Merrydale, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Merrydale, Louisiana had a total population of 9,490, the 61st largest community in Louisiana, with a median household income of $41,500, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 19.5% is notably above the national average.
Merrydale Quick Facts
How Merrydale 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 | 9,149 | 9,490 | +3.7% |
| Median household income | $41,986 | $41,500 | -1.2% |
| Median home value | $124,300 | $136,100 | +9.5% |
How Merrydale 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: 59 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Merrydale Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in East Baton Rouge Parish
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | 222,771 | $49,994 | 25.7% | $234,700 |
| Central | 29,783 | $89,554 | 5.4% | $288,700 |
| Zachary | 19,952 | $84,480 | 8.5% | $259,100 |
| Shenandoah | 17,998 | $107,021 | 8.2% | $331,100 |
| Baker | 12,253 | $54,750 | 29.8% | $157,900 |
| Gardere | 12,223 | $55,409 | 35.3% | $243,300 |
| Oak Hills Place | 9,038 | $92,306 | 7.2% | $437,900 |
| Village St. George | 8,273 | $96,364 | 5.1% | $252,900 |
| Old Jefferson | 7,860 | $92,075 | 8.8% | $239,700 |
| Inniswold | 6,357 | $102,337 | 12.6% | $349,600 |
Cities Similar to Merrydale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jennings | 9,553 | $48,558 | $136,700 | 16.0% | 19.1% |
| Eunice | 9,239 | $35,436 | $122,000 | 14.2% | 33.2% |
| Bastrop | 9,232 | $32,605 | $87,800 | 6.0% | 40.1% |
| Jefferson | 9,703 | $57,235 | $247,700 | 35.7% | 16.4% |
| Westwego | 8,335 | $46,261 | $177,400 | 16.9% | 20.2% |
Population Overview
Merrydale is a small city located in Louisiana, within East Baton Rouge Parish. The total population is 9,490. It ranks as the 61st most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Merrydale is 38.8 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Merrydale is $41,500. This is 32% lower than the state median of $60,756. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.0%. This is 59% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. 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 19.5%. This is 210% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $136,100. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $216,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 73.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Merrydale has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 96.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 55.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (96.8% vs 30.5%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 7.2%.
Education
16.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% lower than the state rate of 27.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Merrydale, Louisiana 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 Louisiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana. 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 Merrydale, Louisiana?
Merrydale, Louisiana has a population of 9,490 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Merrydale, LA?
The median household income in Merrydale is $41,500, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Merrydale, LA?
The poverty rate in Merrydale is 30.0%. This means approximately 2,848 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Merrydale, Louisiana?
Merrydale's population is 0.4% White, 96.8% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Merrydale, LA?
The median home value in Merrydale is $136,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Merrydale, Louisiana?
16.9% of adults (25+) in Merrydale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.