2023 Merced County, California Demographics | Comprehensive Overview

Data and insights for Merced County, California, including population, age & gender distribution, race & ethnicity, median & household income distribution, property value distribution, educational attainment, health insurance coverage, nativity & citizenship, commuting & transportation, employment, veteran service, poverty & income and SNAP/food stamp recipients. Based on 2023 American Community Survey Estimates.

Merced County, California Key Demographic Statistics (2023 Estimates)

Key demographic statistics summarized from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS).

Total Population
285,597
Median Age
31.8 years
Median Household Income
$65,044
Median Property Value
$368,400
Bachelor's Degree+
14.78%
Uninsured Rate
9.0%
Total Households
84,605
Total Workers
111,532
Citizenship Rate
84.9%
Total Veterans
8,005
Top Veteran Era
Vietnam Era Only
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Families in Poverty
9,635
SNAP Recipients
20.72%
Households w/ SNAP
17,527

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates

Merced County, California Demographics: Age & Gender Distribution (2023)

Population pyramid for Merced County, California showing male vs female age distribution based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure: Population distribution by age and sex in Merced County, California. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Key Demographic Indicators for Merced County, California

The following statistics highlight Merced County, California population and median age, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

Total Population
285,597
Median Age (Total)
31.8 years
Median Age (Male)
31.1 years
Median Age (Female)
32.4 years

Merced County, California Age Distribution Comparison with California 2023

Compare Merced County, California age demographics with California to understand regional demographic patterns.

Table: Comparative age and dependency ratio analysis between Merced County, California and California, 2023
MetricMerced County, CaliforniaCaliforniaDifference
Median Age31.8 yrs38.4 yrs -6.6 yrs
Under 5 years7.21%5.28% +1.9pp
Children (5–17 years)21.94%16.05% +5.9pp
Young Adults (18–24)10.81%9.24% +1.6pp
Middle-aged (35–54)23.84%26.54% -2.7pp
Seniors (65+)11.58%16.55% -5.0pp
Total Dependency Ratio68.7160.98 +7.7

Note: "pp" indicates percentage points. "yrs" indicates years. The dependency ratio measures the burden on working-age population (18-64) to support dependents (under 18 and 65+).

Dependency Ratios Analysis

Total Dependency Ratio
68.71
Youth Dependency Ratio
49.17 Population under 18 relative to working age (18-64).
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
19.53 Population 65+ relative to working age (18-64).

A higher ratio indicates a greater financial and social burden on the working population to support non-working age groups.

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Merced County, California Demographics: Racial and Ethnic Composition (2023)

Pie chart showing the racial and ethnic composition of Merced County, California based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure: Racial and ethnic breakdown of Merced County, California. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Diversity & Cultural Composition of Merced County, California

The racial makeup and ethnic composition of Merced County, California are detailed below, drawing from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 ACS Estimates.

Diversity Index Score
54.22
Diversity Tier
moderate
Definition
The probability that two individuals chosen at random will be from different racial or ethnic groups.

Diversity Comparison with California

Compare Merced County, California racial and ethnic demographics with California to understand regional diversity patterns.

Merced County, California Diversity

54.22

moderate
California Diversity

69.81

high
Diversity Differential: Merced County, California is 15.59 points less diverse than California.

Racial and Ethnic Composition Comparison

Table: Comparative racial and ethnic composition between Merced County, California and California, 2023
Racial/Ethnic GroupMerced County, CaliforniaCaliforniaDifference
Hispanic or Latino (Any Race)62.66%40.75% +21.9pp
White Alone (Non-Hispanic)24.26%32.57% -8.3pp
Asian Alone6.99%15.83% -8.8pp
Black/African American Alone2.72%5.09% -2.4pp
Two or More Races2.54%4.52% -2.0pp
Some Other Race Alone0.35%0.62% -0.3pp
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Alone0.25%0.34% -0.1pp
American Indian and Alaska Native Alone0.23%0.27% -0.0pp
Diversity Index Score54.2269.81 -15.59

Note: "pp" indicates percentage points. Higher Diversity Index Scores (green) indicate greater racial/ethnic diversity.

