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Travel + Leisure Profiles Florida's Richest Small Town: Cocoa Beach

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  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. es-florida-s-richest-small-town-cocoa-beach.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Tuesday, December 2nd 2025 at 8:52 GMT by Travel + Leisure

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Travel + Leisure’s Deep‑Dive into Florida’s “Richest Small Town”

Travel + Leisure’s profile of Florida’s richest small town, published last month, takes readers on a detailed tour of a place that defies the stereotypical image of a sleepy, tourist‑littered coastal enclave. By combining hard data, on‑the‑ground anecdotes, and links to related resources, the article builds a portrait of a community whose wealth is rooted in a blend of high‑income residents, thriving real‑estate markets, and a strategic economic base that goes far beyond beachside brunches.

1. Who’s the Star? The Town and Its Numbers

The town in focus is Cocoa Beach, a 7,500‑resident community just south of Cape Canaveral. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest estimates, Cocoa Beach’s median household income sits at $112,000—well above the Florida statewide median of $57,000 and placing it squarely in the “richest small town” bracket. The article cites local real‑estate data showing that the median home price in 2023 was $675,000, a 12% jump over the previous year.

Travel + Leisure follows a link to the Cocoa Beach City Hall page, which provides a brief history of the town’s founding and its evolution from a modest fishing village to a hub for space‑related jobs and high‑end tourism. Another hyperlink leads to the Florida Department of Transportation map, highlighting the town’s proximity to major interstates and the Kennedy Space Center.

2. The Economic Engine: Space, Tourism, and Tech

A central theme of the article is the “Space Economy”. Cocoa Beach is the “neighborhood” of the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). NASA’s long‑running launch facilities and the new SpaceX operations in nearby Cape Canaveral create a high‑paying workforce that spills over into the local economy. The piece quotes a KSC spokesperson saying, “We’ve seen a 30% increase in the average salary for support staff since the new launch pad opened in 2021.”

While space keeps the wallet open, the town’s beaches remain the “anchor of the tourist season.” The article links to the Florida Tourism Commission page that explains the state’s “Florida Sun” marketing campaign, which has made Cocoa Beach one of the top 20 tourist spots in the U.S. The town’s beachfront boardwalk hosts a range of high‑end restaurants, boutique shops, and the famed Lighthouse Café, a staple on Travel + Leisure’s own “Best Small Town Eats” list.

Tech firms have also started to take notice. The article references a local start‑up incubator, SpaceTech Hub, that’s attracting engineers from Silicon Valley, bringing an influx of highly‑educated workers. An interview with the hub’s founder highlights how the “combination of low cost of living (for the region) and the unique space culture is a magnet for innovators.”

3. Culture, Lifestyle, and the “Nice People” Factor

Travel + Leisure doesn’t just paint the town with a gold‑finishing touch; it also delves into lifestyle. Cocoa Beach is famed for its “low‑key, high‑culture vibe,” with a surprisingly large arts community. The town’s Cocoa Arts & Culture Center hosts weekly exhibits, and the linked Cocoa Beach Historical Society offers tours of early 20th‑century architecture.

The piece also notes the town’s family‑friendly reputation. Several local schools—Cocoa Beach Elementary and the nearby Cape Canaveral High— consistently rank in the top 10% of Florida schools. The article’s link to Florida’s Sunshine State Education Report confirms that students in the area score above the state average on standardized tests, a point that resonates strongly with the town’s affluent demographic.

4. Dining, Nightlife, and Nightly Attractions

For culinary lovers, the article lists three must‑visit restaurants:

1. The Dock, a seafood‑centric spot that earned a Michelin‑style “red list” rating.
2. Cocoa Coffee Co., a community‑run café that doubles as an art space, linked to its Instagram page for the latest seasonal offerings.
3. Sunset Grill, offering a panoramic view of the Atlantic, featured in Travel + Leisure’s “Top 10 Sunset Spots.”

The nightlife scene, while more subdued than Miami’s, is highlighted through the “Oceanfront Bar Crawl” route, a map that readers can download via a linked PDF. The article emphasizes that the bar crawl is “ideal for couples seeking a laid‑back, scenic evening.”

5. Real‑Estate Highlights and Market Trends

Travel + Leisure goes beyond price tags. The article shares insights into the property market:

• Luxury condos with direct beach access command $2.3 million on average.
• Single‑family homes in the historic district range from $750,000 to $1.2 million, with a 15% appreciation rate over the past three years.
• The town’s zoning laws—linking to the Cocoa Beach Municipal Code—favor small‑scale developments that preserve the coastal charm.

The real‑estate section concludes with a quick look at the Future Outlook: projected growth of 8% for 2025, fueled by continued interest in space‑related jobs and an expanding “remote work” trend that attracts professionals who can’t be anchored to a single city.

6. Where to Go, What to Do, and Who to Ask

The article closes with a practical “Travel Checklist” that links to a downloadable itinerary. Suggested activities include:

• A day tour of the Kennedy Space Center (link to KSC Official Site for booking).
• A kayak safari in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (linked to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife page).
• A weekend art festival featuring local and national artists (link to Cocoa Arts & Culture Center calendar).

For accommodation, readers are directed to a list of 5‑star hotels—The Oceanfront Suites and Cocoa Beach Inn—with a note that rates start around $350 per night, reflecting the town’s affluent profile.

Takeaway

Travel + Leisure’s article goes far beyond a superficial brag about “richness.” By weaving together income data, economic drivers, cultural touchstones, and practical travel tips—and by providing hyperlinks to reputable resources such as NASA, the Florida Tourism Commission, and local real‑estate listings—it offers a thorough, well‑rounded picture of why Cocoa Beach is considered Florida’s richest small town. The result is a piece that reads as both an informative guide for potential visitors and an insightful snapshot of a community that balances the thrill of space exploration with the comfort of a high‑living coastal lifestyle.