Serene Environment Small Town Atmosphere

Malabar is an unincorporated community located in south Brevard County neighboring the fast growing Palm Bay area. Although within driving distance of most city conveniences, it possesses the peaceful and quiet surroundings only a rural community can provide.

Malabar is attracting new businesses to the town with its convenient access to Interstate 95 and close proximity to the available workforce in the neighboring city of Palm Bay.

Before 1900 the oak, pine and cypress forests attracted lumber businesses. The U.S. Navy also had an interest since the peculiar shapes of the oak trees growing near the lagoon shore were perfect for various parts of the wooden hulls of that time; and the Indian River lagoon also served as transportation for many goods

Named after Cape Malabar in Africa, Malabar received official designation from the U.S. Postal Service for the local population of 25 on December 24, 1883. In 1893 the railroad replaced mailboats for mail delivery and other commodities.

With land clearing came pineapple, orange and other truck farm products among other things including cattle grazing . Later old tree stumps left from lumbering were dug up for the production of explosives, which were used for, among other things, the world war efforts of the first half of the 1900’s. In the wake of the heavy land use, ditching and clearing, land was divided up to the familiar platt maps we see today.

With the development of mosquito control and inexpensive air-conditioning families in the 1950's began to come to Brevard County. Commissioners already saw that growth was inevitable and informed developers that roads were to be widened to over 100 feet. This instigated a move to incorporate Malabar as a Town, rather than just a postal address and, as a result, the Town of Malabar was officially designated in 1962.

Attractions:

Malabar Scrub Sanctuary which is a 345-acre nature preserve developed through Brevard County's Environmentally Endangered Land Program highlights the interdependence of wetland and upland habitats with sand pine scrub, oak scrub, wet prairie, pond, and scrubby flatwoods

Activities: Hiking, biking, horseback riding, and wildlife observation; Habitats: xeric (dry) hammock, scrub, scrubby flatwoods, pine flatwoods, sand pine scrub, ponds, sloughs, and depression marshes;
Wildlife: Florida scrub-jay, gopher tortoise, bobcat, river otter, pileated woodpecker, great horned owl, sandhill crane.

Events/Activities:

Malabar SpringFest

The annual Malabar Days festival, now called 'Malabar Springfest', occurs in, April in Malabar Park. This event brings together residents, businesses and visitors to enjoy arts and crafts, live music, food and business vendors, games, and more. It is a showcase for the Town of Malabar and has grown each year, bringing in any citizens from other areas of Brevard as well as Indian River County.

Statistics:

Population (year 2000): 2,622; estimated population in 2003 was 2,701
Elevation: 27 feet
Latitude 28.003N, Longitude -80.565W
Land area: 10.6 square miles
Water Area: 2.58 sq miles
Median house value: $137,100 (year 2000)

Hospitals/medical centers:
CIRCLES OF CARE INC (about 7 miles; MELBOURNE, FL)
HEALTHSOUTH SEA PINES HOSPITAL (about 7 miles; MELBOURNE, FL)
HOLMES REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (about 7 miles; MELBOURNE, FL)

Airports certified for carrier operations:
MELBOURNE INTL (about 9 miles; MELBOURNE, FL; ID: MLB)
PATRICK AFB (about 17 miles; COCOA BEACH, FL; ID: COF)
VERO BEACH MUNI (about 27 miles; VERO BEACH, FL; ID: VRB)

Other public-use airports:
VALKARIA (about 4 miles; VALKARIA, FL; ID: X59)
SEBASTIAN MUNI (about 15 miles; SEBASTIAN, FL; ID: X26)
MERRITT ISLAND (about 25 miles; MERRITT ISLAND, FL; ID: COI)

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students:
FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY-MELBOURNE (about 7 miles; MELBOURNE, FL)
BREVARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE-COCOA CAMPUS (about 28 miles; COCOA, FL)
INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 43 miles; FT PIERCE, FL)
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA (about 62 miles; ORLANDO, FL)
VALENCIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 64 miles; ORLANDO, FL)
ROLLINS COLLEGE (about 68 miles; WINTER PARK, FL)
UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX-ORLANDO CAMPUS (about 70 miles; MAITLAND, FL)

HomeJoy Space Coast Real Estate makes finding a new home in the Brevard County area simple and economical. We can help you locate new and resale homes in master-planned communities, adult and retirement settings, and golf and country-club settings. If you currently own land, we can locate a reputable builder to build your dream house. We can also assist you in locating real estate in other areas of Florida. Please contact us or, if you'd like to talk to us about selling your home, please visit our seller's page.

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