Median Income
$66,342
12% lower than US avg
Home Value
$419,100
49% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+
24.5%
27% lower than US avg
Median Rent
$1,090
6% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate
32.4%
1% higher than US avg
Unemployment
0.6%
83% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate
11.4%
8% lower than US avg
How Merlin Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population1,355
Median Age53.2 yrs
Density327/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 83%
Economy
A
Median Income$66,342
Per Capita$38,753
Unemployment0.6%
Poverty11.4%
County GDP$3,924M
Commute36 min
Housing
B
Home Value$419,100
Rent$1,090
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$460,184
Health
Obesity32.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.3%
Heart Disease6.0%
Climate
Avg Temp49°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain40.7 in/yr
Elevation887 ft
Education
C+
Bachelor's+24.5%
High School+78.8%
School Score5.14
Community
2024 VoteR 63% / D 34%
Commute36 min
Libraries4
Is Merlin a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Merlin receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, long commute times. Merlin offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Merlin is $66,342, 12% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.6%. 11.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 36 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Merlin is $419,100, 49% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,090 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 6.3x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.
Education
24.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 78.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.
Climate & Weather
Merlin experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.
Merlin has a population of 1,355 with a density of 327 people per square mile. The median age is 53.2 years, 37% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (82.5%), with 5.5% Hispanic.
Population
53.2yrs
Median Age
37% above US avg
Language Spoken at Home
| English Only | 93.3% |
| 19% above US avg |
| Spanish | 6.7% |
| 50% below US avg |
The median household income in Merlin is $66,342, which is 12% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 36 minutes.
Income
| Median HH Income | $66,342 |
| 12% below US avg |
| Per Capita Income | $38,753 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $945 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $61,613 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 0.6% |
| 83% below US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% |
| 8% below US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 2,806 |
| County GDP | $3,924M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 231 |
| Healthcare | 311 |
| Retail | 319 |
| Manufacturing | 101 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $3,452 |
| 1% below US avg |
| Effective Tax Rate | 0.82% |
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 35.7 min |
| Work from Home | 6.3% |
The median home value in Merlin is $419,100, 49% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,090 (6% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $460,184.
Home Values
| Census Median | $419,100 |
| 49% above US avg |
| Zillow ZHVI | $460,184 |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
| $/Sq Ft | $252 |
| Homes Sold | 2 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 87.6% |
| Price Drops | 33.3% |
| Inventory | 3 |
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $1,090 |
| 6% below US avg |
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $1,051 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,143 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,425 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,963 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,318 |
Ownership & Property
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $3,452 |
| 1% below US avg |
| Effective Rate | 0.82% |
In Merlin, 32.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.3% report depression. 20.7% are physically inactive.
Health Metrics: Merlin vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 32.4% |
| 1% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 9.9% |
| Heart Disease | 6.0% |
| High Blood Pressure | 29.2% |
| Asthma | 12.4% |
| COPD | 6.9% |
| Stroke | 3.2% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| |
| Binge Drinking | 18.0% |
| Physical Inactivity | 20.7% |
| Depression | 28.3% |
| Mental Distress | 20.0% |
| Physical Distress | 14.5% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 97.0% |
| |
| Checkup Rate | 69.2% |
| Premature Death | 10,791/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 7.0/10 |
| Exercise Access | 70.4% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 311 |
Crime Rates: Merlin vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Traffic Safety
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 20 |
| FEMA Disasters | 546 |
Safety Score
Merlin has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
65°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 48.9°F |
| 9% below US avg |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
Precipitation & Snow
| Annual Rainfall | 40.7 inches |
| 7% above US avg |
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Geography
| Elevation | 887 ft (270 m) |
| Area | 4.2 sq mi (10.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 327/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.5199°N, 123.4323°W |
| County FIPS | 41033 |