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Indian River County, Florida

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Indian River County (Spanish: Condado de Río Indio) is a county located in the southeastern and east-central portions of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 159,788.[2] Its seat is Vero Beach.[3] It is Florida's 7th richest county and in 2000 was the 87th richest county in the U.S. by per capita income.[4]

Indian River County
County
Indian River County Courthouse in Vero Beach
Indian River County Courthouse in Vero Beach
Official seal of Indian River County
Seal
Map of Florida highlighting Indian River County
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Map of the United States highlighting Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 27°42′N 80°35′W / 27.7°N 80.58°W / 27.7; -80.58
Country United States
State Florida
FoundedMay 30, 1925
Named forIndian River Lagoon
SeatVero Beach
Largest citySebastian
Area
 • Total
617 sq mi (1,600 km2)
 • Land503 sq mi (1,300 km2)
 • Water114 sq mi (300 km2)  18.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
159,788[1]
 • Density318/sq mi (123/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewww.ircgov.com

Indian River County comprises the Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The MSA was first defined as the Vero Beach, Florida MSA in 2003. It was renamed Sebastian-Vero Beach, Florida MSA in 2005, and Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, Florida MSA in 2023.[5][6] The MSA is included in the Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Combined Statistical Area.

History

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Prior to 1821 the area of Indian River County was part of the Spanish colony of East Florida. In 1822 this area became part of St. Johns County, and in 1824 it became part of Mosquito County (original name of Orange County).

The Second Seminole War was fought in 1835 and from 1838 to 1839. Fort Vinton was built for this purpose near the intersection of present-day Florida State Road 60 and 122nd Avenue.[7]

In 1844 the county's portion of Mosquito County became part of newly created St. Lucia County. In 1855 St. Lucia County was renamed Brevard County. In 1905 St. Lucie County was formed from the southern portion of Brevard County; in 1925 Indian River County was formed from the northern portion of St. Lucie County.[8] It was named for the Indian River, which runs through the eastern portion of the county.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 617 square miles (1,600 km2), of which 503 square miles (1,300 km2) is land and 114 square miles (300 km2) (18.5%) is water.[9]

Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

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Climate and birds

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Eight bird species in Indian River County are listed as "highly vulnerable" to climate change:

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19306,724—
19408,95733.2%
195011,87232.5%
196025,309113.2%
197035,99242.2%
198059,89666.4%
199090,20850.6%
2000112,94725.2%
2010138,02822.2%
2020159,78815.8%
2023 (est.)169,795[11]6.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14]
1990-2000[15] 2010-2019[2]
Indian River County racial composition as of 2020
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[a]
Race Pop 2010[18] Pop 2020[19] % 2010 % 2020
White (NH) 106,780 117,422 77.36% 73.49%
Black or African American (NH) 12,074 13,079 8.75% 8.19%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 277 273 0.2% 0.17%
Asian (NH) 1,646 2,341 1.19% 1.47%
Pacific Islander (NH) 49 52 0.04% 0.03%
Some Other Race (NH) 189 730 0.14% 0.46%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 1,548 5,059 1.12% 3.17%
Hispanic or Latino 15,465 20,832 11.2% 13.04%
Total 138,028 159,788

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 159,788 people, 60,959 households, and 37,647 families residing in the county.

As of the census[20] of 2000, there were 112,947 people, 49,137 households, and 32,725 families residing in the county. The population density was 224 inhabitants per square mile (86/km2). There were 57,902 housing units at an average density of 115 per square mile (44/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 87.43% White, 8.19% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.15% from other races, and 1.21% from two or more races. 6.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 49,137 households, out of which 21.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.50% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.40% were non-families. 28.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.72.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 19.20% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 22.30% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 29.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males.[21]

The median income for a household in the county was $39,635, and the median income for a family was $46,385. Males had a median income of $30,870 versus $23,379 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,227. About 6.30% of families and 9.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.60% of those under age 18 and 5.70% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

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Airports

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Bus systems

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GoLine is Indian River County's main method of public transportation. The program was introduced in 1994 to provide an alternative option to driving. Due to County population increases in the early and mid 2000s, Indian River County devised a series of bus routes from Barefoot Bay in southern Brevard County to the south end of Vero Beach. In 2006, GoLine (formerly known as Indian River Transit) was introduced with more stops along and through the Treasure Coast. By 2010, the GoLine system had a total of 14 stops with an additional four stops planned for 2011/2012. Riders pay no fare or fee to board the bus. In 2010 the buses operated between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. weekdays and from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Saturdays. Some routes have extended operating hours depending on location.[23][24]

Train

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There is planning underway for an Amtrak station in Vero Beach. Florida East Coast Railway serves a team yard in Vero Beach for off-line customers that don't have direct rail service via spurs. There are two lumber and sheetrock/structural steel customers who receive boxcars, center beam and bulkhead flatcars, and occasionally- gondolas, at the team yard.[25][26]

Economy

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Healthcare, education, government, and retail sales are important employment segments in Indian River County. As of 2019, the largest employers in the county were:

Employer Sector Employees
Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital Healthcare 2,112
School Board of Indian River County Education 2,039
Indian River County Government 1,455
Publix Super Markets Retail 1,380
Piper Aircraft Manufacturing 980
Walmart Retail 806
Sebastian River Medical Center Healthcare 750
John's Island Residential development and resort 495
Indian River Estates Retirement community 486
Visiting Nurse Association Healthcare 500
City of Vero Beach Government 374
CVS Warehouse Distribution 336
St. Edward's School College-preparatory school 223
Disney's Vero Beach Resort Resort 279
City of Sebastian Government 188
Flight Safety International Flight instruction 170
B & W Quality Growers Agriculture 142

