Population 7,564 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Cocoa West
Household size in Cocoa West
| Period | Cocoa West | Melbourne area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.72 | 2.47 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.75 | 2.50 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.65 | 2.57 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.45 | 2.52 | 2.63 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.27 | +0.05 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Cocoa West run small, averaging 2.45 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.72, a much bigger shift than nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the southwest.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Cocoa West
| Period | Cocoa West | Melbourne area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.0 | 44.4 | 40.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 34.9 | 45.7 | 42.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.4 | 46.4 | 43.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.8 | 46.2 | 43.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.8 | +1.7 | +2.7 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Cocoa West are younger than 39.8 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. The population here is younger than in the Melbourne area as a whole, where the median age is 46.2. The median age has climbed from 34.0 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Cocoa West
| Period | Cocoa West | Melbourne area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.3% | 9.5% | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 21.5% | 10.3% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 16.1% | 9.2% | 11.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 17.1% | 9.2% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.2 pts | −0.4 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Cocoa West: 17.1% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 3.2 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Cocoa West has a higher share of single-parent households than at least four in five Florida cities.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Cocoa West
Renters in Cocoa West
| Period | Cocoa West | Melbourne area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.3% | 23.6% | 30.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 48.0% | 27.6% | 33.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 53.2% | 25.7% | 34.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 47.6% | 23.3% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.3 pts | −0.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Cocoa West than nationally: 47.6% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Among homeowners, 61.6% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the east; owners are most common in the northwest. The renter share is up 2.3 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Cocoa West
| Period | Cocoa West | Melbourne area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.0% | 16.1% | 17.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.2% | 16.8% | 17.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 16.9% | 15.5% | 15.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.2% | 12.7% | 12.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | −3.5 pts | −4.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 15.2% of the housing in Cocoa West, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Cocoa West
| Period | Cocoa West | Melbourne area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1972 | 1984 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1974 | 1985 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1972 | 1986 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1971 | 1988 | 1989 | 1980 |
| Change | −1 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Cocoa West is a place of older homes: half were built before 1971, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the southeast. Only 34 of the 512 Florida cities with 5,000+ people have older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Cocoa West
| Period | Cocoa West | Melbourne area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $807 | $1,026 | $1,092 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $787 | $1,034 | $1,123 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $859 | $1,231 | $1,323 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,499 | $1,688 | $1,816 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$691 | +$661 | +$724 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Cocoa West costs $1,499 a month with utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are lower than in the wider Melbourne area ($1,688). Rent has climbed $691 a month since 2006–10, up 86%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 45.0% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Cocoa West
Bachelor's degrees in Cocoa West
| Period | Cocoa West | Melbourne area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.0% | 25.8% | 26.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.1% | 26.4% | 27.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 12.0% | 29.6% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.8% | 33.8% | 34.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.8 pts | +8.0 pts | +8.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Cocoa West: 17.8% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 9.8 points, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the northwest and least in the southeast.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Cocoa West
| Period | Cocoa West | Melbourne area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 70.2% | 90.5% | 85.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 74.1% | 90.4% | 86.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 76.7% | 92.0% | 88.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 85.1% | 93.1% | 90.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +14.9 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in seven adults in Cocoa West never finished high school, more than nationally: 85.1% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma has risen 14.9 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Cocoa West
| Period | Cocoa West | Melbourne area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.9% | 8.8% | 8.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 21.5% | 12.0% | 11.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.3% | 5.2% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.3% | 4.9% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.6 pts | −3.9 pts | −4.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Cocoa West has been strong: just 3.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 7.6 points, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Cocoa West compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cocoa West | 2.45 | 39.8 | 17.1% | 47.6% | 15.2% | 1971 | $1,499 | 17.8% | 85.1% | 3.3% |
| Cocoa | 2.47 | 47.7 | 9.1% | 22.1% | 12.8% | 1985 | $1,529 | 24.4% | 91.0% | 4.8% |
| Rockledge | 2.44 | 48.3 | 6.5% | 22.9% | 13.9% | 1990 | $1,917 | 35.7% | 94.0% | 4.6% |
| Merritt Island | 2.52 | 49.7 | 8.1% | 21.1% | 15.2% | 1979 | $1,577 | 38.8% | 95.3% | 4.9% |
| Port St. John | 2.73 | 45.3 | 10.3% | 6.6% | 11.3% | 1986 | $1,485 | 17.8% | 88.3% | 8.2% |
| Bellwood | 2.90 | 45.8 | 9.5% | 37.8% | 11.3% | 1987 | $1,193 | 15.7% | 95.1% | 0.0% |
| Cocoa Beach | 1.94 | 59.4 | 4.0% | 22.2% | 26.2% | 1976 | $1,726 | 50.7% | 96.8% | 7.8% |
| Cape Canaveral | 1.69 | 60.5 | 5.0% | 40.2% | 32.7% | 1985 | $1,613 | 37.0% | 96.1% | 3.6% |
| Patrick Afb | 3.02 | 24.9 | 9.1% | 100.0% | 13.9% | 1990 | $2,190 | 48.0% | 97.4% | 3.2% |
| Wedgefield | 3.11 | 42.5 | 5.0% | 10.4% | 5.0% | 2003 | $2,289 | 42.7% | 95.0% | 2.4% |
| Pine Grove | 3.03 | 41.1 | 5.0% | 9.6% | 7.4% | 2009 | $1,653 | 41.1% | 96.3% | 8.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Waverly, TN · Evansdale, IA · Elsa, TX · Elma, WA · Travilah, MD · Trenton, GA · Tunkhannock, PA · Durham, CT · Waite Park, MN · Walkerton, IN
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Cocoa West. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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