Indian Rocks Beach is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,072 at the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 5,167.[3]
Geography
Indian Rocks Beach is located at 27°53′45″N 82°50′51″W / 27.89583°N 82.8475°W / 27.89583; -82.8475 (27.895799, -82.847550).[4] It lies on a barrier island between the Gulf of Mexico and the Intracoastal Waterway. It is north of Indian Shores and south of Belleair Shore and Belleair Beach. Tourism is its primary industry. It was incorporated in 1956.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.6 km² (1.4 mi²). 2.4 km² (0.9 mi²) of it is land and 1.2 km² (0.5 mi²) of it (33.09%) is water.
History
Legend has it that Florida's Beach community of Indian Rocks Beach reputedly got its name when a native medicine man that miraculously healed his chief with the waters from a natural sulfur spring believed to have been located in Kolb Park across from Indian Rocks Beach City Hall. Early settlers seeing the Indians on their way to the "rock encircled spring" would say, "The Indians are on their way to the rocks."
Around the latter part of the 1800's, a group from Cedar Key, among them L. W. Hamlin, explored the area and found a few settlers along the beach. The Hendricks family, according to a 1925 newspaper account, landed in the area in 1833 and homesteaded there. A settlement, Anona, has existed in the vicinity (on the mainland) since the mid-1800's. With the opening of a road from the waterway to the vicinity of Largo, the Indian Rocks area became a favorite spot for picnickers. Residents worshiped at the old Anona Church and children attended the Anona School. Among the early landmarks were the Indian Rocks Sundry Store, the Indian Beach Hotel and a railroad spur crossing the bay. After a number of years of declining use, the rail spur was removed. The first Indian Rocks Bridge was built in 1916, and its location, in the "Narrows," is indicated by a historical marker. The community grew and developed during its early days, but after World War II that growth started to accelerate rapidly. Today, Indian Rocks Beach is a thriving community that has maintained most of its original character, and supports a lively mixture of recreational activities. From our Nature Preserve, to our parks, to our sandy shores, you'll find a smile on every face, and a warm Florida welcome with everyone you meet.
Demographics
Indian Rocks Beach, unlike some Pinellas communities, offers free beach access parking.
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 5,072 people, 2,700 households, and 1,393 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,105.7/km² (5,454.6/mi²). There were 4,032 housing units at an average density of 1,673.9/km² (4,336.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is predominantly caucasian, with 97.18% White, 0.30% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.17% of the population.
There were 2,700 households out of which 11.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.4% were non-families. 36.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.88 and the average family size was 2.39.
In the city the population was spread out with 10.1% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 36.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 102.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $53,770, and the median income for a family was $65,724. Males had a median income of $41,250 versus $31,833 for females. The per capita income for the city was $40,195. About 1.3% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.
References
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2007-12.csv census.gov
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
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