Location Info

The good life in Sebastian and Indian River County includes not only great weather and long stretches of unspoiled beaches, but a climate conducive to business development and growth. 

Location
Sebastian is located at longitude 80.4 degrees west, latitude 27.6 degrees north, and sits at an elevation of 14.3 feet above sea level in the center of the city.  At the northernmost tip of "The Treasure Coast," Vero Beach and Indian River County are accessible via I-95, the Florida Turnpike or the Airports in Orlando, Melbourne and Palm Beach.

Climate
The area is known as the "Gateway to the Tropics" because it is located at the northern border of Florida's warmest thermal belt. This ideal climate is moderated by the proximity of the Gulf Stream to the shoreline. Like a giant river, the Gulf Stream glides through the Atlantic Ocean about 15 miles east of Vero Beach then veers out to sea north of this area. The average year 'round temperature is 74⁰, Summer month’s average 82⁰, while winter averages 66⁰. August is the warmest month. September has the most rain, followed by June, October, and August.

Facts & Economic Data

• Employment
  Indian River County has a diversified economy.  The highest percentage of employment in the county is in services (30.5%), followed by retail trade (22.7%), agriculture, forestry and fishing (11.5%), and local government (11.1%).
• Size
  Indian River County incorporates 543 square miles with 12 square miles within the city limits of Vero Beach. There are 23 miles of beaches. Agricultural acreage is circa 325,000 acres, which include pastures, ranges, citrus, forest, woodlands, and row crops.
• Population
  Vero Beach                               17,945
  Indian River County              116,488
• Year of Incorporation
  Vero Beach                                1919
   Indian River County                1925
• Population by Age  (year 2000 estimate)
             0-14       15.8%
           15-24         9.3%
           25-44       22.9%
           45-64       23.1%
           65+          29.2%

Nearby Attractions

Close By

Baseball at Dodger town Complex, Holman Stadium, Vero Beach

1916 Grant Historical House & Fisherman's Park
The Grant Historical House is a restored cracker home that was moved to the Indian River in 1916.  

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc. (HBOI) is one of the world's leading not-for-profit oceanographic research organizations dedicated to exploring the earth's oceans, estuaries and coastal regions, for the benefit of mankind

The museum traces the history of the local citrus industry from its beginnings, from Spanish explorers through today's high-tech processing and marketing techniques.  See historical photographs, old farm tools, tools, antique citrus labels, industry archives, original harvesting equipment and gift shop. 

McKee Botanical Garden
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, McKee Botanical Garden is an 18-acre subtropical garden.  Its unique hammock supports a dense and diverse botanical collection as well as several restored architectural treasures. .

McLarty Museum
The McLarty Museum offers displays of items taken from the shipwrecked Spanish Plate Fleet of 1715. 

Manatee Observation and Education Center is a waterfront wildlife observation and nature education center located on Florida's east coast in downtown Fort Pierce.  The Center lies just west of the Atlantic Ocean and overlooks the nationally recognized Indian River Lagoon, a saltwater estuary and Moore's Creek, a freshwater creek and historical resting spot for the Florida manatee.  

Mel Fisher Treasure Museum
Shipwreck artifacts and treasure from both the Atocha which sank off Key West in 1622 and the 1715 Fleet which sank off the Treasure Coast between Sebastian Inlet and Fort Pierce

Orca Walk
a 298-acre park located east of US 1 on Oslo Road.  The rustic trails, observation towers and platform and canoe dock at the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area are open to the public from dawn to dusk each day. 

Sebastian Fishing Museum
The museum is devoted to educating the public on the rich cultural history of Sebastian's fishing industry.  Inside the museum are replicas of a fish house and dock, the traditional heart of the industry. .

Sebastian Fishing Museum Talks
come to the Sebastian Fishing Museum for an interpretive program. You might learn about sea turtles, land crabs, sea beans, or wildlife rescue from a park ranger. You might learn how to fish for snook or flounder, how to smoke your catch, or how to make a cast net. You might take a walk with a ranger along the beach or through the hammock.

Smithsonian Marine Station
The Smithsonian Marine Station (SMS) is a research center specializing in marine biodiversity and ecosystems of Florida. Research focuses on the Indian River Lagoon and the offshore waters of Florida's east central coast, with comparative studies throughout coastal Florida.

St. Lucie County Marine Center
The St. Lucie County Marine Center houses the Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit and cares for their maintenance and management. The exhibit shows that a marine ecosystem is a complex community of plants and animals interacting with each other and their environment, and that humans can think of themselves as an integral part of the larger ecosystem known as earth

UDT-Seal Museum
On the original training site of the first US Navy Frogmen.  It honors Naval Combat Demolition Units, Underwater Demolition Teams and Sea, Air, Land (SEAL) Teams. 

Vero Beach Museum of Art
This renovated and expanded 55,412 sq. ft. arts facility features five art galleries, sculpture garden, and education wing that includes seven studio classrooms, an art library, seminar rooms, and a 3,800 sq. ft. outdoor studio and foundry, a 250-seat state-of-the-art auditorium, museum store, and exceptional public spaces for art installations and public programs. 

Vero Beach Railroad Station Exhibit Center
The museum has a permanent model railroad display depicting a journey through Indian River County and other changing displays. 

Within an Hour

Andretti Thrill Park
Offers Go Kart Tracks, Water Rides, Children's Rides, Miniature Golf, Inside Games - Arcade,  Laser Runner and Slot Cars.  Activities are priced individually or as a package. 

Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory
Astronomy courses; pictures of asteroids, eclipses and special Hale-Bopp archive. Laser light shows.

