Merkel ZIP Code List — Taylor County, TX

There is one unique ZIP code in Merkel, Texas and it is 79536. Area code: 325.

ZIP codes

295.87

sq mi land

0.27

sq mi water

325

area code

Merkel, TX ZIP code map

About Merkel, TX

Merkel is a quaint city located in the heart of Texas, specifically within Taylor County. Known for its small-town charm and close-knit community, Merkel offers a glimpse into the classic Texan lifestyle. The city's rich history and diverse culture make it a unique place for both residents and visitors.

Location & geography

Merkel is situated approximately 18 miles west of Abilene and is surrounded by an expansive landscape of 295.87 square miles of land with a water area of 0.27 square miles. The city is located in western Texas, characterized by rolling plains and a semi-arid climate. Nearby cities include Sweetwater, 30 miles to the southwest, and Hawley, about 10 miles to the north.

Community & economy

The character of Merkel embodies the spirit of West Texas, with friendly residents and a strong sense of community. The local economy is supported by agriculture and small businesses, contributing to a typical daily life filled with local events and gatherings. Residents enjoy a peaceful environment with opportunities for outdoor activities and community involvement.

Transportation

Merkel is accessible via U.S. Highway 80, which runs directly through the city, connecting it to other major highways in the region. The nearest airport is the Abilene Regional Airport, located about 20 miles away, providing convenient access for air travel. Public transportation options are limited, typically requiring reliance on personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Merkel has a storied history tied to the expansion of railroads and agriculture in Texas. Key industries included cotton farming and cattle ranching, shaping the economy and development of the city. A notable event in its history is the establishment of the Merkel Depot, which played a crucial role in transportation during its early years.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Merkel is that its ZIP code, 79536, represents the only ZIP code assigned to the city. Additionally, the city hosts several annual events that celebrate its rich cultural heritage, drawing visitors from the surrounding areas.

ZIP codes for Merkel, TX (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
79536	Merkel	Taylor	View map

Demographics & statistics

6,123

Population

31.5

Median age

$67,788

Median household income

$27,154

Per capita income

$118,600

Median home value

$1,260

Median monthly rent

78.8%

Home ownership

16.0%

Poverty rate

1.8%

Unemployment

1,930

Housing units

13.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

317

Under 5

351

169

5–9

187

308

10–14

340

132

15–19

145

241

20–24

266

430

25–34

476

287

35–44

317

342

45–54

379

144

55–59

160

164

60–64

181

232

65–74

256

101

75–84

111

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,888	30.8%
18 and over	4,235	69.2%
65 and over	787	12.9%
Median age	31.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 85.7%

Hispanic or Latino 5.3%

Two or more races 5%

Other race 2.3%

Black or African American 1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.7%

Asian 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	5,540	85.7%
Hispanic or Latino	342	5.3%
Two or more races	324	5%
Other race	150	2.3%
Black or African American	62	1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	43	0.7%
Asian	4	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 2.0%

$10k–$15k 4.9%

$15k–$25k 6.4%

$25k–$35k 8.4%

$35k–$50k 10.5%

$50k–$75k 24.9%

$75k–$100k 17.4%

$100k–$150k 13.1%

$150k–$200k 5.5%

$200k+ 6.9%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.0%
$10k–$15k	4.9%
$15k–$25k	6.4%
$25k–$35k	8.4%
$35k–$50k	10.5%
$50k–$75k	24.9%
$75k–$100k	17.4%
$100k–$150k	13.1%
$150k–$200k	5.5%
$200k+	6.9%
Median income	$67,788

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 23.7%

$50k–$100k 22.1%

$100k–$150k 12.0%

$150k–$200k 16.4%

$200k–$300k 18.5%

$300k–$500k 5.6%

$500k–$1M 0.2%

$1M+ 1.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$118,600
Median rent / month	$1,260
Owner occupied	78.8%
Renter occupied	21.2%
Vacant	17.9%
Single-family detached	65.2%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	29.7%
Median rooms	5.6
Avg household size (owned)	3.12

