Merritt Island

Merritt Island is a peninsula, commonly referred to as an island, in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It is also the name of an unincorporated town in the central and southern parts of the island and a census-designated place (CDP) The population was 34,518 at the 2020 census. The entire island was part of a land grant given by the King of Spain to a nobleman named Merritt. The island's population grew in the 1950s and 1960s as the Space Race began and nearby NASA expanded. It now extends some 46 mi (74 km) from the Volusia County line to a point near Melbourne where it connects to the mainland. At one time it employed 1200 people in a plant plant factory on MerRitt Island from 1978 to 2012. It closed in 2013 and now only live on the small, historic streets and names of historic churches and historic buildings on the island.NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center is located to the north of the town, and Merritty Island National Wildlife Refuge is located north of it. The central part of Merrith Island, previously known as Merritton City, is home to the majority of the population and includes the local high school, library, and shopping district. The southern area is heavily residential, with centralized light commercial and light industrial areas. The northern portion remains slightly less developed, with a few remaining areas as cattle or citrus plant oil or pasture or citrus.

History

Merritt Island is the primary city name, but also Merritt Is are acceptable city names or spellings. Merritt Island was part of a land grant given by the King of Spain to a nobleman named Merritt. In the 1760s, the Elliott Plantation grew sugar and milled it. In 1837, Fort Ann was constructed to protect the area against the Seminoles. The island's population grew in the 1950s and 1960s as the Space Race began and nearby NASA expanded. The Indian River oranges and grapefruit come from this sandy area. Freezes destroyed the local pineapple industry in the late 1890s. In 1988, citizens defeated a proposed incorporation into a city, 77% opposed to 23% in favor. Sea Ray Boats operated a factory on MerrITT Island from 1978 to 2012. At one time it employed 1200 people. It closed the plant in 2013. To this day, the northern portion of the island remains slightly less developed, with a few areas remaining as cattle pasture or citrus land. The small towns on the island vanished with the coming of the Space Age, and now only live on in the names of streets and historic churches. In April 1788, French botanist André Michaux traveled in MerRitt Island, near Cape Canaveral. He spent five days looking for plants. He reported discovering the flag or bigflower paw-paw, Asimina obovata (Annona grandiflora (Bartr.) He wrote a letter on April 24,1788, from St Augustine. In 1605, Spanish explorer Álvaro Mexía visited while on a diplomatic mission to the local tribes living in the Indian River area. He called the local tribe of Ais people.

Geography

Merritt Island is 46 mi (74 km) from the Volusia County line to a point near Melbourne. It is separated from the mainland by the Indian River and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. To the east the island is connected to Cape Canaveral by the Crawlerway, and by causeways to Cocoa Beach and Satellite Beach. There are about 356 species of birds on the peninsula, one of most diverse in the country. Migratory birds join the more resident wildlife, including alligators, manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, bald eagles, ospreys, bobcats, and the elusive Florida panther. About 12,000 feral pigs in North Merritt Island. Licensed trappers catch about 2,000 annually, which keeps the population even. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would like to reduce the population. The island has or had 23 named communities, all unincorporated, including: Satellite Beach, Titusville, Cocoa, and Melbourne. The CDP has a total area of 122.2 km² (47.2 sq mi), of which 45.4 km² is land and 76.8 km 2 (29.7 sq mi) is water, or 62.88% of the island's total area is water. It has a population of 2,816. The population of the CDP was 2,716 in 2010. It was 1,814 in 2000.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 36,090 people, 14,955 households, and 10,049 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,044.6 inhabitants per square mile (789.4/km²). There were 15,813 housing units at an average density of 895.9 per squaremile (345.9/km 2) The racial makeup of the CPD was 90.22% White, 5.31% African American, 0.41% Native American, 1.65% Asian, 0,06% Pacific Islander, and 1.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.83% of the population. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was2.86. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there are 95.3 males. For each 100 females age 18 and over, there is 92.3 Males. The CDP has a population of 21.8% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 26.1 percent from 25 to 44, and 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.8 percent of 65 or older. It is the most densely populated city in the state, with a population density of 2.4 times the population of Los Angeles. It has a median age of 43 years, and the population density is 2.6 times the city's population.

Government

Merritt Island is under the administrative care of the local county government, with water being handled by the neighboring city of Cocoa. The county maintains sheriff, fire, EMS, and sewage. Merritt Island has a population of about 1,000. The island is located in the central part of the county, just south of the town of Merrit Island. It is located on the eastern edge of the Cocoa River, which flows into the Merrit River. It has an estimated population of around 1,200, with the majority of its residents living on the island's eastern side. The town has a total of about 2,000 residents. It was founded in 1872. The village has a history that dates back to the early 1800s, when it was known as Meritt Island. The current name of the island was established in 1881, when the town was first established. The community was named after the town's founder, William Meritt. It also has a number of historic buildings, including the Meritt House, which was built in the early 1900s. It's located near the center of the village. The Island is also known for its beautiful beaches, which are popular with tourists and locals. The city has a water supply that is shared with Cocoa, a neighboring city, and with the neighboring town of Cocoa, for which the island is known as the "Water City" The island also has its own sewage system, which is administered by the county. The water supply is also shared by Cocoa and the city.

