Titusville, Florida

Titusville
—  City  —
Historic Brevard County Courthouse in 2006
Seal
Nickname(s): Space City, USA Miracle City[1]
Location in Brevard County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 28°35′28″N 80°49′12″W / 28.59111°N 80.82°W / 28.59111; -80.82Coordinates: 28°35′28″N 80°49′12″W / 28.59111°N 80.82°W / 28.59111; -80.82
Country	United States
State	Florida
County	Brevard
Founded	1867
Incorporated (city)	1887
Government
– Type	Council-Manager
– Mayor	Jim Tulley
– City Manager	Mark K. Ryan
– Vice Mayor	Conrad Eigenmann
Area
– Total	26 sq mi (67.1 km2)
– Land	21.3 sq mi (55.1 km2)
– Water	4.7 sq mi (12 km2)
Elevation	10 ft (3 m)
Population (1 July 2008)[2][3]
– Total	44,756
– Density	2,101.2/sq mi (812.3/km2)
	Census Bureau estimate
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
– Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes	32780, 32781, 32782, 32783, 32796
Area code(s)	321
FIPS code	12-71900[4]
GNIS feature ID	0292319[5]
Website	www.titusville.com

Titusville is a city in Brevard County, Florida in the United States. It is the county seat of Brevard County.^[6] Nicknamed Space City, USA,^[7] Titusville is on the Indian River, west of Merritt Island and the Kennedy Space Center and south-southwest of the Canaveral National Seashore. It is a principal city of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The population was 40,670 at the 2000 census. As of 2008, the estimated population according to the U.S. Census Bureau was 44,756.^[2]

History

Washington Avenue c. 1910

The area was once inhabited by the Ais Indians, 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 to slave raids, disease and rum. Florida was acquired from Spain in 1821, but the Seminole Wars delayed settlement.

Originally called Sand Point, a post office was established in 1859; although it closed a few months later. Confederate Colonel Henry T. Titus arrived in 1867 with the intention 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.

Titusville could have been called Riceville, but Titus challenged Capt. Clark Rice to a game of dominoes to decide the name. Titus won the game, and Sand Point became Titusville in 1873.^[8] It was incorporated as a city in 1887, the year construction began on St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, listed in 1972 on the National Register of Historic Places. At one point, Titusville was nicknamed The City of Churches.

Railroad depot c. 1905

The Atlantic Coast, St. Johns & Indian River Railroad arrived in 1885 from Enterprise, which was connected by a spur line to the Jacksonville, Tampa & Key West Railroad at Enterprise Junction in present-day DeBary. Henry Flagler extended his Florida East Coast Railroad south from Daytona, with the station built in Titusville in 1892. Tourists arrived, and the Indian River area increasingly became an agricultural and shipping center for pineapple and citrus produce. A wooden bridge was built east to Playalinda Beach in 1922.

Beginning in the late 1950s, the growth of Cape Canaveral, and later the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, made the community's economy, population and tourism grow considerably. The association with the space program led to the city's two nicknames in the 1960s: Space City, USA and Miracle City.

Geography

Titusville is located at 28°35′28″N 80°49′12″W / 28.59111°N 80.82°W / 28.59111; -80.82 (28.591210, -80.819911)^[9] in the Northern half of Brevard County. According to the US Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.9 square miles (67.1 km²). 21.3 square miles (55.1 km²) of it is land and 4.7 square miles (12.0 km²) of it (17.95 percent) is water. Titusville is located on the Indian River Lagoon, part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.

Climate

Monthly Normal and Record High and Low Temperatures
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Rec High °F	88	92	94	97	102	103	103	102	99	98	93	88
Norm High °F	70	72	77	81	86	89	91	91	89	83	78	72
Norm Low °F	49	51	56	60	67	72	73	74	73	66	59	53
Rec Low °F	19	23	26	35	45	56	61	60	51	40	27	19
Precip (in)	2.48	2.79	3.60	2.79	3.66	6.09	7.03	7.27	6.82	4.29	3.45	2.52
Source: The Weather Channel [4]

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1950	2,604		—
1960	6,410		146.2%
1970	30,515		376.1%
1980	31,910		4.6%
1990	39,394		23.5%
2000	40,670		3.2%
Est. 2009	44,670		9.8%

As of the census^[4] 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 (738.6/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.

