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Mercedes city, Texas Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 31.5% is well above the state average

As of 2026, Mercedes city, Texas has a total population of 16,449, the 191st largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $41,753, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.5%.

Key Takeaways

Mercedes city Quick Facts

Population 16,449
Median Household Income $41,753
Median Home Value $107,700
Poverty Rate 31.5%
Unemployment Rate 8.3%
Median Age 31.4 years
Homeownership Rate 64.4%
Affordability Ratio 2.6x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 14.9%
High School Graduation Rate 69.9%
Diversity Index 14/100
Population 16,449 191st of 1,800
Median Income $41,753 bottom 20%
Poverty Rate 31.5% 153% higher national
Median Home Value $107,700 bottom 30%

How Mercedes city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

8.3% Unemployment Rate State: 5.1% | National: 5.2%
55.1% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 64.4%
Renter 35.6%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.6x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

14out of 100
Very Low Diversity

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

State average: 67 | National average: 60

Education

Mercedes city Rankings in Texas

#191 Population of 1,800
#1356 Median Income of 1,800
#1019 Education of 1,800
#1092 Home Value of 1,800

Cities Similar to Mercedes city

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

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Donna city16,774$38,082$68,50011.9%40.4%
Aldine CDP15,434$40,916$104,6004.6%33.6%
Rio Grande City city15,258$41,369$113,40018.1%33.9%
Palmview city15,650$46,274$109,40013.7%27.1%
Humble city16,489$52,927$191,20013.1%18.1%

Population Overview

Mercedes city is a small city located in Texas. The total population is 16,449. It ranks as the 191st most populous out of 1,800 cities and towns in Texas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Mercedes city is 31.4 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 35.5 years. With 31.7% of the population under 18, Mercedes city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Mercedes city is $41,753. This is 45% lower than the state median of $76,292. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 47% lower. The poverty rate stands at 31.5%. This is 128% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. 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 8.3%. This is 61% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $107,700. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $260,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Mercedes city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

Mercedes city has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 92.2% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 7.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (7.6%) is well below the state average of 39.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (92.2% vs 39.5%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.3%.

Education

14.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 33.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 69.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Mercedes city, Texas 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 Texas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,800 Census-designated places in Texas. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Mercedes city, Texas?

Mercedes city, Texas has a population of 16,449 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Mercedes city, TX?

The median household income in Mercedes city is $41,753, which is 47% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Mercedes city, TX?

The poverty rate in Mercedes city is 31.5%. This means approximately 5,176 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Mercedes city, Texas?

Mercedes city's population is 7.6% White, 0.0% Black, 92.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.

What is the median home value in Mercedes city, TX?

The median home value in Mercedes city is $107,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.

How educated is Mercedes city, Texas?

14.9% of adults (25+) in Mercedes city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.