The real estate market in Cocoa Beach, Florida has undergone many changes throughout the last decade. Recent figures show that monthly foreclosures exceeded 746 from January 2009 through October, and maximum monthly home sales were low compared to the national average during that time frame. This resulted in a significant backlog of unsold homes. By 2010, there were 15,000 more vacant homes than purchasers that were available and willing to buy. At the same time, a considerable number of new houses were built from 2000 through 2009. This was enough to house 112,000 people, in a region where only 60,000 people moved in. The population was not growing among existing residents. A combination of all these factors contributed to bursting the United States housing bubble.
Still, 2011 figures are looking better. As of March 2011, the median sales price of existing homes in the Cocoa Beach area increased as compared to the same month in 2010. After more than four years of prices being lower than their previous year counterparts, these increases in price show a positive trend. Also, the sale of existing single-family homes in the Cocoa Beach in March was higher than in 2010.
Taking a look at condominium units, the number of sales has increase from 2010 numbers. The sale of condominiums in the Cocoa Beach area was also up when compared to the figures from the same time period in 2010. On the other hand, fewer people purchased previously occupied homes in April 2011 as compared to April 2010. Residential real estate purchases made by first-time homebuyers did increase slightly. However, while the increase shows positive signs that the real estate market is improving, it was not so considerable as to signal a housing recovery.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Climate and Storm History of Cocoa Beach, Florida
For the most part, the climate in Cocoa Beach can be classified as subtropical. Meterogically speaking, “subtropics” are the geographical and climate zones which are immediately north and south of the tropical zones of the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. In subtropical climates, winters are relatively warm and mild, and the summer season is quite hot and humid. Cocoa Beach rarely—if ever—sees frost or snow, providing an ideal environment for plants such as palm, citrus and many broadleaf evergreens to flourish.
There is difference in the seasons in Cocoa Beach, with a slighter cooler winter season and much warmer summer. Rainfall is quite plentiful in the summer months of June, July and August, and the humidity can be oppressive. When it does rain during these months, it is typically a late afternoon occurrence and passes through relatively quickly.
Average temperatures in March are 77 degrees high and 55 degrees as the low; in June, the high averages 89 degrees, and the low is 71 degrees. September brings highs of 88 degrees and lows of 72 degrees, while December is sees average highs of 73 degrees and lows of 53 degrees.
The most significant storm of recent history was Tropical Storm Fay, which struck the area on August 20, 2008. The storm dumped over 20 inches of rain after forming from a dynamic tropical wave on August 15 over the Dominican Republic. After passing through the Caribbean, Fay made landfall on the Florida Keys late in the afternoon of August 18. Fay then veered into the Gulf of Mexico and made landfall near Naples, Florida, in the early hours of August 19 and moved into the Atlantic Ocean on August 20.
Extreme flooding affected several regions throughout Florida, as Fay was slow moving storm. On August 21, the storm again made landfall near New Smyrna Beach, before moving due west across the Panhandle of the state, crossing Gainesville and Panama City, Florida. Tropical Storm Fay was the first storm in recorded history to make landfall in the state of Florida a total of four times. Thirty-six deaths were blamed on Fay, and the storm caused one of the most prolific tornado outbreaks since records have been kept. In all, a total of 81 tornadoes touched down across five states. Economic damage as a result of Tropical Storm Fay was heavy, estimated at $560 million.
There is difference in the seasons in Cocoa Beach, with a slighter cooler winter season and much warmer summer. Rainfall is quite plentiful in the summer months of June, July and August, and the humidity can be oppressive. When it does rain during these months, it is typically a late afternoon occurrence and passes through relatively quickly.
Average temperatures in March are 77 degrees high and 55 degrees as the low; in June, the high averages 89 degrees, and the low is 71 degrees. September brings highs of 88 degrees and lows of 72 degrees, while December is sees average highs of 73 degrees and lows of 53 degrees.
The most significant storm of recent history was Tropical Storm Fay, which struck the area on August 20, 2008. The storm dumped over 20 inches of rain after forming from a dynamic tropical wave on August 15 over the Dominican Republic. After passing through the Caribbean, Fay made landfall on the Florida Keys late in the afternoon of August 18. Fay then veered into the Gulf of Mexico and made landfall near Naples, Florida, in the early hours of August 19 and moved into the Atlantic Ocean on August 20.