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	8.8%
2000–2009	10.3%
1990–1999	12.2%
1980–1989	20.7%
1970–1979	11.3%
1960–1969	5.7%
1950–1959	8.7%
1940–1949	10.2%
1939 or earlier	12.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.6%
1 bedroom	4.8%
2 bedrooms	24.6%
3 bedrooms	47.5%
4 bedrooms	21.7%
5+ bedrooms	0.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.1%
1 vehicle	20.6%
2 vehicles	34.9%
3 or more	42.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	24.8%
Electricity	60.6%
Propane / LP gas	14.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,159	60.4%
Cohabiting couple	128	6.7%
Male householder, no spouse	215	11.2%
Female householder, no spouse	417	21.7%
Households with children under 18	951	49.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	549	28.6%
Average household size	3.16

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	29.0%	26.4%
Married	58.7%	51.6%
Separated	1.3%	3.3%
Widowed	0.7%	9.0%
Divorced	10.3%	9.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.0%

Some HS, no diploma 6.0%

HS graduate 49.4%

Some college, no degree 21.2%

Associate's degree 7.2%

Bachelor's degree 10.0%

Graduate / professional 3.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	91.0%
Bachelor's or higher	13.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	111	8.2%
Kindergarten	111	8.2%
Elementary school	759	56.3%
High school	275	20.4%
College / grad school	93	6.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 21.0%

Manufacturing 13.5%

Retail trade 11.5%

Construction 9.3%

Transportation & utilities 7.1%

Finance & real estate 7.1%

Wholesale trade 7.0%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.8%

Professional & management 5.6%

Other services 4.6%

Agriculture & mining 3.6%

Information 2.2%

Public administration 1.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	31.2%
Service	14.5%
Sales & office	21.0%
Natural resources & construction	15.6%
Production & transportation	17.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	81.9%
Government	7.6%
Self-employed	10.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	75.7%
Carpool	13.8%
Public transit	0.9%
Walk	0.7%
Other means	2.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	33.0

Poverty

All people 16.0%

Under 18 years 27.4%

18 and over 10.8%

Married-couple families 7.2%

Female-led households 42.4%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	30.3%
Retirement income	17.7%
Supplemental Security	4.0%
Cash public assistance	0.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	11.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	35.7%
High cholesterol	37.6%
Heart disease	7.4%
Stroke	3.3%
Asthma	9.4%
Arthritis	27.7%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	8.1%
Cancer	6.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.7%
No physical activity	27.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	34.5%
Fair or poor health	18.2%
Poor mental health	16.1%
Poor physical health	12.4%
No health insurance	24.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)	70.9%
Visited dentist	51.8%
Cholesterol screening	88.9%
Teeth loss	16.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	243	5.7%

Disability	%
Any disability	13.2%
Under 18	4.9%
18–64 years	10.3%
65 and over	48.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	53.5%
Public insurance	32.6%
Uninsured under 19	15.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	5,455	89.1%
Spanish	46	0.8%
Other Indo-European	31	0.6%
Asian & Pacific Islander	15	0.3%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	5,998	98.0%
Born in same state	5,989	97.8%
Born in different state	5,128	83.7%
Foreign born	9	0.1%
Naturalized citizen	125	2.0%
Not a US citizen	104	83.2%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	1,310	21.4%
French	521	8.5%
Arab	422	6.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
Norwegian	31	0.5%
English	16	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	31.3%
Internet access	96.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Merkel, TX?

Merkel, TX has one ZIP code: 79536.

What is the main ZIP code for Merkel, TX?

The primary ZIP code for Merkel, TX is 79536. The city uses area code 325 for phone service.

What county is Merkel, TX in?

Merkel is located in Taylor County, Texas.

How many ZIP codes are in Merkel, TX?

Merkel, TX has 1 ZIP code.