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.

Merkel, TX Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

2,699

Median Agei

35.4

Race & Ethnicityi

White

71.4%1,928

Hispanic/Latino

19%514

Two or More

7.5%203

Black

1.9%51

Asian

0.1%2

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%1

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

6.9%120

High School Diploma

40.9%712

Some College (<1 yr)

8%139

Some College (1+ yr)

12.7%220

Associate's Degree

11.7%203

Bachelor's Degree

7.6%133

Master's Degree

3.6%62

Professional Degree

0.9%16

Doctorate

0.2%4

HS or Higher

92.5%

BA or Higher

12.4%

Graduate+

4.7%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$115,100

Median Renti

$1,058

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

73%670

Renter-Occupied

27%248

Total Units

1,139

Homeownership

73%

Vacancy Rate

19.4%

Rent Distribution

Under $500

$500–$750

$750–$1,000

$1,000–$1,250

$1,250–$1,500

Year Built

2010–2019

1.8%21

2000–2009

7.3%83

1990–1999

4.1%47

1980–1989

13.3%152

1970–1979

12%137

1960–1969

12.5%142

1950–1959

16.5%188

1940–1949

11.7%133

1939 or earlier

20.7%236

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

47.9%440

Electricity

46.5%427

Bottled/LP Gas

2.7%25

Fuel Oil

2.2%20

No Fuel

0.7%6

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$73,500

Mean Household Incomei

$79,550

Per Capita Incomei

$28,143

Poverty Ratei

11.2%

Unemploymenti

2.3%

Labor Forcei

1,260

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

Residentsi

Avg. Tenant Renti

$395/mo

Programs in this community

Public Housing24 homes96% occupied$395/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers24 homes

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

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $73,500/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $22K/yr

78%

Very low income$22K–$37K/yr

18%

Low income$37K–$59K/yr

Who Receives This Housing

74% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

22% of subsidized households are minority

11% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

9% 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

1053.9%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

103

Canada

Workforce

Total Employed

1,231

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Veteransi

125(6.6% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

89.9%Insured

10.1%Uninsured