Merced County Population Charts

According to the most recent Merced County California demographics data available from the 2022 Census Bureau released in the American Community Survey in November of 2022, Figure 1 Merced County depicts it has a Population 2021 of 279,150 which is in the mid point range of other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest population in the area is Santa Clara County which depicts a population of 1,932,022 ( considerably bigger). Figure 3 uses the Merced County population data for a comparison of the population growth/population change estimates from the years 2010 to 2021 and Merced County California depicts an increase of 23,357 (9%).

The total Merced County California greater area population percent change for all areas for the years from 2010 to 2021 is shown in Figure 4 and for Merced County depicts it has a Population Change of 9.1% which is the third most of all other counties in the area.

Looking at the Merced County population density (measured as people per square mile) and providing comparisons to both the national and state average population density in Figure 5, Merced County California depicts it has 144 people per square mile which is in the middle range of other counties in the metropolitan area. The next higher when ranked by population density is Stanislaus County approximately 2.6 times bigger with population density of 369. The county with the highest population density in the area is Santa Clara County which shows a people per square mile of 1,497 ( considerably bigger). Figure 6 provides Merced County demographics for the overall median age for all people in the region and Merced County depicts it has a Median Age of 31.3 which is the smallest in terms of overall median age of all people of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest overall median age of all people in the area is Mariposa County which shows an age of 51.6 (64.9% larger). The Merced County California population data for median age broken out by gender for both men versus the median age of women is shown in Figure 7. Merced County California depicts a median age of men only about 4.2% smaller as the median age of women.

The next demographic analysis (Figure 8) looks at large generational Merced County population groups (and can be useful internet research for employment related research or identifying areas with retirees). Key findings in this chart includes that Merced County California has the largest proportion of people less than 20 years of age at 14.8% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people between 40 and 49 years old at 10.9% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people between 50 and 59 yeasr old at 8.3% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people between 60 and 69 years old at 7.5% of the total.

Figure 9 illustrates the overall diversity breakdown for Merced County population and ethnicity groups in the area. (note: Hispanic/Latino is broken out separately in the next diagram and also the group denoted as Native ethnicity includes Native American, and Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander.) Merced County California has one of the largest proportions of Black population at 7.5% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 San Joaquin County (16.5%), and #1 Santa Clara County (38.1%) are larger. Second, it has the largest proportion of Native population at 42.0% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 10 shows the Merced County California Hispanic (including non Hispanic whites) population household ethnicity in the region and Merced County depicts it has a Hispanic or Latino of 61.2% which is more than all other counties in the greater Merced County region. Figure 11 compares the ratio of the amount of men to the amount of women and depicts total male population only about 3.1% larger as the total female population.

Merced County Marital Status and Families Charts

Figure 12 shows the detailed marriage characteristics broken down by %residents who are married, never married, single, divorced, and widowed. Merced County has the largest proportion of total percent married at 40% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the second smallest when sorted by total percent of people married of all the other counties in the local area when sorted by never married percent at 8% of the total. Figure 14 compares the average household size using the average number of people in a family for Merced County households. Merced County shows it has a Family Size of 4.0 which is the most of all counties in the greater Merced County region.

Figure 15 shows the overall ratio of Merced County households for families to the total number of Merced County households and that Merced County depicts it has a Families of 76% which is the third most families percent of all other counties in the greater Merced County region. The county with the highest percent of people who are in a family in the area is San Benito County which indicates a families percent of 79% (only about 4.8% larger).

Looking at Merced County households that are headed by a husband and wife as a percent of all families in Figure 16, Merced County shows it has a Married-couple family of 64% which is the smallest as measured by percent of people in a husband and wife family of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest percent of people in a husband and wife family in the area is Santa Clara County which depicts a husband and wife family percent of 79% (22.4% larger). Figure 17 shows Merced County demographics for the head of household for each place using a breakdown of married-couple, male-headed alone, and female-headed alone. Merced County California has the largest proportion of households at 11.8% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of households at 23.7% of the total and is ranked #1.

