City Code Ordinance Updates Click Here for Information about the Rockin' Rollin' 60's Decade Reunion . Welcome to Merkel--home of 2, 500 residents. Located 16 miles west of Abilene, is a thriving community which prides itself on its progressive attitude and abundance of services available to its citizens. Merkel's economy is built on farming and ranching. Cash crops are cotton, wheat, and maize.