Merkel, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Merkel, Texas had a total population of 2,699, the 621st largest town in Texas, with a median household income of $73,500, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.3%.
Merkel Quick Facts
How Merkel 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 | 2,630 | 2,699 | +2.6% |
| Median household income | $62,368 | $73,500 | +17.8% |
| Median home value | $99,000 | $115,100 | +16.3% |
How Merkel 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Merkel Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Taylor County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | 128,053 | $62,648 | 16.1% | $183,700 |
| Potosi | 4,322 | $121,543 | 2.5% | $354,200 |
| Tuscola | 990 | $84,931 | 7.0% | $191,000 |
| Tye | 936 | $48,421 | 10.7% | $62,600 |
| Buffalo Gap | 534 | $104,750 | 7.5% | $201,300 |
| Lawn | 280 | $61,250 | 8.9% | $69,400 |
| Trent | 280 | $85,000 | 6.8% | $59,100 |
| Impact | 13 | N/A | 61.5% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Merkel
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonora | 2,691 | $71,848 | $143,200 | 15.9% | 5.4% |
| Crane | 2,640 | $73,150 | $164,900 | 14.9% | 14.7% |
| Pottsboro | 2,691 | $69,439 | $280,000 | 24.7% | 10.4% |
| Glen Rose | 2,836 | $74,722 | $261,000 | 25.3% | 12.0% |
| Taft | 2,871 | $73,032 | $124,200 | 14.0% | 21.3% |
Population Overview
Merkel is a small community located in Texas, within Taylor County. The total population is 2,699. It ranks as the 621st most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Merkel is 35.4 years. This is about the same as the state median of 35.6 years. With 29.7% of the population under 18, Merkel has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Merkel is $73,500. This is 6% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 9% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.4%. This is 17% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.3%. This is 56% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $115,100. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Merkel is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Merkel is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 19.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (71.4% vs 39.1%). The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (19.0%) is well below the state average of 39.7%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
12.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% lower than the state rate of 33.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Merkel, Texas 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 Texas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas. 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 Merkel, Texas?
Merkel, Texas has a population of 2,699 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Merkel, TX?
The median household income in Merkel is $73,500, which is 9% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Merkel, TX?
The poverty rate in Merkel is 11.4%. This means approximately 303 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Merkel, Texas?
Merkel's population is 71.4% White, 1.9% Black, 19.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Merkel, TX?
The median home value in Merkel is $115,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Merkel, Texas?
12.4% of adults (25+) in Merkel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.