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 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. In 2010, this had risen to 43.4.^[10] For every 100 females there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

In 2010, for residents 25 and older, 89.3% had completed high school, 22.6% had at least a bachelor's degree.^[10]

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.^[11]

Titusville has the highest city tax rate in the county.^[12] In 2007, the city had a taxable real estate base of $2.34 billion.^[13]

The city has 1.8 police officers per thousand residents. This is 52% below average statewide for cities of its size.^[14]

A 2011 study rated the pension fund for city employees as mediocre or poor.^[15]

City council

Titusville's five city council members (one of which 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.^[16]

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.^[16]

• Mayor: James H. Tulley, Jr. (term expires 2012)
• Vice mayor: Walt Johnson (term expires 2014)
• Council members: Martha Long (term expires 2012), Kathleen Burson (term expires 2014), Rita Pritchett (term expires 2014)

City manager

The city manager is chosen by the city council on the basis of training, experience and ability, and serves at the pleasure of the council for an indefinite period of time. The city manager is tasked with enforcing all laws and ordinances, appointing and removing department heads and employees, supervising all departments, keeping the council advised on the city's financial situation, keeping the council and public informed of the city government's operations.^[11]

• City manager: Mark K. Ryan

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.^[10]

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.^[10] 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.

Industry

Many of Titusville's major employers are aerospace companies.^[17] Knight's Armament Company in Titusville is believed to be the state's largest manufacturer of small arms.^[18]

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.^[19]

While 47 miles (76 km) from the event, the city gets a noticeable economic affect from bikers on their way to the annual Daytona Beach Bike Week.^[20]

Workforce

The unemployment rate was 3.6% in 2000 and 2005.^[10] 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.^[17] In December 2010, the city had the highest unemployment in the county, 13.8 percent.^[21]

Housing

As of the census^[4] of 2000, there were 19,178 housing units at an average density of 902.3 per square mile (348.3/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.^[22]

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.^[10]

The median home price in 2007 was $158,900.^[17]

Infrastructure

Utilities

The city primarily gets its water supply from the Florida’s surficial aquifer, a shallow, unconfined aquifer that overlays the larger Floridan aquifer. In 2005, about 3.8 million gallons per day of raw water were drawn from the city’s two wellfields.^[23] The water department had 22,000 customers in 2010.^[24]

Airports

• Space Coast Regional Airport (commercial aviation) is located just south of the city
• Arthur Dunn Air Park (general aviation)^[25]

Historic sites and museums

Titusville was a popular vantage point for space shuttle launches (STS-126, 2008).

• Judge George Robbins House
• North Brevard Historical Museum
• Pritchard House
• St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church
• Spell House
• Titusville Commercial District
• US Space Walk of Fame and Museum
• Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum
• Wager House

Health care

Parrish Medical Center is the hospital that serves Titusville.^[26] A new $80 million hospital was completed in 2002.^[26]

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.^[17]

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
• Riverview Elementary School
• South Lake Elementary School

Middle schools

• Jackson Middle School
• Madison Middle School

High schools

• Titusville High School
• Astronaut High School

Private schools

• Park Avenue Christian Academy
• Sculptor Charter School
• St. Teresa Catholic School
• Temple Christian School

Colleges

• Brevard Community College

Media

Newspapers

• The North Brevard Beacon – biweekly newspaper based in Titusville that serves the communities of North Brevard
• Titusville Star-Advocate – began publication in 1966; since absorbed by Florida Today which also serves Titusville

Radio

• WIXC-AM
• WNUE-FM
• WPIO-FM

Magazines

• Computer Shopper – founded in Titusville in 1979; published as a tabloid until 1988, when Ziff Davis bought the magazine and moved it to New York City

Criticism

In 2010, a New York Times reporter, in Titusville to cover a space shuttle launch, commented that Titusville was

...a small, sleepy and, some might say, seedy town with a handful of not too luxurious motels and hotels that jack up their prices whenever there is a scheduled shuttle lift-off.

