Kern County, CA vs Merced County, CA
Merced County, CA comes out ahead of Kern County, CA on 16 of 32 statistics where one end is better, to 15 with 1 ties. Kern County, CA leads on Economics. Merced County, CA leads on Health.
32 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 1 tie. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 15
- Avg. percentile
- 31
- Categories led
- 1
- Wins
- 16
- Avg. percentile
- 32
- Categories led
- 1
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US counties.
| Statistic | Kern County, CA | Merced County, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 929,488 62nd of 3,094 | 297,713 249th of 3,094 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $70,210 1,179th of 3,093 | $65,510 1,574th of 3,093 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 19.1% 2,537th of 3,094 | 19.1% 2,533rd of 3,094 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by County (BLS) | 9% tied 3,066th of 3,094 | 10.2% 3,082nd of 3,094 |
| Adults Sleeping Under 7 Hours (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 38.7% tied 1,886th of 3,094 | 38.9% tied 1,961st of 3,094 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 24.4 1,618th of 3,094 | 31.3 2,743rd of 3,094 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by County (1991–2020 Averages) | 2,733 596th of 3,050 | 2,414 tied 455th of 3,050 |
| Median Air Quality IndexAir Quality by County (EPA) | 70 tied 955th of 960 | 50 tied 892nd of 960 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- EconomicsKern County, CA · 8 statistics
- HealthMerced County, CA · 11 statistics
Biggest differences
The 21 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 1,547 US counties.
| Statistic | Kern County, CA | Merced County, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 24.4 1,618th of 3,094 | 31.3 2,743rd of 3,094 |
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 91.6% 503rd of 3,094 | 88.4% 1,221st of 3,094 |
| Adults with Frequent Mental Distress (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 19.9% tied 2,165th of 2,916 | 18.8% tied 1,566th of 2,916 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 18.8% 2,122nd of 3,094 | 15.3% 2,647th of 3,094 |
| Adults with Depression (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 22.6% tied 1,039th of 2,916 | 21.3% tied 584th of 2,916 |
| Adults Who Binge Drink (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 16.7% tied 1,017th of 2,916 | 15.8% tied 642nd of 2,916 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $70,210 1,179th of 3,093 | $65,510 1,574th of 3,093 |
| Adults with Obesity (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 36.2% tied 960th of 2,916 | 34.3% tied 592nd of 2,916 |
| Adults with a Yearly Checkup (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 70.9% tied 2,508th of 2,916 | 69.3% tied 2,692nd of 2,916 |
| Adults with No Leisure-Time Exercise (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 32.1% tied 2,410th of 2,916 | 33.7% tied 2,578th of 2,916 |
| Cooling Degree Days per YearClimate by County (1991–2020 Averages) | 1,789 2,302nd of 3,050 | 1,580 tied 2,129th of 3,050 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $338,300 2,628th of 3,092 | $391,800 tied 2,782nd of 3,092 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by County (1991–2020 Averages) | 2,733 596th of 3,050 | 2,414 tied 455th of 3,050 |
| Adults 18–64 Without Health Insurance (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 16.7% tied 2,589th of 2,916 | 18.3% tied 2,702nd of 2,916 |
| Adults Who Smoke (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 14.7% tied 909th of 2,916 | 14.5% tied 843rd of 2,916 |
| Adults in Fair or Poor Health (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 28.2% tied 2,731st of 2,916 | 29.8% tied 2,804th of 2,916 |
| Adults Sleeping Under 7 Hours (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 38.7% tied 1,886th of 3,094 | 38.9% tied 1,961st of 3,094 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $1,300 tied 2,668th of 3,090 | $1,343 2,722nd of 3,090 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by County (BLS) | 9% tied 3,066th of 3,094 | 10.2% 3,082nd of 3,094 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 19.1% 2,537th of 3,094 | 19.1% 2,533rd of 3,094 |
| Adults with Diabetes (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 13.3% tied 2,426th of 2,916 | 13.3% tied 2,426th of 2,916 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Kern County, CA or Merced County, CA?
- Merced County, CA comes out ahead of Kern County, CA on 16 of 32 statistics where one end is better, to 15 with 1 ties. Kern County, CA leads on Economics. Merced County, CA leads on Health. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Kern County, CA or Merced County, CA?
- Kern County, CA has a population of 929,488 (62nd of 3,094 US counties) and Merced County, CA has 297,713 (249th of 3,094).
- How do Kern County, CA and Merced County, CA compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Kern County, CA $70,210 (1,179th of 3,093), Merced County, CA $65,510 (1,574th of 3,093) among US counties. Kern County, CA ranks better.
- How do Kern County, CA and Merced County, CA compare on Poverty Rate (%)?
- Poverty Rate (%): Kern County, CA 19.1% (2,537th of 3,094), Merced County, CA 19.1% (2,533rd of 3,094) among US counties. Merced County, CA ranks better.
- Where does Kern County, CA beat Merced County, CA most clearly?
- Kern County, CA ranks far ahead on Average Commute (Minutes) (Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census)): 24.4 vs 31.3; Homes with Broadband Internet (%) (Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census)): 91.6% vs 88.4%; Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+) (Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census)): 18.8% vs 15.3%.
- Where does Merced County, CA beat Kern County, CA most clearly?
- Merced County, CA ranks far ahead on Adults with Frequent Mental Distress (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 18.8% vs 19.9%; Adults with Depression (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 21.3% vs 22.6%; Adults Who Binge Drink (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 15.8% vs 16.7%.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Kern County, CA or Merced County, CA.