The city was founded by fishermen very early in Florida's history. An authentic, historical account states that the first families arrived in Cocoa around 1860. A post office was established at Magnolia Point two miles north and the first commercial building in Cocoa was erected in 1881 or 1882. First plats of the new settlement were made in 1882 under the name "Indian River City" on land owned by Captain R.A.Hardee. The name Indian River City was unacceptable to the U.S. Postal authorities who claimed it was too long for use on a postmark.

Incorporated in 1895, Cocoa has continued to develop and mature despite serious setbacks early in

its history. In 1890, Cocoa's business district was destroyed by fire. However, in the early 1890's significant development began to occur with the extension of the Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Indian River Railway to Cocoa. The new rail connection served as a catalyst for the growth of the economy and population of the town. By 1895, Cocoa was a maturing community. Cocoa suffered a second severe economic setback in the winter of 1894-1895 when the "Great Freeze" destroyed the citrus crop and forced many individuals involved in the citrus industry to seek new occupations according to one source, by 1903, the population of Cocoa had dropped to 382.

During the second decade of the of the twentieth century, population growth and economic development in Cocoa accelerated. The state business directory of 1911-1912 set the population at 550. By 1925, the population was estimated at 1,800. During the Great Depression, starting in 1929, the local economy declined and the two local banks failed. Still, according to one source, the population rose to 2,200 by 1930. The population rose dramatically following the development of the Space Industry. The population quadrupled from 3,098 in 1940 to 12,244 in 1960.

Cocoa and the surrounding area also became integrated with the tourist

industry for the first time as thousands visited the area to witness the launches from Cape Canaveral. By 1980, the population had grown to 16,096.  The Space coast is known as a high-tech center of the Southeast and offers a high level matrix of available technical skills. Major employers in the Cocoa vicinity include Grumman Melbourne Systems, Dictaphone and Rossi Electronics, Harris Corporation, Collins General Aviation Division, Florida Institute of Technology, Wuesthoff Hospital, Florida TODAY (Gannett) Newspapers, Brevard Community College, Bombardier Corporation -- makers of Sea-Doo and Ski-Doo craft, with world headquarters for sales and marketing, and the Brevard County School Board.