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Wikipedia / Titusville, Florida

Titusville is a city in and the county seat of Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 48,789, up from 43,761 at the 2010 census. Titusville is located along the Indian River, west of Merritt Island and Kennedy Space Center, and south-southwest of Canaveral National Seashore. It is a principal city of the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Florida metropolitan statistical area.

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

Indigenous peoples had inhabited the area for thousands of years, as shown by discovery in 1982 of the Windover Archeological Site, dating to the middle 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, the area was inhabited by the Ais Indians, who gathered palmetto, cocoplum, and seagrape berries. They 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. A 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.

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. 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".

The Atlantic Coast, St. Johns & Indian River Railroad reached Titusville in 1885, constructed from Enterprise, Florida. It was connected by a spur line to the Jacksonville, Tampa & Key West Railroad at Enterprise Junction in present-day DeBary, Florida. Henry Flagler extended his Florida East Coast Railroad south from Daytona, building a station at Titusville in 1892. Many tourists arrived by railroad to enjoy the mild winter climate.

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.

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. Beginning in the late 1950s, the growth of Cape Canaveral and later 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.

Searstown Mall opened in 1966. Miracle City Mall opened in 1968, built on . It had of covered floor space. The jail at the county courthouse became overcrowded by the 1980s. A jailhouse was built in Sharpes in 1986.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. Operations were to be moved to New York City in 1989 in a joint venture between Patch Communications of Titusville and Ziff Davis.

The A. Max Brewer Bridge, a , fixed, high-level span, on SR-406 connecting Titusville to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore, opened on February 5, 2011, to replace the former swing bridge built in 1949. 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.

In January 2013, the 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. Demolition of Miracle City Mall occurred February 2015 and a mixed-use outdoor shopping complex called Titus Landing was built on the site. Because of population decline, the USPS had closed two post offices in Titusville by 2013, and discussed closing a third.

Geography

Titusville is located in the northern half of Brevard County. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which (14.26%) is covered by water. Titusville is located on the Indian River Lagoon, part of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Flora

The city is the only place in the world where the endangered Dicerandra thinicola, "Titusville mint" grows. The fields are along a strip between the Titusville wellfield and Mims.

Climate

Titusville has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and mild winters.

Demographics

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Titusville had a population of 48,789. The median age was 45.8 years; 19.3% of residents were under 18 and 23.5% were 65 or older. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males, and for every 100 females 18 and over, there were 89.5 males 18 and over. Of the residents, 99.4% lived in urban areas, while 0.6% lived in rural areas.

Of the 21,050 households in Titusville, 24.3% had children under 18 living in them, 39.9% were married-couple households, 20.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 32.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 or older; 11,012 families were living in the city. The city had 23,433 housing units, of which 10.2% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.6%, and the rental vacancy rate was 8.2%.

2024 estimate

In 2024, the United States Census Bureau estimated that 49,888 people, 20,768 households, and 12,590 families were living in the city.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, 43,761 people, 18,174 households, and 11,508 families resided in the city. The median age was 43.4 years. Also, for residents 25 and older in 2010, 89.3% had completed high school, and 22.6% had at least a bachelor's degree.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, 40,670 people, 17,200 households, and 11,094 families lived in the city. The population density was . The racial makeup of the city was 83.80% White, 12.64% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.73% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 3.52% of the population.

Of the 17,200 households, 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were not families. About 29.9% were made up of individuals, and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32, and the average family size was 2.86. The age distribution was 22.9% under 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

Personal income

In 2000, the median income in the city for a household was $35,607 and for a family was $42,453. This had risen to $44,925 median per household in 2010; $24,374 per capita income. 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% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6% of those under 18 and 6.8% of those 65 or over.

In 2018, Titusville had a median household income of $43,765. Between 2017 and 2018, median household income grew from $42,561 to $43,765.

Economy

In 2010, private business was 24.7% "other"; 21.5% trade, transportation, and utilities, 18.1% professional and business services; 13.7% educational and health services; 12.0% construction; and 10.0% leisure and hospitality. The economy shrunk after layoffs involving the end of the space shuttle program in 2011, since many employees lived in Titusville.

