City profile · Wisconsin · Census ACS 2023

Merrill, WI

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.

9,224
Residents
$49,947
Median income
$113,200
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Merrill - the verdict

Nationally, Merrill sits in the 19th percentile for household income and the 20th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

19th
percentile, household income
15th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
20th
percentile, safety
📝 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, WI

9,224 people live in Merrill, Wisconsin - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Merrill brings in $49,947 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 14.1%. Merrill's housing stock carries a median value of $113,200, and the median resident age is 43.4 years. 14.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 60.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 11 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 1000% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2620.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 42.1°F with 33.8 inches of precipitation per year and 54.3 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Wisconsin run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Wisconsin at 94.1 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $973 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Wisconsin's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). Workers in Merrill report an average commute of 15.8 minutes, with 76.8% driving alone and 11.8% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 52.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

9,224 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wisconsin

Median Household Income

$49,947 /yr

Poverty 14.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.1 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wisconsin average

How does Merrill compare to other US cities?

Where Merrill sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 19% higher than other cities
Home value 15% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 20% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Wisconsin and the picture shifts: Merrill ranks #191 of 202 Wisconsin cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Merrill against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Wisconsin only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Wisconsin-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Merrill near the bottom of Wisconsin's cities

Among the 761 Wisconsin cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Merrill ranks #499 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Merrill only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#658 of 753
13th percentile in Wisconsin
Median Gross Rent
#499 of 761
0th percentile in Wisconsin
Median Home Value
#659 of 754
12th percentile in Wisconsin
Poverty Rate
#97 of 761
87th percentile in Wisconsin
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#525 of 761
30th percentile in Wisconsin

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Wisconsin only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

19thIncome percentile
20thSafety percentile

19th percentile nationally for median household income · 20th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Merrill's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Merrill's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 42 Avg. percentile National median
Merrill's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Merrill's home value compares nationally

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

$113,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 85% 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%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $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, WI Merrill, WI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Merrill, WI-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, WI median $49,947/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, WI'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, WI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 14.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.6%

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

Population
9,224
Median Income
$49,947
Median Home Value
$113,200
Median Age
43.4
Poverty Rate
14.1%
Labor force participation
60.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
14.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2620.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
199.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2420.6
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
42.1°F
Annual Precipitation
33.8"
Annual Snowfall
54.3"

Schools

Total Schools
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
9,250 residents9,300 residents9,350 residents9,400 residents9,450 residents9,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 9,348 residents 9,389 residents ▲ +0.4%
Merrill's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
11
housing units authorized
Single-Family
9
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 12
2021 14
2022 15
2023 85
2024 11

Permit volume increased 1000% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
15.8 minutes
Drive Alone
76.8%
Carpool
8.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.7%
Work from Home
11.8%

Based on 4,486 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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
94.1
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$973/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
52.6 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Wisconsin

McFarland
9,230 people
Shawano
9,236 people
St. Francis
9,318 people
Rice Lake
9,030 people
Windsor
8,992 people
Tomah
9,505 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Merrill's 9,224 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Cabo Rojo zona urbana, PR
9,222 people
Ventnor City, NJ
9,220 people
Hooper, UT
9,220 people
Chatham, NJ
9,219 people
Helena-West Helena, AR
9,218 people
Park Ridge, NJ
9,218 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Merrill's $49,947 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Gowanda, NY
$49,946 median income
Baton Rouge, LA
$49,944 median income
Yoakum, TX
$49,950 median income
Clanton, AL
$49,952 median income
Richford, VT
$49,954 median income
Galatia, IL
$49,938 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Merrill, WI 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, WI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 94.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.7% White 94.1% Black or African American 0.5% Asian 0.4% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.9% Two or more races 3.9% 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 Wisconsin 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) 9,224 $49,947
McFarland 9,230 $93,810
Shawano 9,236 $56,457
St. Francis 9,318 $58,490
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WI FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Merrill, WI?

What is the population of Merrill, WI? +

9,224 people live in Merrill, WI according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Merrill, the typical household earns $49,947 per year, 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 Wisconsin state average, a cost of living index of 94.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Wisconsin vary by metro area.

Is Merrill, WI safe? +

Merrill has a total crime rate of 2620.5 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

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

A typical home in Merrill is worth $113,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Merrill? +

Climate normals put Merrill's yearly average temperature at 42.1°F, 33.8 inches of precipitation, and 54.3 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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

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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.