Economy

There are light industrial fabrication centers on the Merritt Island Airport. NASA-related industrial activities to support the Space Shuttle, which was retired in summer of 2011, and other rocket launches on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Air Liquide operates a plant there. The island has a redevelopment agency funded by the county. It is located in the Florida Panhandle, near the Florida Keys and the Florida Turnpike. It has a population of 9.4 million. The median household income is $43,532, and the median family income is $52,388. The population is 7.2 million, with an average age of 18. The average income for males is $41,393, and for females is $25,787. In 2000, the average household income was $43.532 and the average family income was $ 52,388, according to the 2000 Census. In 2010, it was $41.393 for males and $25.787 for females. In 2011, the median income for men was $40.907 and for women was $39.908. In 2012, the Median income for women is $40,908 and for men is $39,907. In 2013, the Average income for a family was $42,902. In 2014, the Mean Income for a household was $44,906 and the Median Income for Families was $45,903. In 2015, the mean income for families was $46,904 and the Average Family Income was $50,838.

Education

Merritt Island has several schools.Public schools are operated by Brevard Public Schools.Private schools include Calvary Chapel Christian School, Lewis Carroll Elementary, and Merritt Island Christian School. The island is part of the Brevard County, Florida, U.S. state of Florida. It is located in the central part ofvard.com, and is located on the Florida Turnpike, which connects to Florida's main highway, the Interstate 40, and the Florida Interstate 40. It has a population of 1,856,000 (as of the 2010 census) and a population density of 1.7 per square mile (1.8 per cent) of which 1.6 per cent is urban. It also has a high school, a junior/senior high school and a private high school. In the summer, the island has a number of festivals and other events, such as the Meritt Island Film Festival and the Merrit Island Festival of the Arts, which take place in September and October each year. In November, the town hosts the annual Merridan Film Festival, which takes place in the town's downtown area. In December, the Merridans hold the Merrildan Film and Music Festival, held in the community's main theater, which is named after the island's founder, William Merriweather. The festival is also known as the "Film Festival" and is held in honor of Merriley, a former resident of the island.

Library district

Merritt Island is an unincorporated area of Brevard County. In 1965 the area applied for, and was designated, a special library district under Chapter 65-1289 by the Florida Legislature. In 2005, the Florida House of Representatives codified all special acts and amendments, in regards to the Merritt Island Public Library District, under HB 1079. The library is a part of theBrevard County Library System. It is located on the island's eastern tip, near the town of Viera. It has a public library, as well as a private library, on the same site. The public library is open to the general public, though it is not open to non-residents of the island at the same time. It also has a branch of the Brevard Library System in Viera, which is part of Florida's main library system. It was founded in 1872, and has a collection of more than 2,000 books. It opened in 1883. It's located in the center of the town, near Viera's downtown area, and is on the eastern edge of the county. The island is also home to the Viera Beach Airport, which has a population of about 1,000. The airport is the largest airport in the state, with more than 1,200 flights a day. The area is home to a number of tourist attractions, such as the Florida Museum of History and Science, and the Florida Center for the Arts, including the Florida State Museum of Art.

Infrastructure

The residential areas of Merritt Island are only accessible by causeway or drawbridge at all points. The island is linked by causeways, SR 520 (Merritt Island Causeway),, State Road 404 (Pineda Causeway) and SR 528, to the barrier island to its east and the mainland to the west. Mathers Bridge connects the southernmost area to the Barrier Island. SR 3, a 4-lane highway, connects the Kennedy Space Center for workers from the more densely populated central and southern sections of the island. The lift station near the Pineda causeway was built to handle 9,000,000 US gal (34,000, 000 L) per day. It became overloaded after Hurricane Irma in 2017. Trucks were used to dispose of the excess which rose to 12,00,000 U gal (45,000.,000 L), daily. The airport is a public general aviation airport located on South Merr Witt Island and run by the Titusville-Cocoa (TICO) Airport Authority. It is the only airport in the Florida Keys with a runway that can take off and land vertically and has a take-off and landing strip that can accommodate a wide variety of aircraft. It was built in the 1970s and is the largest airport in Florida, with a capacity of more than 100,000 passengers a day. Its runway can handle a wide range of aircraft, including wide-bodied jets and wide-winged aircraft.

