countyscore
34.6
County Score
Schools 67.5Property Tax 63.5Income & Jobs 49.4

County Report Card

About Merced County, California

Merced trails both state and nation

Merced County scores 35.3, falling below both California's state average of 40.9 and the national median of 50.0. The county faces significant livability challenges across multiple dimensions despite some competitive advantages.

Below state average, lower half ranking

At 35.3, Merced ranks in the lower half of California counties, falling below the state average of 40.9. The county underperforms most state peers across the livability composite.

Schools and lowest tax burden

Merced's standout dimension is schools, scoring 67.5, providing strong K-12 educational opportunity for families. The tax score of 66.0 with an effective rate of 0.675% represents the lowest fiscal burden in this sample, maximizing household spending power.

Safety and health care significant gaps

The safety score of 7.3 represents a critical weakness, among the lowest in this group, indicating substantial community security concerns. Health care quality scores just 39.9, and cost score of 11.9 reflects housing affordability challenges despite median values of $368,400.

For education-focused families accepting risk

Merced County suits budget-conscious families prioritizing excellent schools and minimal tax burden, willing to navigate safety challenges and modest health care infrastructure. It's best for resilient households seeking maximum economic efficiency over community security.

2040608010063.511.67.339.967.549.43.143.244Tax63.5Cost11.6Safety7.3Health39.9Schools67.5Income49.4Risk3.1Water43.2Weather4434.6/100
This county
National avg
2 above average6 below average

Merced County DNA

Foverall

How Merced County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Merced County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Schools (67.5/100) but notably weak in Safety (7.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
63.5+11.5
Cost
11.6-36.4
Safety
7.3-47.7
Health
39.9-10.100000000000001
Schools
67.5+13.5
Income
49.4
Risk
3.1-43.9
Water
43.2-14.799999999999997
Weather
44-12
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Compare mortgage rates in Merced County

Whether buying or refinancing in Merced County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$391,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,343/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$391,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$53,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum6.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $65,510/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

7.0

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

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Miller County
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Riley County
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Hall County
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Eddy County
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Median income: $78,426
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Nearby counties

Stanislaus County
California
35.1
San Benito County
California
42.9
Madera County
California
35
Mariposa County
California
44.8
Monterey County
California
39.1
Fresno County
California
32.7
San Joaquin County
California
32.9
Santa Cruz County
California
41

Deep Dives

Merced County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Merced County

via TaxByCounty

Merced County taxes well below national median

Merced County's effective tax rate of 0.675% is the second-lowest among surveyed counties and well below California's state average of 0.714%. Its median property tax of $2,487 sits just below the national median of $2,690, despite a median home value of $368,400 that exceeds the national average.

Lowest effective tax rate in the group

Merced County's effective rate of 0.675% is the lowest recorded across these eight counties, placing it among California's most tax-friendly regions. Its median property tax of $2,487 is roughly 39% below the state average of $4,045.

Best tax deal in the Central Valley

Merced County's 0.675% effective rate and $2,487 median tax beat neighboring Madera County (0.700%, $2,575 tax) and match Mariposa County's favorable position. With a median home value of $368,400, Merced offers impressive tax efficiency for Central Valley buyers.

Merced County homeowner tax calculation

A Merced County homeowner with a $368,400 home pays approximately $2,487 in annual property taxes at the 0.675% effective rate. Including mortgage-related assessments, the total approaches $2,803 annually for financed properties.

Tax appeals available to all Merced homeowners

Even in Merced County's favorable tax environment, homeowners can file appeals if assessments don't match current market values or contain errors. Free appeals process means zero risk and potential savings that compound over years.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Merced County

via IncomeByCounty

Merced County earns below the U.S. median

Merced County's median household income of $65,044 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 13%, reflecting a rural agricultural economy with limited high-wage sectors. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier nationally.

Merced ranks among California's lowest-income counties

At $65,044, Merced County's median household income is 25% below California's state average of $87,001. The county ranks in the lower quartile among California's 58 counties.

Merced aligns with rural California's income peer group

Merced County ($65,044) earns similarly to Mendocino ($64,688) and Lassen ($64,395), anchoring the lower tier of rural California counties. The tight income clustering across these counties reflects shared structural economic challenges.

Merced's housing costs consume significant household resources

At 23.7%, Merced County's rent-to-income ratio sits below the 25% threshold, but median home values of $368,400 still require dual incomes or substantial savings. Limited wealth-building capacity strains household finances and long-term security.

Merced households should pursue skills-based income growth

With median income below state and national averages, Merced County residents should prioritize education, job training, and side income opportunities. Even modest income increases through career advancement or supplementary work can meaningfully improve financial stability and wealth-building prospects.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Merced County

via CrimeByCounty

Merced County Crime Rates Above National Average

Merced County reports 3,075.9 total crimes per 100,000 residents, which is roughly 29% higher than the national average. This results in a safety score of 95.1.

