What did most of the population do for a living before the Kennedy space center was built?

Before the Kennedy Space Center was built, most of the population in the surrounding areas of Brevard County, Florida, engaged in agriculture, particularly citrus farming. The region was known for its orange groves and other agricultural products. Additionally, some residents were involved in fishing and small-scale tourism, taking advantage of the area’s natural beauty and coastal attractions. The establishment of the space center in the 1960s shifted the local economy towards aerospace and technology industries.