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CITY · 2010 ACS

Merced

California · 78,958 residents · 23.254 sq mi
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The short version

Merced has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $36,269. Population has grown 24% since 2000. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $223,500. At a median age of 28.1, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 40% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 28.1
US median: 37.2
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 71%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
78,958
+24%since 2000
from 63,893 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,395 / sq mi
+24%since 2000
from 2,748 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
28.1
+1%since 2000
from 27.8 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
53K63K74K85K96K1990201020202024Merced
202492K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$36,269
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,429 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,887
+29%since 2000
from $13,115 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
22.9%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 21.8% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
26.2%
−1.7 ptssince 2000
from 27.9% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.466
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information13%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade11%
US avg: 10.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing7.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction7.2%
US avg: 1.4%
Wholesale trade6.9%
US avg: 7.2%
Other services4%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.4%
US avg: 2.4%
Professional, scientific, technical2.1%
US avg: 4.2%
Public administration2%
US avg: 4.9%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$223,500
+71%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $103,200 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$775
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $509 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
32.9%
−13.6 ptssince 2000
from 46.5% in 2000
57.3% rent
Vacancy rate
10.6%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
36.8%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 36.5% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
55.7%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 56.8% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
6.2
+82%since 2000
from 3.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Merced on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic37.8%(24,121)
Black6%(3,864)
Hispanic / Latino41.4%(26,425)
Asian11.2%(7,182)
Other0%
Diversity Score80.6%(51,516)
2010
White, non-Hispanic30%(23,702)
Black5.7%(4,483)
Hispanic / Latino49.6%(39,140)
Asian11.5%(9,116)
Other3.5%(2,777)
Diversity Score81.1%(64,024)
Diversity Score
81
+1%since 2000
from 81 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.4%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 13.6% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
70.7%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 68.5% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
5.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.8% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.4 min
+34%since 2000
from 15.2 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
75.1%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 71.9% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
11.0%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
3.4%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
3.3%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.2% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
1.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
11.6%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 13.1% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
14.7%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 16.1% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
26.7%
−31.6 ptssince 2009
from 58.2% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.7%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Female
51.3%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Foreign born
21.4%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 20.9% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
7.5%
−40.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Compare Merced to nearby cities

MERCED VS
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Income$64,472+78%
Home value$363,400+63%
Population32,133−68%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERCED VS
Winton
Income$57,015+57%
Home value$339,400+52%
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MERCED VS
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Home value$372,700+67%
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MERCED VS
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Home value$364,000+63%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Merced, California?

Merced, California has about 78,958 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Merced, California?

The typical household in Merced, California earns about $36,269 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 $223,500, and the typical rent is about $775 a month.

How educated are people in Merced, California?

About 15.4% 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 26.2% of people in Merced, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Merced, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Merced, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 22,742 residents, a change of about 40 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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