Extreme flooding affected several regions throughout Florida, as Fay was slow moving storm. On August 21, the storm again made landfall near New Smyrna Beach, before moving due west across the Panhandle of the state, crossing Gainesville and Panama City, Florida. Tropical Storm Fay was the first storm in recorded history to make landfall in the state of Florida a total of four times. Thirty-six deaths were blamed on Fay, and the storm caused one of the most prolific tornado outbreaks since records have been kept. In all, a total of 81 tornadoes touched down across five states. Economic damage as a result of Tropical Storm Fay was heavy, estimated at $560 million.
Top Cocoa Beach, Florida Restaurants
Cocoa Beach is home to countless bars, restaurants, grills and taverns. A few are truly not to be missed. First, is fine dining in a casual, laidback setting at the Atlantis Bar and Grill, 1550 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. Diners can choose to enjoy their meal at the indoor private fine dining room, or enjoy the weather on the outdoor oceanfront pool deck. Located in a hotel, both casual and fine dining options are available for guests of the hotel or non-guests. Daily specials include delectable seafood entrees which feature the day‘s catch brought in fresh daily. Many chicken, beef and pasta dishes are available, as are other light dining options.
For a great time literally right on the beach, try Coconuts on the Beach, 2 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. The environment is certainly a bar and the crowd tends to be younger, especially during the day when beachgoers stop by for cocktails, snacks and frozen concoctions. The bar stays open till about 2 a.m., and cuisine is American fare and seafood. Coconuts serves dinner and lunch daily, and has a fantastic appetizer menu - don’t miss the coconut shrimp, a house specialty. The restaurant serves sandwiches, steaks, seafood and pasta. Another fantastic option is the Bahamian Lobster Tails.
Coconuts is a popular choice for those wanting to enjoy the ocean, sip some drinks, grab a bite to eat and, of course, mingle with the locals. The tiki bar is a great spot to do some people-watching.
During the weekend, weather permitting, the crowd enjoys local and visiting musicians rocking out on the stage. On the inside, the restaurant is a little more low-key from the crazy fun outside. For sports enthusiasts, there are several flat screen televisions to catch the game, too. Bring your party mood!
For a great time literally right on the beach, try Coconuts on the Beach, 2 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. The environment is certainly a bar and the crowd tends to be younger, especially during the day when beachgoers stop by for cocktails, snacks and frozen concoctions. The bar stays open till about 2 a.m., and cuisine is American fare and seafood. Coconuts serves dinner and lunch daily, and has a fantastic appetizer menu - don’t miss the coconut shrimp, a house specialty. The restaurant serves sandwiches, steaks, seafood and pasta. Another fantastic option is the Bahamian Lobster Tails.
Coconuts is a popular choice for those wanting to enjoy the ocean, sip some drinks, grab a bite to eat and, of course, mingle with the locals. The tiki bar is a great spot to do some people-watching.
During the weekend, weather permitting, the crowd enjoys local and visiting musicians rocking out on the stage. On the inside, the restaurant is a little more low-key from the crazy fun outside. For sports enthusiasts, there are several flat screen televisions to catch the game, too. Bring your party mood!
Fun Activities and Historic Landmarks of Cocoa Beach, Florida
There are numerous fun and exciting activities and attractions along Florida’s Space Coast, and Cocoa Beach is no exception. A pleasurable cruise is a fantastic idea on a hot day, and Island Boat Lines & Indian River Queen depart from Cocoa Village Marina, at 90 Delannoy Ave. Cocoa Beach, FL 32922. Daily tours at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. are two-hour eco-tour cruises through the Cocoa Beach 1,000 Islands. The region is home to herds of manatees, flocks of birds and playful dolphins. On Sundays at 2 p.m. only, passengers can enjoy a “World Class Port Tour,” which takes groups through the Cape Canaveral Locks to explore Port Canaveral’s cargo, foreign trade zone, fishing, military and submarine base. Observe the visiting cruise ships, or a quick detour to the local bars and restaurants for a great meal, watch the day’s fresh catch brought in, and meet the locals.
The company also runs the Indian River Queen paddlewheel riverboat, which is an excellent adventure for all ages to gather and celebrate any occasion. The Queen specializes in private charters for events such as weddings, corporate gatherings, reunions, celebrations and scenic dinner cruises. Seasonally, the Queen also offers numerous public charters available. Once a month, visitors can attend the afternoon Jazz and Southern Tea Cruise.