Safety Ranking Lower Than State Average

Merced's safety score of 95.1 falls below the California state average of 96.3. The county faces higher crime challenges than many of its Central Valley neighbors.

Crime Higher Than Neighboring Madera

The crime rate in Merced (3,075.9) is significantly higher than in neighboring Madera County (2,026.2). Local law enforcement from 12 agencies manages these higher crime volumes.

Violent and Property Crimes Above Average

Violent crime sits at 648.3 per 100,000, nearly double the national rate. Property crime is also high at 2,427.6, compared to the national average of 2,015.7.

Security Awareness Crucial in Merced

With higher property crime rates, residents should take active steps to secure their homes. Comprehensive security systems and reinforced entry points are effective ways to deter criminal activity.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Merced County

via WeatherByCounty

A warm and sun-drenched county

Merced County averages 62.8°F annually, which is significantly warmer than the national median. It is characterized by long periods of sunshine and very little annual rainfall.

Warmer than the average Californian

At 62.8°F, Merced is four degrees warmer than the state average of 58.7°F. This inland warmth is typical for the heart of the San Joaquin Valley.

Extremely dry compared to neighbors

Merced receives only 10.4 inches of precipitation, far below the California average of 25.8 inches. It is one of the drier populated regions in the state, with zero annual snowfall.

Nearly 100 days of extreme heat

Summer is dominated by 98 days over 90°F and a July average of 78.7°F. Winters are cool and dry, with a January average of 47.1°F and no snow to speak of.

Focus on cooling and hydration

The 98 days of extreme heat make high-performance air conditioning a non-negotiable for residents. Because the county only receives 10.4 inches of rain, water conservation and irrigation are critical year-round.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Merced County

via SoilByCounty

Heart of the Valley Soil Science

Specific pH data and taxonomic orders for Merced County are currently missing from the dataset. Most soils in this agricultural hub trend toward the state average pH of 6.34. Identifying your soil's specific taxonomic order helps predict its long-term behavior and productivity.

The Foundation of Valley Farming

Specific sand, silt, and clay ratios are not provided in this county summary. These numbers are vital for farmers who need to know how much pressure their soil can handle. Knowing the clay content is especially helpful for managing irrigation schedules.

Striving for State Fertility Benchmarks

Organic matter and available water capacity data remain unavailable for Merced at this time. To reach the state average of 3.30% organic matter, many local growers rely on consistent composting and crop rotation. These practices ensure the soil remains a productive asset for generations.

Managing Water in the Flatlands

Hydrologic group data is not listed, but flat valley landscapes often require intentional drainage solutions. Ensuring water doesn't sit on the surface is key to preventing root rot in valuable orchards. Observing your land after a heavy rain will reveal any drainage bottlenecks.

Abundant Harvests in Zone 9a

USDA Hardiness Zone 9a supports a massive variety of crops, from sweet potatoes to almonds. The long growing season and high heat units allow for maximum sugar development in fruits. It is an ideal environment for anyone looking to grow their own food.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Merced County

via LawnByCounty

Maximum Effort in Merced

Merced County presents the toughest conditions on this list, with a lawn difficulty score of just 17.8. This is far below the national average, requiring intense effort to keep grass alive in Zone 9a.

Extreme Heat and Low Water

Very low rainfall of 10.4 inches and a staggering 98 days of extreme heat create a harsh environment. The 5,011 growing degree days mean grass grows fast, but only if it receives constant, heavy irrigation.

Improving Water Retention

Specific soil metrics are unavailable for the county, though Central Valley soils often require significant organic matter. Test your yard to see if it needs help retaining moisture against the intense sun.

Drought-Wise Maintenance

Residents faced 32 weeks of drought last year, making water conservation a top priority for any lawn owner. Mulching around the edges and using cycle-and-soak irrigation methods can help maximize every drop.

Choose Heat-Hardy Grasses

Buffalo grass or hybrid Bermudagrass are the best bets for surviving Merced's punishing heat. You can start planting as early as late February, but be prepared for a rigorous summer watering schedule.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Merced County's county score?
Merced County, California has a composite county score of 34.6 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Merced County rank among counties in California?
Merced County ranks #52 among all counties in California on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Merced County, California?
The median annual property tax in Merced County is $2,634, with an effective tax rate of 0.67%. This earns Merced County a tax score of 63.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Merced County?
The median household income in Merced County, California is $65,510 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Merced County earns an income score of 49.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Merced County, California a good place to live?
Merced County scores 34.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #52 in California. The best way to evaluate Merced County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Merced County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.