As of the 2000 Census, West Melbourne had a total population of 9,824 - 5,295 (53.90 percent) females and 4,529 (46.1 percent) males. The median age was 48.60 years. Fifteen point nine zero percent (15.90%) of the population was under 18 years and 31.00 percent was 65 years and older.
For people reporting one race alone;
Note: People of Hispanic origin may be of any race.
As of the 2000 Census, West Melbourne had a total of 4,853 housing units, 7.70 percent of which were vacant. Of the total housing units, 55.66 percent were in single-unit structures, 32.17 percent were in multi-unit structures, and 12.20 percent were mobile homes. Twenty-two point four four percent (22.44%) of the housing units in West Melbourne were built since 1990.
As of the 2000 Census, West Melbourne had 4,497 occupied housing units - 3,222 (71.60 percent) owner occupied and 1,275 (28.40 percent) renter occupied. Point four zero percent (0.40%) of the households did not have telephone service and 8.90 percent of the households did not have access to a car, truck, or van for private use. Multi-Vehicle households were not rare; 43.67 percent had two vehicles and another 7.90 percent had three or more.
The median monthly housing costs for mortgaged owners was $865, nonmortgaged owners $243, and renters $658. Twenty-five point four six percent (25.46%) of owners with mortgages, and 40.64 percent of renters in West Melbourne spent 30 percent or more of household income on housing.
As of the 2000 Census there were 9,824 people comprising 4,497 households in West Melbourne. The average household size was 2.08 people.
Families made up 59.90 percent of the households in West Melbourne. This figure includes both married-couple families (49.00 percent) and other families (10.90 percent). Nonfamily households made up 40.10 percent of all households in West Melbourne. Most of the nonfamily households were people living alone, but some were composed of people living in households in which no one was related to the householder.
Eight point three zero percent (8.30%) of the people living in West Melbourne as of the 2000 Census there were foreign born. Eighty-nine point seven zero percent (89.70%) were native, including 20.40 percent who were born in Florida.
Among people at least five years old living in West Melbourne as of the 2000 Census, 10.60 percent spoke a language other than English at home. Of those speaking a language other than English at home, 5.60 percent spoke Spanish and 5.00 percent spoke some other language; 3.60 percent reported that they did not speak English "very well."
As of the 2000 Census, 46.70 percent of the people at least five years old living in West Melbourne were living in the same residence in 1995; 29.20 percent had moved during the past 5 years from another residence in Brevard County, 6.90 percent from another county in Florida, 14.50 percent from another state, and less than 2.70 percent from abroad.
As of the 2000 Census, 87.40 percent of people 25 years and over in West Melbourne had at least graduated from high school and 25.20 percent had a bachelor’s degree or higher. Eight point one zero percent (8.10%) were dropouts; they were not enrolled in school and had not graduated from high school.
The total school enrollment in West Melbourne was 1,739 as of the 2000 Census. Nursery school and kindergarten enrollment was 195 children and elementary or high school enrollment was 1,008 children. College or graduate school enrollment was 536 people.
In West Melbourne, among people at least five years old as of the 2000 Census, 22.37 percent reported a disability. The likelihood of having a disability varied by age - from 9.30 percent of people 5 to 20 years old, to 17.80 percent of people 21 to 64 years old, and to 42.40 percent of those 65 and older.
As of the 2000 Census, for the employed population 16 years and older, the leading industries in West Melbourne were Manufacturing, 19.20 percent, and Educational, Health And Social Services at 18.90 percent.
The most common occupations reported in West Melbourne, Florida were:
Seventy-eight point eight zero percent (78.80%) of the people employed were Private wage and salary workers; 16.30 percent were Federal, state, or local government workers; and 4.50 percent were Self-employed in own not incorporated business.
Eighty-seven point one zero percent (87.10%) of West Melbourne workers drove to work alone as of the 2000 Census, 6.50 percent carpooled, 0.30 percent took public transportation, and 1.80 percent used other means. The remaining 1.80 percent worked at home. Among those who commuted to work, it took them on average 19 minutes to get to work.
The median income of households in West Melbourne was $37,391. Sixty-four point seven zero percent (64.70%) of West Melbourne households received earnings and 33.60 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Fourty-three point one zero percent (43.10%) of West Melbourne households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $12,042. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is, some households received income from more than one source.
As of the 2000 Census, 7.80 percent of West Melbourne residents were in poverty. Nine point nine zero percent (9.90%) of related children under 18 were below the poverty level, compared with 6.80 percent of people 65 years old and over. Four point nine zero percent (4.90%) of all West Melbourne families and 11.40 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.