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Merced County, California Economic Demographics: Household Income Statistics (2023)

Line chart showing household income distribution brackets for Merced County, California based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure: Household income distribution in Merced County, California. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Economic Snapshot for Merced County, California

The following data illustrates the financial landscape of Merced County, California, based on the latest U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

Median Household Income
$65,044 (Adjusted for inflation)
Total Households Analyzed
84,605

Income Comparison with California

Compare Merced County, California household income with California to understand regional economic patterns.

Merced County, California

$65,044

California

$100,149

Income Differential: Merced County, California's median household income is $35,105 lower (35.1% below) than California.

Income Distribution Comparison

Table: Comparative household income distribution between Merced County, California and California, 2023
Income BracketMerced County, CaliforniaCaliforniaDifference
Less than $20,00013.54%9.77% +3.8pp
$20,000 to $34,99913.02%7.66% +5.4pp
$35,000 to $49,99911.68%7.94% +3.7pp
$50,000 to $74,99918.48%13.14% +5.3pp
$75,000 to $149,99929.39%29.31% +0.1pp
$150,000 or more13.89%32.19% -18.3pp

Note: "pp" indicates percentage points. Higher percentages in high-income brackets (green) indicate greater affluence compared to California.

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Merced County, California Real Estate Demographics: Property Values (2023)

Line chart showing property value distribution for owner-occupied homes in Merced County, California based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure: Property value distribution in Merced County, California. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Real Estate Market Snapshot for Merced County, California

The following data highlights the distribution of owner-occupied housing values in Merced County, California, based on the latest U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

Median Property Value
$368,400
Total Properties Analyzed
45,097 (Owner-occupied units)

Property Value Comparison with California

Compare Merced County, California property values with California to understand regional real estate market patterns.

Merced County, California

$368,400

California

$759,500

Property Value Differential: Merced County, California's median property value is $391,100 lower (51.5% below) than California.

Property Value Distribution Comparison

Table: Comparative property value distribution between Merced County, California and California, 2023
Value BracketMerced County, CaliforniaCaliforniaDifference
Less than $25,0002.56%1.73% +0.8pp
$25,000 to $49,9991.47%0.83% +0.6pp
$50,000 to $99,9992.23%1.77% +0.5pp
$100,000 to $199,9994.63%2.36% +2.3pp
$200,000 to $499,99969.20%18.89% +50.3pp
$500,000 to $999,99918.71%58.11% -39.4pp
$1,000,000 or more1.19%16.30% -15.1pp

Note: "pp" indicates percentage points. Higher percentages in high-value brackets (green) indicate more expensive real estate compared to California.

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Merced County, California Educational Attainment Statistics (2023)

Treemap chart illustrating educational attainment levels for adults 25+ in Merced County, California based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure: Educational breakdown in Merced County, California. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Education Snapshot for Merced County, California

The following statistics represent the educational background of residents aged 25 and older in Merced County, California, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

High School Graduate or Higher
71.89%
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
14.78%
Total Population Analyzed (25+)
171,486

Education Level Comparison with California

Compare Merced County, California educational attainment with California to understand regional education patterns.

Bachelor's+ in Merced County, California

14.78%

Bachelor's+ in California

38.12%

College Education Rate: Merced County, California's bachelor's degree or higher attainment rate is 23.3 percentage points lower than California.

Detailed Education Level Comparison

Table: Comparative educational attainment between Merced County, California and California, 2023
Education LevelMerced County, CaliforniaCaliforniaDifference
Less than HS28.11%15.15% +13.0pp
HS Graduate28.68%20.47% +8.2pp
Some College/Associate's28.43%26.26% +2.2pp
Bachelor's Degree10.36%23.22% -12.9pp
Graduate/Professional4.42%14.91% -10.5pp
HS Graduate or Higher71.89%84.85% -13.0pp

Note: "pp" indicates percentage points. Higher percentages in advanced education levels (green badges) indicate higher educational attainment compared to California.

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Merced County, California Health Insurance Coverage Statistics (2023)

Pyramid chart showing health insurance coverage distribution by age and sex in Merced County, California based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure: Health insurance coverage gaps in Merced County, California. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Healthcare Coverage Snapshot for Merced County, California

The following data illustrates the health coverage landscape of Merced County, California, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

Overall Uninsured Rate
9.0%
Total Uninsured Population
25,346
Total Civilian Population
283,066

The uninsured rates vary significantly by demographic group. Children under 18 and seniors aged 65+ generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs like Medicaid/CHIP and Medicare.

