Merced city, California Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Merced city, California has a total population of 89,766, the 92nd largest city in California, with a median household income of $59,938, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 12.3% is notably above the national average.
Merced city Quick Facts
How Merced city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 69 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Merced city Rankings in California
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Cities Similar to Merced city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hemet city | 90,646 | $53,623 | $314,200 | 15.2% | 16.0% |
| South Gate city | 91,836 | $71,315 | $608,500 | 11.5% | 13.2% |
| Redding city | 93,268 | $69,443 | $363,800 | 26.1% | 13.6% |
| Hawthorne city | 85,933 | $72,719 | $813,700 | 25.0% | 16.4% |
| Indio city | 90,669 | $78,709 | $424,700 | 21.1% | 11.6% |
Population Overview
Merced city is a mid-sized community located in California. The total population is 89,766. It ranks as the 92nd most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Merced city is 29.8 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 37.6 years. With 30.0% of the population under 18, Merced city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Merced city is $59,938. This is 38% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 24% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.0%. This is 92% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 12.3%. This is 91% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $347,700. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x. 44.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 55.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Merced city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 58.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 22.7%.
Education
18.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 77.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Merced city, California 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 California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Merced city, California?
Merced city, California has a population of 89,766 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Merced city, CA?
The median household income in Merced city is $59,938, which is 24% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Merced city, CA?
The poverty rate in Merced city is 23.0%. This means approximately 20,431 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Merced city, California?
Merced city's population is 22.7% White, 4.6% Black, 58.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 9.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Merced city, CA?
The median home value in Merced city is $347,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x.
How educated is Merced city, California?
18.0% of adults (25+) in Merced city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.