Merced County, California Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Merced County is located in California with a total population of 285,597. It is the 23rd most populous county out of 58 in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Merced County is 31.8 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 37.6 years. With 29.1% of the population under 18, Merced County has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Merced County is $65,044. This is 32% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 17% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.4%. This is 54% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 10.8%. This is 68% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $368,400. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.7x. 53.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Merced County is Hispanic or Latino, making up 62.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 24.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (62.7% vs 39.8%). The Asian population (7.0%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

14.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 60% 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 71.9%.