Health Insurance Coverage Comparison with California

Compare Merced County, California health insurance coverage with California to understand regional healthcare access patterns.

Uninsured in Merced County, California

9.0%

Uninsured in California

5.9%

Coverage Gap Differential: Merced County, California's uninsured rate is 3.1 percentage points higher (worse coverage) than California.

Uninsured Rates by Age and Sex

Table: Comparative uninsured rates between Merced County, California and California, 2023
Age GroupMerced County, CaliforniaCalifornia
MaleFemaleMaleFemale
Under 185.1%3.2%3.1%3.1%
18-34 years17.7%10.3%11.7%8.0%
35-64 years14.0%10.5%8.8%6.1%
65+ years1.2%2.0%1.1%0.9%

Note: Lower uninsured rates indicate better health insurance coverage. The 18-34 age group typically has the highest uninsured rates, while seniors 65+ have near-universal coverage through Medicare.

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Merced County, California Nativity & Citizenship Statistics (2023)

Treemap showing population distribution by nativity and citizenship status in Merced County, California based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure: Citizenship status breakdown in Merced County, California. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Citizenship Snapshot for Merced County, California

The following data details the citizenship status and nativity of the population in Merced County, California, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

U.S. Citizenship Rate
84.9% (Native-born + Naturalized)
Naturalized Citizens
31,295 (Foreign-born individuals who acquired citizenship)
Non-Citizen Residents
43,127

Citizenship Comparison with California

Compare Merced County, California citizenship and nativity with California to understand regional immigration and naturalization patterns.

Citizenship in Merced County, California

84.9%

Citizenship in California

87.3%

Citizenship Rate Differential: Merced County, California's citizenship rate is 2.4 percentage points lower than California.

Nativity and Citizenship Comparison

Table: Comparative nativity and citizenship distribution between Merced County, California and California, 2023
Nativity/Citizenship StatusMerced County, CaliforniaCaliforniaDifference
Born in the United States73.0%70.8% +2.2pp
Born in PR or U.S. Territories0.1%0.2% -0.1pp
Born abroad of American parent(s)0.9%1.4% -0.5pp
U.S. citizen by naturalization11.0%15.0% -4.0pp
Not a U.S. citizen15.1%12.7% +2.4pp
Total U.S. Citizens84.9%87.3% -2.4pp

Note: "pp" indicates percentage points. Higher naturalization rates (green) indicate greater immigrant integration compared to California.

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Merced County, California Commuting & Transportation Statistics (2023)

Treemap chart illustrating how workers in Merced County, California commute to work based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure: Commute mode split in Merced County, California. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Commuter Snapshot for Merced County, California

The following data details the commuting habits of the workforce in Merced County, California, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

Drove to Work (Car/Truck/Van)
86.8%
Public Transportation Usage
0.4%
Work From Home Rate
6.4%
Total Workers Analyzed
107,310

Transportation Comparison with California

Compare Merced County, California commuting patterns with California to understand regional transportation preferences.

Drove in Merced County, California

86.8%

Drove in California

77.4%

Driving Rate Differential: Merced County, California has a 9.4 percentage points higher driving rate than California.

Commute Mode Comparison

Table: Comparative commuting patterns between Merced County, California and California, 2023
Transportation MethodMerced County, CaliforniaCaliforniaDifference
Car, truck, or van86.8%77.4% +9.4pp
Public transportation0.4%3.3% -2.9pp
Bicycle0.3%0.8% -0.5pp
Walked2.4%2.5% -0.1pp
Taxicab, motorcycle, or other3.6%1.9% +1.7pp
Worked from home6.4%14.1% -7.7pp

Note: "pp" indicates percentage points. Higher public transit or work-from-home rates (green) indicate more diverse commuting options compared to California.

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Merced County, California Employment by Class of Worker (2023)

Bar chart showing employment distribution by class of worker (Private, Government, Self-Employed) in Merced County, California based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure: Workforce composition in Merced County, California. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Workforce Snapshot for Merced County, California

The following statistics categorize the civilian employed population aged 16 and over in Merced County, California by their employment sector, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

Total Employed Civilian Population
111,532
Private Sector (Profit & Non-Profit)
Includes For-Profit and Non-Profit organizations
Government Workers
Includes Local, State, and Federal employees
Self-Employed Workers
Includes own not incorporated business workers

Employment Sector Comparison with California

Compare Merced County, California employment patterns with California to understand regional workforce composition differences.

