Gifford, Florida


Gifford is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Indian River County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Sebastian-Vero Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 9,590 at the 2010 census, up from 7,599 at the 2000 census. Gifford has a rich African American history. There are a number of pioneer families who are a permanent part of the fabric of Indian River County, most notably the Gipson, Hudson, Sharpton, Lundy, Jackson, McGriff, Hart, York, Bryant, Mayes, Moore and Williams families.
Gifford is also well-known for being the birthplace of popular rappers and artists YNW Melly and YNW BSlime.

Geography

Gifford is in eastern Indian River County, on the west side of the Indian River, a tidal channel. It is bordered to the south by Vero Beach, the county seat; to the north by Winter Beach; and to the east, across the Indian River, by Indian River Shores. U.S. Route 1 passes through the center of Gifford, leading north to Sebastian and south through Vero Beach to Fort Pierce. Interstate 95 at Exit 147 is west of Gifford.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the Gifford CDP has a total area of, of which are land and, or 6.79%, are water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,599 people, 3,036 households, and 1,897 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,078.1 people per square mile. There were 3,595 housing units at an average density of 510.0/sq mi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 38.70% White, 57.43% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 1.96% from other races, and 1.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.67% of the population.
There were 3,036 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.8% were married couples living together, 20.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 22.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $29,438, and the median income for a family was $35,354. Males had a median income of $25,716 versus $18,821 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $19,910. About 19.6% of families and 23.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.3% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.

History

The Gifford Community Cultural & Resource Center transformed the Historic Macedonia Church into the Gifford Historical Museum. The dedication was held on February 24th, 2018, 20 years to the date of the historic church restoration dedication project. The GCCRC oversees the operation of the museum, as well as, the Gifford High School legacy room, located in the Gifford Middle School.