Sebastian is a city in Indian River County, Florida, on the state's east-central coast about an hour south of Cocoa Beach and 14 miles north of Vero Beach. It sits where the St. Sebastian River meets the Indian River Lagoon, and it is the largest municipality in Indian River County, with a population of roughly 27,000. Sebastian began as a fishing village, and that connection to the lagoon has never faded. The city proudly styles itself the home of Pelican Island, the first national wildlife refuge in the United States, established across the lagoon in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt. Today the refuge and its surroundings support more than 130 bird species and draw birders from across the country. The area's outdoors are its greatest asset. The St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, is considered one of the top birding locations in the United States, and more than 20,000 acres of preserve offer hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing. On the water, residents and visitors fish, kayak, and boat the lagoon, while the nearby Sebastian Inlet and Atlantic beaches add surf and ocean access. Sebastian retains the feel of an Old Florida river town, balancing a growing population with a strong conservation and water-oriented identity. The city has added residential neighborhoods, parks, and services while preserving the fishing-village character that defines it. Its waterfront parks, boat ramps, and riverfront setting keep the water central to daily life, and the mix of established and newer housing reflects the community's evolution from small fishing settlement to the county's principal city.