Merced County Demographics

A map of Merced County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Hispanic	183,933	173,857	63.4%	61.8%
White	67,325	68,729	23.2%	24.4%
Asian	20,536	19,824	7.1%	7.0%
Multiracial	8,371	7,578	2.9%	2.7%
Black	7,455	8,191	2.6%	2.9%
Native American/Other	2,581	3,023	0.9%	1.1%

Merced County, California has an estimated population of 290,201, an increase from the 281,202 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 63.4% Hispanic, 23.2% White, 7.1% Asian, 2.9% Multiracial, 2.6% Black, and 0.9% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Merced County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Merced has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than California overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Merced County, that probability was 55.1% in 2020 and 53.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Merced County is ranked the 23rd most populous county in California, out of 58 counties. Merced County was ranked the 24th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Merced County's White Population

67,325 residents of Merced County, or 23.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Merced County is considerably lower than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Merced County ranks 57th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 58 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Merced County's White population has declined by an estimated 2.0%. White residents' share of Merced County's population has decreased from 24.4% to 23.2%.

Merced County is less White than neighboring Stanislaus County (36.3% White), San Benito County (29.2% White), Mariposa County (74% White), San Joaquin County (26.8% White), and Madera County (29.9% White).

Merced County's Black Population

7,455 residents of Merced County, or 2.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Merced County is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Merced County ranks 18th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 58 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Merced County's Black population has declined by an estimated 9.0%. Black residents' share of Merced County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.6%.

Merced County is more Black than neighboring San Benito County (0.8% Black), Mariposa County (0.9% Black), and Madera County (2.4% Black). Merced County is less Black than neighboring San Joaquin County (6.6% Black).

Merced County's Asian Population

20,536 residents of Merced County, or 7.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Merced County is lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Merced County ranks 20th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 58 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Merced County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 3.6%. Asian residents' share of Merced County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.1%.

Merced County is more Asian than neighboring Stanislaus County (5.9% Asian), San Benito County (3.5% Asian), Mariposa County (1.9% Asian), and Madera County (2.4% Asian). Merced County is less Asian than neighboring San Joaquin County (18.2% Asian).

Merced County's Hispanic Population

183,933 residents of Merced County, or 63.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Merced County is significantly higher than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Merced County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 58 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Merced County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 5.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Merced County's population has increased from 61.8% to 63.4%.

Merced County is more Hispanic than neighboring Stanislaus County (50% Hispanic), San Benito County (62.4% Hispanic), Mariposa County (14.7% Hispanic), San Joaquin County (42.5% Hispanic), and Madera County (60.9% Hispanic).

Merced County's Native American/Other Population

2,581 residents of Merced County, or 0.9% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Merced County is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Merced County ranks 51st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 58 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Merced County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 14.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Merced County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Merced County is more Native American/Other than neighboring San Benito County (0.6% Native American/Other). Merced County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Stanislaus County (1.2% Native American/Other), Mariposa County (2.7% Native American/Other), San Joaquin County (1.3% Native American/Other), and Madera County (1% Native American/Other).

Merced County's Multiracial Population

8,371 residents of Merced County, or 2.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Merced County is comparable to the share in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Merced County ranks 55th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 58 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Merced County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 10.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Merced County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.9%.

Merced County is less Multiracial than neighboring Stanislaus County (4% Multiracial), San Benito County (3.6% Multiracial), Mariposa County (5.8% Multiracial), San Joaquin County (4.6% Multiracial), and Madera County (3.4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.