Brevard Museum of Art & Science
The Brevard Museum of Art and Science features exhibitions by internationally and nationally known artists as well as Florida artists representing a variety of styles, periods, and media.  The Museum complex includes the Harris Auditorium, two Museum Shops, the Foosaner Educational Wing, Science Center and Art Museum.

Blowing Rocks Preserve
is a magnificent 73 acre barrier island sanctuary located on Jupiter Island, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon.  Blowing Rocks protects a variety of natural habitats, including beach dune, coastal strand, mangrove wetlands, tropical hammock and oak hammock.   

Brevard Zoo
Situated on 56+ acres, the Zoo has over 460 animals representing 119 different species from Latin America, Native Florida, Asia and Australia. 

Forever Florida Ranch
The Crescent J. Ranch, a working cattle ranch and nature preserve, offers wilderness tours, hose riding, overnight trail rides and petting zoo.  Tours

Fort Pierce Jai Alai
the world's fastest ball game, Jai-Alai originated in the Basque Country of Northern Spain. The game was played outdoors using the church walls as the first playing courts.
 
FPL Energy Encounter
Hands-on exhibits show how energy is produced

House of Refuge - Stuart
Built in 1875, oldest structure in Martin County built as a haven for ship-wrecked sailors and travelers.  Model ship collections, tropical and native fish aquariums, changing exhibits relating to the colorful history of the structure and the Florida

Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and the Florida History Center and Museum 
The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse was completed in 1860 just before the civil war and is maintained by the Florida History Center & Museum in cooperation with The United States Coast

Melbourne Greyhound Park
Melbourne Greyhound Park is open year round 7 days a week. Live greyhound racing is here November thru April. The best in simulcast wagering is always available. Bet on Greyhounds, Thoroughbreds, Harness Racing and Jai-

Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Air Station
Located west of Titusville, 90 miles north of Vero Beach, this is the site of the U.S.'s space program launchings.  Marine Life Center of Juno Beach
The Marine life Center is a non-profit education and conservation facility dedicated to the conservation and preservation of our marine environment

New York Mets/St Lucie Mets
 

Underwater Demolition Museum
A museum dedicated to NCDU’s, UDT’s and SEAL’s, features the equipment, weapons and demolition apparatus used. Training videos are available for viewing.  For more information, please visit their website.

Valiant Air Command - War bird Museum

Lake Wales
Located in the center of Florida, about 75 miles west of Vero Beach.  Home to Bok Tower, a national historic landmark and home of the annual International Carillon Festival.  Other attractions include Depot Museum, featuring local history and railroad memorabilia, Spook Hill where objects appear to defy gravity as they roll uphill, and the National Historic District, Downtown Lake Wales.  Visit the historic Lake Wales website for more information.

Sea World of Florida
when you arrive at Sea World, what you discover is a world class theme park that is a stunning tribute to the wonders of marine life.  Unlike other theme parks, Sea World is not broken up into lands or themed areas.  

Universal Studios Escape
Two enormous theme parks (Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Islands of Adventure); plus shopping, dining and live entertainment

Walt Disney World Resort
the World's #1 Vacation Destination.  Explore.  Visit Mickey and friends and all the theme parks -- Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Water Parks, Downtown Disney and more! 
 
Two Hours Plus

Cross Creek -- The Majorie Kinnan Rawlings State Historical Site
Visit the home of internationally acclaimed writer Majorie Kinnan Rawlings whose tale of "The Yearling" won a Pulitzer Prize in fiction in 1939. 

 Fantasy of Flight Air Museum
The World's Greatest Aircraft Collection.  Fantasy of Flight is a tribute to the innovation and imagination of the pioneers of flight. Featuring many rare and vintage aircraft, this popular attraction transports you back to the hey-day of aviation. Solomon's Castle Built by well-known sculptor Howard Solomon, the castle contains galleries of his art and more than 80 interpretive stained glass windows.  The Boat in the Moat, also built by the artist, is a replica of a 16th century Spanish galleon and houses the Castle's restaurant.  

Schools and Continuing Education

Indian River County offers schooling in both the private and public sectors from kindergarten through college.  Adult continuing education classes are also offered.  Information needed for school registration is listed at the end of the page.

Public Schools
There are 21 public school campuses located in Indian River County. Twelve elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools and three special schools.  

Charter Schools
Charter schools are a new alternative to a traditional public education begun in 1991 as the result of a national initiative to improve education in the U.S.  Indian River County has five charter schools: St Peters Academy, Vero Beach; Indian River Charter High School, Vero Beach; North County Charter School, Fellsmere; Indian River Academy, Vero Beach; and Sebastian Charter Junior High, Sebastian.  For more information visit the Florida Charter School Resource Center website.

Private Schools
There are 28 schools in Indian River County offering education from Pre-School and Day Care through High School. 

Home Schooling
The Indian River Home Schooler's Association consists of Indian River County parents who want to be involved in their children's education.  Parents can teach their children the subjects required from pre-school to 12th grade.   All students participating in this program must register with the county school superintendent.  Students in this program can also participate in seminars, field trips, science fairs and fitness programs. 

College
Indian River Community College services Indian River County residents from its Vero Beach campus and its Ft Pierce campus.  Also serving the Indian River County area are Florida Atlantic University in St. Lucie County, Barry University in St. Lucie County; Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne; and University of Central Florida-Brevard Campus in Palm Bay.   

Adult Education
The Indian River County School Board offers a variety of Adult and Community Education programs at many locations throughout Indian River County.