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COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Merced County

California · 210,554 residents · 1,938.004 sq mi
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The short version

Merced County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $35,532. Population has grown 18% since 1990. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $110,900. At a median age of 29.0, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 25% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 29.0
US median: 35.2
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 7%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

210,554
+18%since 1990
from 178,403 in 1990
1990 – 2025
109 / sq mi
+18%since 1990
from 92 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
29.0
+3%since 1990
from 28.1 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 19902024
167K201K234K268K301K1990201020202024Merced County
2024290K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$35,532
+6%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $25,548 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
$14,257
+34%since 1990
from $10,606 in 1990
US average: $21,522
21.7%
+1.8 ptssince 1990
from 19.9% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

$110,900
−7%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $90,100 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
$518
−9%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $430 in 1990
US average: $602
58.7%
+4.4 ptssince 1990
from 54.4% in 1990
41.3% rent
3.1
−11%since 1990
from 3.5 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Merced County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic67.5%(120,456)
Black4.9%(8,778)
Hispanic / Latino32%(57,139)
Asian8.3%(14,832)
Diversity Score81.6%(145,625)
2000
White, non-Hispanic40.6%(85,585)
Black3.6%(7,594)
Hispanic / Latino45.3%(95,466)
Asian6.7%(14,041)
Diversity Score74.2%(156,245)
74
−9%since 1990
from 82 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

11.0%
−1.0 ptssince 1990
from 12.0% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
63.8%
+0.7 ptssince 1990
from 63.1% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
3.4%
−0.3 ptssince 1990
from 3.7% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

18.8 min
+5%since 1990
from 17.8 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Merced County, California?

Merced County, California has about 210,554 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Merced County, California?

The typical household in Merced County, California earns about $35,532 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Merced County, California expensive?

In Merced County, California, the median home is worth about $110,900, and the typical rent is about $518 a month.

How educated are people in Merced County, California?

About 11.0% of adults age 25 and over in Merced County, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Merced County, California?

About 21.7% of people in Merced County, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Merced County, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Merced County, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 32,151 residents, a change of about 18 percent over that period.

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

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