79536 vs 79603 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 79536, Orange = ZIP 79603.
Quick verdict: ZIP 79536 is wealthier, higher home values, more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 79603 is more diverse, more educated.
Quick Facts
ZIP 79536
Merkel town, TX
View full profile →- Population6,080
- Median Income$71,346
- Median Home Value$133k
- Median Rent$716
- Median Age31.8 yrs
- Poverty Rate15.5%
ZIP 79603
Abilene city, TX
View full profile →- Population23,876
- Median Income$53,579
- Median Home Value$114k
- Median Rent$718
- Median Age35.0 yrs
- Poverty Rate20.6%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
6,08023,876
Median Income
$71,346$53,579
Median Home Value
$133k$114k
Median Rent
$716$718
Median Age
31.8 yrs35.0 yrs
Poverty Rate
15.5%20.6%
Demographics
ZIP 79536
Merkel town, TX
View full profile →- White %88.0%
- Black %1.2%
- Asian %0.1%
- Hispanic %13.7%
- Age 0–17 %28.7%
- Age 18–64 %56.7%
- Age 65+ %14.6%
- Bachelor's+ %14.2%
- Diversity Index21/100
ZIP 79603
Abilene city, TX
View full profile →- White %56.1%
- Black %8.4%
- Asian %0.8%
- Hispanic %48.5%
- Age 0–17 %28.0%
- Age 18–64 %57.2%
- Age 65+ %14.7%
- Bachelor's+ %17.1%
- Diversity Index44/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
88.0%56.1%
Black %
1.2%8.4%
Asian %
0.1%0.8%
Hispanic %
13.7%48.5%
Age 0–17 %
28.7%28.0%
Age 18–64 %
56.7%57.2%
Age 65+ %
14.6%14.7%
Bachelor's+ %
14.2%17.1%
Diversity Index
21/10044/100
Economy
ZIP 79536
Merkel town, TX
View full profile →- Median Income$71,346
- Unemployment %2.1%
- IRS Net Migration+287
- Work From Home %7.1%
ZIP 79603
Abilene city, TX
View full profile →- Median Income$53,579
- Unemployment %3.1%
- IRS Net Migration+1,126
- Work From Home %6.2%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$71,346$53,579
Unemployment %
2.1%3.1%
IRS Net Migration
+287+1,126
Work From Home %
7.1%6.2%
Housing
ZIP 79536
Merkel town, TX
View full profile →- Median Home Value$133k
- Median Rent$716
- Owner Occupied %80.1%
- Broadband %92.0%
- Vacant %14.4%
- Median Year Built1984
ZIP 79603
Abilene city, TX
View full profile →- Median Home Value$114k
- Median Rent$718
- Owner Occupied %57.5%
- Broadband %86.9%
- Vacant %11.4%
- Median Year Built1958
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$133k$114k
Median Rent
$716$718
Owner Occupied %
80.1%57.5%
Broadband %
92.0%86.9%
Vacant %
14.4%11.4%
Median Year Built
19841958
Climate & Location
ZIP 79536
Merkel town, TX
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)2,249 ft
- Nearest Airport11.0 miles (17.7 km)
- Distance to Coast315.2 miles (507.2 km)
ZIP 79603
Abilene city, TX
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)2,249 ft
- Nearest Airport7.4 miles (11.9 km)
- Distance to Coast303.8 miles (488.8 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
2,249 ft2,249 ft
Nearest Airport
11.0 miles (17.7 km)7.4 miles (11.9 km)
Distance to Coast
315.2 miles (507.2 km)303.8 miles (488.8 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 79536
Merkel town, TX
View full profile →- Work From Home %7.1%
- Walkability (0–100)21
- Broadband %92.0%
ZIP 79603
Abilene city, TX
View full profile →- Work From Home %6.2%
- Walkability (0–100)37
- Broadband %86.9%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
7.1%6.2%
Walkability (0–100)
2137
Broadband %
92.0%86.9%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 79536 and 79603 compare?
ZIP 79536 is wealthier, higher home values, more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 79603 is more diverse, more educated.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (79536), orange the second (79603). The same colors are used in the map markers and comparison bars.
Where does this data come from?
Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal sources. See our Methodology page for details.
How can I compare other ZIP codes?
From any ZIP page, use the "Compare with Another ZIP" tool, or go to /compare/XXXXX-vs-YYYYY (replace with two 5-digit ZIP codes).
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