Merritt Island CDP, Florida Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Merritt Island CDP is a mid-sized community located in Florida. The total population is 34,718. It ranks as the 124th most populous out of 953 cities and towns in Florida.

Age Demographics

The median age in Merritt Island CDP is 49.8 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 42.6 years. 12.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Merritt Island CDP is $91,020. This is 27% higher than the state median of $71,711. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 16% higher. The poverty rate stands at 7.4%. This is 41% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $379,700. Housing costs are 17% higher than the state median of $325,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 81.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 67.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Merritt Island CDP is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (83.0% vs 51.4%). The Black or African American population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 14.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (7.2%) is well below the state average of 26.8%.

Education

41.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% higher than the state rate of 33.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.7%. Notably, 17.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Merritt Island CDP, Florida is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Florida state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 953 Census-designated places in Florida. For official data, visit data.census.gov.