Merced County Demographics

A map of Merced County's Population by Race

Merced County, California had a population of 281,202 in 2020. It was 24.4% White, 2.9% Black, 7.0% Asian, 61.8% Hispanic, 1.1% Native American/Other, and 2.7% Multiracial. This map presents the population of Merced County, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

Merced County is the 24th most populous county of the 58 counties in California.

Merced County's White Population

68,729 residents of Merced County identify as White, or 24.4%. This makes the White share of the population of Merced County slightly less than the White share of the population of California (34.7% White). Of the 58 counties in California, Merced County is ranked #57 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Merced County is less White than neighboring Stanislaus County (37.6% White), San Benito County (30.8% White), Mariposa County (74.9% White), San Joaquin County (27.7% White), and Madera County (31% White).

Merced County's Black Population

8,191 residents of Merced County identify as Black, or 2.9%. This makes the Black share of the population of Merced County roughly similar to the Black share of the population of California (5.4% Black). Of the 58 counties in California, Merced County is ranked #18 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Merced County is more Black than neighboring Stanislaus County (2.6% Black), San Benito County (0.7% Black), Mariposa County (0.6% Black), and Madera County (2.6% Black). Merced County is less Black than neighboring San Joaquin County (7.3% Black).

Merced County's Asian Population

19,824 residents of Merced County identify as Asian, or 7.0%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Merced County slightly less than the Asian share of the population of California (15.1% Asian). Of the 58 counties in California, Merced County is ranked #20 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Merced County is more Asian than neighboring Stanislaus County (6% Asian), San Benito County (3.4% Asian), Mariposa County (1.7% Asian), and Madera County (2.3% Asian). Merced County is less Asian than neighboring San Joaquin County (17.3% Asian).

Merced County's Hispanic Population

173,857 residents of Merced County identify as Hispanic, or 61.8%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Merced County considerably larger than the Hispanic share of the population of California (39.4% Hispanic). Of the 58 counties in California, Merced County is ranked #3 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Merced County is more Hispanic than neighboring Stanislaus County (48.1% Hispanic), San Benito County (61.1% Hispanic), Mariposa County (12.5% Hispanic), San Joaquin County (41.8% Hispanic), and Madera County (59.6% Hispanic).

Merced County's Native American/Other Population

3,023 residents of Merced County identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 1.1%. This makes the Native American/Other share of the population of Merced County roughly similar to the Native American/Other share of the population of California (1.3% Native American/Other). Of the 58 counties in California, Merced County is ranked #51 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Merced County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Stanislaus County (1.6% Native American/Other), Mariposa County (3.1% Native American/Other), San Joaquin County (1.6% Native American/Other), and Madera County (1.7% Native American/Other).

Merced County's Multiracial Population

7,578 residents of Merced County identify as Multiracial, or 2.7%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Merced County roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of California (4.1% Multiracial). Of the 58 counties in California, Merced County is ranked #55 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Merced County is less Multiracial than neighboring Stanislaus County (4.1% Multiracial), San Benito County (2.9% Multiracial), Mariposa County (7.1% Multiracial), San Joaquin County (4.4% Multiracial), and Madera County (2.8% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.