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Merkel, Texas facts for kids

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Merkel, Texas
Street in Merkel, March 2014
Street in Merkel, March 2014
Location of Merkel, Texas
Location of Merkel, Texas
Taylor County Merkel.svg
Country United States
State Texas
County Taylor
Area
 • Total 2.80 sq mi (7.25 km2)
 • Land 2.80 sq mi (7.25 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,870 ft (570 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 2,471
 • Density 883.13/sq mi (340.98/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
79536
Area code(s) 325
FIPS code 48-47796
GNIS feature ID 1374885

Merkel is a city in Tylor County, Texas, United States. Its population was 2,471 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Abilene metropolitan area.

Geography

Merkel is located 17 miles west of Abilene near Interstate 20. The town has a total area of 2.8 square miles (7.2 km2), all land.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification, Merkel has a semiarid climate, BSk on climate maps.

History

Around 1870, when the Texas and Pacific Railway was built, the city was founded as Windmill Town. In 1881, it was renamed as Merkel in honor of the first settler in this area, S. M. Merkel, from Germany. In 1882, the first mercantile store and in 1883, the first post office opened.

Demographics

2020 census

Merkel racial composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 1,778 71.95%
Black or African American (NH) 26 1.05%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 9 0.36%
Asian (NH) 5 0.2%
Some other race (NH) 2 0.12%
Mixed/multracial (NH) 80 3.24%
Hispanic or Latino 570 23.07%
Total 2,471

As of the 2020 United States census, 2,471 people, 875 households, and 640 families were residing in the town.

Education

The City of Merkel is served by the Merkel Independent School District.

Notable people

  • Cody Lambert (born 1961), professional rodeo cowboy, was raised in Merkel.
  • Tommy Robison (born 1961), football player

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Merkel (Texas) para niños

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