North Merritt Island, Florida | |
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Coordinates: 28°27′24″N80°42′34″W / 28.45667°N 80.70944°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Florida |
County | Brevard |
Area | |
• Total | 28.79 sq mi (74.56 km2) |
• Land | 16.86 sq mi (43.66 km2) |
• Water | 11.93 sq mi (30.90 km2) |
Elevation | 5 ft (2 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 8,566 |
• Density | 508.13/sq mi (196.19/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
ZIP Code | 32953 (Merritt Island) |
Area code | 321 |
FIPS code | 12-49435 |
GNIS feature ID | 2805180 [2] |
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. Situated on an Atlantic coast peninsula, North Merritt Island is a portion of the larger Merritt Island area in Brevard County, Florida. The area is well-known for its close vicinity to the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and the Kennedy Space Center, which contribute to its rich aerospace culture and heritage.
North Merritt Island was first listed as a CDP prior to the 2020 census. The population was 8,566 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Palm Bay—Melbourne—Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The Banana River to the east and the Indian River to the west encircle North Merritt Island. The region's topography is defined by a diversity of wildlife habitats, lush vegetation, and waterfront residences. Despite being more centrally placed on Merritt Island, the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is a noteworthy natural destination close by, providing chances for hiking, fishing, bird watching, and observing a variety of habitats and wildlife.
North Merritt Island experiences warm, dry winters and humid summers due to its subtropical climate. This environment influences the patterns of the local animals, particularly migrating birds, and encourages the creation of lush flora. A variety of subtropical and coastal vegetation types can be found in the area, including mangrove swamps, palm and oak trees, and other marsh and woodland habitats. Because of its abundant biodiversity, the area is well-liked by nature lovers and bird watchers who appreciate its diverse array of species, especially birds.
Given its close proximity to the Kennedy Space Center and United States Space Force Station the aerospace industry has a significant impact on the local economy. A community of engineers, scientists, and other experts in space exploration and technology has been nurtured by this relationship. Other economic pursuits include fishing, boating, and tourism, which draws tourists drawn by the area's scenic beauty and space-related attractions.
Numerous recreational activities are enjoyed by both locals and visitors. Boating, fishing, and water sports are all quite popular because there are rivers nearby and beaches are easily accessible.
North Merritt Island real estate consists of both upland and waterfront properties. In comparison to Florida's more densely populated coastal locations, the area is renowned for having larger lots and more spacious homes. Those seeking more sedate residential settings with easy access to modern conveniences and the outdoors may find this appealing.
Despite being more sedate than some of Florida's busier beach communities, North Merritt Island offers a distinctive fusion of space-age technology, natural beauty, and peaceful living, making it a noteworthy destination for visitors or residents.
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | 8,566 | — | |
U.S. Decennial Census [3] |
Brevard County is a county in Central East Florida on the Atlantic coast 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.
Merritt Island is a peninsula, commonly referred to as an island, 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).
Sanibel is an island and city in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 6,382 at the 2020 census, down from 6,469 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The island, also known as Sanibel Island, constitutes the entire city. It is a barrier island—a collection of sand on the leeward side of the more solid coral-rock of Pine Island.
Big Pine Key is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in Monroe County, Florida, United States, on an island of the same name in the Florida Keys. As of the 2020 census, the town had a total population of 4,521.
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is a United States National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), and part of the Everglades Headwaters NWR complex, located just off the western coast of North Hutchinson Island in the Indian River Lagoon east of Sebastian, Florida. The refuge consists of a 3-acre (12,000 m2) island that includes an additional 2.5 acres (10,000 m2) of surrounding water and is located off the east coast of Florida of the Indian River Lagoon. Established by an executive order of President Theodore Roosevelt on March 14, 1903, Pelican Island was the first National wildlife refuge in the United States. It was created to protect egrets and other birds from extinction through plume hunting. The oldest government wildlife refuge of any kind in North America is the Lake Merritt Bird Refuge in Oakland, California. Oakland Mayor Samuel Merritt declared it a wildlife refuge for migrating birds in 1869. In 1870, the state of California designated Lake Merritt a state game refuge.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is a 140,000-acre (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.
The Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge (LSNWR) is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge System. It is located in southeastern Dixie and northwestern Levy counties on the western coast of Florida, approximately fifty miles southwest of the city of Gainesville.
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is a 402,000‑acre (1,627 km2) National Wildlife Refuge located in Charlton, Ware, and Clinch Counties of Georgia, and Baker County in Florida, United States. The refuge is administered from offices in Folkston, Georgia. The refuge was established in 1937 to protect a majority of the 438,000 acre (1,772 km2) Okefenokee Swamp. Though often translated as "land of trembling earth", the name "Okefenokee" is likely derived from Hitchiti oki fanôːki "bubbling water".
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.
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge located on North Carolina's Pea Island, a coastal barrier island and part of a chain of islands known as the Outer Banks, adjacent to Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The sanctuary is located 10 miles (16 km) south of Nags Head, North Carolina on NC 12.
The Atlantic Flyway is a major north-south flyway for migratory birds in North America. The route generally starts in Greenland, then follows the Atlantic coast of Canada, then south down the Atlantic Coast of the United States to the tropical areas of South America and the Caribbean. Every year, migratory birds travel up and down this route following food sources, heading to breeding grounds, or traveling to overwintering sites.
Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail (GFBWT) is a 2,000 mile (3200 km) long collection of more than 500 locations in the U.S. state of Florida where the state's bird habitats are protected. The trail promotes birdwatching, environmental education and ecotourism. The GFBWT is a program of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, supported in part by the Florida Department of Transportation and the Wildlife Foundation of Florida. It is modeled after the successful Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail. Trail sites area identifiable by prominent road signs bearing the Swallow-tailed kite logo.
Bon Secour is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. It lies along the eastern coastline of Bon Secour Bay. Bon Secour is over 35 miles (56 km) due east of the Alabama–Mississippi state line, near Gulf Shores, and over 45 miles (72 km) west of Pensacola, Florida. The name "Bon Secour" derives from the French phrase meaning "safe harbor" due to the secluded location on the inside coast of the Fort Morgan peninsula of southern Alabama.
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.
Environmental issues in Brevard County in Florida United States are highlighted by the amount of waterline, the amount of wetlands, the quantity of residents and visitors to the area, as well as the usual threat to air quality from commuters. Assisting in this is the Florida Space Coast Clean Cities Coalition which is headquartered in Brevard.
North Hutchinson Island is a coastal barrier island in Indian River and St. Lucie counties on the east coast of Florida in the United States. The island is adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean and is separated from the mainland on the west by the Indian River Lagoon. The portion of the island in Indian River County is known as Orchid Island.
Currituck National Wildlife Refuge, located on the northern end of North Carolina's Outer Banks, was established in 1984 to preserve and protect the coastal barrier island ecosystem. Refuge lands are managed to provide wintering habitat for waterfowl and to protect endangered species such as piping plover, sea turtles, and seabeach amaranth.
Modoc National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge of the United States located in northeastern California. It is next to the South Fork of the Pit River in Modoc County, southeast of Alturas.
Tropical Park is a census-designated place (CDP) in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It occupies a portion of Merritt Island, a barrier island, and is surrounded by the CDP of Merritt Island. Florida State Road 3 is the main highway in the area, forming the eastern edge of Tropical Park.