Merritt Island, Florida

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Merritt Island, Florida
Merritt Island 2.JPG
Brevard County Florida Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Merritt Island Highlighted.svg
Location in Brevard County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 28°21′28″N80°41′5″W / 28.35778°N 80.68472°W / 28.35778; -80.68472
Country Flag of the United States.svg United States
State Flag of Florida.svg Florida
County Brevard
Area
[1]
  Total46.16 sq mi (119.54 km2)
  Land16.97 sq mi (43.96 km2)
  Water29.18 sq mi (75.59 km2)
Elevation
3 ft (1 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total34,518
  Density2,033.94/sq mi (785.30/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
  Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
32952–32954
Area code 321
FIPS code 12-44275 [2]
GNIS feature ID0294625 [3]

Merritt Island is a peninsula, commonly referred to as an island, [4] in Brevard County, Florida, United States, located on the eastern Florida coast, along the Atlantic Ocean. It is also the name of an unincorporated town in the central and southern parts of the island and a census-designated place (CDP).

Contents

The population was 34,518 at the 2020 census. [5] [6] It is part of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center is located on Merritt Island to the north of the town, and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is located north of the space center.

The central part of Merritt Island, previously known as Merritt City, [7] 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.

History

Etymology

Merritt Island owes its name to the King of Spain. The entire island was part of a land grant given by the King to a nobleman named Merritt. [8]

Pre-Columbian

Archaeological excavations have uncovered the fossils of extinct animals such as mastodons, giant land tortoise, camel, glyptodont, horse, mammoth, giant armadillo, peccary, and tapir, [4] [ better source needed ] which lived in the area up to 11,000 years ago. Their extinction was part of a larger North American die-off in which native horses, mastodons and other camelidaes also died out. Possibilities for extinction include global climate change and hunting pressure from the arrival of the Clovis people, who were prolific hunters with distinct fluted stone tools which allowed for a spear to be attached to the stone tool. [9] [10] This megafaunal extinction coincided roughly with the appearance of the big game hunting Clovis culture, and biochemical analyses have shown that Clovis tools were used in hunting camels. [11]

By at least 800 to 900 BC, permanent Native American structures occupied the area. Their mounds populated the lagoon margin. [12]

Post-Columbian

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, part of the native province of Ulumay. [13] Merritt Island is the prominent island on a color map he drew of the area, a copy of which is in the archives at the Library of Congress and the archives in Seville, Spain. [14] Within a few years, all but a handful of these natives were dead from an epidemic that plagued the area after the arrival of a shipwrecked British merchant. [13]

In the 1760s, the Elliott Plantation grew sugar and milled it. Remains of the plantation can be found in the Wildlife Refuge. [4] In April 1788, French botanist André Michaux traveled in Merritt Island, near Cape Canaveral. He spent five days looking for plants. He wrote a letter on April 24, 1788, from St Augustine. He reported discovering the flag or bigflower paw-paw, Asimina obovata ( Annona grandiflora (Bartr.)). [15]

In 1837, Fort Ann was constructed on the east coast of Merritt Island near the present day Haulover Canal, [4] to protect the area against the Seminoles. [16] Merritt Island's recent history dates back to the mid-19th century and centers on the growth of citrus, stressing the cultivation of pineapples and oranges. The Indian River oranges and grapefruit come from this sandy area. Freezes destroyed the local pineapple industry in the late 1890s. [4] Freed slaves constructed small towns in the area after the Civil War, including Haulover, Clifton, and Shiloh. [4]

The island's population grew in the 1950s and 1960s as the Space Race began and nearby NASA expanded. Construction of a barge canal to the Intracoastal Waterway from the Atlantic Ocean (for power plant oil shipments) cut off the northern half of the island for many years. 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.[ citation needed ] In 1988, citizens defeated a proposed incorporation into a city, 77% opposed to 23% in favor. [17]

Sea Ray Boats operated a factory on Merritt Island from 1978 to 2012. [18] At one time it employed 1200 people. [19] It closed the plant in 2013. [20]

Geography

South end of Merritt Island Merritt Island, Florida (southern tip).jpg
South end of Merritt Island

Merritt Island extends some 46 mi (74 km) from the Volusia County line to Dragon Point near Melbourne. It connects to the Florida mainland where SR 3 now intersects US 1 in Volusia County. [4] To the west it is separated from the mainland by the Indian River and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. To the east it is separated by the Mosquito Lagoon and the Banana River from the barrier island on which Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach stand. The east side of Merritt Island splits and is divided by Sykes Creek and Newfound Harbor.

