Merrill city, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Merrill city, Wisconsin has a total population of 9,224, the 104th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $49,947, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Merrill city Quick Facts
How Merrill city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 36 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Merrill city Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Lincoln County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomahawk city | 3,416 | $60,905 | 12.2% | $168,200 |
Cities Similar to Merrill city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomah city | 9,505 | $51,185 | $162,900 | 23.2% | 16.4% |
| Shawano city | 9,236 | $56,457 | $127,200 | 21.1% | 17.0% |
| Rice Lake city | 9,030 | $55,040 | $178,100 | 25.9% | 10.2% |
| St. Francis city | 9,318 | $58,490 | $207,200 | 30.1% | 15.0% |
| Sturgeon Bay city | 9,702 | $56,882 | $217,600 | 27.9% | 10.1% |
Population Overview
Merrill city is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Lincoln County. The total population is 9,224. It ranks as the 104th most populous out of 807 cities and towns in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Merrill city is 43.4 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Merrill city is $49,947. This is 34% lower than the state median of $75,670. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 36% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.3%. This is 63% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $113,200. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $247,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Merrill city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 67.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Merrill city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.7%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 6.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 7.8%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
14.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 32.8%. Nationally, 35.0% 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 Merrill city, Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 807 Census-designated places in Wisconsin. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Merrill city, Wisconsin?
Merrill city, Wisconsin has a population of 9,224 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Merrill city, WI?
The median household income in Merrill city is $49,947, which is 36% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Merrill city, WI?
The poverty rate in Merrill city is 17.3%. This means approximately 1,551 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Merrill city, Wisconsin?
Merrill city's population is 92.9% White, 0.5% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Merrill city, WI?
The median home value in Merrill city is $113,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Merrill city, Wisconsin?
14.8% of adults (25+) in Merrill city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.