A Titusville spokesman replied that it was common everywhere to increase room rates for major events.^[27]

Notable residents

• Cris Collinsworth, former NFL football player
• "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, professional wrestler; previously lived in Titusville.^[28]
• Jeff Fulchino, Major League baseball player, born in Titusville
• Wilber Marshall, former NFL football player
• Mike Polchlopek, professional wrestler, born in Titusville
• Loren Shriver, former space shuttle astronaut
• Daniel Tosh, comedian and host of Tosh.0, raised in Titusville
• Aaron Walker, NFL football player
• Johnny Weismuller, actor known for playing Tarzan; lived in Titusville in the 1960s

References

1. ^ Walters, Mark Jerome (1992). A Shadow and a Song. White River Junction, Vermont: Chelsea Green Classics. p. xiv. ISBN 978-1-933392-56-1. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Annual Estimates of the population for the Incorporated Places of Florida" (CSV). US Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2008-04-12.csv. Retrieved 2009-06-24. 
3. ^ "Annual Estimates of the population for Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas" (CSV). US Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/popest/metro/tables/2008/CBSA-EST2008-01.csv. Retrieved 2009-06-24. 
4. ^ ^{a b c} "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
5. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
6. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
7. ^ Louie-Garcia, Allison (April 5, 2010). "Shuttle fleet's home counts down to an uncertain future". Yahoo! News. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts1421. Retrieved 25 April 2010. 
8. ^ http://www.titusville.com/Page.asp?NavID=216
9. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
10. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Berman, Dave (20 December 2010). "Working through tough times". Melbourne, Florida: Florida Today. pp. 7A. http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20101220/NEWS01/12200321/Working-through-tough-times. 
11. ^ ^{a b} Government City of Titusville - Official Site. Retrieved on 29-09-2009.
12. ^ http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007704150354
13. ^ Dean, James (April 26, 2008). More taxes or fewer services. Florida Today. 
14. ^ Knapp, Andrew (16 October 2010). "Crime rate decreases 5.5%". Melbourne, Florida: Florida Today. pp. 1B. http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20101016/NEWS01/10160312/1006/Crime+rate+decreases+5.5+percent. 
15. ^ Walker, Don (November 11, 2011). "Cities pensions among the best, bottom". Florida Today (Melbourne, Florida): pp. 4B. http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011311100046. 
16. ^ ^{a b} City Council City of Titusville - Official Site. Retrieved on 29-09-2009.
17. ^ ^{a b c d} Titusville Community Data Sheet Economic Development Council of Florida's Space Coast. Retrieved on 2009-06-29.
18. ^ [1] retrieved August 24, 2008^{[dead link]}
19. ^ Best, Keilani (6 March 2010). "Festivals boost economy". Melbourne, Florida: Florida Today. pp. 7C. http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20100306/BUSINESS/3060306/1006/NEWS01/Festivals+boost+economy. 
20. ^ Kennerly, Britt (5 March 2011). "Revenue hopes ride on bikers' business". Florida Today (Melbourne, Florida): pp. 1A. http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110305/NEWS01/103050314/North-Brevard-revenue-hopes-ride-bikers-business. 
21. ^ Kennerly, Britt (19 December 2010). "Proud Space City asks, "What's next?"". Melbourne, Florida: Florida Today. pp. 1A. http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20101220/NEWS01/101219022/Proud-Space-City-asks-What-s-next-. 
22. ^ Building Permits United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2009-06-29.
23. ^ [2] retrieved June 24, 2008
24. ^ Berman, Dave (13 January 2011). "Utility deposits based on credit". Melbourne, Florida: Florida Today. pp. 4B. http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110113/NEWS01/101130323/Utility-deposits-based-on-credit. 
25. ^ Statement of Dunn's inclusion within actual city limits
26. ^ ^{a b} "History/Facts". Parrish Medical Center. http://www.parrishmed.com/about_us/history.cfm. Retrieved 25 April 2010. 
27. ^ Berman, Dave (18 May 2010). "'N.Y. Times': Liked launch, not venues". Melbourne, Florida: Florida Today. pp. 1A. 
28. ^ [3]

External links

• City of Titusville Web site
• The Florida Star, former African-American Titusville newspaper online in the Florida Digital Newspaper Library
• Titusville events and activities
• Synopsis of Col. Henry Titus at the Historical Society of North Brevard, Inc.
• Titusville (Florida) travel guide from Wikitravel