Government Employment in Merced County, California

6.7% (M) / 9.8% (F)

Government Employment in California

6.4% (M) / 8.7% (F)

Employment Sector Comparison

Table: Comparative employment sector distribution between Merced County, California and California, 2023
Employment SectorMerced County, CaliforniaCaliforniaDifference
Private For-Profit (Combined)M: 45.0%
F: 27.4%		M: 39.7%
F: 29.6%		 M: +5.3pp
F: -2.2pp
Private Non-ProfitM: 2.1%
F: 2.9%		M: 3.0%
F: 5.1%		 M: -0.9pp
F: -2.2pp
Government (All Levels)M: 6.7%
F: 9.8%		M: 6.4%
F: 8.7%		 M: +0.3pp
F: +1.1pp
Self-EmployedM: 3.8%
F: 2.1%		M: 4.3%
F: 3.1%		 M: -0.5pp
F: -1.0pp

Note: "pp" indicates percentage points. M = Male, F = Female. Green badges indicate higher government employment compared to California.

Definitions: "Private sector" includes employees of for-profit and non-profit companies. "Government" includes all local, state, and federal employees. "Self-employed" refers to those operating their own unincorporated businesses.

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Merced County, California Veteran Population & Service Statistics (2023)

Bar chart showing the distribution of veterans by period of military service in Merced County, California based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure: Veteran service eras in Merced County, California. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Veteran Community Snapshot for Merced County, California

The following data details the civilian veteran population aged 18 and over in Merced County, California, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

Total Civilian Veterans
8,005
Primary Service Era
Vietnam Era Only
2,747 veterans (34.3%)

Veteran Population Comparison with California

Compare Merced County, California veteran demographics with California to understand regional veteran service patterns.

Total Veterans in Merced County, California

8,005

Total Veterans in California

1,355,918

Primary Service Era Comparison:
  • Merced County, California: Vietnam Era Only (34.3%)
  • California: Vietnam Era Only (32.1%)

Service Period Distribution Comparison

Table: Comparative veteran service period distribution between Merced County, California and California, 2023
Service PeriodMerced County, CaliforniaCaliforniaDifference
Vietnam Era Only34.3%
(2,747)		32.1%
(435,690)		 +2.2pp
Post-9/11 Only18.0%
(1,442)		18.0%
(244,230)		 0.0pp
Between Gulf War & Vietnam15.2%
(1,215)		14.4%
(194,775)		 +0.8pp
Gulf War Only8.2%
(654)		12.4%
(168,616)		 -4.2pp
Between Vietnam & Korean6.9%
(554)		7.0%
(95,452)		 -0.1pp
Post-9/11 + Gulf War5.8%
(464)		6.7%
(90,489)		 -0.9pp
Korean War Only3.9%
(316)		5.3%
(72,235)		 -1.4pp
Gulf War + Vietnam3.6%
(285)		1.1%
(15,525)		 +2.5pp
Vietnam + Korean2.7%
(216)		0.6%
(7,731)		 +2.1pp
WWII Only0.8%
(62)		1.5%
(20,264)		 -0.7pp
Post-9/11 + Gulf War + Vietnam0.4%
(36)		0.3%
(3,408)		 +0.1pp
Between Korean & WWII0.1%
(9)		0.3%
(4,221)		 -0.2pp
Vietnam + Korean + WWII0.1%
(5)		0.1%
(1,163)		 0.0pp

Note: "pp" indicates percentage points. Comparisons show relative proportions of veteran populations by service era.

Note: Periods of service include World War II (Dec 1941–Dec 1946), Korean War (Jul 1950–Jan 1955), Vietnam Era (Aug 1964–Apr 1975), Gulf War (Aug 1990–Aug 2001), and Post-9/11 (Sept 2001 or later). Veterans may have served in multiple eras.

