The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 54459 sells for about $222,379, or $135 per square foot.
Prices are up +5.7% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 68 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $594 a month.
ZIP 54459 — Ogema
The Merrill housing market is showing steady growth with a 5.7% year-over-year increase in home values, driven by limited inventory and consistent demand. While sales volume remains moderate, the market is characterized by stable pricing and a balanced environment for local buyers. The area continues to attract residents looking for affordability compared to larger nearby metropolitan centers.
This ZIP is well-suited for families and outdoor enthusiasts seeking an affordable, small-town lifestyle with proximity to the larger employment hub of Wausau.
Median prices moved up 5.7% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 68 days on market with 4.7 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
18% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.2% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.5% · poverty 9.7% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.3%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.6%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 54459, Lincoln County WI
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in Merrill are generally lower than the national average, with property crime being the most frequently reported incident type.
The area is served by the Merrill Area Public School District, which maintains a mix of rural and suburban school facilities with moderate performance ratings.
The region faces seasonal risks from heavy winter snowfall and occasional severe thunderstorms, though flood risk is largely confined to the Wisconsin and Prairie River corridors.
Economic momentum is driven by local manufacturing and healthcare sectors, with steady but slow development activity focused on residential infill and small-scale commercial expansion.
Property taxes are levied by Lincoln County, the City of Merrill, and the Merrill Area Public School District; rates are determined by annual millage adjustments based on local budget requirements.
Most residents commute via US-51 or WI-64, with travel times to Wausau typically ranging from 25 to 35 minutes.
The area features extensive access to the Wisconsin River, the Council Grounds State Park, and numerous local trails for snowmobiling and hiking.
The rental market is characterized by low vacancy rates and limited new multi-family supply, leading to consistent upward pressure on asking rents.
The local economy is anchored by manufacturing, healthcare, and retail services, with many residents commuting to the nearby Wausau metropolitan area for employment.
Transportation is primarily automobile-dependent, with US-51 serving as the main north-south artery connecting the city to the regional highway network.
Development is currently focused on small-scale residential subdivisions and the maintenance of existing municipal infrastructure.
The Lincoln County Assessor's office conducts periodic property revaluations to ensure assessments align with current market values.
Parcels are subject to levies from the Merrill Area Public School District and Northcentral Technical College district.
Property insurance premiums are stable but reflect regional risks associated with heavy winter weather and wind damage.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov for ZCTA 54459.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Timm's Hill County Park4.84.7 mi
- Timm's Hill Observation Tower4.94.6 mi
- Mondeaux Dam Lodge4.710.5 mi
- Timm's Hill County Park4.84.7 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Features hiking trails, camping, and river access.
Popular for trout fishing and scenic views.
Preserves local history and heritage.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.