Demographic Profile for Merced County, California

The population division of the Census Bureau estimates in 2005 a median age in Merced County, California to be 28.9 years of age. The median in Merced is less than the median age in the State of California of 34.4. From 2000, the area has seen a decline in the median age, at that time the median was 29.0 years old. With 32.7 percent of the 2005 population being comprised of individuals under the age of 18, Merced can be understood as having a relatively high percent of individuals under 18. The working age population group (18-64) has a medium-low presence of the population, with 58.4 percent of the population within the age category. People 65 years old and older make up 8.8 percent of the population. When compared to other counties in the United States, this represents a relatively low proportion of the area population base.

Estimated since the year 2000, a very high amount of people have migrated to Merced from another country. The international migration into Merced makes up 0.5 percent of immigration into the State of California. This level of international migration can be considered very high when comparing levels of immigration per population in 2005.

Merced County, California had a total estimated population of 241,706 in 2005. The total population has increased sharply, since the 2000 total population of 211,661. This growth represents an increase of 14.2 percent. Merced ranks 15 of 58 counties by growth in total population in California and the county ranks 103 of 3,141 counties when calculating the total change in county population across the US.

In terms of total land area, Merced covers a total land area of 1929 total square miles. The area has a medium-low density of 125 persons per square mile. Other counties with similar densities in the US include: -- more densely populated -- St. Joseph, MI (125 per sq. mile ), Scioto, OH (125 per sq. mile ), Scott, IN (125 per sq. mile ), -- less densely populated -- Maury, TN (124 per sq. mile ), Limestone, AL (124 per sq. mile ), Boone, IN (123 per sq. mile ).

Merced County, California has a population that is made up of 36.6 percent White, 3.5 percent African American, 6.2 percent Asian, and 51.4 percent Hispanic. The area population base can be described as having a very high level of racial and ethnic diversity, with 61.1 percent of the population being minorities. This is greater than the State of California percent of 53.4. Since 2000, Merced has increased in diversity when 56.0 percent of the total population were minorities.

Datasource: Population Estimates Program, U.S. Bureau of the Census.

Housing Report for Merced County, California

The residential real estate values in Merced County, California have increased very sharply from the real estate values reported in 2000. The valuations have increased by $194,200, or 174.8 percent, from their 2000 value of $111,100.

Merced County had an owner-occupied dwelling median in 2005 of $305,300, reported by the American Community Survey. This home value is less than the California 2005 home value of $477,700 and greater than median home value of $167,500 for the rest of the nation in that year.

The State of California, Merced County is positioned 6 of 58 by percent in growth of new residential structures. The county places 247 of 3,141, comparing the percentage change in residential in other US counties.

In Merced County, the U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division accounted for a total of 77,571 housing structures in 2005. The area has seen growth in housing units, adding a total of 7,638 residential structures since 2001, a change of 10.9 percent.

There is a limited amount affordable residential real estate in Merced County, California. In 2005, 8.2 percent of housing was valued under $125k.

Merced County is made up of a very high percentage of high-priced residential real estate. In 2005, the American Community Survey reports that 16.1 percent of the houses are valued over a half a million dollars.

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau