University of California-Merced, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, University of California-Merced, California had a total population of 724, the 1148th largest community in California.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 55.8% is notably above the national average.
University of California-Merced Quick Facts
How University of California-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 | 886 | 724 | -18.3% |
How University of California-Merced Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Employment
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+)
University of California-Merced Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Merced County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced | 91,953 | $63,122 | 23.9% | $372,600 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to University of California-Merced
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delleker | 724 | $53,698 | $334,800 | 0.0% | 5.9% |
| Loleta | 723 | $40,086 | $589,800 | 27.4% | 16.1% |
| Deer Park | 720 | $136,615 | $1,161,100 | 37.3% | 4.1% |
| Laytonville | 720 | $37,656 | $378,100 | 3.3% | 18.2% |
| Independence | 730 | $73,850 | $295,900 | 26.1% | 6.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 724, University of California-Merced's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
University of California-Merced is a small community located in California, within Merced County. The total population is 724. It ranks as the 1148th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in University of California-Merced is 19.7 years. This is 48% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The unemployment rate is 55.8%. This is 744% higher than the state rate of 6.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in University of California-Merced is Hispanic or Latino, making up 54.8% of the population. Asian residents account for 31.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (5.8%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (31.2% vs 15.3%).
Education
0.0% 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. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for University of California-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.
Free data download: Get all California city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of University of California-Merced, California?
University of California-Merced, California has a population of 724 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in University of California-Merced, CA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for University of California-Merced — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the racial makeup of University of California-Merced, California?
University of California-Merced's population is 5.8% White, 4.4% Black, 54.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 31.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in University of California-Merced, CA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for University of California-Merced — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is University of California-Merced, California?
0.0% of adults (25+) in University of California-Merced hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.