The oldest incorporated community in Brevard County, Rockledge is home to more than 24,000 residents. The city covers approximately 10 square miles and is located just south of Cocoa. In addition to being the Space Coast's oldest city, Rockledge also is the oldest winter resort on Florida's east coast.
Although Rockledge is primarily a residential community, it does have a small base of light, industrial businesses. There's a wide variety of retail stores and centers, a hospital, four schools and churches of various denominations, which meet the needs of residents.
Riverside neighborhoods evoke times past, with historic buildings shaded by ancient trees draped in Spanish moss. Many of the original settlers built their homes here using income from the orange groves which once carpeted the landscape.
The community is very family-friendly, as any visitor to Rockledge Park on a weekend can attest to - with supporters cheering on the numerous little league softball and soccer games. Nearby McLarty Park is home to the Rockledge Little League, and in addition to its athletic facilities hosts many family events such as Easter egg hunts and the annual residents' picnic.
With its beauty, amenities, and neighborly atmosphere, it's no wonder so many new businesses and housing developments are springing up to cater to all the residents attracted to this friendly community.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Residents of Rockledge generally fall into the demographic group of middle-aged married couples with school-aged and adult children. They are comfortably settled in single-family homes in older neighborhoods, although new developments are increasing in popularity. Nearly one-fifth of the population receives some type of retirement income. They typically spend money on home-improvement projects, home furnishings, and outdoor equipment.
Population in July 2008: 24,747. Population change since 2000: +22.7%
Males: 11,761 (47.5%)
Females: 12,986 (52.5%)
Median resident age: 40.5 years
Florida median age: 38.7 years
Estimated median household income in 2008: $55,719 (it was $45,218 in 2000)
Rockledge: $55,719
Florida: $47,778
Estimated per capita income in 2008: $25,665
Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $193,236 (it was $87,300 in 2000)
Rockledge: $193,236
Florida: $218,700
Mean prices in 2008: All housing units: $219,417; Detached houses: $228,609; Townhouses or other attached units: $162,633; In 2-unit structures: $336,772; In 3-to-4-unit structures: $223,964; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $152,080; Mobile homes: $45,656; Occupied boats, RVs, vans, etc.: $12,500
Races in Rockledge:
White Non-Hispanic (78.8%)
Black (14.6%)
Hispanic (3.3%)
Two or more races (1.6%)
Other race (0.7%)
American Indian (0.6%)
Dec. 2009 cost of living index in Rockledge: 85.0 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)
Houses: 8,288 (7,821 occupied: 6,343 owner occupied, 1,478 renter occupied)
% of renters in Rockledge: 19%
State: 30%
Housing density: 774 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: $879 (lower quartile is $701, upper quartile is $1,061)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units in 2008: $925
Median gross rent in Rockledge, FL in 2008: $1,063
Housing units in Rockledge with a mortgage: 4,341 (646 second mortgage, 349 home equity loan, 0 both second mortgage and home equity loan)
Houses without a mortgage: 1,271
Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $193,236 (it was $87,300 in 2000)
Rockledge: $193,236
Florida: $218,700
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $132,746 - $243,203
Mean price in 2008:
Detached houses: $228,609
Here: $228,609
State: $320,221
Townhouses or other attached units: $162,633
Here: $162,633
State: $238,220
In 2-unit structures: $336,772
Here: $336,772
State: $259,404
In 3-to-4-unit structures: $223,964
Here: $223,964
State: $213,359
In 5-or-more-unit structures: $152,080
Here: $152,080
State: $260,965
Mobile homes: $45,656
Here: $45,656
State: $43,568
Occupied boats, RVs, vans, etc.: $12,500
Here: $12,500
State: $47,032
Household type by relationship
Households: 19,704
In family households: 17,040 (4,407 male householders, 1,254 female householders)
4,596 spouses, 5,587 children (4,987 natural, 230 adopted, 370 stepchildren), 419 grandchildren, 141 brothers or sisters, 146 parents, 245 other relatives, 245 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 2,664 (931 male householders (694 living alone)), 1,221 female householders (1,080 living alone)), 512 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 419 (356 institutionalized population)
Size of family households: 2,535 2-persons, 1,474 3-persons, 1,050 4-persons, 381 5-persons, 156 6-persons, 65 7-or-more-persons.
Size of nonfamily households: 1,774 1-person, 317 2-persons, 38 3-persons, 7 4-persons, 8 5-persons, 7 6-persons, 1 7-or-more-persons.
3,160 married couples with children.
1,113 single-parent households (214 men, 899 women).
92.9% of residents of Rockledge speak English at home.
3.3% of residents speak Spanish at home (72% speak English very well, 18% speak English well, 9% speak English not well, 2% don't speak English at all).
2.5% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (70% speak English very well, 19% speak English well, 5% speak English not well, 7% don't speak English at all).
0.6% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (45% speak English very well, 43% speak English well, 8% speak English not well, 4% don't speak English at all).
0.7% of residents speak other language at home (78% speak English very well, 22% speak English not well).
Foreign born population: 929 (4.6%)
(63.8% of them are naturalized citizens)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here: 6.3
State: 5.6
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here: 4.8
State: 3.8
HIGH SCHOOLS - PUBLIC
Rockledge High School
220 Raider Road, Rockledge
(321) 636-3711
Grades: 9-12
MIDDLE SCHOOLS - PUBLIC
John F. Kennedy Middle School
2100 S. Fiske Blvd., Rockledge
(321) 633-3500
Grades: 7-8
Ronald McNair Middle Magnet School
1 Challenger Drive, Cocoa
(321) 633-3630
Grades: 7-8
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - PUBLIC
Hans Christian Andersen Elementary
3011 S. Fiske Blvd., Rockledge
(321) 633-3610
Grades: K-6
Golfview Elementary Magnet School
1530 S. Fiske Blvd., Rockledge
(321) 633-3570
Grades: K-6
Manatee Elementary
3425 Solerno Blvd., Viera, 32940
(321) 633-1000
Grades K-6
