WATCH: Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina Delivers His Inaugural State of the City Address
By Space Coast Daily // May 25, 2021
covered the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, updates on Palm Bay’s growing economy
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE PALM BAY STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina delivered his inaugural State of the City Address this month that covered the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, featured updates on Palm Bay’s growing economy, and shared a look at his vision for the Palm Bay of tomorrow.
Community Profile
Population: 118,568 (BEBR, April 2020)
Population with Associates, Bachelor, Graduate Degrees: 32.8%
Population with High School Degree and higher: 90.5%
Median Age: 41.2
Daytime Population: 90,143
Civilian Employed: 95.3%
Employed Population by Occupation:
■ White Collar: 56.9%
■ Services: 22.5%
■ Blue Collar: 20.6%
Housing Units: 49,526
■ Owner-Occupied: 65.6%
■ Renter-Occupied: 23.4%
■ Vacant: 11%
Households: 44,087
Average Household Size: 2.63
Average Household Income: $62,303
Per Capita Income: $23,577
Median Disposable Income: $40,668
Total Retail Trade and Food & Drink:
■ DEMAND/Retail Potential: $1,191,900,200
■ SUPPLY/Retail Sales: $862,934,945
■ Retail Gap/Leakage: $328,965,255
Consumer Spending
Apparel & Services: $67,328,990
Education: $46,239,141
Entertainment & Recreation: $104,890,421
Food at Home: $167,684,250
Food Away from Home: $116,773,630
Healthcare: $199,600,501
Household Furnishings & Equipment: $68,591,766
Personal Care Products & Services: $28,684,019
Shelter: $568,275,595
Travel: $68,747,906
Business & Industry Profile
Total Businesses: 2,563
Total Employees: 22,169
Palm Bay – Through The Years
1887: Early homesteaders settle in a town called Tillman, located at the mouth of Turkey Creek.
1925: The 200 residents of Tillman decide their name doesn’t accurately depict the charming town and petition to change the name to Palm Bay.
1960: Under the leadership of Mayor Harry Pollak and the Town Council, Palm Bay continues to grow and is incorporated as a city with 2,808 residents.
1963: Scenic U.S. Route 1 (US 1) is completed.
1966: The city’s first school Palm Bay Elementary is built.
1967: Fire Station 1 is built on Palm Bay Road. Harris-Seybold acquires Radiation, Inc., known today as Harris Corporation.
1974: The city’s first bank and motel are built.
1984: The first city library opens on Port Malabar Boulevard.
1990: Palm Bay becomes the most populous city in Brevard County with 62,632 residents.
1992: Palm Bay Community Hospital opens.
2004: Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne impact the city with $13 million dollars in damage and debris cleanup.
2006: The city’s population reaches over 100,000 residents.
2009: Palm Bay receives certification as a “Green Local Government” by Florida Green Building Coalition.
2010: The City of Palm Bay celebrates 50 years.
2011: The new City Hall Annex is completed, providing a central location for services.
2014: Harris Corporation opens the $130 million Technology Center on Palm Bay Road.
2016: Palm Bay completes the southern portion of the St. Johns Heritage Parkway and announces the building of a new 1-95 interchange in south Palm Bay.
2018: Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville metro area named # 1 for tech salaries with the average salary of $159,390, over three times the average state salary of $50,560.
