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 early 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 32 acres (13 ha). It had 275,000 square feet (25,500 m2) 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 65 feet (20 m) 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 34.2 square miles (88.7 km2). 29.4 square miles (76.1 km2) of it is land, and 4.9 square miles (12.7 km2) of it (14.26 percent) is 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, or "Titusville mint" grows. The fields are along a 13 miles (21 km) 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 the age of 18 and 23.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 89.5 males age 18 and over. Of the residents, 99.4% lived in urban areas, while 0.6% lived in rural areas. There were 21,050 households in Titusville, of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 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 years of age or older. There were 11,012 families livng in the city. There were 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 there were 49,888 people, 20,768 households, and 12,590 families living in the city. 2010 census As of the 2010 United States census, there were 43,761 people, 18,174 households, and 11,508 families residing in the city. In 2010, the median age was 43.4 years. Also, for residents 25 and older in 2010, 89.3% had completed high school, 22.6% had at least a bachelor's degree. 2000 census As of the 2000 census, there were 40,670 people, 17,200 households, and 11,094 families living in the city. The population density was 1,913.4 inhabitants per square mile (738.8/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. In 2000, 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 2000, 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. For every 100 females, there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males. 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. 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. In 2018, Titusville, had a median household income of $43,765. Between 2017 and 2018 its median household income grew from $42,561 to $43,765. 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. The economy shrunk after lay-offs involving the end of the space shuttle program in 2011, since many employees live in Titusville. As of May 2025, Titusville's unemployment rate was approximately 3.7%. 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 40,000–50,000 visitors. While 47 miles (76 km) 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 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 percent. Housing As of the 2000 census, there were 19,178 housing units at an average density of 902.3 per square mile (348.4/km2). 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; 453 in 2005 for $65.7 million; 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 American Police Hall of Fame & Museum Judge George Robbins House North Brevard Historical Museum Pritchard House St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church Spell House Titusville Commercial District United States Astronaut Hall of Fame U.S. Space Walk of Fame and Museum Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum Wager House 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 thousand 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) who 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 appropriations, 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, it was estimated that 88.1 percent of all Titusville residents 25 years or older were high school graduates, and 23.6 percent 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 Astronaut High School Titusville High School 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 WIXC-AM WNUE-FM WPIO-FM Newspapers / Periodicals Titusville Talking Points Magazine – began publication in 2015 as a multi-page document produced by Titusville's 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-Advocate – began publication in 1920 when the East Coast Advocate and Indian River Chronicle merged with the Indian River Star; bought by Henry Hudson in 1925; 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 would 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 Beacon – biweekly newspaper based in Titusville that served the communities of North Brevard; publication started November 5, 2003 and publication stopped on March 4, 2010 The News Observer of North Brevard – semiweekly newspaper based in Titusville; ceased publication September 4, 2003 after 15 years Infrastructure Roads U.S. 1 Interstate 95 SR 50 CR 402 (local name A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway) CR 405 SR 405 CR 406 SR 406 SR 407 Transit Titusville is served by SCAT's #1, #2, and #5 routes. Utilities As of 2006, the city owned water utility drew about 3.8 million US gallons (14 million L) of its water supply from two wellfields tapping a surficial aquifer. A new wellfield drawing 2.75 million US gallons (10.4 million L) per day from the Floridan aquifer was added in 2016. The water department had 22,000 customers in 2010. Airports Space Coast Regional Airport (commercial aviation), located just south of the city Arthur Dunn Airpark (general aviation) Healthcare Parrish Medical Center, originally established as North Brevard Hospital in 1958, is the hospital which serves 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 7 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 External links Official website The Florida Star, former African American Titusville newspaper online in the Florida Digital Newspaper Library Synopsis of Col. Henry Titus at the Historical Society of North Brevard, Inc. History of Titusville