Mercer, WI

Wisconsin

Mercer is a small town in Wisconsin with a population of 539. Residents earn $51,528 per year, which is 31% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
539 Population 121/sq mi density
$51,528 Median Income $32,936 per capita
$209,100 Home Value $303,931 Zillow
$525 Median Rent 26.9% income on rent
40°F Avg Temperature 253 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$51,528 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.4 / 5.0
$209,100 home value, $525/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $51,528
31% lower than US avg
Home Value $209,100
26% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.1%
52% lower than US avg
Median Rent $525
55% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.8%
5% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.0%
44% lower than US avg

How Mercer Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population539
Median Age54.4 yrs
Density121/mi²
Male / Female45% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 98%
Veterans11.1%

Economy

B+
Median Income$51,528
Per Capita$32,936
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty7.0%
County GDP$235M
Commute18 min

Housing

A
Home Value$209,100
Rent$525
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$303,931
Housing Units569
Rent Burden26.9%

Health

Obesity33.8%
Uninsured7.8%
Smoking14.9%
Depression24.4%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp40°F (5°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Sunny Days253/yr
Elevation1,598 ft (487 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.1%
High School+93.5%
Graduate+6.3%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 36%
Commute18 min
Broadband87.6%
Libraries2

Is Mercer a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Mercer receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Mercer offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Mercer is $51,528, 31% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Mercer is $209,100, 26% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $525 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

16.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Mercer has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F. Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. With 253 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Mercer has a population of 539 with a density of 121 people per square mile. The median age is 54.4 years, 40% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.3%), with 1.7% Hispanic.

Population

539
Total Population
121
People / sq mi
54.4yrs
Median Age
40% above US avg
4.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.5%
Female 55.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Mercer vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.1%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.9%
78% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Mercer vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Mercer is $51,528, which is 31% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Mercer vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$51,528
31% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,936
Avg Weekly Wage$779
IRS Avg AGI$60,358

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.0%
44% below US avg
Establishments (County)228
County GDP$235M

Business (County)

Restaurants41
Healthcare16
Retail24
Manufacturing9

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,800
37% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.30%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.2 min
Drive Alone91.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Mercer is $209,100, 26% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $525 (55% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $303,931.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$209,100
26% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$303,931

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$525
55% below US avg
Rent Burden26.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$797
1 Bedroom$872
2 Bedrooms$1,097
3 Bedrooms$1,405
4 Bedrooms$1,572

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.5%
Housing Units569
Median Year Built1973

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,800
37% above US avg
Effective Rate2.30%
In Mercer, 33.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.8% of residents lack health insurance. 14.9% are current smokers. 24.4% report depression. 26.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Mercer vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.8%
5% above US avg
Diabetes9.2%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure27.0%
Asthma11.2%
COPD5.9%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.9%
6% above US avg
Binge Drinking22.2%
Physical Inactivity26.0%
Depression24.4%
Mental Distress17.3%
Physical Distress12.4%
Short Sleep29.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.6%
Uninsured7.8%
9% below US avg
Checkup Rate73.9%
Dental Visits68.7%
Premature Death5,870/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access47.1%
Healthcare Facilities16
Mercer has an average annual temperature of 40°F (5°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. The area enjoys 253 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

11°F Jan (-12°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average40.2°F
26% below US avg
January Average11°F (-12°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days253 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,598 ft (487 m)
Area4.5 sq mi (11.5 km²)
Population Density121/sq mi
Coordinates46.1613°N, 90.0418°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS55051
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 16.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (52% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 26.2-point margin. 87.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.7%
D 36.5%

Winner: Republican by 26.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.1%
52% below US avg
High School+93.5%
Graduate Degree+6.3%
School Test Score5.81
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density121/sq mi
Total Area4.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access87.6%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities16
Restaurants41
Retail Stores24

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.2 min
Drive Alone91.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.8%

Nearby Cities

Lac du Flambeau, WI 1,619 pop · 15.4 mi Ironwood, MI 5,004 pop · 20.8 mi Hurley, WI 1,438 pop · 21.2 mi Bessemer, MI 1,778 pop · 21.9 mi Wakefield, MI 1,789 pop · 22.4 mi Park Falls, WI 2,308 pop · 24.8 mi Phillips, WI 1,546 pop · 36.6 mi Eagle River, WI 1,508 pop · 41.0 mi Rhinelander, WI 8,248 pop · 46.9 mi Ashland, WI 7,884 pop · 49.1 mi Tomahawk, WI 3,416 pop · 49.8 mi Washburn, WI 1,858 pop · 54.3 mi Ontonagon, MI 1,266 pop · 59.8 mi Little Round Lake, WI 1,233 pop · 65.0 mi
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