Brevard County's poverty rate fell to 10.2% between 2020 and 2024, down from 11.8% in the previous five years, the US Census Bureau reported. During this period, 63,800 residents lived below the poverty line, a decrease of 6.7% from the 68,500 people in poverty between 2015 and 2019. The data comes from the American Community Survey, which tracks income and economic conditions across the county.
The decline in poverty rates was most pronounced among children under 18, whose rate dropped from 17.2% between 2015 and 2019 to 13.9% in the most recent five-year span. Adults under 65 also saw a reduction, from 11.8% to 10%. However, the poverty rate for residents over 65 rose slightly, increasing from 7.8% to 8.1% during the same period. These figures highlight disparities in how different age groups are affected by economic conditions.
Racial and ethnic disparities persist in Brevard County. The poverty rate for American Indian and Alaska Native residents was higher than the county's overall rate during 2020–2024, though specific numbers for other groups were not detailed in the report. The data underscores that poverty remains unevenly distributed across demographics, with certain populations facing greater challenges.
Local officials and community leaders have pointed to factors like job growth in the aerospace and healthcare sectors as potential contributors to the decline in poverty rates. However, advocates note that the county's overall rate still exceeds the state average, which was 11.4% in 2023. "Progress has been made, but gaps remain," said one community organizer in Titusville. "We need targeted efforts to address the needs of vulnerable groups."
The Census Bureau data also shows that while the overall trend is positive, the number of people in poverty remains significant. With 63,800 residents still living below the poverty line, local programs focused on education, employment, and housing continue to be critical. The county's economic development office has cited workforce training initiatives as key strategies to further reduce poverty in the coming years.