Merritt Island is not actually an incorporated municipality, but rather is a census-designated place in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It is located on the east coast of the state along the Atlantic Coast. Merritt Island as a census-designated area is part of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. However, the name “Merritt Island” also refers to the geography of the former island, which is now a peninsula due to construction efforts over the years.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center are located on the northern part of Merritt Island. The southern portion of the peninsula is mostly residential, with sections of light commercial and light industrial scattered throughout. The island itself does not belong to any official city, though the central part, previously known as Merritt City, is home to the majority of the population and includes the local high school, library, and shopping district
According to the United States Census Bureau, Merritt Island as a CDP has a total geographic area of 47.0 square miles, of which 17.6 square miles is land and 29.4 square miles - a significant 62.49% - is water. The Crawlerway causeway in the north was constructed for purposes of transporting NASA space vehicles over to the launch pad near the Banana Creek. This causeway connects Merritt Island to the mainland, making it officially a peninsula.
As of the 2000 census, the population was 36,090 people living in 14,955 households, and a total of 10,049 families residing in Merritt Island. The population density was 2,044.6 people per square mile, with 15,813 housing units at an average density of 895.9 per square mile. Of the 14,955 households, 27.1% were home to children under the age of 18, while 52.9% were married couples living together. Female households with no husband comprised 10.7%, 32.8% were non-families, and 26.8% of households were solely individuals. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.86.
In Merritt Island, the population was spread out with 21.8% of residents under the age of 18, and 6.1% aged from 18 to 24. In the 25 to 44 age group, 26.1% residents fell, 26.2% aged from 45 to 64, and 19.8% of 65 or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males, though for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.
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