Hello From

Cocoa!

 

 

“Gateway to the Space Coast.”

Anna Maria Island

Cocoa

A City in Brevard County, Florida

 

Cocoa, Florida is a historic city along the Space Coast in Brevard County, just west of Cocoa Beach and the Indian River Lagoon. Founded in the late 1800s and officially incorporated in 1895, Cocoa is best known for its charming Historic Cocoa Village, cultural attractions, and its close ties to space exploration with nearby Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral. The city offers affordable living compared to surrounding coastal towns, with plenty of opportunities for boating, fishing, shopping, and arts. Today, Cocoa blends old Florida charm with modern growth, making it a unique and vibrant community.

Deerfield Beach Fishing Pier

The Hubert H. Humphrey Bridge that spans the Indian River Lagoon, linking Cocoa with Merritt Island in Cocoa, Florida
photo by User:Kolossos – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

Location & Size

Cocoa is located in central east Florida along the Space Coast, just west of Cocoa Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. The city covers about 15 square miles and sits near the Indian River Lagoon, offering easy access to both Orlando (about 45 miles away) and Kennedy Space Center

Cocoa is approximately 15.4 square miles. 

Founded

Cocoa’s roots date back to the mid-1800s, when settlers were drawn to the fertile land along the Indian River for farming, citrus growing, and fishing. By the 1860s, a small community began to form, supported by river trade and the steamboats that carried goods and passengers along Florida’s east coast. In 1885, the community officially received the name “Cocoa,” though the origin of the name remains debated—some believe it came from a box of Baker’s Cocoa that early settlers used for mail service, while others say it was suggested by a local woman who enjoyed hot cocoa by the river.

Cocoa was incorporated as a city in 1895, and with the arrival of the Florida East Coast Railway, it quickly grew as a hub for commerce and shipping. Its historic downtown, now known as Historic Cocoa Village, became the heart of the city, filled with shops, businesses, and cultural spaces that remain a focal point of community life today.

COCOA WEATHER

Population

As of 2023, Cocoa has a population of about 19,000 residents.

Known For

  • Its proximity to Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral

  • Historic Cocoa Village, a cultural and shopping hub with 19th-century architecture

  • Boating, kayaking, and fishing on the Indian River Lagoon

  • Being part of the Space Coast community tied to NASA and space exploration

Cost of living

  • Median Household Income: Around $45,000

  • Median Home Price: About $260,000

  • Median Rent: Roughly $1,400 per month

Things to do

  • Explore Historic Cocoa Village shops, art galleries, and restaurants

  • Attend live performances at the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse

  • Visit Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science

  • Enjoy outdoor activities like boating, fishing, and eco-tours on the Indian River

  • Take a short drive to Cocoa Beach Pier or Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Fun Facts

  • Cocoa’s name origin is debated—some say it came from postal delivery using cocoa tins, others say it was inspired by Cocoa, Tennessee.

  • The city played an important role in housing workers during the space race of the 1960s.

  • Cocoa Village is one of the oldest shopping districts on the Space Coast, with roots in the 1880s.

Nearby Cities

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