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Merkel, TX
Town in Taylor County, Texas.
Population
2,699
Land area
2.8sq mi
People per sq mi
965
ZIP codes
0
Merkel and its ZIP codes
Merkel at a glance
- Merkel is about 8.3 times as dense as Texas as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $73,500 a year, 6% less than the Texas figure of $78,476.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $115,100 (59% below Texas) and median rent is $1,058 a month.
Local data for Merkel, TX
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Merkel, TX, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$73,500
Poverty rate
11.4%
Median home value
$115,100
Median rent
$1,058/mo
Homeownership
73.0%
Bachelor's or higher
12.4%
Median age
35.4
Average commute
27.3 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (381), Mexican Americans (336), German Americans (185).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Taylor County. PPP loans are for Merkel.
Unemployment rate
3.7%
Aug 2026, -0.1 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$58,252
68,821 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$61,692
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$1.12B
FY 2026, $7,850 per person
How people get to work
Merkel, TX, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone80.0%
- Carpooled10.6%
- Public transit0.4%
- Walked2.2%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.8%
- Worked from home5.0%
Average one-way commute: 27.3 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Merkel, TX, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: hail
Storm events since 1996
965
Countywide, mostly hail
Flood insurance policies
1,923
3.8% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
94° / 31°F
26.5 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Merkel, TX, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
37.4%
U.S. 33.3% +4.1 pts
Diabetes
13.8%
U.S. 12.1% +1.7 pts
Smoking
16.9%
U.S. 12.8% +4.1 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
16.2%
U.S. 11.1% +5.1 pts
Cities near Merkel
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| TrentTown | 6.9 mi | 0.4 |
| TyeCity | 8.3 mi | 4.8 |
| HawleyCity | 15 mi | 2.9 |
| ImpactTown | 15 mi | 0.1 |
| Buffalo GapTown | 16 mi | 2.4 |
| AbileneCity | 17 mi | 106.7 |
| PotosiCensus-designated place | 21 mi | 18.3 |
| AnsonCity | 21 mi | 2.8 |
| TuscolaCity | 22 mi | 0.9 |
| SylvesterCensus-designated place | 22 mi | 0.9 |
| SweetwaterCity | 23 mi | 11.1 |
| McCaulleyCensus-designated place | 24 mi | 0.9 |
| LawnTown | 27 mi | 0.6 |
| RobyCity | 29 mi | 0.7 |
| WingateCensus-designated place | 30 mi | 2.2 |
| ClydeCity | 30 mi | 3.3 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Merkel, TX in?
- Merkel is in Taylor County, Texas.
- What is the population of Merkel, TX?
- About 2,699 people live in Merkel, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Merkel?
- Nearby places include Trent (6.9 mi), Tye (8.3 mi), Hawley (15 mi), Impact (15 mi), Buffalo Gap (16 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023