Demographics

SNAPSHOT:

Growing and changing. Merced is a medium-sized city that has experienced a rapid annual growth rate in the 21st Century.

Annual growth rate 2010-2020: 2.1% City (projected)
Annual growth rate 2010-2020: 3.2% County (projected)
Merced urban area: Approximately 45% of the Merced County population

Looking Forward

Merced is a medium-sized city that has experienced rapid growth in the 21st Century. Historically blue collar, with a strong base in food processing and distribution, that profile is changing. One new factor that could have a transformative effect on the the city's population is UC Merced, which has grown from 0 students in 2003 to approximately 8,500 students in 2020. As the proximity of a major university makes higher education more accessible for Central Valley residents we should expect a rising education attainment rate among our residents.

Demographic Report

2019 (PDF)

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Demographic Overview

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2013-2018 DP05: Demographic and Housing Estimates, (www.census.gov); Department of Finance for current population, (www.dof.gov) (April 2020).

Race & Ethnic Origins

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2013-2018, Table DP05: Demographic and Housing Estimates (April 2020).

RELATED INFORMATION:

Workforce