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Indian River County Profile Indian River County is over 500 square miles with an Atlantic coastline and lagoon that draw more people each year, many of whom are older adults. The community has been described as a wonderful place to live because there are so many activities for people of all ages. The area has a balance of supporting growth yet works to maintain the assets while evolving at a pace that keeps it livable. Indian River County still feels like a rural county, yet has resources of a large community, such as world class theatre and art museum. One community leader described it as "my family friendly place." New census data estimates the population of Indian River County in 2022 to be 168,131 with 57% over age 50 and 34% over sixty-five. The average median age of residents is fifty-four. While most residents (74.4%) are White, Black, or African-American residents make up 9.5%. The fastest growing minority is Hispanics (13.3%), and Asian residents compose less than 2%. Indian River County has a high percentage of veterans (9% ) with nearly 48% having served in the Vietnam conflict, 19.3% in Korea, 12% in WWII and 20.5% in the First or Second Gulf War. Indian River County is the 33rd largest County in Florida. Since 2010, the area has seen 22% growth. Vero Beach is the county seat, and the area includes four other cities: Fellsmere, Indian River Shores, Orchid, and Sebastian. Additional areas, while not incorporated, are neighborhoods identified in the Livable Survey: Central Beach, Florida Ridge, Gifford, Oslo, Pointe West, Roseland, South Beach, Summer Place, Vero Beach South, Vista Royale, Wabasso, Wabasso Beach, West Vero Corridor, Windsor and Winter Beach. History of Livable Indian River In June 2019, the Indian River County Commission voted to apply for membership in the Age -Friendly Network and designated the Senior Collaborative of Indian River County (SCIRC) as lead agency for Livable Indian River. Also in 2019, a 12 -month comprehensive community assessment was completed by an independent research consultant, with support of FDOH-IR, six funders, 40 charities, 12 focus groups, and 1400 surveys completed. One chapter of this assessment report, the 2019 Indian River County Community Needs Assessment (CNA), was devoted to seniors. Once Livable Indian River was accepted into the network by AARP, a group of advocates and SCIRC representatives came together as a core team. They organized the launch on February 19, 2020, at the Indian River County Intergenerational Center, chosen for its message, as well as being a county facility. The launch received publicity from three local newspapers (32963, Scripps Treasure Coast News, and Sebastian Daily) with attendance by more than seventy-five community members. One feature of the event was a video with community leaders sharing what Livable Indian River Action Plan 5 25