City · Texas
Mercedes, Texas
Mercedes, city, in Hidalgo County, Texas. Mercedes had 17,915 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 10.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 16,258 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 16,733 (±45). GEOID 4847700.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
17,915
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 16,258 · ACS 2020-2024: 16,733 ±45
Median household income
$46,904
±$9,631 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$111,800
±$14,129 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$812
±$75 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
Where is Mercedes and what county is it in?
Mercedes is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas. It covers 11.8 square miles of land, 1,378 residents per square mile in 2020.
Mercedes is in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Mercedes, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 17,915 people lived in Mercedes on July 1, 2025, up 10.2% since 2020, faster than Texas (+8.8%). The 2020 Census counted 16,258 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 16,733 (±45).
| Measure | Mercedes | Hidalgo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 16,733 ±45 | 891,977 | +169 |
| Households | 5,205 ±419 | 270,210 | +535 |
| Average household size | 3.20 ±0.26 | 3.27 | −0.35 |
| Housing units | 6,031 ±438 | 308,556 | no clear change |
Mercedes's population since 2000
From 13,649 in 2000 to 17,915 in 2025: up 31.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Mercedes as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Mercedes?
The median resident of Mercedes is 33.2 years old; 31.5% are under 18 and 15.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 92.1%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 7.1%. 16.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Mercedes | Hidalgo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.2 ±5.0 | 30.5 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 31.5% ±3.9 pts | 31.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.1% ±2.9 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Male | 49.1% ±2.6 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 92.1% ±2.2 pts | 91.9% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 7.1% ±2.1 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.6 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 16.6% ±3.7 pts | 26.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 69.3% ±5.5 pts | 80.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.1% ±1.4 pts | 3.2% | – |
| With a disability | 15.0% ±2.3 pts | 13.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 23.9% ±4.1 pts | 28.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 72.4% ±3.8 pts | 70.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.5% ±4.1 pts | 20.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.6% ±3.3 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 92.0% ±3.0 pts | 90.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.5% ±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Mercedes earn?
Half of Mercedes's 5,205 households earn less than $46,904 a year (±$9,631), against $54,338 in Hidalgo County and $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 it was $42,677 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 28.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Mercedes | Hidalgo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $46,904 ±$9,631 | $54,338 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $61,830 ±$5,858 | $74,303 | – |
| Per capita income | $20,044 ±$2,188 | $23,117 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 28.6% ±6.4 pts | 26.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 46.1% ±11.6 pts | 36.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 35.9% ±6.1 pts | 27.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 86.7% ±3.8 pts | 93.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 78.0% ±5.1 pts | 88.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Mercedes?
Owners occupy 62.8% of Mercedes's occupied homes and renters 37.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $111,800 by its owner (±$14,129). The median renter pays $812 a month including utilities, and 54.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Mercedes | Hidalgo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $111,800 ±$14,129 | $140,900 | +$24,421 |
| Median gross rent | $812 ±$75 | $957 | +$106 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 54.1% ±10.8 pts | 40.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,306 ±$141 | $1,486 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 62.8% ±5.3 pts | 67.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 37.2% ±5.3 pts | 32.5% | – |
| Housing units | 6,031 ±438 | 308,556 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8% ±1.4 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.6% ±4.4 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 61.7% ±5.2 pts | 64.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 14.2% ±3.3 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.9% ±1.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 9.5% ±2.9 pts | 19.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.3% ±3.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 9.8% ±4.9 pts | 5.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Mercedes building?
Builders took permits for 279 new housing units in Mercedes in 2025 (173 in single-family houses), 15.6 per 1,000 residents against 6.6 across Texas.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Mercedes work and get to work?
71.7% of Mercedes's workers drive alone and 9.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.8%.
| Measure | Mercedes | Hidalgo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.6% ±4.7 pts | 59.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.8% ±3.3 pts | 7.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.7% ±7.6 pts | 74.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.2% ±8.0 pts | 10.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4% ±0.6 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Walked | 0.8% ±0.9 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.5% ±3.7 pts | 9.2% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.6 min ±2.0 | 22.5 min | −3.4 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Mercedes?
4 census tracts lie mostly in Mercedes, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $28,327 (Tract 231.04) to $68,583 (Tract 231.05).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 230Hidalgo County | 6,026 | $42,708 |
| Tract 231.05Hidalgo County | 5,815 | $68,583 |
| Tract 229Hidalgo County | 4,326 | $49,971 |
| Tract 231.04Hidalgo County | 4,838 | $28,327 |
| Tract 231.03Hidalgo County | 8,698 | $46,909 |
| Tract 231.06Hidalgo County | 3,520 | $34,098 |
| Tract 228.01Hidalgo County | 4,971 | $29,503 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Mercedes) · Census block assignment files
How does Mercedes compare with other places in Texas?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Mercedes is the 2,116th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 171st-most populous of 1,224 in Texas.
Mercedes ranks 805th of 933 places in Texas with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 171st | 1,224 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 234th | 784 |
| Residents per square mile | 355th | 979 |
| Median household income | 805th | 933 |
| Per capita income | 894th | 978 |
| Median home value | 764th | 950 |
| Median gross rent | 722nd | 852 |
| Poverty rate | 78th | 716 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 624th | 877 |
| Median age | 728th | 973 |
| Owner-occupied share | 706th | 973 |
| Work from home | 372nd | 557 |
| Travel time to work | 842nd | 976 |
Mercedes's figures with every place in Texas (CSV)
Every place in Texas, sortable · Compare Mercedes with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Mercedes?
13 of the 57 figures for Mercedes on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Mercedes are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Mercedes.