Merced, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Merced, California had a total population of 91,953, the 87th largest city in California, with a median household income of $63,122, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 11.3% is notably above the national average.
Merced Quick Facts
How Merced 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 | 89,766 | 91,953 | +2.4% |
| Median household income | $59,938 | $63,122 | +5.3% |
| Median home value | $347,700 | $372,600 | +7.2% |
How Merced 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Merced Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Merced County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Banos | 47,593 | $68,171 | 17.3% | $440,900 |
| Atwater | 32,162 | $64,472 | 20.9% | $363,400 |
| Livingston | 14,606 | $74,494 | 17.1% | $372,700 |
| Winton | 11,797 | $57,015 | 14.0% | $339,400 |
| Delhi | 11,009 | $67,500 | 15.5% | $349,700 |
| Franklin (Merced County) | 7,392 | $58,295 | 22.9% | $308,200 |
| Gustine | 6,133 | $59,532 | 4.0% | $441,700 |
| Hilmar-Irwin | 6,132 | $79,948 | 12.8% | $449,600 |
| McSwain | 5,783 | $139,131 | 17.1% | $690,100 |
| Dos Palos | 5,765 | $42,367 | 17.6% | $299,500 |
Cities Similar to Merced
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hemet | 91,326 | $57,719 | $352,200 | 15.5% | 14.9% |
| Redding | 93,409 | $70,466 | $382,300 | 27.0% | 14.1% |
| South Gate | 91,483 | $74,571 | $636,300 | 11.3% | 12.7% |
| Indio | 91,950 | $77,167 | $458,400 | 20.5% | 11.5% |
| Compton | 92,698 | $78,465 | $580,200 | 10.6% | 17.9% |
Population Overview
Merced is a mid-sized community located in California, within Merced County. The total population is 91,953. It ranks as the 87th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Merced is 30.0 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 29.9% of the population under 18, Merced has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Merced is $63,122. This is 36% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.9%. This is 99% 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 11.3%. This is 72% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $372,600. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x. 45.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Merced is Hispanic or Latino, making up 60.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 21.1%.
Education
20.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 76.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Merced, California 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 California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Merced, California?
Merced, California has a population of 91,953 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Merced, CA?
The median household income in Merced is $63,122, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Merced, CA?
The poverty rate in Merced is 23.9%. This means approximately 21,742 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Merced, California?
Merced's population is 21.1% White, 4.6% Black, 60.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 9.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Merced, CA?
The median home value in Merced is $372,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x.
How educated is Merced, California?
20.2% of adults (25+) in Merced hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.