Whichever cruise you decide on, make sure to bring your camera and have it handy to capture rare sightings, such as the birth of baby manatees and dolphins playing. There are also numerous endangered bird species, and you can capture a beautiful Indian River Sunset while Topside on the Queen.
For brewpub fans, the Cocoa Beach Brewing Company is a family-owned and fully functional brewery and pub. Located in historic downtown Cocoa Beach on Atlantic Avenue, the brewery keeps its home in one of the oldest buildings in the city. It was built in the 1930s, and was originally Navy housing for the nearby Banana River Naval Air Station. Over the years, it has hosted many other commercial enterprises before being transitioned into a brewery, pub and restaurant. The operation consists of a custom designed and built Brewhouse, three gigantic stainless steel conical fermentation tanks, one huge fermentation tank, and an Applied Bottling Systems single head automated filler. Tours are available seasonally.
The company also runs the Indian River Queen paddlewheel riverboat, which is an excellent adventure for all ages to gather and celebrate any occasion. The Queen specializes in private charters for events such as weddings, corporate gatherings, reunions, celebrations and scenic dinner cruises. Seasonally, the Queen also offers numerous public charters available. Once a month, visitors can attend the afternoon Jazz and Southern Tea Cruise.
Whichever cruise you decide on, make sure to bring your camera and have it handy to capture rare sightings, such as the birth of baby manatees and dolphins playing. There are also numerous endangered bird species, and you can capture a beautiful Indian River Sunset while Topside on the Queen.
For brewpub fans, the Cocoa Beach Brewing Company is a family-owned and fully functional brewery and pub. Located in historic downtown Cocoa Beach on Atlantic Avenue, the brewery keeps its home in one of the oldest buildings in the city. It was built in the 1930s, and was originally Navy housing for the nearby Banana River Naval Air Station. Over the years, it has hosted many other commercial enterprises before being transitioned into a brewery, pub and restaurant. The operation consists of a custom designed and built Brewhouse, three gigantic stainless steel conical fermentation tanks, one huge fermentation tank, and an Applied Bottling Systems single head automated filler. Tours are available seasonally.
City of Cocoa Beach, Florida: General Information
Cocoa Beach is a city located in Brevard County, in the State of Florida, United States. According to US Census figures from 2000, the population was 12,482; U.S. Census Bureau calculations unofficially taken in 2008 estimate that the city had a population of 11,920. Cocoa Beach is part of the metropolitan area known as Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Additional 2000 census numbers show that at the time there were 12,482 people, 6,529 households, and 3,532 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,552.1 inhabitants per square mile, with 8,709 housing units at an average density of 1,780.6 per square mile. Of the 6,529 households, 12.9% included children under the age of 18, and 45.5% were married couples living together. To the contrary, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.9% were sharing a household but not family related. In Cocoa Beach, 38.3% of all households were made up of individuals living alone, and of them 18.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. On an average, household size was 1.91, while the average family size was 2.47.
In the city of Cocoa Beach, the population was spread out with 12.2% residents under the age of 18, and 3.8% were aged 18 to 24. In other age brackets, 22.0% ranged from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 34.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age in Cocoa Beach was 54 years. For every 100 females in the city, there were 99.3 males; and, for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.
Economically speaking, the median income for a household in the City of Cocoa Beach was $42,372, and the median income for a family was $51,795. Males had a median income of $39,418 versus $27,113 earned by females. The per capita income for the entire city was $28,968. For the most part, Cocoa Beach is considered a retirement area or a region that appeals to retirees, as the average age of residents is 54 years.
Additional 2000 census numbers show that at the time there were 12,482 people, 6,529 households, and 3,532 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,552.1 inhabitants per square mile, with 8,709 housing units at an average density of 1,780.6 per square mile. Of the 6,529 households, 12.9% included children under the age of 18, and 45.5% were married couples living together. To the contrary, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.9% were sharing a household but not family related. In Cocoa Beach, 38.3% of all households were made up of individuals living alone, and of them 18.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. On an average, household size was 1.91, while the average family size was 2.47.
In the city of Cocoa Beach, the population was spread out with 12.2% residents under the age of 18, and 3.8% were aged 18 to 24. In other age brackets, 22.0% ranged from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 34.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age in Cocoa Beach was 54 years. For every 100 females in the city, there were 99.3 males; and, for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.
