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Comprehensive Plan Economic Development Element Inventory of Existing Conditions Overall, there are many factors which influence economic development in an area. These range from physical conditions to demographic characteristics, including existing and projected population levels. This section addresses those factors. Geography Climate Indian River County has a humid, subtropical climate. According to the United States Geological Survey, Indian River County's average coastal temperature, as measured at the Vero Beach Municipal Airport, is 23°C (73.4°F). The temperature further inland, at Fellsmere, is similar. While this average temperature is moderate, the county's afternoon temperatures usually exceed 32°C (90'F) throughout the summer. Freezing temperatures occur occasionally in the coastal areas of the county, but they occur almost annually in the county's inland area. As measured at the Vero Beach airport, the county's mean annual precipitation is 53.4 inches, while the average precipitation inland at Fellsmere is approximately 57 inches. More than 60% of this total annual rainfall occurs during the summer months. Topography Topographically, Indian River County lies in Florida's coastal lowlands. In Indian River County, these lowlands include several ancient marine terraces, each of which was part of the ocean bottom at a time when the Atlantic Ocean stood much higher. The two terraces which comprise Indian River County are the Pamlico Terrace and the Talbot Terrace. The Pamlico Terrace covers the area from the county's coast to the western edge of St. Johns Marsh, a distance of approximately 24 miles. This terrace is comprised of three distinct ridges: an offshore bar, the Atlantic Coastal Ridge, and the Ten -mile Ridge. Most of this area is less than 25 feet above sea level. The offshore bar is the current barrier island. This island reaches a maximum height of approximately 20 feet above sea level. West of the island is the Indian River. Further west and located on the present-day mainland is the Atlantic Coastal Ridge. That ridge, which is a remnant of an offshore bar, was formed in the Pamlico Sea and reaches altitudes of more than 50 feet. West of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge is a flat, trough -shaped area that is analogous to the present Indian River. Adjacent to this is the Ten -mile Ridge, which is a less pronounced sand ridge located approximately Community Development Department Indian River County 2