$180,157Average Value$152Average Price per Sq Ft14Homes For Sale
Merkel is a former windmill town with deep roots in Abilene
Originally founded as Windmill Town in the early 1880s, Merkel was primarily an agricultural community that shipped livestock and cotton via the Texas and Pacific Railway. After Dyess Air Force Base was established in the early 1940s, more military families began moving to town for a slower-paced life away from the city of Abilene to the east. Today, with nearby ranches, a well-rated school district and historic churches that have been with Merkel since its founding, this rural bedroom community of over 2,000 residents has deep roots in Taylor County. “People are nice, friendly and welcoming,” says Joshua Smith, a resident and senior pastor for First Baptist Church Merkel. “It’s a tight-knit community where you know your neighbors. There’s a sense of belonging here that you just don’t get in a bigger city.”
Sidewalks connect rows of homes in central Merkel blocks.
Merkel offers small-town living with nearby amenities.
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Ranch-style homes and modern farmhouses
Much of Merkel's real estate is found on city blocks south of Interstate 20. Bungalows can date back to the 1930s, though traditional and ranch-style homes are more typical. Buyers can also find barndominiums and modern farmhouses built on acreage north of the highway in the last few years. Older homes can have wood siding, and gravel or dirt driveways are common across the community. Wooden and chain link fences often divide properties, and sidewalks connect them. The median sale price is about $212,500, lower than the state's median of around $308,000.
Merkel homes vary in price with options for every buyer.
Barndominiums and modern farmhouses sit on acreage near Merkel.
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Merkel ISD’s four-day school week
Merkel Independent School District earns a B on Niche and moved to a four-day instructional week in 2022 to accommodate a teacher shortage, allowing educators an extra day for planning and prep work. The B-rated Merkel Elementary teaches kindergarten through fifth grade, while Merkel Middle has sixth through eighth grade and earns a B-minus. Merkel High School also scores a B and has a 10-to-1 student-teacher ratio.
Merkel Elementary serves grades K through 5 in a four-day week in Merkel.
Merkel Middle School teaches grades 6 through 8 with B rating in Merkel.
Merkel High School offers a 10-to-1 student-teacher ratio in Merkel.
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An interstate to Abilene’s hospitals and regional airport
Abilene is less than 20 miles east when taking Interstate 20. “A lot of people go to Abilene for movie theaters and restaurants," Smith says. City and Rural Rides provides public transportation from Merkel to Abilene, where CityLink transit has even more routes that run throughout the bigger city. The closest hospitals are in Abilene, including the 24-hour Hendrick Medical Center. Abilene Regional Airport offers daily nonstop flights to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, which has connecting flights to over 200 destinations worldwide.
Breakfast burritos, boutique finds and baby clothes
Old red brick roads run through the center of downtown. While there are vacant storefronts, a handful of shops and restaurants can be found here and on adjoining streets. Blue Burro is a small Mexican eatery that offers breakfast burritos and iced coffee, while Merkel Donuts offers old-fashioned glazed doughnuts, apple fritters and sausage kolaches. Cowpuncher Babe offers trendy clothes for baby boys and girls, and The Western Wildflower Flowers & Gifts has bouquets for any occasion. Skeet's Texas Grill by Interstate 20 is popular for its hand-breaded chicken-fried steaks and taco bowls, and Prickly Pear TX is a local boutique that sells graphic tees, sweatshirts and apparel. Groceries are available at Spring Market, which also features a 24-hour fuel center.
Spring Market offers groceries and fuel near downtown Merkel.
The Western Wildflower in Merkel sells gifts and seasonal arrangements.
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Historic attractions and a park with pickleball and a playground
The city park on the northwestern end of town has a playground with a climbing dome, walking loops and four pickleball courts. The First United Methodist Church is a historic house of worship founded in the early 1880s, and the Merkel Area Historical Museum features exhibits from the community's pioneer days and the Civil War.
First United Methodist Church in Merkel dates back to the early 1880s.
City Park South features playgrounds and shaded areas.
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Country music festivals and a Christmas market
The Gateway to the West Music Fest is held downtown annually and features country music performances and karaoke contests. The Merkel Youth Football & Cheer Association hosts a fall festival with food, games and live music, and the Christmas Market comes to Mulberry Creek Square every winter.
Written By
David Dunn
Photography Contributed By
Houston Knight
Video By
Dan Mack
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
K'Ci Brown,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Merkel, TX sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Merkel, TX over the last 12 months is $209,950, up 20% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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