Landmarks

Hacienda del Sol, large historic agricultural estate on South Merritt Island. Pine Island Conservation Area, 950 acres (380 ha) preserve. Old St. Luke's Episcopal Church and Cemetery. Futch Cove on Banana Creek (location of Apollo/Saturn Visitors Center) Mather's Bridge Restaurant (now closed), previously Hacienda's workers mess hall, was joined by former field workers quarters (since destroyed) across South Tropical Trail at Mathers Bridge. Meritt Island Airport. Merritt Island (Canaveral) Barge Canal. Mather’s Bridge Restaurant, formerly known as ‘Mathers’ Bridge, is now a restaurant and bar. The Merritt Square Mall is a shopping mall in the heart of Brevard, Florida. The island's national wildlife refuge is the largest in Brevard County. It is Brevard's oldest standing structure, Sams House, built in 1875, is the island's oldest surviving structure. The islands' national parks are: Kiwanis Island Park, and Merrit Island Rotary Park Nature Trail and Center, and Ulumay Wildlife Sanctuary, a wildlife sanctuary and nature preserve. The Merrit Islands National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest national wildlife refuges in the United States, with more than 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) of land. The Island's national parks include: Mather Island, Merrit County, and the Meritt Islands National Park.

Air Quality, Water Quality, Superfund Sites & UV Index

The Air Quality index is in Merritt Island, Brevard County, Florida = 72.9. These Air Quality index is based on annual reports from the EPA. Higher values are better (100=best). The number of ozone alert days is used as an indicator of air quality, as are the amounts of seven pollutants including particulates, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, lead, and volatile organic chemicals. The Water Quality Index is 60. A measure of the quality of an area’s water supply as rated by the EPA. Higher values are better (100=best). The EPA has a complex method of measuring the watershed quality, using 15 indicators such as pollutants, turbidity, sediments, and toxic discharges. The Superfund Sites Index is 59. Higher is better (100=best). Based upon the number and impact of EPA Superfund pollution sites in the county, including spending on the cleanup efforts. The UV Index in Merritt Island = 6.6 and is a measure of an area's exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. This is most often a combination of sunny weather, altitude, and latitude. The UV Index has been defined by the WHO (www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-the-ultraviolet-(uv)-index) and is uniform worldwide.

Employed

The most recent city population of 34,518 individuals with a median age of 45.5 age the population grows by 1.40% in Merritt Island, Brevard County, Florida population since 2000 and are distributed over a density of 2,033.94 residents per square mile of area (785.30/km²). There are average 2.36 people per household in the 15,194 households with an average household income of $54,580 a year. The unemployment rate in Alabama is 11.40% of the available work force and has dropped -5.05% over the most recent 12-month period and the projected change in job supply over the next decade based on migration patterns, economic growth, and other factors will increase by 18.50%. The number of physicians in Merritt Island per 100,000 population = 210.4.

Weather

The annual rainfall in Merritt Island = 51.7 inches and the annual snowfall = 0 inches. The annual number of days with measurable precipitation (over .01 inch) = 112. The average number of days per year that are predominantly sunny = 237. 90 degrees Fahrenheit is the average daily high temperature for the month of July and 51 degrees Fahrenheit is the average daily low temperature for the month of January. The Comfort Index (higher=better) is 30, where higher values mean a more pleasant climate. The Comfort Index measure recognizes that humidity by itself isn't the problem. (Have you noticed nobody ever complains about the weather being 'cold and humid?) It's in the summertime that we notice the humidity the most, when it's hot and muggy. Our Comfort Index uses a combination of afternoon summer temperature and humidity to closely predict the effect that the humidity will have on people.

Median Home Cost

The percentage of housing units in Merritt Island, Brevard County, Florida which are owned by the occupant = 70.43%. A housing unit is a house, apartment, mobile home, or room occupied as separate living quarters. The average age of homes = 37 years with median home cost = $148,300 and home appreciation of -20.72%. This is the value of the years most recent home sales data. Its important to note that this is not the average (or arithmetic mean). The median home price is the middle value when you arrange all the sales prices of homes from lowest to highest. This is a better indicator than the average, because the median is not changed as much by a few unusually high or low values. The property tax rate of $11.04 shown here is the rate per $1,000 of home value. If for simplification for example the tax rate is $14.00 and the home value is $250,000, the property tax would be $14.00 x ($250,000/1000), or $3500. This is the 'effective' tax rate.

Study

The local school district spends $4,585 per student. There are 16.2 students for each teacher in the school, 796 students for each Librarian and 418 students for each Counselor. 9.05% of the area’s population over the age of 25 with an Associate Degree or other 2-year college degree, 18.49% with a master’s degree, Ph.D. or other advanced college degree and 10.45% with high school diplomas or high school equivalency degrees (GEDs).