Merkel, TX—79536
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Home Price Trends — Merkel, TX
As of Oct '25, the median home price in Merkel, TX is $175,000, with a year-over-year change of -1.9%. This indicates that home prices in Merkel, TX are decreasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is -0.8%, suggesting a relatively flat housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $175,000 | -1.9% |
| Single Family | $175,000 | -2.2% |
| Condos | N/A | N/A |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | N/A | N/A |
2 Bed | $109,000 | -8.4% |
3 Bed | $190,000 | 0.0% |
4 Bed | $299,000 | 0.7% |
| 5 Bed | N/A | N/A |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — Merkel, TX
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Merkel, TX is $1,000, with a year-over-year rent change of -19.4%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Merkel, TX is 1-bedrooms: $800, 2-bedrooms: $821, 3-bedrooms: $1,080, 4-bedrooms: $1,800. The most common rental property sizes in Merkel, TX are 3-bedroom and 2-bedroom, accounting for 66.2% and 21.1% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $975 | $1,000 |
| Studio Rent | N/A | N/A |
| 1 Bed Rent | $625 | $800 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $825 | $821 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $1,050 | $1,080 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $1,800 | $1,800 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — Merkel, TX
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Merkel, TX is 59. This is a decrease of -4.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market shorter than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 0.0%, representing a small inventory and little supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $299,000 | 7.0% |
Listing Count | 26 | 14.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.7% | 14.0% |
Days on Market | 59 | -4.0% |
Demographics — Merkel, TX
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Merkel, TX has a population of 6,080, which has increased by 24.6% over the past 5 years. Merkel, TX is a popular place for families, as children make up 28.7% of the population. The area has a poorly educated workforce, with 14.2% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are few residents working remotely, with 7.1% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 6,080 | 24.6% |
% Under 18 | 28.7% | 23.7% |
% Seniors | 14.6% | -20.7% |
% WFH | 7.1% | 69.0% |
% w/ College Degree | 14.2% | -4.7% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Merkel, TX is a predominantly white area, with 80.3% of the population identifying as white. The white population has shrunk by 2.7% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Merkel, TX is hispanic, making up 13.7% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 2.1% of the population in Merkel, TX, and this percentage has increased by 23.5% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting more immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 80.3% | -2.7% |
% Black | 1.2% | 100.0% |
% Hispanic | 13.7% | 0.7% |
% Asian | 0.1% | 0.0% |
% Foreign Born | 2.1% | 23.5% |
Mortgage and Risk — Merkel, TX
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 90 mortgage originations in Merkel, TX, of which 69.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 75.0%, with 52.0% above 90% LTV (very high). This implies large mortgage risk in Merkel, TX. Investor activity is low, as 2.0% of loans were by investors. 11.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting many homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 90 |
% Conventional Loans | 69.0% |
% Government Loans | 31.0% |
% Investor Loans | 2.0% |
% Second Loans | 0.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 11.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — Merkel, TX
As of 2024, the percent of homes in Merkel, TX under the Section 8 program is 6.1%. This is considered low, suggesting that the neighborhood is sparsely composed of Section 8 homes. Section 8 opportunity is good when HUD pays more than market rent. In Merkel, TX, all tracked home sizes have HUD payment amounts above market rent, suggesting strong Section 8 opportunity across the board.
Section 8 Market Size
Total Units under HUD | 48 |
Total Units Section 8 | 24 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 6.1% |
% Occupied Section 8 | N/A |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $455 | $625 | $1,080 |
| 2 Bedroom | $545 | $825 | $1,370 |
| 3 Bedroom | $730 | $1,050 | $1,780 |
| 4 Bedroom | $360 | $1,800 | $2,160 |
Affordability — Merkel, TX
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 2.4 |
| Median Home Price | $175,000 |
| Median Household Income | $71,300 |