Merrill, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Merrill, Wisconsin had a total population of 9,356, the 104th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $53,148, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Merrill Quick Facts
How Merrill 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 | 9,224 | 9,356 | +1.4% |
| Median household income | $49,947 | $53,148 | +6.4% |
| Median home value | $113,200 | $123,800 | +9.4% |
How Merrill 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: 37 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Merrill Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Lincoln County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomahawk | 3,395 | $60,223 | 12.5% | $173,300 |
Cities Similar to Merrill
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomah | 9,532 | $51,274 | $174,300 | 24.2% | 16.7% |
| Rice Lake | 9,030 | $52,417 | $193,800 | 25.8% | 12.9% |
| Shawano | 9,522 | $57,490 | $160,800 | 20.4% | 14.9% |
| St. Francis | 9,004 | $57,368 | $234,500 | 30.7% | 17.0% |
| Sturgeon Bay | 9,806 | $59,926 | $236,300 | 25.0% | 9.2% |
Population Overview
Merrill is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Lincoln County. The total population is 9,356. It ranks as the 104th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Merrill is 41.9 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Merrill is $53,148. This is 31% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.4%. This is 65% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $123,800. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $266,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Merrill is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Merrill has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.0%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
15.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 33.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Merrill, Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin. 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 Merrill, Wisconsin?
Merrill, Wisconsin has a population of 9,356 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Merrill, WI?
The median household income in Merrill is $53,148, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Merrill, WI?
The poverty rate in Merrill is 17.4%. This means approximately 1,587 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Merrill, Wisconsin?
Merrill's population is 91.3% White, 0.5% Black, 4.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Merrill, WI?
The median home value in Merrill is $123,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Merrill, Wisconsin?
15.0% of adults (25+) in Merrill hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.