Texas
Merkel is a small town in Texas with a population of 2,630. Residents earn $62,368 per year, which is 17% below the national average.
Based on current data, Merkel receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Merkel offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Merkel is $62,368, 17% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. 10.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.
The median home value in Merkel is $99,000, 65% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $992 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Merkel is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 116 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,196 per 100,000, 39% below the national average.
12.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.
Merkel enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 26.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.
| English Only | 87.8% |
| 12% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 12.2% |
| 9% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $62,368 |
| 17% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $27,624 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,113 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $64,385 |
| Unemployment | 1.2% |
| 67% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% |
| 15% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 420 |
| County GDP | $1,201M |
| Restaurants | 42 |
| Healthcare | 25 |
| Retail | 57 |
| Manufacturing | 10 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $5,392 |
| 54% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 5.45% |
| Commute Time | 32.6 min |
| Work from Home | 4.8% |
| Census Median | $99,000 |
| 65% below US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $179,483 |
| Median List Price | $300,000 |
| Median List Price | $300,000 |
| $/Sq Ft | $104 |
| Homes Sold | 2 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 91.7% |
| Price Drops | 9.1% |
| Inventory | 11 |
| Census Median Rent | $992 |
| 15% below US avg |
| Studio | $887 |
| 1 Bedroom | $935 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,149 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,497 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,733 |
| Owner-Occupied | 77.4% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $5,392 |
| 54% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 5.45% |
| Obesity | 37.1% |
| 16% above US avg | |
| Diabetes | 11.7% |
| Heart Disease | 6.0% |
| High Blood Pressure | 33.9% |
| Asthma | 10.5% |
| COPD | 7.4% |
| Stroke | 3.3% |
| Binge Drinking | 18.5% |
| Physical Inactivity | 29.3% |
| Depression | 25.4% |
| Mental Distress | 20.3% |
| Physical Distress | 14.7% |
| Insurance Rate | 86.3% |
| Checkup Rate | 71.8% |
| Premature Death | 10,043/100K |
| Food Environment | 6.7/10 |
| Exercise Access | 62.2% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 25 |
| Total Violent | 115.7/100K |
| 70% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 0.0/100K |
| Robbery | 0.0/100K |
| Assault | 115.7/100K |
| Total Property | 1,196.0/100K |
| 39% below US avg | |
| Burglary | 308.6/100K |
| Theft | 887.4/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 0.0/100K |
| Arson | 0.0/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 5 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 63.3°F |
| 17% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 26.5 inches |
| 30% below US avg |
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 1,870 ft (570 m) |
| Area | 2.8 sq mi (7.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 939/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.4697°N, 100.0111°W |
| County FIPS | 48353 |
Winner: Republican by 59.2 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.6% |
| 63% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 92.2% |
| School Test Score | 5.10 |
| RUCC Code 6 | Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent |
| Population Density | 939/sq mi |
| Total Area | 2.8 sq mi |
| Public Libraries | 1 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 25 |
| Restaurants | 42 |
| Retail Stores | 57 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 5 |
| Avg Commute | 32.6 min |
| Work from Home | 4.8% |