Merritt Island, FL

Census Place

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2024 Population
34,992
US Senator
Rick Scott
Republican Party
US Senator
Ashley Moody
Republican Party
2024 Median Age
50.2
0.803% 1-year increase
2024 Poverty Rate
7.4%
0.548% 1-year decrease
2024 Median Household Income
$94,012
3.29% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$402,900
6.11% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
15,065
2.16% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Merritt Island, FL reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98.1% of the residents in Merritt Island, FL are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Merritt Island, FL are Academy of Cosmetology (88 degrees awarded in 2023).

In 2024, the median property value in Merritt Island, FL was $402,900, and the homeownership rate was 80%.

Most people in Merritt Island, FL drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 25.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Merritt Island, FL was 2 cars per household.

United StatesFloridaBrevard County, FLPalm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FLBrevard County (Northwest)--Titusville PUMA, FLBrevard County (East)--Beaches & Merritt Island PUMA, FLBrevard County (Southwest)--Melbourne & West Melbourne Cities PUMA, FLBrevard County (West)--Rockledge & Cocoa Cities PUMA, FL

Population & Diversity

Merritt Island, FL is home to a population of 35k people, from which 98.1% are citizens. As of 2024, 6.75% of Merritt Island, FL residents were born outside of the country (2.36k people).

In 2024, there were 26.2 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (28.9k people) in Merritt Island, FL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.11k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 928 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.1%
2024 Citizenship
98.2%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 98.1% of Merritt Island, FL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Merritt Island, FL was 98.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Merritt Island, FL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Merritt Island, FL
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    28.9k ± 1.88k
  2. Asian (Non-Hispanic)
    1.11k ± 347
  3. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    928 ± 373
6.55%
Hispanic Population
2.29k people

In 2024, there were 26.2 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (28.9k people) in Merritt Island, FL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.11k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 928 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

6.55% of the people in Merritt Island, FL are hispanic (2.29k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Merritt Island, FL as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Florida.
Most Common Origin
  1. Cuba
    1,008,771 ± 24,085 people
  2. Haiti
    353,350 ± 14,476 people
  3. Colombia
    307,955 ± 13,528 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Florida was Cuba, the natal country of 1,008,771 Florida residents, followed by Haiti with 353,350 and Colombia with 307,955.

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Foreign-Born Population

6.75%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
2.36k people
7.18%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
2.49k people

As of 2024, 6.75% of Merritt Island, FL residents (2.36k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Merritt Island, FL was 7.18%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Merritt Island, FL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    1,215 ± 198
  2. Gulf War (2001-)
    1,015 ± 219
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    552 ± 153

Merritt Island, FL has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.2 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Merritt Island, FL.

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Economy

The economy of Merritt Island, FL employs 15.1k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Merritt Island, FL were Health Care & Social Assistance (1,764 people), Retail Trade (1,689 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (1,594 people), and the highest paying industries were Finance & Insurance ($127,240), Manufacturing ($97,656), and Information ($92,625).

Employment

Occupations

15.1k
2024 Value
± 966
−2.16%
1 Year decline
± 9.34%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Merritt Island, FL declined at a rate of −2.16%, from 15.4k employees to 15.1k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Merritt Island, FL, are Management Occupations (2,008 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,483 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,317 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Merritt Island, FL.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Florida.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Florida (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

15.1k
2024 Value
± 966
−2.16%
1 Year decline
± 9.34%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Merritt Island, FL declined at a rate of −2.16%, from 15.4k employees to 15.1k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Merritt Island, FL, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,764 people), Retail Trade (1,689 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (1,594 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Merritt Island, FL, though some of these residents may live in Merritt Island, FL and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$66,093
Median earning men ± $7,976
$45,347
Median earning women ± $6,488

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Information ($163,167), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($130,531), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($123,472).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Manufacturing ($86,917), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($65,694), and Public Administration ($57,500).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Florida.
Y-Axis
4.23%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 9.69M people employed in Florida. This represents a 4.23% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 12.6%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Florida.

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Florida went to Donald J. Trump with 56.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (43%), followed by Jill Stein (0.396%).

