Living in Merrill, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Merrill · Census data 2020–2024
Merrill has 798 residents with a median age of 37. The median household income is $47,500 (35% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $93,200, the median rent is $719/month.
Merrill is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Merrill at a glance
- Population
- 798
- Median age
- 37State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $47,500State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $93,200State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $719/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 78.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 11.3%
- Average commute
- 30 min
Is Merrill a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 60% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 35% lower than the Michigan median; an average commute of 30 minutes; unemployment of 27.7%; a poverty rate of 33.5%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Merrill
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Merrill the median home value is $93,200, 72% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $719 per month, which is 51% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,147 a month in housing costs.
Merrill median household income
The median household income in Merrill is $47,500 and the income per person is $19,895. 33.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Merrill: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 268
- Owner-occupied
- 78.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 21.5%
- Vacant
- 9.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1952
- Average household size
- 3.26
Merrill demographics
- Population
- 798
- Median age
- 37
- Under 18
- 30.8%
- 65 and older
- 17.9%
- Households
- 242
- Foreign-born
- 6%
- Veterans
- 5.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Merrill ›
Education in Merrill
11.3% of adults 25 and older in Merrill have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 3.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Merrill
- Unemployment rate
- 27.7%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 30 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 4.5%
- Drive alone
- 88%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 2.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 93.4%
Merrill vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrill | 798 | $47,500 | $93,200 | $719 |
| Hemlock | 1,529 | $102,188 | $221,800 | $1,011 |
| Breckenridge | 1,517 | $57,540 | $111,500 | $731 |
| St. Charles | 1,934 | $50,000 | $118,500 | $460 |
| Shields | 7,402 | $82,125 | $174,500 | $941 |
| Freeland | 7,557 | $110,547 | $265,900 | $1,245 |
| St. Louis | 7,367 | $51,167 | $119,200 | $794 |
| Ithaca | 2,817 | $63,109 | $133,200 | $819 |
| Midland | 42,724 | $73,325 | $203,900 | $1,048 |
More for people moving to Merrill
Merrill ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Merrill: FAQ
What is the median household income in Merrill, MI?
The median household income in Merrill is $47,500, 35% lower than the Michigan median of $72,875 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Merrill?
The median home value in Merrill is $93,200, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Merrill?
The median gross rent in Merrill is $719 per month, about 51% of household income.
Is Merrill, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 60% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 35% lower than the Michigan median; an average commute of 30 minutes; unemployment of 27.7%; a poverty rate of 33.5%.
What is the median age in Merrill?
The median age in Merrill is 37 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Merrill?
The average commute to work in Merrill is 30 minutes; 4.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Merrill?
The unemployment rate in Merrill is 27.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Merrill?
11.3% of adults in Merrill have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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