One story says that the mail used to come by river boat and was placed in an empty tin box labeled Baker's Cocoa.

Additionally, an early hotel in the area, located on the Indian River lagoon, was named Cocoa House.

[5] Another story speaks of an elderly African American woman who lived on the banks of the Indian River.

But soon, significant development was stimulated by the extension of the Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Indian River Railway to Cocoa.

[10] In October 1918, the mayor of Cocoa proclaimed that all places of assembly, including schools, churches, and movies be closed to avoid spreading the Spanish flu.

[14] In the early 1980s, the city attempted to upgrade the stadium by asking the Astros to pay for needed repairs.

As a result, it was decided that future negotiations with major league teams would be done by the county government.

[20] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.4 square miles (39.9 km2).

[21] Cocoa is home to the highest point in Brevard County, listed by the USGS as being 83 feet (25 m) above sea level at its apex.

According to 2020 United States Census data:[30] Construction and retail trade are the two largest industries by employment in Cocoa as of 2017.

[9] In 2008, Kel-Tec CNC Industries, located in Cocoa, was the third-largest manufacturer of pistols in the United States.

[34] In addition, tourists are attracted to the historic sites and local attractions such as the Brevard Museum of History & Natural Science, the Eastern Florida State College Planetarium and Observatory, Historic Cocoa Village, Indian River Queen (excursion boat), Indian River Drive scenic by-pass, the Aladdin Theater, Historic Porcher House, and Riverfront Park.

Historic Cocoa Village has shopping and two Golden Spoon award-winning restaurants, and boutiques.

[9] The historic downtown area is called Cocoa Village, situated along Florida Avenue to Stone Street, and stretching to Riverfront Park along the Indian River.

The area was revitalized by funding for public infrastructure through the Cocoa Redevelopment Agency, City and private investment.

Into the early 1960s, passengers could take one of two Chicago-bound trains (on alternating days), the City of Miami or the South Wind (both via Birmingham) and the New York-bound East Coast Champion, Havana Special, and Miamian from the Florida East Coast Railway's Cocoa-Rockledge station.

The FEC resumed local passenger service between Jacksonville and the Miami area from 1965 until July 31, 1968.

On March 12, 2024, Brightline officials confirmed that an infill station on the Space Coast would be built in Cocoa.

[48][49] Space Coast Area Transit operates a public bus service in Cocoa and vicinity.

[50][51] Since 1957, Cocoa has supplied the communities of central Brevard County with potable water.

The Dyal WTP is unusual for Central Florida because it is capable of treating both ground and surface water.

The flag was originally painted on the water tower free of charge by a Greek immigrant.