Just south of Melbourne, Palm Bay is one of Brevard County's largest and continually growing communities. Spanning from the Indian River to far west of Interstate 95, Palm Bay covers 65 miles and is Florida's sixth largest city. More than 100,786 residents call this community home.

In addition to being one of the largest cities in Florida, Palm Bay also is home to one of Brevard's largest employers - Harris Corporation. With Harris Corporation's divisions located here, many technology-related companies have established roots in Palm Bay, adding to its strong employment base.

But Palm Bay isn't all work. With movie theaters, strip malls, convenience stores, and family attractions all within a few minutes drive, Palm Bay has the best amenities there are to offer. Outdoor recreation enthusiasts also have many opportunities for fun, whether it's fishing, boating, or swimming in the Indian River, teeing off at nearby golf courses, or visiting the Turkey Creek Wildlife Sanctuary.

Due to its size and population, Palm Bay has numerous elementary schools, middle schools, and two high schools - Palm Bay High School and Brevard's newest high school, Bayside High.

Whether it's the draw of Florida's high-tech atmosphere or just the excitement of fun in the sun, Palm Bay is one of Brevard's best places to be.

DEMOGRAPHICS
The demographic group to which residents of Palm Bay belong have more pre-schoolers than the national average. They typically are educated and have dual incomes. Most are homeowners within housing developments in suburban neighborhoods. Primarily, they enjoy playing golf, fishing, swimming and family activities.

Population in July 2008: 100,786. Population change since 2000: +26.9%

Males: 49,144 (48.8%)
Females: 51,642 (51.2%)
Median resident age: 37.2 years
Florida median age: 38.7 years

Estimated median household income in 2008: $47,479 (it was $36,508 in 2000)
Palm Bay: $47,479
Florida: $47,778

Estimated per capita income in 2008: $21,663

Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $160,400 (it was $76,200 in 2000)
Palm Bay: $160,400
Florida: $218,700

Mean prices in 2008: Mobile homes: $38,451

Median gross rent in 2008: $909.

Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2008: 10.0%

Houses: 32,929 (30,352 occupied: 22,874 owner occupied, 7,478 renter occupied)

% of renters in Palm Bay: 25%
State: 30%

Housing density: 517 houses/condos per square mile

Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos in 2008 in this state: $303,747.

Median contract rent in 2008: $775 (lower quartile is $644, upper quartile is $958)

Housing units in Palm Bay with a mortgage: 16,347 (2,189 second mortgage, 1,022 home equity loan, 44 both second mortgage and home equity loan)
Houses without a mortgage: 4,129

Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $160,400 (it was $76,200 in 2000)
Palm Bay: $160,400
Florida: $218,700

Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $110,500 - $198,400

Mean price in 2008:
Mobile homes: $38,451
Here: $38,451
State: $43,568

Median year house/condo built: 1988

Median year apartment built: 1989

Household type by relationship

Households: 79,062
In family households: 68,415 (16,478 male householders, 5,525 female householders)
17,269 spouses, 24,047 children (21,913 natural, 682 adopted, 1,452 stepchildren), 1,291 grandchildren, 495 brothers or sisters, 664 parents, 1,031 other relatives, 1,615 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 10,647 (3,746 male householders (2,670 living alone)), 4,648 female householders (3,921 living alone)), 2,253 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 393 (265 institutionalized population)
Size of family households: 9,287 2-persons, 5,182 3-persons, 4,460 4-persons, 2,081 5-persons, 715 6-persons, 278 7-or-more-persons.

Size of nonfamily households: 6,591 1-person, 1,530 2-persons, 207 3-persons, 45 4-persons, 19 5-persons, 2 7-or-more-persons.

13,536 married couples with children.
5,362 single-parent households (1,251 men, 4,111 women).

87.5% of residents of Palm Bay speak English at home.
7.4% of residents speak Spanish at home (67% speak English very well, 22% speak English well, 9% speak English not well, 2% don't speak English at all).
3.2% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (74% speak English very well, 19% speak English well, 6% speak English not well, 1% don't speak English at all).
1.3% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (46% speak English very well, 34% speak English well, 14% speak English not well, 5% don't speak English at all).
0.7% of residents speak other language at home (71% speak English very well, 27% speak English well, 2% speak English not well).

Foreign born population: 7,584 (9.5%)
(64.7% of them are naturalized citizens)

Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here: 5.7
State: 5.6

Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here: 4.6
State: 3.8

HIGH SCHOOLS - PUBLIC
Bayside High School
1901 DeGroodt Road, Palm Bay
(321) 956-5000
Grades: 9-12

Palm Bay High School
101 Pirate Lane, Palm Bay
(321) 952-5900
Grades: 9-12

MIDDLE SCHOOLS - PUBLIC
Central Middle School
2600 Wingate Blvd., West Melbourne
(321) 722-4150
Grades: 7-8

Southwest Middle School
451 Eldron Boulevard, S.E., Palm Bay
(321) 952-5800
Grades: 7-8

Stone Middle School
1101 E. University Blvd., Melbourne
(321) 723-0741
Grades: 7-8

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - PUBLIC
Columbia Elementary
1225 Waco Blvd. S.E., Palm Bay
(321) 676-1319
Grades: K-12

Discovery Elementary
1275 Glendale Avenue, N.W., Palm Bay
(321) 951-4920
Grades: K-6

Jupiter Elementary
950 Tupelo Rd., S.W., Palm Bay
(321) 952-5992
Grades: K-6

Lockmar Elementary School
525 Pepper Street, N.E., Palm Bay
(321) 676-3730
Grades: K-6

Christa McAuliffe Elementary
155 Del Mundo Street, N.W., Palm Bay
(321) 768-0465
Grades: K-6

Palm Bay Elementary School
1200 Allamanda Road N.E., Palm Bay
(321) 723-1055
Grades: K-6

Port Malabar Elementary
301 Pioneer Avenue, N.E., Palm Bay
(321) 725-
Grades: K-6

Riviera Elementary
351 Riviera Drive, N.E., Palm Bay
(321) 676-4237
Grades: K-6

John F. Turner Elementary
3175 Jupiter Blvd., S.E., Palm Bay
(321) 676-5700
Grades: K-6

Westside Elementary
2175 Degroodt Road, S.W., Palm Bay
(321) 956-5050
Grades: K-6