Melbourne
RANK #681 / 996 NAT · #8 / 41 FL · POP 610,723
1YR FORECAST: -1.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +19%
Brevard County, Florida, known as the "Space Coast," is distinguished by its direct connection to space exploration, with the Kennedy Space Center being a prominent landmark. Located on Florida's Atlantic coast, roughly an hour east of Orlando, the county spans 72 miles of beaches and diverse communities from Titusville in the north to Palm Bay in the south. The community offers extensive outdoor recreation, including surfing at Cocoa Beach, kayaking in the Indian River Lagoon, and exploring wildlife refuges like Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Numerous county parks, such as Lori Wilson Park and Wickham Park, provide spaces for activities and events, reflecting the area's dedication to preserving natural spaces.
Life in Brevard County blends coastal living with a focus on innovation. The economy is driven by the aerospace and technology sectors, with major companies contributing to job growth. Beyond aerospace, healthcare, logistics, and advanced manufacturing also play significant roles. Brevard Public Schools are highly rated, and the county is home to higher education institutions like Eastern Florida State College and Florida Institute of Technology. Commute options include Space Coast Area Transit bus services and a vanpool program, with park-and-ride lots available for those commuting to regional employment centers like Kennedy Space Center or Orlando.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.8x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Bluefin Energy Storage Project
Malta, Inc. (Google spin-off)
|
$468M | Planned |
|
Mallard Solar Project
Undisclosed
|
$75M | Planned |
|
FPL Ibis Solar Energy Center
Florida Power & Light (FPL)
|
$74M | Proposed |
|
FPL Palm Bay Solar Energy Center
Florida Power & Light (FPL)
|
$74M | Under Construction |
|
Lockheed Martin FBM Headquarters Relocation
Lockheed Martin
|
$40M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 31/100, Brevard County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $71,308 combined with job growth of +1.4% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Brevard County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $278,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.26, with rents averaging $1,327/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Brevard County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.5% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.4% clip. Home values shifted -3.5% in the past year.
Not particularly — 1.84% of Brevard County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.