Merkel

Merkel is a town in Taylor County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,590 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Abilene, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area.GeographyMerkel is located 17 miles west of Abilene near the Interstate Highway 20.The town has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.1 km²), all of it land.HistoryAround 1870, when the Texas and Pacific Railway was built, the town was founded as Windmill Town. In 1881 it was renamed to 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.DemographicsAs of the census of 2000, there were 2,637 people 1,012 households, and 719 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,342.0 people per square mile (519.5/km²). There were 1,202 housing units at an average density of 611.7 per square mile (236.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 89.42% White, 1.14% African American, 0.61% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 6.33% from other races, and 2.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.22% of the population.