Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Mercedes, TX Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

16,733

Median Agei

33.2

Race & Ethnicityi

Hispanic/Latino

92.1%15,416

White

7.1%1,189

Black

0.4%62

Two or More

0.3%45

Asian

0.1%18

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%3

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

4.3%427

High School Diploma

26.7%2,643

Some College (<1 yr)

4.3%422

Some College (1+ yr)

14.5%1,431

Associate's Degree

7.2%708

Bachelor's Degree

10.9%1,077

Master's Degree

4.2%414

Professional Degree

0.4%38

HS or Higher

72.4%

BA or Higher

15.5%

Graduate+

4.6%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$111,800

Median Renti

$812

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

62.8%3,270

Renter-Occupied

37.2%1,935

Total Units

6,031

Homeownership

62.8%

Vacancy Rate

13.7%

Rent Distribution

Under $500

434

$500–$750

255

$750–$1,000

414

$1,000–$1,250

425

$1,250–$1,500

$1,500–$2,000

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

1.9%116

2010–2019

9.5%575

2000–2009

24.4%1,474

1990–1999

15.1%913

1980–1989

17.8%1,073

1970–1979

11.4%686

1960–1969

5%301

1950–1959

4.7%282

1940–1949

4.9%294

1939 or earlier

5.3%317

Heating Fuel

Electricity

88%4,579

Utility Gas

9.2%481

Bottled/LP Gas

2.8%145

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$46,904

Mean Household Incomei

$61,830

Per Capita Incomei

$20,044

Poverty Ratei

28.6%

Unemploymenti

6.8%

Labor Forcei

6,903

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

744

Residentsi

1,846

Avg. Tenant Renti

$394/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

27 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing118 homes98% occupied$437/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers433 homes67% occupied$376/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8155 homes95% occupied$427/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

202/PRAC37 homes98% occupied$329/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $46,904/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $14K/yr

75.9%

Very low income$14K–$23K/yr

20.7%

Low income$23K–$38K/yr

3.2%

Moderate / aboveOver $38K/yr

0.2%

Who Receives This Housing

84.6% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

97.6% of subsidized households are minority

10.3% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

25.5% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

2,78316.6%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

2,647

Canada

United Kingdom

Germany

Workforce

Total Employed

6,437

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Veteransi

468(4.1% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

76.1%Insured

23.9%Uninsured