Melbourne is a city located on Florida’s Space Coast in Brevard County. As of the 2020 census, Melbourne had a population of 85,041, making it the most populous city in Brevard County.
Population
The population of Melbourne was 85,041 as of the 2020 census. This makes it the 12th largest city in the state of Florida. The city has grown rapidly in recent decades. In 1980, the population was only 43,787 so it has nearly doubled in the last 40 years.
Melbourne has a mix of ages with 19.3% under 18, 9.3% aged 18 to 24, 23.8% aged 25 to 44, 27% aged 45 to 64, and 20.6% aged 65 or older. The median age is 41.5 years old. Melbourne has slightly more females (51.7%) than males (48.3%).
The racial makeup of Melbourne is 78.9% White, 11.3% African American, 0.3% Native American, 3.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.7% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. In addition, 9.4% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Economy and Major Employers
The economy of Melbourne is strongly tied to the aerospace and defense industries. Some of the major employers in the city include:
- Northrop Grumman – defense technologies (over 7,000 employees)
- Harris Corporation – communications equipment, electronic systems (over 6,000 employees)
- Lockheed Martin – aerospace, defense, technology (over 2,000 employees)
- Rockwell Collins – avionics, communications (over 1,000 employees)
Other major industries in Melbourne include healthcare, education, retail, construction and tourism. Some of the largest employers outside of aerospace/defense include Health First (healthcare), Brevard Public Schools and Eastern Florida State College (education).
In 2016, Melbourne had a per capita personal income of $41,240. This ranks it in the top 25 highest income places in Florida. The unemployment rate as of June 2022 was 2.8%, lower than both the statewide and national averages.
Points of Interest
Some of the most popular attractions and landmarks in Melbourne include:
- Bathtub Reef Beach – a picturesque beach named for its shallow, bathtub-like waters.
- Melbourne Ballpark – home of the Florida State League’s Melbourne Milkmen baseball team.
- Historic Downtown Melbourne – shops, restaurants and museums clustered around New Haven Avenue.
- Brevard Zoo – a 76 acre zoo home to over 900 animals.
- Eau Gallie Arts District – neighborhood packed with art galleries, shops and eateries.
Melbourne is also home to 10 parks, 7 public golf courses and 5 historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The city’s central location on Florida’s Space Coast makes it a popular tourist destination.
Government
Melbourne uses a council-manager form of government. The city is run by a professional City Manager appointed by the Melbourne City Council. The City Council consists of the mayor and six council members who are elected to three year terms.
The current mayor of Melbourne is Paul Alfrey. The city government website can be found at https://www.melbourneflorida.org/.
Culture and Sports
Melbourne has a thriving arts and culture scene. Each Friday from 5-9pm, Historic Downtown Melbourne hosts Friday Fest – a celebration with live music, arts, craft vendors and food trucks.
The Melbourne Civic Theatre has shows and concerts year round. The Melbourne Community Orchestra performs free concerts for the community. There are also several youth orchestras and bands in the area.
For sports, Melbourne is home to some great teams. The Melbourne Milkmen are part of the Florida State League and play at Melbourne Ballpark. The Space Coast IcePlex is home to youth and adult ice hockey leagues.
TheAnnual Space Coast State Fair has been held in Melbourne since 1977. Other popular annual events include the Melbourne Art Festival, IndiaFest and the Melbourne Main Street Fest.
To keep up with local events and news, be sure to follow Visit Melbourne Florida on Facebook.