City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Merrill, MI

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Merrill - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

825
Residents
$47,000
Median income
$89,700
Median home
$1,193
Median rent (state)

Merrill - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Merrill places in the 15th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

15th
percentile, household income
6th
percentile, home value
36th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Merrill, MI

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 825 residents in Merrill, a small town within Michigan. The typical household in Merrill brings in $47,000 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 16.4%. Merrill's housing stock carries a median value of $89,700, and the median resident age is 38.4 years. About 13.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 40.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 1 residential building permits were authorized in Merrill (Low Activity), per Census BPS data.

Living costs in Michigan run below the national norm: the state registers 96.2 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,193 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $238 across Michigan, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 27.6 minutes, with 89.3% driving alone and 3.2% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 71.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

825 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$47,000 /yr

Poverty 16.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Merrill compare to other US cities?

Here's how Merrill stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 15% higher than other cities
Home value 6% pricier than other cities
Median rent 36% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Merrill's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Michigan, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

15thIncome percentile

15th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Merrill's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$89,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 94% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Merrill $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Merrill, MI Merrill, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Merrill, MI-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Merrill, MI median $47,000/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Merrill, MI's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Merrill, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 13.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 16.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 40.9%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
825
Median Income
$47,000
Median Home Value
$89,700
Median Age
38.4
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Labor force participation
40.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
13.2%

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
660 residents670 residents680 residents690 residents 202020212022202320242025 686 residents 669 residents ▼ -2.5%
Merrill's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
1
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 1
2022 0
2023 0
2024 1

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
27.6 minutes
Drive Alone
89.3%
Carpool
4.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.2%
Work from Home
3.2%

Based on 252 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Michigan - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$85
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$238
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Michigan state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Michigan state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Merrill sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,193/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
71.9 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

McBain
825 people
Grawn
824 people
Springport
822 people
Ubly
830 people
Pellston
834 people
Sheridan
816 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Merrill's 825 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Valley Head, AL
825 people
Funston, GA
825 people
Meigs, GA
825 people
Keystone, IA
825 people
Cashiers, NC
825 people
Heath Springs, SC
825 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Merrill's $47,000 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hooper Bay, AK
$47,000 median income
Andrews, IN
$47,000 median income
Hoffman, MN
$47,000 median income
Porter, OK
$47,000 median income
Mosheim, TX
$47,000 median income
Arrington, VA
$47,000 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Merrill, MI Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Merrill, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 69.2% 6.8% 23.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 29.6% White 69.2% Black or African American 0.1% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 6.8% Two or more races 23.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Merrill compares to nearby Michigan cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Merrill (this city) 825 $47,000
McBain 825 $46,786
Grawn 824 $57,386
Springport 822 $50,000
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Merrill, MI?

What is the population of Merrill, MI? +

Merrill, MI counts 825 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Merrill, MI? +

Median annual household income in Merrill runs $47,000, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Merrill? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Merrill; the closest available measure is the Michigan state average, a cost of living index of 96.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Michigan vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Merrill, MI? +

Merrill's median home value sits at $89,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.