Merriam, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Merriam, Indiana had a total population of 268, the 643rd largest community in Indiana. The poverty rate is 1.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 1.1% — among the lowest in Indiana.
- Unemployment rate of 22.6% is notably above the national average.
Merriam Quick Facts
How Merriam 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 | 309 | 268 | -13.3% |
| Median home value | $123,800 | $206,600 | +66.9% |
How Merriam 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Merriam Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Cities Similar to Merriam
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paxton | 269 | $50,677 | $96,500 | 13.9% | 9.3% |
| Carrollton | 267 | $125,882 | $360,400 | 40.9% | 0.0% |
| Haysville | 267 | $103,750 | $171,800 | 26.6% | 0.0% |
| Marshall | 266 | $65,625 | $85,000 | 6.7% | 13.2% |
| Tocsin | 266 | N/A | N/A | 5.5% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 268, Merriam'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
Merriam is a small community located in Indiana. The total population is 268. It ranks as the 643rd most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Merriam is 28.4 years. This is 25% lower than the state median of 38.1 years. With 33.2% of the population under 18, Merriam has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 1.1%. This is 91% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 22.6%. This is 427% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $206,600. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $218,200. 76.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Merriam was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
22.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 29.5%. 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 Merriam, Indiana 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 Indiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 967 Census-designated places in Indiana. 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 Indiana city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Merriam, Indiana?
Merriam, Indiana has a population of 268 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Merriam, IN?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Merriam — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Merriam, IN?
The poverty rate in Merriam is 1.1%. This means approximately 3 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Merriam, Indiana?
Merriam's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Merriam, IN?
The median home value in Merriam is $206,600.
How educated is Merriam, Indiana?
22.0% of adults (25+) in Merriam hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.