United States › California › Merced CITY · 1990 CENSUS
Merced California · 56,216 residents · 23.3 sq mi
Time machine
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The short version
With 56,216 people, Merced is a city in California. Owners hold 45% of the housing stock. The median age is 27.3, younger than the US median of 33.0. 25.1% of locals live below the federal poverty line. Households here earn about 31% less than in California as a whole. The average commute runs 15 minutes.
At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Younger
median age 27.3
US median: 33.0
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01
Population & growth vs 27.8 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
53K 63K 74K 85K 96K 1990 2000 2010 2020 2024 Merced Age distribution, 1990
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02
Income & economy $24,727
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $30,429 in 2000
US average: $30,130
vs $13,115 in 2000
US average: $14,340
vs 27.9% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
$90,300
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $103,200 in 2000
US average: $93,722
$438
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $509 in 2000
US average: $450
vs 46.5% in 2000
55.4% rent
Section 04
Race & ethnicity 2000
White, non-Hispanic 37.8%(24,121)
Hispanic / Latino 41.4%(26,425)
1990
White, non-Hispanic 61.9%(34,785)
Hispanic / Latino 28.9%(16,228)
No data for the years selected.
Section 04 · Origins
Detailed origins & ancestry Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.
Hispanic origin
+ 5 more hispanic origin groups with data Asian origin
+ 5 more asian origin groups with data Ancestry
+ 35 more ancestry groups with data vs 13.6% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
vs 68.5% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
vs 4.8% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06
Commute & transportation vs 15.2 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07
Work & employment No data for the years selected.
Section 08
People & community No data for the years selected.
Marital status (2024)
Women 15+
Never married 44.1%(15,470)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Section 09
Health coverage Showing 2024 (the nearest year with coverage data).
from 16.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
from 37.0% in 2020
US average: 54.8%
Direct-purchase
from 9.2% in 2020
US average: 13.8%
from 11.9% in 2020
US average: 18.4%
from 47.3% in 2020
US average: 20.9%
VA health care
from 1.3% in 2020
US average: 2.2%
Any private
from 45.6% in 2020
US average: 67.1%
Any public
from 55.1% in 2020
US average: 36.7%
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later) 28.4%(704)
Gulf War (1990s) 20.4%(506)
Share of the 2,476 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Drill deeper
Places similar to Merced Head to head
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Frequently asked
How many people live in Merced, California? Merced, California has about 56,216 residents according to the 1990 Census.
What is the median household income in Merced, California? The typical household in Merced, California earns about $24,727 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Merced, California expensive? In Merced, California, the median home is worth about $90,300, and the typical rent is about $438 a month.
How educated are people in Merced, California? About 15.8% of adults age 25 and over in Merced, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Merced, California? About 25.1% of people in Merced, California live below the federal poverty line.
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