County · California
Merced County, California
Merced County, California. Merced County had 297,260 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.2% since 2020, while California shrank 0.5%. It holds 25 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs and 19 census-designated) and 63 census tracts. GEOID 06047.
Merced County is the county of the Merced, CA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
297,260
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 281,202 · ACS 2020-2024: 290,201
Median household income
$65,510
±$2,304 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$391,800
±$5,618 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$1,343
±$27 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
How many people live in Merced County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 281,202 residents in Merced County. The Census Bureau estimates 297,260 for July 1, 2025, up 5.2% since 2020, while California shrank 0.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 290,201 over 1,938 square miles of land.
| Measure | Merced County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 290,201 | 39,287,377 | +18,819 |
| Households | 86,055±548 | 13,548,091 | +6,047 |
| Average household size | 3.32±0.02 | 2.84 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 90,872±70 | 14,644,735 | +5,621 |
Merced County's population since 2000
From 210,554 in 2000 to 297,260 in 2025: up 41.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Merced County?
Merced County holds 25 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 19 census-designated places. The largest is Merced with 99,724 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Merced | 86,333 | $63,122 |
|---|---|---|
| Los Banos | 45,532 | $68,171 |
| Atwater | 31,970 | $64,472 |
| Livingston | 14,172 | $74,494 |
| Winton | 11,709 | $57,015 |
| Delhi | 10,656 | $67,500 |
| Franklin (Merced County) | 6,919 | $58,295 |
| Gustine | 6,110 | $59,532 |
| Dos Palos | 5,798 | $42,367 |
| Hilmar-Irwin | 5,164 | $79,948 |
| McSwain | 4,480 | $139,131 |
| Planada | 4,164 | $42,727 |
| Santa NellaGEOID 0670028 | 2,211 | $99,154 |
| South Dos PalosGEOID 0672954 | 1,747 | not published |
| Le Grand | 1,592 | $45,938 |
| CresseyGEOID 0617078 | 366 | $90,333 |
| VoltaGEOID 0683108 | 366 | not published |
| BallicoGEOID 0603708 | 347 | $171,875 |
| El NidoGEOID 0622286 | 331 | $55,486 |
| Dos Palos YGEOID 0619654 | 310 | $35,368 |
| StevinsonGEOID 0674144 | 275 | not published |
| Bear CreekGEOID 0604632 | 273 | $153,088 |
| SnellingGEOID 0672408 | 238 | $47,045 |
| TuttleGEOID 0680882 | 102 | not published |
| University of California-MercedGEOID 0681312 | 0 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Merced County?
The median resident of Merced County is 31.8 years old; 28.7% are under 18 and 11.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 63.4%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 23.2%. 25.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Merced County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 31.8±0.2 | 37.9 | +0.7 |
| Under 18 years | 28.7% | 22.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 11.7%±0.1 pts | 15.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 63.4% | 40.2% | +3.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 23.2%±0.3 pts | 33.8% | −4.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.6%±0.2 pts | 5.2% | −0.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 7.1%±0.2 pts | 15.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.9%±0.3 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 25.6%±0.8 pts | 27.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 52.7%±1.1 pts | 44.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.6%±0.3 pts | 4.3% | – |
| With a disability | 12.5%±0.5 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.1%±0.5 pts | 6.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 72.3%±1.0 pts | 84.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.3%±0.7 pts | 37.1% | +1.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.7%±0.4 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 1.1% | – |
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 Merced County earn?
Half of Merced County's 86,055 households earn less than $65,510 a year (±$2,304), against $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 it was $66,054 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Merced County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $65,510±$2,304 | $99,122 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $87,781±$2,543 | $140,436 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,030±$830 | $49,513 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 19.1%±1.2 pts | 12.0% | −2.1 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 26.5%±2.2 pts | 15.0% | −3.3 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 21.0%±1.1 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.4%±1.0 pts | 93.5% | – |
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 Merced County?
Owners occupy 54.0% of Merced County's occupied homes and renters 46.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $391,800 by its owner (±$5,618). The median renter pays $1,343 a month including utilities, and 42.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Merced County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $391,800±$5,618 | $734,700 | +$80,804 |
| Median gross rent | $1,343±$27 | $2,036 | +$86 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.5%±2.3 pts | 46.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,915±$41 | $2,946 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 54.0%±1.3 pts | 55.9% | +1.8 pts |
| Housing units | 90,872±70 | 14,644,735 | +5,621 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.5%±0.7 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.3%±1.2 pts | 57.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.2%±0.6 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.1%±0.4 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.4%±0.6 pts | 8.9% | – |
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 Merced County building?
Builders took permits for 780 new housing units across Merced County in 2025 (697 single-family), 2.6 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Merced County get to work?
76.0% of Merced County's workers drive alone and 6.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 31.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 10.6%.
| Measure | Merced County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.2%±0.9 pts | 63.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6%±0.7 pts | 6.6% | −1.3 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 76.0%±1.2 pts | 65.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.5%±0.9 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Walked | 2.4%±0.4 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.6%±0.5 pts | 17.2% | +3.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 31.3 min±1.0 | 28.7 min | +2.7 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 are Merced County's census tracts?
Merced County is divided into 63 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $34,697 (Tract 15.03) to $131,762 (Tract 10.08).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Merced County compare with California's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 23rd of 58 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 6th of 58 |
| Residents per square mile | 24th of 58 |
| Median household income | 50th of 58 |
| Median home value | 40th of 58 |
| Median gross rent | 36th of 56 |
| Poverty rate | 5th of 57 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 55th of 58 |
| Median age | 58th of 58 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Merced County 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' school search.