In the north, the Haulover Canal, first dug in the 19th century, separates the island from the mainland. To the west, the island is connected by causeways to mainland Brevard County near Titusville and Cocoa on its northern end, and in Melbourne on its southern end. To the east the island is connected to Cape Canaveral by the Crawlerway, and by causeways to Cocoa Beach and Satellite Beach.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 122.2 km2 (47.2 sq mi), of which 45.4 km2 (17.5 sq mi) is land and 76.8 km2 (29.7 sq mi), or 62.88%, is water. [21]

Fauna

To the north, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, along with a narrow barrier island that make up Canaveral National Seashore, offer an unpopulated protected buffer area for rocket launches at Kennedy Space Center. There are about 356 species of birds on the peninsula, one of the most diverse in the country. [4] Migratory birds join the more resident wildlife, including alligators, manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, bald eagles, ospreys, bobcats, and the elusive Florida panther. A number of bald eagle nests are monitored atop power line poles along SR 3 within Kennedy Space Center.

There are about 12,000 feral pigs in North Merritt Island. Licensed trappers catch about 2,000 annually, which keeps the population even. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service would like to reduce the population. [22]

Places on Merritt Island

Merritt Island has or had 23 named communities, [4] all unincorporated, including:

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
2000 36,090
2010 34,743−3.7%
2020 34,518−0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [23]

2010 and 2020 census

Merritt Island racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
RacePop 2010 [24] Pop 2020 [25] % 2010% 2020
White (NH)29,24127,77084.16%80.45%
Black or African American (NH)16258464.68%2.45%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)1371150.39%0.33%
Asian (NH)7721,0292.22%2.98%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH)37720.11%0.21%
Some other race (NH)631260.18%0.37%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH)7391,7722.13%5.13%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)2,1292,7886.13%8.08%
Total34,74334,518100.00%100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 34,518 people, 13,790 households, and 8,600 families residing in the CDP. [26]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 34,743 people, 14,247 households, and 9,385 families residing in the CDP. [27]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, [2] 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 square mile (345.9/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 90.22% White, 5.31% African American, 0.41% Native American, 1.65% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 1.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.83% of the population.

In 2000, there were 14,955 households, out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18, 52.9% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband, and 32.8% were non-families. Of households, 26.8% were solely individuals and 11.4% had a lone resident of 65 or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.86.

In 2000, in the CDP, the population was spread out, with 21.8% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 26.2% 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. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.

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 operations for the sheriff's office, fire department, emergency medical services, and sewage systems.

Economy

Personal income

According to the 2000 Census:

Industry

There are light industrial fabrication centers on the Merritt Island Airport, and 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. [28] [29]

Redevelopment

Merritt Island has a redevelopment agency funded by the county. [30]

Education

Merritt Island has several schools.

Public schools are operated by Brevard Public Schools:

Private schools:

Library district

The Merritt Island Public Library, though a part of the Brevard County Library System, is a state-designated special library district. Since Merritt Island is an unincorporated area of Brevard County, [32] in 1965 the area applied for, and was designated, a special library district under Chapter 65-1289 by the Florida Legislature. [33] 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. [33]

Infrastructure

Roads

The residential areas of Merritt Island, East and West Merritt Island, are only accessible by causeway or drawbridge at all points. The island is linked by causeways, Florida 520.svg SR 520 (Merritt Island Causeway), Florida 404.svg , State Road 404 (Pineda Causeway), Florida 405.svg , State Road 405, Florida 406.svg , State Road 406, and Florida 528.svg 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.

Florida 3.svg SR 3, a four-lane highway, connects the Kennedy Space Center for workers from the more densely populated central and southern sections of the island.

Sewage

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 12,000,000 US gal (45,000,000 L) daily. [34]

Airports

Merritt Island Airport is a public general aviation airport located on South Merritt Island and run by the Titusville-Cocoa (TICO) Airport Authority.

Landmarks

Notable people

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brevard County, Florida</span> County in Florida, United States

Brevard County is a county located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 606,612, making it the 10th-most populated county in Florida. The official county seat is located in Titusville. Brevard County comprises the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is located along the east Florida coast and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cape Canaveral, Florida</span> Small city in Florida, US

Cape Canaveral is a city in Brevard County, Florida. The population was 9,912 at the 2010 United States Census. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cocoa, Florida</span> City in Florida, US

Cocoa is a city in Brevard County, Florida. The population was 19,041 at the 2020 United States Census. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cocoa Beach, Florida</span> City in Florida

Cocoa Beach is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 11,539 at the 2018 United States Census. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cocoa West, Florida</span> CDP in Florida, United States

Cocoa West is a census-designated place (CDP) in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,925 at the 2010 census. It is the closest place to Lake Poinsett and Canaveral Groves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port St. John, Florida</span> Census-designated place in Florida

Port St. John is a census-designated place located between Titusville and Cocoa in Brevard County, Florida. The population was 12,267 at the 2010 United States Census. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharpes, Florida</span> Census-designated place in Florida

