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Merino, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Merino, Colorado had a total population of 286, the 344th largest town in Colorado, with a median household income of $61,875, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.8%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Merino Quick Facts

Population 286
Median Household Income $61,875
Median Home Value $185,900
Poverty Rate 10.8%
Unemployment Rate 1.7%
Median Age 42.0 years
Homeownership Rate 63.9%
Affordability Ratio 3.0x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 19.7%
High School Graduation Rate 92.3%
Diversity Index 25/100
Population 286 344th of 472
Median Income $61,875 below average
Poverty Rate 10.8% 13% lower than national
Median Home Value $185,900 bottom 20%

How Merino Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population286286+0.0%
Median household income$63,125$61,875-2.0%
Median home value$161,300$185,900+15.3%

How Merino Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 18.1%
$25K-$50K 28.6%
$50K-$100K 34.6%
$100K+ 18.8%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
3.8%
$10K-$15K
6.0%
$15K-$20K
4.5%
$20K-$25K
3.8%
$25K-$30K
1.5%
$30K-$35K
18.1%
$35K-$40K
5.3%
$40K-$45K
3.8%
$45K-$50K
0.0%
$50K-$60K
0.0%
$60K-$75K
15.8%
$75K-$100K
18.8%
$100K-$125K
7.5%
$125K-$150K
6.0%
$150K-$200K
2.3%
$200K+
3.0%

Employment

1.7% Unemployment Rate State: 4.6%|National: 5.2%
70.8% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 63.9%
Renter 36.1%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.0x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,118/mo 21.7% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

25out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 52 | National average: 61

Education

Merino Rankings in Colorado

#344 Population of 472
#274 Median Income of 399
#336 Education of 472
#337 Home Value of 412

Other Cities in Logan County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Sterling 13,172 $43,283 19.0% $217,400
Fleming 614 $52,143 9.4% $170,300
Iliff 268 $57,500 13.8% $155,700
Peetz 265 $52,500 12.8% $154,600
Crook 157 $31,944 29.9% $118,800
Atwood 62 $40,694 0.0% $205,000
Padroni 7 N/A 100.0% N/A

Cities Similar to Merino

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Comanche Creek283N/A$672,90037.9%0.0%
North Washington294N/A$572,00027.1%24.4%
Lewis277N/A$372,00020.7%0.0%
Idledale297N/A$451,90067.5%0.0%
Brookside276$62,813$357,10023.1%10.1%

A note before these figures: with a population of 286, Merino'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

Merino is a small community located in Colorado, within Logan County. The total population is 286. It ranks as the 344th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.

Age Demographics

The median age in Merino is 42.0 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 37.7 years. Only 14.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Merino is $61,875. This is 35% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.8%. This is 15% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 1.7%. This is 64% lower than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $185,900. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 63.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 66.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

Merino has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.9%) is well below the state average of 22.5%.

Education

19.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% lower than the state rate of 45.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Merino, Colorado 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 Colorado state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 472 Census-designated places in Colorado. 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 Merino, Colorado?

Merino, Colorado has a population of 286 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Merino, CO?

The median household income in Merino is $61,875, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Merino, CO?

The poverty rate in Merino is 10.8%. This means approximately 31 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Merino, Colorado?

Merino's population is 86.4% White, 2.8% Black, 4.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.

What is the median home value in Merino, CO?

The median home value in Merino is $185,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.

How educated is Merino, Colorado?

19.7% of adults (25+) in Merino hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.