Population 107,540 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Merced
Household size in Merced
| Period | Merced | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.33 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.31 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.33 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.41 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.08 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Merced is a place of big households: 3.41 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 3.33, even as the national average fell.
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 Merced
| Period | Merced | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.5 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 30.3 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 30.6 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 31.0 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.5 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 31.0, Merced is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 29.5, as it has nationally. Only 37 of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people are younger.
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 Merced
| Period | Merced | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.2% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.0% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 20.4% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 22.1% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head more than one in five households in Merced (22.1%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 1.9 points, even as the national share fell. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 42 have a higher share of single-parent households.
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 Merced
Renters in Merced
| Period | Merced | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 54.2% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 54.4% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 56.3% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 50.8% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Merced rent: 50.8% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. About a third of owners (33.6%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 3.4 points since 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 Merced
| Period | Merced | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.5% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.8% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.2% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.4% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.1 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Merced: 7.4% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. California as a whole looks much the same. Vacancy has fallen 4.1 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Merced
| Period | Merced | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1981 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1983 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1984 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1985 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Merced are a bit newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1985, versus 1980 across the U.S. The median year built has moved up from 1981 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the center.
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 Merced
| Period | Merced | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $911 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $974 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,115 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,581 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$670 | +$931 | +$606 |
The median renter in Merced pays $1,581 a month for rent and utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are lower than in California overall ($2,229). Rent has climbed $670 a month since 2006–10, up 73%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 33.2% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 Merced
Bachelor's degrees in Merced
| Period | Merced | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.5% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.5% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.2% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.6% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.0 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Merced: 19.6% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 4.0 points, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the northeast and least in the southwest.
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 Merced
| Period | Merced | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 70.6% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 73.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 73.2% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 76.2% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.7 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly a quarter of adults in Merced never finished high school, well above the national share: only 76.2% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 5.7 points since 2006–10, 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 Merced
| Period | Merced | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.3% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 17.5% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.3% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.6% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Merced runs well above the national rate: 11.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 41 have higher unemployment. Unemployment is down 1.7 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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).
Merced 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced | 3.41 | 31.0 | 22.1% | 50.8% | 7.4% | 1985 | $1,581 | 19.6% | 76.2% | 11.6% |
| Buhach | 3.06 | 22.6 | 22.9% | 37.8% | 9.6% | 2003 | $1,582 | 41.5% | 92.0% | 18.0% |
| Castle Garden | 3.07 | 38.0 | 16.2% | 21.1% | 5.4% | 1991 | $1,402 | 19.1% | 79.7% | 7.2% |
| McSwain | 3.89 | 36.7 | 12.4% | 13.3% | 1.1% | 1998 | $1,491 | 43.6% | 91.8% | 1.6% |
| Tuttle | 3.72 | 35.7 | 6.8% | 35.2% | 13.4% | 1988 | $1,039 | 31.3% | 81.7% | 6.2% |
| Atwater | 3.39 | 33.7 | 17.1% | 43.8% | 3.8% | 1984 | $1,353 | 15.1% | 74.3% | 11.8% |
| Calpack | 5.54 | 29.9 | 3.6% | 48.7% | 20.0% | 2000 | $530 | 26.1% | 62.7% | 0.0% |
| Planada | 3.33 | 35.0 | 17.6% | 49.8% | 6.5% | 1981 | $1,030 | 6.0% | 50.9% | 6.7% |
| Winton | 3.49 | 29.7 | 16.4% | 47.3% | 4.5% | 1983 | $1,198 | 7.8% | 63.5% | 11.8% |
| Cressey | 3.47 | 35.3 | 12.1% | 41.5% | 17.2% | 1975 | $1,303 | 10.2% | 63.8% | 10.3% |
| Le Grand | 3.49 | 34.6 | 18.3% | 38.6% | 10.5% | 1983 | $861 | 15.3% | 64.7% | 9.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Lexington, KY · Littleton, CO · Lubbock, TX · Livermore, CA · Johnson City, TN · Jonesboro, GA · Jacksonville, FL · Kalamazoo, MI · Jonesboro, AR · Indianapolis, IN
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 Merced. 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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