79556 vs 79536 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 79556, Orange = ZIP 79536.
Quick verdict: ZIP 79556 is more affordable rent, more diverse. ZIP 79536 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 79556
Sweetwater city, TX
View full profile →- Population12,593
- Median Income$48,582
- Median Home Value$98k
- Median Rent$611
- Median Age36.6 yrs
- Poverty Rate20.2%
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%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
12,5936,080
Median Income
$48,582$71,346
Median Home Value
$98k$133k
Median Rent
$611$716
Median Age
36.6 yrs31.8 yrs
Poverty Rate
20.2%15.5%
Demographics
ZIP 79556
Sweetwater city, TX
View full profile →- White %67.0%
- Black %4.5%
- Asian %0.1%
- Hispanic %37.7%
- Age 0–17 %25.3%
- Age 18–64 %54.4%
- Age 65+ %20.3%
- Bachelor's+ %12.6%
- Diversity Index41/100
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
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
67.0%88.0%
Black %
4.5%1.2%
Asian %
0.1%0.1%
Hispanic %
37.7%13.7%
Age 0–17 %
25.3%28.7%
Age 18–64 %
54.4%56.7%
Age 65+ %
20.3%14.6%
Bachelor's+ %
12.6%14.2%
Diversity Index
41/10021/100
Economy
ZIP 79556
Sweetwater city, TX
View full profile →- Median Income$48,582
- Unemployment %6.0%
- IRS Net Migration+594
- Work From Home %3.4%
ZIP 79536
Merkel town, TX
View full profile →- Median Income$71,346
- Unemployment %2.1%
- IRS Net Migration+287
- Work From Home %7.1%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$48,582$71,346
Unemployment %
6.0%2.1%
IRS Net Migration
+594+287
Work From Home %
3.4%7.1%
Housing
ZIP 79556
Sweetwater city, TX
View full profile →- Median Home Value$98k
- Median Rent$611
- Owner Occupied %63.9%
- Broadband %80.2%
- Vacant %18.9%
- Median Year Built1964
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
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$98k$133k
Median Rent
$611$716
Owner Occupied %
63.9%80.1%
Broadband %
80.2%92.0%
Vacant %
18.9%14.4%
Median Year Built
19641984
Climate & Location
ZIP 79556
Sweetwater city, TX
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)2,380 ft
- Nearest Airport29.5 miles (47.4 km)
- Distance to Coast325.8 miles (524.3 km)
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)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
2,380 ft2,249 ft
Nearest Airport
29.5 miles (47.4 km)11.0 miles (17.7 km)
Distance to Coast
325.8 miles (524.3 km)315.2 miles (507.2 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 79556
Sweetwater city, TX
View full profile →- Work From Home %3.4%
- Walkability (0–100)41
- Broadband %80.2%
ZIP 79536
Merkel town, TX
View full profile →- Work From Home %7.1%
- Walkability (0–100)21
- Broadband %92.0%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
3.4%7.1%
Walkability (0–100)
4121
Broadband %
80.2%92.0%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 79556 and 79536 compare?
ZIP 79556 is more affordable rent, more diverse. ZIP 79536 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (79556), orange the second (79536). 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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