Merrill city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Merrill city is a small community located in Iowa. The total population is 885. It ranks as the 322nd most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Merrill city is 36.2 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Merrill city is $79,250. This is 8% higher than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is about average. The poverty rate stands at 4.5%. This is 59% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.9%. This is 47% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $157,200. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Merrill city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 71.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Merrill city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.4%. The Black or African American population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.

Education

11.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Merrill city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.