Merritt Island, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Merritt Island, Florida had a total population of 34,992, the 124th largest community in Florida, with a median household income of $94,012, which is 26% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Merritt Island Quick Facts
How Merritt Island Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,718 | 34,992 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $91,020 | $94,012 | +3.3% |
| Median home value | $379,700 | $402,900 | +6.1% |
How Merritt Island Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Merritt Island Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Brevard County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Bay | 130,132 | $72,614 | 11.7% | $283,200 |
| Melbourne | 86,576 | $66,991 | 15.8% | $306,400 |
| Titusville | 49,385 | $66,192 | 11.3% | $266,600 |
| Rockledge | 29,133 | $84,255 | 9.0% | $338,100 |
| West Melbourne | 28,795 | $92,986 | 7.3% | $377,100 |
| Port St. John | 25,120 | $87,736 | 9.9% | $281,300 |
| Cocoa | 19,554 | $63,105 | 13.1% | $246,100 |
| Viera West | 17,984 | $109,170 | 3.2% | $546,600 |
| Viera East | 12,570 | $92,467 | 3.5% | $396,700 |
| Cocoa Beach | 11,377 | $87,990 | 9.6% | $503,200 |
Cities Similar to Merritt Island
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond West | 35,593 | $101,970 | $489,100 | 33.0% | 10.5% |
| East Lake | 33,283 | $99,333 | $488,000 | 49.4% | 6.2% |
| Winter Springs | 38,951 | $92,574 | $378,700 | 48.9% | 6.8% |
| Carrollwood | 36,725 | $81,959 | $384,600 | 44.0% | 8.4% |
| Estero | 37,858 | $104,102 | $461,900 | 50.8% | 7.7% |
Population Overview
Merritt Island is a mid-sized community located in Florida, within Brevard County. The total population is 34,992. It ranks as the 124th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Merritt Island is 50.2 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 42.6 years. 13.0% 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 is $94,012. This is 26% higher than the state median of $74,568. It is also 16% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.4%. This is 41% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 14% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $402,900. Housing costs are 12% higher than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 80.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Merritt Island is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (82.7% vs 50.4%). The Black or African American population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 14.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.6%) is well below the state average of 27.4%.
Education
41.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 34.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.2%. Notably, 17.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Merritt Island, Florida is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Florida state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 955 Census-designated places in Florida. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Florida city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Merritt Island, Florida?
Merritt Island, Florida has a population of 34,992 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Merritt Island, FL?
The median household income in Merritt Island is $94,012, which is 16% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Merritt Island, FL?
The poverty rate in Merritt Island is 7.4%. This means approximately 2,560 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Merritt Island, Florida?
Merritt Island's population is 82.7% White, 2.6% Black, 6.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Merritt Island, FL?
The median home value in Merritt Island is $402,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Merritt Island, Florida?
41.0% of adults (25+) in Merritt Island hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.