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Merced County, California Family Poverty & Income Statistics (2023)

Bar chart showing family distribution by income-to-poverty ratio in Merced County, California, based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure: Family economic status in Merced County, California. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

Family Economic Security Snapshot for Merced County, California

The following data categorizes families in Merced County, California by their income relative to the federal poverty threshold, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

Families Below Poverty Line (<100%)
15.2% (9,635 families)
Families Near Poverty (100-199%)
41.6% (26,306 families)
Families with Secure Income (200%+)
43.2% (27,337 families)

Poverty Rate Comparison with California

Compare Merced County, California poverty levels with California to understand regional economic disparities.

Poverty Rate in Merced County, California

15.2%

Below poverty line
Poverty Rate in California

8.5%

Below poverty line
Poverty Rate Differential: Merced County, California has a 6.7 percentage points higher poverty rate than California.

Income-to-Poverty Ratio Distribution Comparison

Table: Comparative family income-to-poverty ratio distribution between Merced County, California and California, 2023
Income CategoryMerced County, CaliforniaCaliforniaDifference
Below Poverty (<100%)15.2%
(9,635)		8.5%
(786,636)		 +6.7pp
Near Poverty (100-199%)41.6%
(26,306)		26.2%
(2,437,162)		 +15.4pp
Economic Security (200%+)43.2%
(27,337)		65.3%
(6,073,975)		 -22.1pp
Detailed Breakdown
Below 50% of Poverty5.8%3.7% +2.1pp
50-74% of Poverty4.4%2.1% +2.3pp
75-99% of Poverty5.0%2.7% +2.3pp
100-124% of Poverty5.6%3.0% +2.6pp
125-149% of Poverty5.1%3.4% +1.7pp
150-174% of Poverty5.3%3.3% +2.0pp

Note: "pp" indicates percentage points. Red badges indicate higher poverty; green badges indicate lower poverty compared to California.

Definition: The "Income-to-Poverty Ratio" measures a family's income against the federal poverty threshold. A ratio below 1.00 means the family is in poverty. Ratios between 1.00 and 1.99 indicate low income ("near poverty"), while ratios of 2.00 or higher suggest greater economic security.

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Merced County, California SNAP/Food Stamps Statistics (2023)

Stacked bar chart showing SNAP recipient household composition by presence of children in Merced County, California, based on 2023 ACS data.
Figure: SNAP household demographics in Merced County, California. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates.

SNAP Participation Snapshot for Merced County, California

The following data details household participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Merced County, California, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.

Total Households Receiving SNAP
17,527 (20.72% of all households)
Recipient Households with Children
10,062 (57.41% of recipients)
Total Households Analyzed
84,605

SNAP Participation Comparison with California

Compare Merced County, California SNAP participation with California to understand regional food assistance needs.

SNAP Participation in Merced County, California

20.72%

17,527 households
SNAP Participation in California

13.49%

1,860,876 households
SNAP Participation Differential: Merced County, California has a 7.23 percentage points higher SNAP participation rate than California.

SNAP Household Composition Comparison

Table: Comparative SNAP recipient household composition between Merced County, California and California, 2023
Household TypeMerced County, CaliforniaCalifornia
With ChildrenNo ChildrenWith ChildrenNo Children
Married-Couple Family19.42%
(3,403)		9.11%
(1,597)		18.43%
(342,908)		12.15%
(226,051)
Male Householder, No Spouse7.83%
(1,372)		3.80%
(666)		5.49%
(102,252)		4.41%
(82,149)
Female Householder, No Spouse29.45%
(5,162)		8.09%
(1,418)		18.82%
(350,240)		10.60%
(197,237)
Nonfamily Households0.71%
(125)		21.59%
(3,784)		0.47%
(8,824)		29.62%
(551,215)
Total SNAP Recipients17,527
(20.72% of households)		1,860,876
(13.49% of households)

Note: Percentages represent the share of SNAP-receiving households in each category. Higher percentages in households with children often indicate targeting of families with greater nutritional needs.

About this data: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance to low-income families. Households with children often face higher participation rates due to eligibility guidelines prioritizing child nutrition. "Nonfamily households" typically refer to individuals living alone or with unrelated roommates.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The age breakdown for Merced County, California is as follows: Under 5: 7.21%, Ages 5–17: 21.94%, Ages 18–24: 10.81%, Ages 25–34: 14.56%, Ages 35–54: 23.84%, Ages 55–64: 10.06%, and 65 or older: 11.58%.