Merced County Mothers and Children Charts

The next section of charts provide a detailed look at mothers and baby births that occurred over the past 12 months. Figure 18 shows the rate of women aged 15 to 50 years old who have given birth. Merced County indicates it has a Birth Rate of 5.6% which is the third most of all other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest percent of women who gave birth in the area is San Benito County which depicts a birth rate of 6.7% (19.8% larger). Figure 19 shows the breakdown of the mother's age for all baby births that occurred in the last 12 months and has the percentage of percent of births to mothers aged 15 to 19 the second smallest as measured by percent of births to mothers aged 15 to 19 of all the other counties in the greater region at 15% of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of percent of births to mothers aged 20 to 24 at 29% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being San Joaquin County with 36%. Third, it has the largest proportion of percent of births to mothers aged 40 to 44 at 5% of the total and is ranked #1.

In Figure 20, the demographic data for Merced County California teenager birth rate is shown (women between the ages of 15 and 19.) Merced County depicts it has a Teenager Birth Rate of 5% which is more than all other counties in the greater Merced County region.

In Figure 21, the percentage of all births in the last 12 months to mothers that were unmarried is shown (unwed mothers.) Merced County shows it has a Unwed Births of 51% which is more than all other counties in the local area.

The next chart, Figure 22, shows the percentage of unwed mothers who are also on public assistance. Merced County depicts it has a Unwed birth and on public assistance of 14.6% which is in the middle range of other counties in the local area. The county with the highest percent of unwed women who have given birth and are on public assistance in the area is Stanislaus County which shows a percent of unwed women who gave birth and are on public assistance of 21.5% (47.1% larger).

Unwed mothers who have given birth in the last 12 months are also shown broken down by age group in Figure 24. Merced County California has one of the largest proportions of unwed mothers aged 15 to 19 at 76.0% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being San Benito County with 98.0%. Second, it has the second smallest as measured by percent of unwed births to mothers aged 15 to 19 years old of all the other counties in the greater region as measured by unwed mothers aged 20 to 34 at 16.0% of the total. Figure 25 shows the comparative demographic rate of unwed mothers who have given birth in the last 12 months are broken down by racial group (including the Hispanic birth rate.) Merced County California has the largest proportion of White unwed birth rate at 100.0% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of Black unwed birth rate at 55.1% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Mariposa County with 100.0%. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of Hispanic unwed birth rate at 31.0% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being San Joaquin County with 32.7%.

Figure 26 shows unwed mothers in poverty (based on median household income definition) who have given birth in the last 12 months. Merced County California has the percentage of unwed births and living below poverty level less than most other counties in the metropolitan area at 25.0% of the total. Second, it has the second smallest in order of percent of unwed births to mothers living below the poverty level of all the other counties in the local area in order of unwed births and living between 100% and 199% of poverty level at 17.8% of the total.

For all births to unwed mothers, Figure 27 breaks down the education level of the mother by less than high school through college and post graduate attainment has the percentage of percent of unwed mothers with less than high school education the second smallest in order of percent of unwed mothers with less than high school education of all the other counties in the metro area at 33% of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of percent of unwed mothers who are a high school graduate or equivalent at 41% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being San Benito County with 46%. Third, it has less than most other counties in the metropolitan area when sorted by percent of unwed mothers with some college or an associates degree at 4% of the total. Also, it has the largest proportion of percent of unwed mothers with a Bachelors degree at 6% of the total and is ranked #1.

Merced County Marital Status Charts

The next set of demographic data looks at the marital status for Merced County households which is useful for internet research. Figure 28 compares the total number of single people in each area. Merced County depicts it has a Total Single People of 53% which is the highest of all counties in the local area. Comparing percent of people who are single for any reason to the United States average of 50%, Merced County is only about 5.3% larger. Also, compared to the state of California, percent of people who are single for any reason of 51%, Merced County is only about 3.0% larger.

