$188,245Average Value$153Average Price per Sq Ft38Homes 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.
1/2
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.
1/2
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.
1/3
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.
1/2
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.
1/2
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
Brandi Roberts,
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Merkel, TX sell after 60 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Merkel, TX over the last 12 months is $222,500, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to your own West Texas paradise just 10 miles south of Merkel! Nestled on approximately 10 acres, this beautifully updated property offers the perfect blend of country living and modern comfort. The 3 bedroom, 2 bath home features over 1,800 square feet of living space with extensive updates completed in 2016, including flooring, custom cabinetry, granite countertops, and remodeled
Welcome home to country living on a full acre right outside Abilene! This 2025 build double wide manufactured home situated on a full acre just outside Abilene, offers the perfect blend of country living and modern convenience. As a 2025 build, this home boasts all-new systems throughout, roofing, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC along with fresh finishes. You get the space and privacy of acreage
This 64.52-acre property truly checks all the boxes for a hunting retreat, recreational getaway, or working piece of land. The area is well known for excellent hunting, with abundant deer, turkey, dove, and hogs. Several blinds and feeders are already in place, making it ready to enjoy right away. The property is fenced and suitable for grazing cattle, with a good barn and working pens already on
This 180 acre Mulberry Canyon ranch is located just 30 minutes from downtown Abilene. As a hunter's paradise,Mulberry Creek meanders throughout the property enhancing the wildlife habitat and natural beauty of the West Texasterrain. It features county road access and is ideally suited for hunting, ranching, or recreational activities. With twostock tanks, the tract provides the necessary water
Welcome to your own West Texas paradise just 10 miles south of Merkel! Nestled on approximately 10 acres, this beautifully updated property offers the perfect blend of country living and modern comfort. The 3 bedroom, 2 bath home features over 1,800 square feet of living space with extensive updates completed in 2016, including flooring, custom cabinetry, granite countertops, and remodeled
An amazing 207 acres with its own mountain in the center. This ranch is a one of a kind. Thecenter of the mountain also has a crater on top that is said to have formed from a collapsed sinkhole. Lots of other local lore surrounds this mountain. The ranch also features a custom builtlimestone house, loads of wildlife, and beautiful views.Improvements:1856 sq ft, 3 bedroom 2
This 128.086 acre property, situated in both Jones and Taylor County, offers a unique opportunity for development, residential living, or agricultural use. Conveniently located near Abilene and Merkel, the property has rural water and electricity availability further enhancing its appeal. The property has frontage on both CR 416 and CR 409 with one parcel within Taylor County and another in Jones
West Texas ranch retreat! Custom built rock home with exceptional details. Walls of windows frame the ever-changing views of Mulberry Canyon. Spacious home features 200-year-old barn wood interior structure; barn was reclaimed, restored, and erected by Heritage Barns of Waco TX. Kitchen includes elements of hand-painted tile, granite countertops, copper farm sink, custom cabinetry, and
This 58 acre Mulberry Canyon ranch is located just 30 minutes from downtown Abilene. Almost a half mile of MulberryCreek meanders throughout the property creating exceptional wildlife habitat and natural beauty in this West Texasterrain. It features county road access and is ideally suited for hunting, ranching, or recreational activities. Abundantdeer and hog signs were seen on the ranch during
This large 48+- acre property adjoining the town of Merkel, TX is conveniently located with I-20 frontage on the north side and a paved road on the south and east sides. It boasts level ground prime for development and is currently ag exempt! With the presence of two water wells, this highly versatile property is suitable for both residential and commercial development. Its location to Merkel and
Proposed new construction Barndominium by Red Oak Custom Builders, conveniently located right across from Merkel schools. Wonderful open floorplan with 3 Bedrooms & 2 Bathrooms built on a 9ft plate. Builder's plans for the home - Electric FP in living room, kitchen to have painted cabinetry, granite on counters, gorgeous walnut butcher block on island, & SS appliances (range, microwave,
Escape the hustle and enjoy the possibilities with this 1.11 acre, unimproved, residential lot, located outside city limits. This property offers the peaceful pleasure of country living, and the conveniences of a larger city just down the road. Situated in Merkel, TX, approximately 30 minutes from Abilene, this lot provides plenty of space whether you are setting up your RV, bringing in a 2010 or
The Bunkhouse is a quaint property while still being spacious. New appliances and the fully furnished kitchen make this space very functional, while the sofa, TV, and memory foam mattresses make it nice and comfy. Plenty of parking for tenants and guests with an attached enclosed storage area for any outdoor items. Hwy access and close to the Stargate AI center. Plenty of extra space to park
Owner, Agent. Cute 3 bedroom 1 bath home in Merkel, TX. Hardwood floors through out the whole house, washer/dryer, spacious living home and a large fenced in backyard!! This is a must see!Beware of scammers. This property is leased and managed by Augusta Realtors only. All applications & leases are completed through Appfolio. We will not ask for funds through Venmo, CashApp, etc. All
Cute 1 bedroom efficiency apartment located in Merkel, TX. This home is all bills paid and includes all kitchen appliances. Washer and dryer connections inside the home. Come enjoy a breathtaking sunset on your front porch as you overlook the beautiful West Texas landscape. This home is situated behind a larger main house with a pool. The pool is not included with the lease.No pets
AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY!! Spacious 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home with over 2,000 sqft! Located right outside of downtown Merkel. This home boasts a large kitchen with a double oven and refrigerator. Lots of cabinets and ample counter space! Walk outside onto the covered patio to enjoy a glass of wine or a beautiful west TX sunset! NO pets. Resident to verify all information deemed important such as,
Corner lot home! 3 bedrooms, 2 living areas, but could easily be 4 bedrooms! Hardwood flooring in one living and dining, vinyl in kitchen and baths, carpet in bedrooms. Detached 2 car garage in the back, 1 car carport in the front. Lots of outdoor storage and a large backyard. All electric home; Tenant to provide a fridge. Electric range provided. NO PETS ALLOWED.All leasing information
Cute 1 bedroom efficiency apartment located in Merkel, TX. This home is all bills paid and includes all kitchen appliances. Washer and dryer connections inside the home. Come enjoy a breathtaking sunset on your front porch as you overlook the beautiful West Texas landscape. This home is situated behind a larger main house with a pool. The pool is not included with the lease. No pets
This 4 bedroom home has it all! Updated kitchen, updated bathroom, large laundry room, and fenced backyard. This many bedrooms are few and far between so hurry, it won't last long! Beware of scammers. This property is leased and managed by Augusta Realtors only. All applications & leases are completed through Appfolio. We will not ask for funds through Venmo, CashApp, etc. All funds are
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