Economically speaking, the median income for a household in the City of Cocoa Beach was $42,372, and the median income for a family was $51,795. Males had a median income of $39,418 versus $27,113 earned by females. The per capita income for the entire city was $28,968. For the most part, Cocoa Beach is considered a retirement area or a region that appeals to retirees, as the average age of residents is 54 years.
History of the City of Cocoa Beach, Florida
The first non-native settlement in the Cocoa Beach area a family of slaves that were freed following the Civil War. A few years later, in 1888, a group bought the entire tract of land, eventually being bought out in 1923 by one member of the original group who was also nearby Cocoa’s city attorney. The Town of Cocoa Beach was established in 1925, and it held its first official meeting at the Cocoa Beach Casino. A couple of short weeks later, plans for a pier were developed. By 1939, the town had 49 residents, and in 1942 new residents moved in: the men assigned to the newly opened Naval Air Station Banana River.
World War II brought devastating news to the region, as on May 1, 1942 the German submarine U-109 sank the La Paz off the shore of Cocoa Beach. Local children assisted in the salvage efforts and helped rid the beach of the subsequent debris. During this war, Cocoa Beach experienced money shortages for employees, and scarce funds to fix roads.
The post-war years brought several phases of development, both public and private. In 1951, the city sought placed a stoplight, the city's first, at the intersection of what is now route A1A and the Minuteman Causeway. In 1953, the city paved the A1A south from 520 down Orlando Avenue. Then, in 1955, the city prepared to house the people that were going to be launching missiles from what is now Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. On June 29, 1957, Cocoa Beach made the official transformation from a town to being incorporated into a city.
Cocoa Beach experienced a growth surge starting in the 1960s, with a 1000% population increase from the years of 1950 to 1960. This boom was largely due to the personnel, their families, and peripheral careers that were drawn by America's space program. NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center is located approximately 15 miles north of Cocoa Beach, and many people moved to Cocoa Beach due to their jobs involving the space program, and in search of new opportunity.
As NASA's Apollo program came to an end, and yet the Space Shuttle program had yet to hit its stride, Cocoa Beach suffered significantly as a reaction to the numerous layoffs. At the peak of that era’s layoffs, in 1975, unemployment was at a rate of 14.3%. Many families lost their jobs or simply relocated to areas with more employment opportunity. Many homeowners could not sell their homes, and some even walked away from them, having no other options.
In the 1960s, Cocoa Beach regained its popularity as the setting for the sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie.” Though the show‘s star Barbara Eden made only two visits during the entire run of the show's production, no episodes were actually filmed in Cocoa Beach.
World War II brought devastating news to the region, as on May 1, 1942 the German submarine U-109 sank the La Paz off the shore of Cocoa Beach. Local children assisted in the salvage efforts and helped rid the beach of the subsequent debris. During this war, Cocoa Beach experienced money shortages for employees, and scarce funds to fix roads.
The post-war years brought several phases of development, both public and private. In 1951, the city sought placed a stoplight, the city's first, at the intersection of what is now route A1A and the Minuteman Causeway. In 1953, the city paved the A1A south from 520 down Orlando Avenue. Then, in 1955, the city prepared to house the people that were going to be launching missiles from what is now Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. On June 29, 1957, Cocoa Beach made the official transformation from a town to being incorporated into a city.
Cocoa Beach experienced a growth surge starting in the 1960s, with a 1000% population increase from the years of 1950 to 1960. This boom was largely due to the personnel, their families, and peripheral careers that were drawn by America's space program. NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center is located approximately 15 miles north of Cocoa Beach, and many people moved to Cocoa Beach due to their jobs involving the space program, and in search of new opportunity.
As NASA's Apollo program came to an end, and yet the Space Shuttle program had yet to hit its stride, Cocoa Beach suffered significantly as a reaction to the numerous layoffs. At the peak of that era’s layoffs, in 1975, unemployment was at a rate of 14.3%. Many families lost their jobs or simply relocated to areas with more employment opportunity. Many homeowners could not sell their homes, and some even walked away from them, having no other options.
In the 1960s, Cocoa Beach regained its popularity as the setting for the sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie.” Though the show‘s star Barbara Eden made only two visits during the entire run of the show's production, no episodes were actually filmed in Cocoa Beach.
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