Figure 30 compares the single people in each area broken down by never married, divorced, and widowed. Merced County California has the percentage of percent never married the second smallest in terms of percent of people never married of all the other counties in the metropolitan area at 8% of the total. Second, it has less than most other counties in the local area as measured by percent divorced at 5% of the total. Figure 31 shows the demographics for the number of single men adults in each area broken out by never married, divorced and widowed. Merced County California has the percentage of men who have never been married the second smallest when sorted by percent of men who have never been married of all the other counties in the local area at 7% of the total.

Figure 33 shows the Merced County demographics for the ratio of the number of single men between the age of 18 and 65, in each area, broken down by age group for the Merced County metro area. Merced County California has one of the largest proportions of single men 18 to 24 at 19% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Stanislaus County (19%), and #1 Santa Clara County (22%) are larger. Second, it has the smallest proportion of single men 25 to 29 at 11% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of single men 45 to 49 at 10% of the total.

Figure 34 shows the Merced County population data for the ratio of the number of single women between the age of 18 and 65, in each area, broken down by age group for the Merced County metro area. Merced County California has the smallest proportion of single women 45 to 49 at 13% of the total.

Merced County Citizenship Demographics Charts

The next section of demographic information provides detailed data Merced County residents including: immigrants, citizenship, immigration, country of origin, non citizens and more. To start, Figure 35 shows a high level view of citizenship. Merced County California has one of the largest proportions of citizens by naturalization at 16% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Santa Clara County with 19%. The next chart (Figure 36) shows for all citizens what the original place of birth was for people who were born in a foreign country and has the smallest proportion of birthplace in this state at 2% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of birthplace in northeast US at 3% of the total.

In Figure 37, the demographic percentage of Merced County residents who were not born in the United States is shown (i.e. percent foreign born.) Merced County shows it has a Percent Foreign Born of 26.0% which is the second most of all the counties in the local area. The county with the highest percent of population who was born in another country in the area is Santa Clara County which depicts a percent born outside United States of 39.9% (53.5% larger). Comparing percent of population who was born in another country to the United States average of 13.6%, Merced County is about twice as large. Also, versus the state of California, percent of population who was born in another country of 26.5%, Merced County is about the same size.

Figure 39 provides a detailed analysis of non citizens by breaking them into two age groups: Under 18 and over the age of 18. Merced County California depicts a percent of non citizens under 18 years old only about 5.6% the size as the percent of non citizens over 18 years old. Figure 40 provides further information for non citizen age by showing a comparison of the median age for all non citizens immigrants. it has a Non Citizen Median Age of 42.1 which is in the center range of other counties in the local area. The county with the highest median age of non citizens in the area is Stanislaus County which shows a median age of 43.0 ( only slightly larger). The next diagram (Figure 41) shows the year of entry that non citizens entered the United States. The year of entry can show the rate of flow at various points of time in the past for when they entered the U.S. it has one of the largest proportions of non citizens who entered the US before 1990 at 25% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Stanislaus County (27%), and #1 Madera County (28%) are larger.

For all foreign born people who have gone through naturalization (the process of becoming a legal U.S. resident citizen), Figure 42 shows the year when they became fully naturalized U.S. citizens. it has one of the largest proportions of people naturalized 2015 or later at 15% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Stanislaus County (16%), and #1 Madera County (19%) are larger.

Merced County Birthplace Demographic Charts

Figure 43 displays a map of the globe and shows Merced County demographic information for large regions of the world that people from this place originally came from. Merced County California has the percentage of from Asia less than most other counties in the metro area at 15% of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of from the Americas at 77% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 San Benito County (82%), and #1 Madera County (89%) are larger.

Figure 44 categorizes the location for where foreign born people originally come from based on very large continental geographic areas. Merced County California has the percentage of from Europe less than most other counties in the local area at 15% of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of from Oceania at 77% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 San Benito County (82%), and #1 Madera County (89%) are larger.

Figure 45 is a table that breaks out all the people who were foreign born by which large geographic region where they were born. Merced County California has the smallest proportion of people who were born in Western Europe at 0.5% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who were born in Southern Europe at 4.9% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who were born in the Middle African Region at 0.1% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people who were born in the Caribbean at 0.0% of the total. In addition, it has the smallest proportion of people who were born in North America at 0.4% of the total.