Seeing the thriving community of Merritt Island today, with its huge variety of shops, restaurants and businesses and population of 40,419, it is hard to believe that its initial economy was based on cattle, pineapple, sugar cane and citrus. Yet some areas of Merritt Island still retain their natural beauty and remain unchanged since the early settlers first recognized the area's potential.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is one such place. Established in 1963 and owned by NASA, approximately one-half of the refuge's 140,000 acres consists of brackish estuaries and marshes. The remaining lands consist of coastal dunes, scrub oaks, pine forests and flatwoods, and palm and oak hammocks. The refuge borders Kennedy Space Center, probably the area's most famous attraction.

In common with most of Brevard County, the favorable climate encourages outdoor recreation of all kinds. Merritt Island offers numerous opportunities to enjoy the Florida sunshine, with boat ramps, golf, tennis courts, and water sports plus a diverse selection of parks each with its own distinct personality.

DEMOGRAPHICS
Most residents of Merritt Island are middle-aged couples with school-aged and adult children. They are comfortably settled in single-family homes in older neighborhoods. Many Merritt Island residents are working couples earning more than $50,000 annually. Nearly 20 percent receive retirement income. They typically spend their income on home improvement projects, home furnishings, and outdoor equipment.

Population in July 2007: 40,419.
Males: 19,725 (48.8%)
Females: 20,694 (51.2%)

Median resident age: 42.6 years
Florida median age: 38.7 years

Estimated median household income in 2008: $53,641 (it was $43,532 in 2000)
Merritt Island: $53,641
Florida: $47,778

Estimated per capita income in 2008: $29,708

Merritt Island CDP income, earnings, and wages data

Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $250,122 (it was $113,000 in 2000)
Merritt Island: $250,122
Florida: $218,700

Mean prices in 2008:
All housing units: $311,791
Detached houses: $324,231
Townhouses or other attached units: $241,623
In 2-unit structures: $293,288
In 3-to-4-unit structures: $138,609
In 5-or-more-unit structures: $220,872
Mobile homes: $22,020
Occupied boats, RVs, vans, etc.: $26,250

Houses: 15,814 (14,956 occupied: 11,195 owner occupied, 3,761 renter occupied)

% of renters in Merritt Island: 25%
State: 30%

Housing density: 896 houses/condos per square mile

Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos in 2008 in this state: $303,747.

Median contract rent in 2008: $753 (lower quartile is $534, upper quartile is $958)

Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units in 2008: $701

Median gross rent in Merritt Island, FL in 2008: $849

Housing units in Merritt Island with a mortgage: 6,939 (862 second mortgage, 679 home equity loan, 32 both second mortgage and home equity loan)
Houses without a mortgage: 3,112

HIGH SCHOOLS - PUBLIC
Edgewood Junior/Senior High School
180 E. Merritt Avenue, Merritt Island
(321) 454-1030
Grades: 7-8

Merritt Island High School
100 East Mustang Way, Merritt Island
(321) 454-1000
Grades: 9-12

MIDDLE SCHOOLS - PUBLIC
Edgewood Junior/Senior High School
180 E. Merritt Avenue, Merritt Island
(321) 454-1030 Grades: 7-8
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
1275 S. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island
(321) 453-5154
Grades: 7-8

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - PUBLIC
Audubon Elementary
1201 N. Banana River Dr., Merritt Island
(321) 452-2085
Grades: K-6

Gardendale Elementary Magnet School
301 Grove Boulevard
Merritt Island
(321) 452-1411
Grades: K-6

Lewis Carroll Elementary
1 Skyline Blvd., Merritt Island
(321) 452-1234
Grades: K-6

Mila Elementary
288 West Merritt Ave., Merritt Island
(321) 454-1070
Grades: K-6

Ocean Breeze Elementary
1101 Cheyenne Drive, Indian Harbour Beach
(321) 779-2040
Grades: K-6

Stevenson Elementary School of the Arts
Millennium School of Choice
1450 Martin Blvd., Merritt Island
(321) 868-6660
Grades: K-6

Tropical Elementary
885 S. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island
(321) 454-1080
Grades: K-6