The racial and ethnic composition of Merced County, California is dominated by: Hispanic or Latino (Any Race): 62.66%, White Alone (Non-Hispanic): 24.26%, Asian Alone: 6.99%. The complete breakdown includes 8 distinct racial and ethnic categories.

The median household income in Merced County, California is $65,044. This represents the midpoint of all household incomes in the area, meaning half of households earn more than this amount and half earn less.

The household income distribution in Merced County, California is: Very Low Income (under $20,000): 13.54%, Low Income ($20,000-$34,999): 13.02%, Lower Middle Income ($35,000-$49,999): 11.68%, Middle Income ($50,000-$74,999): 18.48%, Upper Middle Income ($75,000-$149,999): 29.39%, High Income ($150,000+): 13.89%.

Approximately 29.51% of households in Merced County, California earn over $100,000 annually. This includes households earning between $100,000 and $124,999, $125,000 and $149,999, $150,000 and $199,999, and $200,000 or more.

The median property value for owner-occupied housing units in Merced County, California is $368,400. This represents the midpoint of all property values in the area, meaning half of homes are valued above this amount and half are valued below. The median is a better indicator of typical home values than the average because it is not skewed by extremely high or low property values.

The property value distribution for owner-occupied housing units in Merced County, California is: Less than $25,000: 2.56%, $25,000-$49,999: 1.47%, $50,000-$99,999: 2.23%, $100,000-$199,999: 4.63%, $200,000-$499,999: 69.20%, $500,000-$999,999: 18.71%, $1,000,000 or more: 1.19%.

There are 45,097 owner-occupied housing units in Merced County, California. This represents homes that are owned by the people living in them, as opposed to rental properties or vacant units.

Approximately 19.90% of owner-occupied housing units in Merced County, California are valued over $500,000. This includes properties valued between $500,000 and $749,999, $750,000 and $999,999, $1,000,000 and $1,499,999, $1,500,000 and $1,999,999, and $2,000,000 or more.

In Merced County, California, 14.78% of the population aged 25 and older holds a bachelor's degree or higher. This includes those with bachelor's degrees as well as those with graduate or professional degrees.

The educational attainment breakdown for Merced County, California (population 25+) is: Less than high school graduate: 28.11%, High school graduate (including equivalency): 28.68%, Some college or associate's degree: 28.43%, Bachelor's degree: 10.36%, Graduate or professional degree: 4.42%.

In Merced County, California, 71.89% of the population aged 25 and older has completed at least a high school education. This includes high school graduates, those with some college, associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, and graduate degrees.

In Merced County, California, 9.0% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 25,346 individuals out of a total population of 283,066 people.

The uninsured rates vary by age group in Merced County, California. For young adults (18-34 years), 17.7% of males and 10.3% of females lack coverage. In the 35-64 age group, 14.0% of males and 10.5% of females are uninsured. These working-age populations typically face different coverage challenges than children or seniors.

Children under 18 in Merced County, California have uninsured rates of 5.1% for males and 3.2% for females. Seniors aged 65 and older, who are typically covered by Medicare, have uninsured rates of 1.2% for males and 2.0% for females. These age groups generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs.

In Merced County, California, 84.9% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes native-born citizens and naturalized citizens. Out of a total population of 285,597 people, 242,470 are U.S. citizens.

Merced County, California has 31,295 naturalized U.S. citizens, representing 11.0% of the total population. These are foreign-born individuals who have gone through the naturalization process to become U.S. citizens.

The nativity and citizenship breakdown for Merced County, California is: 73.0% were born in the United States, 0.1% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, 0.9% were born abroad of American parent(s), 11.0% are foreign-born naturalized U.S. citizens, and 15.1% are foreign-born non-citizens.

In Merced County, California, 86.8% of workers commute by car, truck, or van, making it the most common means of transportation to work. Out of 107,310 total workers, 93,173 use personal vehicles for their commute.

470 workers in Merced County, California use public transportation (excluding taxicabs) to commute to work, representing 0.4% of all workers. This includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries.

Alternative commute methods in Merced County, California include: 6.4% work from home, 2.4% walk to work, 0.3% bicycle, and 3.6% use other means such as taxicabs or motorcycles. These alternatives to driving alone help reduce traffic congestion and environmental impact.