Sharpes is a census-designated place (CDP) in Brevard County, Florida. The population was 3,411 at the 2010 United States Census. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Titusville, Florida</span> City in Florida, United States

Titusville is a city in and the county seat of Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 48,789. Titusville is located along the Indian River, west of Merritt Island and the Kennedy Space Center, and south-southwest of the Canaveral National Seashore. It is a principal city of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Coast</span> Region in Florida

The Space Coast is a region in the U.S. state of Florida around the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. It is one of several "themed" coasts around Florida. All orbital launches from American soil carrying NASA astronauts have departed from either KSC or Cape Canaveral. The Space Force Station has also launched unmanned military and civilian rockets. Cities in the area include Port St. John, Titusville, Cocoa, Rockledge, Cape Canaveral, Merritt Island (unincorporated), Cocoa Beach, Melbourne, Satellite Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Indialantic, Melbourne Beach, Palm Bay, and Viera (unincorporated). Most of the area lies within Brevard County. It is bounded on the south by the Treasure Coast, on the west and north by Central Florida, and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge</span> Protected area in Florida, US

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is a 140,000 acres (57,000 ha) U.S. National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) on the Atlantic coast of Florida's largest barrier island. NASA's Kennedy Space Center and visitor complex are also situated on the island and NASA can restrict access to the refuge based on its operational needs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banana River</span> Lagoon in Florida, US

The Banana River is a 31-mile-long (50 km) lagoon that lies between Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island in Brevard County, Florida in the United States. It is part of the Indian River Lagoon system, and connects at its south end to the Indian River; it is the only part of the lagoon system not in the Intracoastal Waterway. It also has an outlet to the Atlantic Ocean via a lock into Port Canaveral. The lagoon includes salt marshes, mangrove swamps, seagrass beds, drift algae, oyster bars, tidal flats, and spoil islands, providing habitats for many marine species. These are brackish waters mixed of salt and fresh water; waist deep with a soft bottom sand/grass. Commercial and recreational activities in the lagoon generate more than US$ 800 million annually for the local economy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida State Road 3</span> State highway in Brevard County, Florida, United States

State Road 3, known locally as North Courtenay Parkway, is a north–south road located entirely on Merritt Island, serving as the southern access for the Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral, Florida. The shortest of the one-digit Florida State Roads, its southern terminus is an intersection with SR 520 on Merritt Island, east of Cocoa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merritt Island Causeway</span> Bridge in Florida, United States of America

The Merritt Island Causeway, mostly in Merritt Island, connects Cocoa, Merritt Island, Florida, and Cocoa Beach, Florida. The causeway transits the Willard Peebles bridge over the Banana River Lagoon. In the 1960s, SR A1A was routed over the eastern causeway from present day SR 520 and SR A1A, to the present day intersection of SR 520 and SR 3 on Merritt Island. The eastern section is known as the Cocoa Beach Causeway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canaveral National Seashore</span> National Seashore in the state of Florida, U.S.

The Canaveral National Seashore (CANA) is a National Seashore located between New Smyrna Beach and Titusville, Florida, in Volusia and Brevard Counties. The park, located on a barrier island, was created on January 3, 1975, by an act of Congress. The park is split between Brevard and Volusia counties, with 9 miles of the seashore in Brevard County, and 15 miles of the seashore in Volusia County. CANA consists of 24 miles of beaches, dunes, mangrove wetlands, and a large portion of the Mosquito Lagoon. The Canaveral National Seashore is also the longest expanse of undeveloped land along the East Coast of Florida. The Canaveral National Seashore is home to more than 1,000 plant species and 310 bird species. CANA occupies 57,662 acres (23,335 ha). There are 3 major beach sections in the seashore. The southern section is Playalinda Beach, the middle section is Klondike Beach, and the northern section is Apollo Beach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NASA Causeway</span> Bridge in Florida, United States of America

NASA Parkway, also known as NASA Causeway, is an east–west expressway in Brevard County, Florida, containing two causeways. The first causeway connects the Florida mainland to Merritt Island and later, over the private second causeway, connects Merritt Island to Cape Canaveral. As such, the NASA Parkway is the main route connecting points of interest in Titusville, Florida to the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island.

Shiloh was a village in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It is the northernmost place in Brevard County. Scottsmoor also shares the title, across the Indian River.

Brevard County has a county government, municipal governments, and various Florida state and U.S. federal agencies.

North Merritt Island is a census-designated place (CDP) in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It occupies a portion of the physical Merritt Island, north of the CDP of Merritt Island and south of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Florida State Road 3 is the main highway through the community, leading north to Florida State Road 405 and south to Florida State Road 528.

West Canaveral Groves is a census-designated place (CDP) in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It is in western Brevard County, south of Florida State Route 528, north of Florida State Road 520, and 7 miles (11 km) west of Cocoa.

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