Population 15,788 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Mercedita
Household size in Mercedita
| Period | Mercedita | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.25 | 3.07 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.98 | 2.93 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.89 | 2.79 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.71 | 2.54 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.54 | −0.53 | −0.03 |
Households in Mercedita average 2.71 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). The typical household here is bigger than in Puerto Rico as a whole, where it has 2.54 people. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 3.25, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Mercedita
| Period | Mercedita | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.1 | 36.7 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.5 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.5 | 42.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.1 | 45.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +10.0 | +8.3 | +2.3 |
Mercedita skews older: half of its residents are older than 44.1, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 34.1 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Mercedita
| Period | Mercedita | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.4% | 18.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 21.3% | 18.1% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 16.8% | 16.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 14.7% | 15.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −5.8 pts | −2.5 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in seven households in Mercedita (14.7%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Puerto Rico as a whole looks much the same. The single-parent share has fallen 5.8 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Mercedita
Renters in Mercedita
| Period | Mercedita | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.2% | 27.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.6% | 30.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.3% | 31.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 16.9% | 32.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −4.3 pts | +4.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Mercedita is largely a place of homeowners: only 16.9% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About six in ten owners (59.2%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 4.3 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Mercedita
| Period | Mercedita | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.2% | 15.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.3% | 18.7% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.8% | 22.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.6% | 19.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.4 pts | +3.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Mercedita: 17.6% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Still, the rate is lower than in Puerto Rico overall (19.1%).
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Mercedita
| Period | Mercedita | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1982 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1986 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1988 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1990 | 1981 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +3 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Mercedita is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1990, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1982 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Mercedita has newer homes than the great majority of Puerto Rico cities.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Mercedita
| Period | Mercedita | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $519 | $489 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $486 | $528 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $560 | $553 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $764 | $658 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$245 | +$168 | +$606 |
The median renter in Mercedita pays $764 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are higher than in Puerto Rico as a whole ($658). Rent has climbed $245 a month since 2006–10, up 47%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 29.5% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Mercedita
Bachelor's degrees in Mercedita
| Period | Mercedita | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.3% | 21.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.8% | 24.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.0% | 26.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 30.9% | 30.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +11.6 pts | +8.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
Just over three in ten adults 25 and older in Mercedita (30.9%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a little below the national share of 35.6%. Puerto Rico as a whole looks much the same. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 11.6 points, in line with the national trend.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Mercedita
| Period | Mercedita | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 67.9% | 67.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 71.8% | 72.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 77.3% | 76.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 80.5% | 81.4% | 89.3% |
| Change | +12.6 pts | +13.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in five adults in Mercedita never finished high school, well above the national share: only 80.5% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Puerto Rico as a whole looks much the same. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 12.6 points, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Mercedita
| Period | Mercedita | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.8% | 16.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 14.5% | 18.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 19.5% | 16.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.0% | 10.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −10.8 pts | −6.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Mercedita: 11.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 10.8 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Mercedita compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedita | 2.71 | 44.1 | 14.7% | 16.9% | 17.6% | 1990 | $764 | 30.9% | 80.5% | 11.0% |
| Juana Diaz | 2.90 | 39.9 | 17.7% | 13.8% | 13.8% | 1997 | $857 | 41.6% | 84.1% | 8.4% |
| Coto Laurel | 2.82 | 45.0 | 19.1% | 19.8% | 14.9% | 1993 | $661 | 36.1% | 83.0% | 16.7% |
| Ponce | 2.37 | 44.8 | 16.9% | 34.1% | 18.4% | 1978 | $604 | 28.7% | 80.6% | 16.1% |
| Playa Cortada | 2.58 | 39.9 | 16.5% | 26.5% | 21.6% | 1993 | $680 | 25.6% | 80.7% | 6.7% |
| Villalba | 2.89 | 44.8 | 16.3% | 21.5% | 19.8% | 1984 | $554 | 21.5% | 77.1% | 13.9% |
| Los Llanos | 2.72 | 44.0 | 19.5% | 19.9% | 16.4% | 1993 | $553 | 29.2% | 88.2% | 9.7% |
| Santa Isabel | 2.51 | 46.5 | 14.8% | 27.8% | 23.4% | 1979 | $457 | 23.3% | 79.6% | 7.5% |
| Paso Seco | 2.90 | 38.3 | 18.4% | 12.1% | 13.1% | 1997 | $726 | 40.9% | 89.1% | 5.7% |
| Coamo | 2.42 | 45.7 | 16.5% | 27.5% | 16.5% | 1982 | $493 | 21.0% | 79.9% | 8.1% |
| Penuelas | 2.85 | 42.4 | 18.6% | 25.7% | 19.7% | 1984 | $497 | 30.6% | 80.6% | 11.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Riverton, WY · Badger, AK · Barnstable Town, MA · Barre, VT · Bay Village, OH · Bedford, OH · Bel Air, MD · Bellingham, MA · Hubert, NC · Berwick, PA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Mercedita. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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