[27]

Libraries

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Main article: Indian River County Library System

Education

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Indian River County School District operates public schools. Public high schools include:

Private schools

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  • Glendale Christian School
  • Indian River Christian School
  • Master's Academy
  • St. Edwards School
  • St. Helen Catholic School
  • Tabernacle Baptist School
  • The Willow School
  • SunCoast Primary School

Colleges and universities

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Elections

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Indian River County lies at the northern end of a belt stretching to Collier County in the southwest that was the first part of Florida to politically distance itself from the "Solid South": the last Democrat to win a majority in the county was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944.[28] Only four Democrats have managed 40 percent or more of the county's vote since then.

In 1992, indeed, Ross Perot came second, fifteen votes ahead of President-elect Bill Clinton, this being one of only four Florida counties where he did so.[29]

United States presidential election results for Indian River County, Florida
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 62,737 63.06% 35,654 35.84% 1,102 1.11%
2020 58,872 60.23% 37,844 38.72% 1,024 1.05%
2016 48,620 60.20% 29,043 35.96% 3,106 3.85%
2012 43,450 60.70% 27,492 38.41% 638 0.89%
2008 40,176 56.74% 29,710 41.96% 916 1.29%
2004 36,938 60.15% 23,956 39.01% 520 0.85%
2000 28,639 57.71% 19,769 39.84% 1,219 2.46%
1996 22,714 51.66% 16,375 37.24% 4,883 11.10%
1992 19,140 43.54% 12,360 28.12% 12,462 28.35%
1988 24,630 69.71% 10,451 29.58% 252 0.71%
1984 23,716 73.08% 8,736 26.92% 0 0.00%
1980 15,568 62.98% 7,759 31.39% 1,390 5.62%
1976 9,818 52.63% 8,512 45.63% 324 1.74%
1972 11,741 77.85% 3,316 21.99% 25 0.17%
1968 6,518 51.25% 3,179 24.99% 3,022 23.76%
1964 6,191 54.72% 5,122 45.28% 0 0.00%
1960 4,656 61.05% 2,970 38.95% 0 0.00%
1956 4,059 70.49% 1,699 29.51% 0 0.00%
1952 3,055 65.94% 1,578 34.06% 0 0.00%
1948 1,134 46.32% 1,055 43.10% 259 10.58%
1944 759 37.01% 1,292 62.99% 0 0.00%
1940 904 37.81% 1,487 62.19% 0 0.00%
1936 532 29.52% 1,270 70.48% 0 0.00%
1932 446 25.43% 1,308 74.57% 0 0.00%
1928 847 55.61% 657 43.14% 19 1.25%

Voter registration

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According to the Secretary of State's office, Republicans are a plurality of registered voters in Indian River County.

Indian River County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of July 31, 2022[30]
Political Party Total Voters Percentage
Republican 57,050 48.24%
Democratic 30,487 25.78%
No party affiliation 28,005 23.68%
Minor parties 2,717 2.30%
Total 118,259 100.00%

Communities

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Vero Beach

Cities

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Towns

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Census-designated places

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Other unincorporated communities

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.[16][17]

References

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  1. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Indian River County, Florida". Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 14, 2014.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Florida locations by per capita income
  5. ^ "Metro Area History 1950–2020". U.S. Census Bureau. March 2020. Row 4695. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  6. ^ "Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Guidance on the Uses of the Delineations of These Areas" (PDF). Executive Office of the President. July 21, 2023. p. 72. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  7. ^ Brotemarkle, Ben (August 23, 2017). "Florida couple documents Seminole Indian Wars". Florida Today. Melbourne, Florida. pp. 5A. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  8. ^ According to the Historical Records and State Archives Surveys published by Florida Works Progress Administration (available in the digital historical maps of Florida section of the UF library) and the Indian River County Historian Ruth Stanbridge
  9. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  10. ^ Waymer, Jim (January 7, 2020). "New Audubon site shows bird decline on Treasure Coast, nationally from climate change". TCPalm. Archived from the original on February 15, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  11. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  12. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  13. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  14. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  15. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  16. ^ https://www.census.gov/ [not specific enough to verify]
  17. ^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  18. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  19. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  20. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  21. ^ "Indian River County Chamber of Commerce | Business Site Selection". www.indianriversites.com. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  22. ^ "AirNav: X52 - New Hibiscus Airpark". www.airnav.com. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  23. ^ "Indian River Transit - GoLine Information". GoLineIRT.com. Archived from the original on April 6, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  24. ^ http://www.golineirt.com/GoLineGuide.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  25. ^ http://www.irmpo.com/Documents/Amtrak.pdf Archived July 13, 2011, at the Wayback Machine [bare URL PDF]
  26. ^ "Home". irmpo.com. July 1, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  27. ^ "Top Employers in Indian River County - 2019". Indian River County Economic Development. 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  28. ^ Sullivan, Robert David; ‘How the Red and Blue Map Evolved Over the Past Century’; America Magazine in The National Catholic Review; June 29, 2016
  29. ^ David Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections; 1992 Presidential General Election Data Graphs – Florida by County
  30. ^ "Voter Registration - By County and Party". www.dos.myflorida.com. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
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Governmental

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27°42′N 80°35′W / 27.70°N 80.58°W / 27.70; -80.58

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