Population 128,467 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Palm Bay
Household size in Palm Bay
| Period | Palm Bay | Melbourne area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.79 | 2.47 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.84 | 2.50 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.96 | 2.57 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.90 | 2.52 | 2.63 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.10 | +0.05 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Palm Bay holds 2.90 people, more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.79, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the west and smallest in the northeast.
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 Palm Bay
| Period | Palm Bay | Melbourne area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.4 | 44.4 | 40.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.4 | 45.7 | 42.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.7 | 46.4 | 43.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.0 | 46.2 | 43.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.6 | +1.7 | +2.7 | +2.3 |
At 41.0, the median age in Palm Bay is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The population here is younger than in the Melbourne area as a whole, where the median age is 46.2. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 39.4, as it has nationally.
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 Palm Bay
| Period | Palm Bay | Melbourne area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.5% | 9.5% | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.4% | 10.3% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 13.0% | 9.2% | 11.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.0% | 9.2% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are a bit more common in Palm Bay than nationally: 13.0%, against 11.6%. Compared with other Florida cities, Palm Bay has a higher share of single-parent households than most.
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 Palm Bay
Renters in Palm Bay
| Period | Palm Bay | Melbourne area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.2% | 23.6% | 30.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 25.5% | 27.6% | 33.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.7% | 25.7% | 34.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 19.4% | 23.3% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.8 pts | −0.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Palm Bay is largely a place of homeowners: only 19.4% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. More than a third of owners (35.7%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 1.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 Palm Bay
| Period | Palm Bay | Melbourne area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.5% | 16.1% | 17.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.8% | 16.8% | 17.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.9% | 15.5% | 15.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.2% | 12.7% | 12.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.4 pts | −3.5 pts | −4.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Palm Bay as nationally: 9.2%, against 9.6%. The rate is lower than in the Melbourne area as a whole (12.7%). Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 5.4 points, as it has nationally.
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 Palm Bay
| Period | Palm Bay | Melbourne area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1990 | 1984 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1991 | 1985 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1991 | 1986 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1995 | 1988 | 1989 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Palm Bay is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1995, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1990 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the south, the oldest in the northeast.
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 Palm Bay
| Period | Palm Bay | Melbourne area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,014 | $1,026 | $1,092 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,003 | $1,034 | $1,123 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,161 | $1,231 | $1,323 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,741 | $1,688 | $1,816 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$726 | +$661 | +$724 | +$606 |
Rent in Palm Bay runs $1,741 a month at the median, utilities included, above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $726 a month from 2006–10, a 72% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 34.2% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the northeast; the highest are in the northwest.
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 Palm Bay
Bachelor's degrees in Palm Bay
| Period | Palm Bay | Melbourne area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.5% | 25.8% | 26.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.5% | 26.4% | 27.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.7% | 29.6% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.4% | 33.8% | 34.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.8 pts | +8.0 pts | +8.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Palm Bay: 23.4% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 5.8 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Palm Bay
| Period | Palm Bay | Melbourne area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 87.6% | 90.5% | 85.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 87.8% | 90.4% | 86.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.9% | 92.0% | 88.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.8% | 93.1% | 90.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.2 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Palm Bay is a bit above the national rate: 90.8% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Even so, the rate is lower than in the Melbourne area overall (93.1%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 3.2 points, as it has 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 Palm Bay
| Period | Palm Bay | Melbourne area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.0% | 8.8% | 8.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.8% | 12.0% | 11.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.5% | 5.2% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.0% | 4.9% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.9 pts | −3.9 pts | −4.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Palm Bay is close to the national rate: 6.0% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is higher than in the wider Melbourne area (4.9%). Unemployment has fallen 4.9 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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).
Palm Bay 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Bay | 2.90 | 41.0 | 13.0% | 19.4% | 9.2% | 1995 | $1,741 | 23.4% | 90.8% | 6.0% |
| Malabar | 2.58 | 48.9 | 8.4% | 10.3% | 14.3% | 1996 | $1,507 | 44.4% | 96.9% | 0.0% |
| West Melbourne | 2.65 | 41.0 | 9.0% | 23.8% | 9.2% | 1998 | $1,853 | 40.6% | 95.2% | 4.4% |
| Melbourne Village | 2.42 | 41.5 | 17.2% | 25.5% | 17.7% | 1964 | $1,385 | 49.6% | 91.1% | 1.2% |
| Grant-Valkaria | 2.58 | 56.2 | 2.6% | 3.7% | 9.1% | 1997 | $1,533 | 36.5% | 94.0% | 1.6% |
| Melbourne Beach | 2.01 | 59.9 | 1.2% | 14.6% | 25.4% | 1986 | $1,678 | 56.7% | 98.0% | 2.1% |
| Micco | 1.73 | 67.3 | 2.0% | 8.1% | 23.3% | 1988 | $1,372 | 16.1% | 90.7% | 4.5% |
| Roseland | 2.65 | 56.6 | 7.7% | 10.4% | 25.3% | 1976 | $934 | 15.4% | 92.1% | 1.8% |
| Lake Marian Highlands | 2.63 | 39.2 | 14.4% | 29.8% | 18.6% | 1989 | $1,313 | 28.8% | 82.2% | 3.5% |
| Kenansville | 2.64 | 36.3 | 12.6% | 33.8% | 19.1% | 1984 | $1,187 | 30.3% | 78.8% | 1.9% |
| Fedhaven | 1.99 | 60.6 | 6.0% | 19.1% | 45.2% | 1981 | $1,103 | 13.0% | 88.7% | 0.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Greenville, NC · Glendale, CA · Greeley, CO · Gary, IN · Goodyear, AZ · Grand Junction, CO · Dallas, TX · Denham Springs, LA · Corona, CA · Dale City, VA
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 Palm Bay. 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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