Living in Merkel, Texas
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Merkel · Census data 2020–2024
Merkel has 2,699 residents with a median age of 35.4. The median household income is $73,500 (6% lower than the Texas median), the median home value is $115,100, the median rent is $1,058/month.
Merkel at a glance
- Population
- 2,699
- Median age
- 35.4State: 35.6
- Median household income
- $73,500State: $78,476
- Median home value
- $115,100State: $283,800
- Median rent
- $1,058/moState: $1,403
- Homeowners
- 73%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 12.4%
- Average commute
- 27 min
Is Merkel a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 59% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.3%; a poverty rate of 11.4%.
Cons: Median household income 6% lower than the Texas median; an average commute of 27 minutes.
The weather is best in March to May and October.
Cost of living in Merkel
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Merkel the median home value is $115,100, 65% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,058 per month, which is 17.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,227 a month in housing costs.
Merkel median household income
The median household income in Merkel is $73,500 and the income per person is $28,143. 11.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Texas: 13.8%).
Housing in Merkel: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,139
- Owner-occupied
- 73%
- Renter-occupied
- 27%
- Vacant
- 19.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1961
- Average household size
- 2.88
Merkel demographics
- Population
- 2,699
- Median age
- 35.4
- Under 18
- 29.7%
- 65 and older
- 17.2%
- Households
- 918
- Foreign-born
- 3.9%
- Veterans
- 6.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Merkel ›
Education in Merkel
12.4% of adults 25 and older in Merkel have a bachelor's degree or higher (Texas: 33.8%), and 4.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Merkel
- Unemployment rate
- 2.3%State: 5.3%
- Average commute
- 27 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 5%
- Drive alone
- 80%
- Public transit
- 0.4%
- Walk to work
- 2.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.7%
Merkel vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merkel | 2,699 | $73,500 | $115,100 | $1,058 |
| Trent | 280 | $85,000 | $59,100 | $715 |
| Tye | 936 | $48,421 | $62,600 | $940 |
| Hawley | 572 | $78,393 | $120,300 | $850 |
| Abilene | 128,053 | $62,648 | $183,700 | $1,157 |
| Buffalo Gap | 534 | $104,750 | $201,300 | $1,179 |
| Anson | 2,531 | $48,104 | $74,800 | $757 |
| Potosi | 4,322 | $121,543 | $354,200 | — |
| Tuscola | 990 | $84,931 | $191,000 | $1,581 |
More for people moving to Merkel
Merkel ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Merkel: FAQ
What is the median household income in Merkel, TX?
The median household income in Merkel is $73,500, 6% lower than the Texas median of $78,476 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Merkel?
The median home value in Merkel is $115,100, compared with $283,800 in Texas.
How much is rent in Merkel?
The median gross rent in Merkel is $1,058 per month, about 17.8% of household income.
Is Merkel, TX a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 59% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.3%; a poverty rate of 11.4%. Minuses: median household income 6% lower than the Texas median; an average commute of 27 minutes.
What is the median age in Merkel?
The median age in Merkel is 35.4 years (Texas: 35.6).
How long is the commute in Merkel?
The average commute to work in Merkel is 27 minutes; 5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Merkel?
The unemployment rate in Merkel is 2.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Merkel?
12.4% of adults in Merkel 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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