Industry

Many of Titusville's major employers are aerospace companies. Knight's Armament Company in Titusville is believed to be the state's largest manufacturer of small arms. Parrish Medical Center in Titusville is the city's largest employer. In October 2013, Barn Light Electric Company opened a manufacturing plant, providing work for at least 60 former NASA workers and men who had completed drug rehabilitation.

Tourism

The city has benefited from tourism associated with the space program, and the TICO Warbird Air Show each March draws about 40,00050,000 visitors. While from the event, the city gets a noticeable economic effect from bikers on their way to the annual Daytona Beach Bike Week.

Titusville was the site of Tropical Wonderland, a now-defunct amusement park.

Workforce

In 2024, the average size of Titusville's labor force was 22,650. Of the group, 21,812 were employed and 838 were unemployed, for an unemployment rate of 3.7%.

Housing

As of the 2000 census, the 19,178 housing units had an average density of . In 2008, 55 building permits for 64 units were issued. That was down from 195 permits for 657 units in 2007. The city issued 292 permits for 360 units in 2006.

In 2001, 149 permits were issued for $18.6 million worth of property, with 453 in 2005 for $65.7 million, and 45 in 2010 for $9.5 million. The median home price in 2007 was $158,900.

Retail

Shopping centers include Walmart Supercenter and Target. They are located in the city's shopping district at the southern end of the city, near the intersection of State Road 405 and State Road 50.

Arts and culture

Historic sites and museums

Library

The Titusville Public Library is part of the Brevard County Library System.

Government

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.

The city has 1.8 police officers per 1000 residents, which is 52% below average statewide for cities of its size.A 2011 study rated the pension fund for city employees as mediocre or poor.

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 adopts ordinances and resolutions in addition to cote appropriationss, approves budgets, determines the tax rate, and appoints citizens to serve on advisory boards and commissions.

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. The mayor is Andrew Connors.

Education

In 2007, an estimated 88.1% of all Titusville residents 25 years or older were high-school graduates, and 23.6% had a bachelor's degree or higher. Former schools in the city include Titusville Negro School (1915–1968).

Primary and secondary public schools are run by the Brevard County School Board:

Elementary schools

  • Apollo Elementary School

  • Coquina Elementary School

  • Imperial Estates Elementary School

  • Oak Park Elementary School

  • South Lake Elementary School

Middle schools

  • Jackson Middle School

  • Madison Middle School

  • Sculptor Charter School

High schools

Private schools

  • Lake Fern Montessori Academy

  • Park Avenue Christian Academy

  • Sculptor Charter School

  • St. Teresa Catholic School

  • Temple Christian School

Media

Television

  • TitusvilleCityTV|Spectrum Channel 498, AT&T U-verse Channel 99

Radio

Newspapers / Periodicals

  • Titusville Talking Points Magazine – began publication in 2015 as a multipage document produced by the Titusville Community Relations Department's media services personnel. By 2016, it became a complete magazine published online and in physical print every quarter. TTP—as it is referred to colloquially—is a highly sought-after publication enjoyed by the residents and businesses of Titusville and can be found at Titusville.com/TalkingPoints.

  • Titusville Star-Advocatebegan publication in 1920 when the East Coast Advocate and Indian River Chronicle merged with the Indian River Star; bought by Henry Hudson in 1925, it 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 was to be retained as long as the editor, Bob, 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 beginning on 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 stopped.

  • The North Brevard Beaconbiweekly newspaper based in Titusvillet served the communities of North Brevard; publication started November 5, 2003, and stopped on March 4, 2010.

  • The News Observer of North Brevardsemiweekly newspaper based in Titusville ceased publication September 4, 2003, after 15 years.

Infrastructure

Roads

Transit

Titusville is served by Space Coast Area Transit's #1, #2, and #5 routes.

Utilities

As of 2006, the city-owned water utility drew about of its water supply from two wellfields tapping a surficial aquifer. A new wellfield drawing per day from the Floridan aquifer was added in 2016. The water department had 22,000 customers in 2010.

Airports

Healthcare

Parrish Medical Center, originally established as North Brevard Hospital in 1958, is the hospital serving Titusville. A new, 371,000-sq.ft., $80 million hospital was completed in 2002. It was the first medical center in the Southeast region designed and constructed using the seven 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.

Notable people

References