"Class of worker" refers to the type of employer or work arrangement for employed civilians aged 16 and over in Merced County, California. It categorizes workers into private sector (for-profit and non-profit), government (local, state, and federal), self-employed, and unpaid family workers. This classification helps understand the employment structure and economic composition of the workforce.

According to the American Community Survey, Merced County, California has 111,532 employed civilians aged 16 and over. The private for-profit sector employs the largest share of workers, with 45.0% of male workers and 27.4% of female workers in this category.

In Merced County, California, there are 7,453 male government workers and 10,945 female government workers. Government employment includes local, state, and federal positions. This represents 6.7% of male workers and 9.8% of female workers.

Self-employment in Merced County, California includes 4,281 males (3.8%) and 2,323 females (2.1%). Self-employed workers operate their own businesses that are not legally incorporated.

In Merced County, California, 17,527 households (20.72% of all households) received SNAP/Food Stamps benefits in the past 12 months. Out of 84,605 total households, these families rely on this federal nutrition assistance program to help purchase food.

Of the SNAP-receiving households in Merced County, California, 10,062 (57.41%) have children under 18 years. These families face additional nutritional needs and food security challenges as they work to provide adequate nutrition for growing children.

SNAP recipients in Merced County, California include diverse household types. Among households with children, 5,162 (29.45%) are headed by a female householder with no spouse present, while 3,403 (19.42%) are married-couple families. The program also serves households without children, including seniors, disabled individuals, and working adults facing economic challenges.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, is a federal program that provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. Eligibility is based on household income, resources, and size. In Merced County, California, SNAP helps eligible households purchase nutritious food at authorized retailers. The program aims to alleviate hunger and improve nutrition and health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, there are 8,005 civilian veterans aged 18 and over living in Merced County, California. These individuals have served on active duty in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. This number does not include those with only National Guard or Reserves training without active duty service.

The most common period of military service for veterans in Merced County, California is Vietnam Era Only, with 2,747 veterans (34.3% of all veterans) who served during this period. The second most common period is Post-9/11 Only, with 1,442 veterans (18.0%).

"Period of service" categorizes veterans based on when they served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Major periods include World War II (December 1941-December 1946), the Korean War (July 1950-January 1955), the Vietnam Era (August 1964-April 1975), the Gulf War (August 1990-August 2001), and Post-9/11 (September 2001 or later). Veterans may have served during multiple periods. Understanding the distribution of service periods helps communities in Merced County, California provide appropriate services and support to their veteran population.

Veterans who served during the Gulf War era (1990-2001) and Post-9/11 era (2001-present) represent approximately 51.2% of all veterans in Merced County, California. These more recent-era veterans, totaling around 4,096 individuals, often have different service experiences and support needs compared to veterans of earlier conflicts. They may benefit from targeted programs addressing issues such as transition to civilian life, employment assistance, and access to VA healthcare services.

In Merced County, California, 9,635 families (15.2% of all families) live below the federal poverty line. This means their household income is less than 100% of the poverty threshold established by the U.S. Census Bureau, which varies by family size and composition. Out of 63,278 total families, these households face significant economic challenges meeting basic needs.

"Income-to-poverty ratio" measures how a family's income compares to the federal poverty threshold. A ratio of 1.00 (100%) means the family's income equals the poverty line. Below 1.00 indicates poverty, while ratios above 1.00 show income levels relative to poverty. For example, a ratio of 2.00 (200%) means the family earns twice the poverty threshold. In Merced County, California, this data helps identify not just families in poverty, but also those who are economically vulnerable despite being above the official poverty line.

Beyond families living in poverty, Merced County, California has 26,306 families (41.6%) with incomes between 100% and 199% of the poverty level. These families are often called 'near poverty' or low-income households. Specifically, 10,119 families (16.0%) have incomes between 100% and 149% of poverty. While technically above the poverty line, these families often struggle with housing costs, healthcare, childcare, and other expenses, making them economically vulnerable.

In Merced County, California, 3,665 families (5.8%) live in extreme poverty, with incomes below 50% of the federal poverty threshold. These families face severe economic hardship and often require comprehensive assistance programs. On the other end of the spectrum, 27,337 families (43.2%) have incomes at least 200% above the poverty level, indicating greater financial stability and economic security.