Rick Scott and Ashley Moody are the senators currently representing the state of Florida. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Florida is currently represented by 26 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Voting results are not available for Merritt Island, FL. Showing the available data for Florida.
2024 Election Results
  1. Donald J. Trump (56.1%)
    Republican Party
  2. Kamala Harris (43%)
    Democratic Party
  3. Jill Stein (0.396%)
    Green Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Florida went to Donald J. Trump with 56.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (43%), followed by Jill Stein (0.396%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Florida for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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Senator Elections

US Senators from Florida

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Florida.
Rick Scott
Senator from Florida1
Assumed office on January 8, 2019
Inauguration delayed in order to finish his term as Governor of Florida.
Ashley Moody
Senator from Florida2
Assumed office on January 21, 2025
While elections for full class 3 terms will take place in 2028, Florida will hold a special election in 2026 to elect a senator to complete the remainder of Marco Rubio's term.

Rick Scott and Ashley Moody are the senators currently representing Florida.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Florida over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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Education

In 2023, universities in Merritt Island, FL awarded 88 degrees. The student population of Merritt Island, FL in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 24 male students and 97 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Merritt Island, FL are Black or African American (34 and 38.6%), White (30 and 34.1%), Hispanic or Latino (14 and 15.9%), and Two or More Races (9 and 10.2%).

The largest universities in Merritt Island, FL by number of degrees awarded are Academy of Cosmetology (88 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Merritt Island, FL are General Cosmetology (23 and 26.1%), Facial Treatment Specialist (21 and 23.9%), and Cosmetology, Barber, & Nail Instructor (12 and 13.6%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

Measure

In 2021 in Merritt Island, FL, the percentage of applicants admitted was 100%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 100%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 121 (19.8% men and 80.2% women).

The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2023 there were 121 students enrolled in Merritt Island, FL, 19.8% men and 80.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 63 records, of which 79.4% were women and 20.6% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. Barbering
    8 degrees awarded
  2. General Cosmetology
    23 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Merritt Island, FL was Barbering with 8 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in Merritt Island, FL according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Academy of Cosmetology
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
88 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Academy of Cosmetology with 88 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

In 2023, 15 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Merritt Island, FL, which is 0.205 times less than the 73 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Black or African American students. These 34 degrees mean that there were 1.13 times more degrees awarded to Black or African American students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 30 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Merritt Island, FL was $402,900 in 2024, which is 1.21 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $379,700 to $402,900, a 6.11% increase. The homeownership rate in Merritt Island, FL is 80%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Merritt Island, FL have an average commute time of 25.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Merritt Island, FL is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$402,900
Median Property Value 2024
±$16,436
$11,327
Median Property Taxes
±$776

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Merritt Island, FL the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Merritt Island, FL compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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Rent vs Own

80%
Homeownership
2024
71.3%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 80% of the housing units in Merritt Island, FL were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 81%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Merritt Island, FL compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$94,012
Median Household Income
± $8,215
14.2k
Number of Households
± 860

In 2024, the median household income of the 14.2k households in Merritt Island, FL grew to $94,012 from the previous year's value of $91,020.

The following chart displays the households in Merritt Island, FL distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Merritt Island, FL is from Florida.
0.473
2023 Wage GINI in Florida
0.474
2022 Wage GINI in Florida

In 2023, the income inequality in Florida was 0.473 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.136% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Florida was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Florida in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Florida across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (72.1%)
  2. Worked At Home (19%)
  3. Carpooled (6.35%)

In 2024, 72.1% of workers in Merritt Island, FL drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (19%) and those who carpooled to work (6.35%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Commute Time

25.3 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Merritt Island, FL have a shorter commute time (25.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.84% of the workforce in Merritt Island, FL have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Merritt Island, FL compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Merritt Island, FL distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Merritt Island, FL have 2 cars.

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

7.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Merritt Island, FL (2.56k out of 34.6k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 55 - 64, followed by Females 75+ and then Males 45 - 54.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Merritt Island, FL is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Health

91.4% of the population of Merritt Island, FL has health coverage, with 41.6% on employee plans, 9.58% on Medicaid, 19.3% on Medicare, 17.9% on non-group plans, and 3.08% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Florida see 1,370 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,370 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1563 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 459 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.2% were men and 49.8% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 18.2% under 18 years, 14.8% between 18 and 34 years, 39.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 27.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.2% were men and 49.8% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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Uninsured People

8.58%
Uninsured
41.6%
Employer Coverage
9.58%
Medicaid
19.3%
Medicare
17.9%
Non-Group
3.08%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Merritt Island, FL grew by 2.63% from 8.36% to 8.58%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Merritt Island, FL changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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