, the 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.

thumb|right|Porcher House in Cocoa Village

Education

The city area has these educational institutions:

Higher education:

Eastern Florida State College, Cocoa Campus
University of Central Florida, Cocoa Campus

Public school system:

Cambridge Elementary School
Cocoa High School
Endeavor Elementary Magnet School
Saturn Elementary School

Private schools:

Emma Jewel Charter Academy
St. Marks Episcopal Academy

Infrastructure

thumb|500px|The [[Hubert Humphrey|Hubert H. Humphrey Bridge spans the Indian River Lagoon, linking Cocoa with Merritt Island.]]

Transportation

Major roads

All are at least four-lane roads, unless otherwise designated. Starting from the west, the road enters the city limits of Cocoa from unincorporated Brevard County and takes on the name King Street. It then intersects SR 524. Following a brief interruption from Cocoa West, the road then runs through Cocoa Village on a pair of one-way streets, eastbound named King Street and westbound named Willard Street, and onto the Merritt Island Causeway. Major intersections include SR 524, I-95 (diamond interchange), SR 501, SR 519, US 1, and Indian River Drive.

– This is a rural, sometimes two-lane, secondary road running from SR 520 to SR 528. It has no local name. Major intersections include SR 520, I-95, SR 501, and SR 528.
– This is an east–west highway running from unincorporated areas of the county to the census-designated and unincorporated place of Merritt Island. Major intersections include I-95, SR 524, and US 1.

Rail

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. Into the latter 1950s, passengers could take the Dixie Flagler to Chicago via Atlanta from the station. 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.

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.

Bus

Space Coast Area Transit operates a public bus service in Cocoa and vicinity.

Water

thumb|left|200px|Updated livery of the Cocoa water tower at night, as seen from [[US Route 1.]]

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) In 2014, the city refurbished and repainted the tower with the iconic American flags.

Media

Radio stations

WMMV 1350 AM
WWBC 1510 AM
WMIE-FM 91.5
WQCP 93.9 FM
WRRQ-LP 96.9 FM

Television station

WUCF-TV 68, a PBS member station operated by a consortium of the University of Central Florida and Eastern Florida State College.

Points of interest

Florida Solar Energy Center
Brevard Museum of History & Natural Science
Alma Clyde Field Library of Florida History

Historic sites

Community Woman's Club
Aladdin Theater
Historic Derby Street Chapel
Porcher House
St. Mark's Episcopal Church

Athletics

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. The league suspended operations in November 2009.

Cocoa High School has numerous state-champion athletic teams. In 2015, the Cocoa High School football team was ranked 13th in Florida and first in the county, and had a 35-game winning streak against other Brevard County schools.

Notable people

Emory L. Bennett (1929–1951), United States Army soldier during the Korean War and Medal of Honor recipient. A statue of him is in Cocoa Riverfront Park
Tarean Folston (born 1995), football player at the University of Notre Dame
Chauncey "C.J." Gardner-Johnson (born 1997), NFL American football player
Jumaine Jones (born 1979), professional basketball player
Chip Skowron (c. 1968), hedge fund portfolio manager, convicted of insider trading
Abbie Sweetwine (1921–2009), nurse who was called "The Angel of Platform 6" for her work during the Harrow and Wealdstone rail crash
Scott Thompson (aka; Carrot Top) (born 1965), a 1983 Cocoa High School graduate, is an American stand-up comedian and actor
Nick Wynne (born 1943) historian, writer, and educator

Sister city

Beit Shemesh, Israel. On October 7, 2007, the city became a sister city with Beit Shemesh. Eastern Florida State College announced that it would participate by exchanging students.

References

External links

Historic Cocoa Village Association