Merced, CA

Merced, California

Introduction to Merced, California

The California city of Merced, county seat of Merced County, is situated in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. The city is located 110 miles southeast of San Francisco, 40 miles southeast of Modesto, and 58 miles northwest of Fresno. Seated at the intersection of California State Highways 59, 99, and 140, Merced is serviced by the Merced Municipal Airport, which provides daily passenger service to Las Vegas and also accommodates several freight carriers.

Incorporated in 1889, the city was named after the nearby Merced River. Traditionally reliant on agriculture, the city's economy also benefited from the presence of Castle Air Force Base until its closure in 1995. Re-use of the former base has proceeded since that time, concurrent with an increase in industrial development and a diversification of local industry. In May of 1995, the city was selected as the home of the University of California Merced, the University's tenth campus.

Merced Area Attractions

Less than two hours by car from Yosemite National Park, Merced is often referred to as the "Gateway to Yosemite". The city and its immediate surroundings are also rich in attractions of their own. Some of these include:

• Applegate Park and Zoo: A stopping point along the city's extensive bike trail network, the park features picnicking and a kid's amusement area.
• Merced Courthouse Museum: An 1875 Courthouse listed on the National Register of Historical places.
• Castle Air Museum (Atwater): Impressive collection of planes includes more than 40 vintage military issue aircraft from World War II to present.
• Agricultural Museum: Includes antique farm equipment, horse-drawn buggy displays, and a working blacksmith shop.
• Castle Science and Technology Center (Atwater): Includes numerous hands-on exhibits.
• Laura Fountain: Originally erected in 1888 and relocated to Applegate Park in 1935.
• Farmer's Market Festival: A downtown event held every Thursday evening from the spring through the fall.
• Merced Theatre
• Playhouse Merced

High Points

Merced strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in California):

Category	Trophy
Racial Diversity (vs. Peers)	Top 8%
Affordability of Rents (vs. State)	Top 14%
Short Commute Times (vs. State)	Top 16%
Affordability of Property Taxes (vs. Peers)	Top 16%
Walking and Biking to Work (vs. Peers)	Top 19%

Comparative Profile of Merced, CA

Comparing Merced to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in California (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Children Under 5 Years Old
Racial Diversity
Male Share of the Population
Female Share of the Population
Senior Citizens
Age of the Population
Well-Paid Single Men

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Average Household Size
Portion of People Married

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
College Educated Adults
Median Family Income
People Above Poverty
People in Middle Class or Better

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Walking and Biking to Work
Short Commute Times
Working at Home
Public Transportation Use

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
Affordability of Property Taxes
Affordability of Rents
Housing Recently Built
People Living Alone
Seasonal and Vacation Housing

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Violent Crime
Low Property Crime

Merced Almanac

Merced Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Merced Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Nearby Cities and Towns

Merced Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

Merced Hospitals

MERCY MEDICAL CENTER MERCED - COMMUNITY CAMPUS
(Government - Local)
301 E 13TH ST
(209) 724-1557
Emergency Service: Yes

Starbucks in Merced

Wal-Mart in Merced

Merced High Schools (2004)

MERCED HIGH
205 W OLIVE AVE.
209-385-6465
A Title I school.
Serves 2,531 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 23.9

GOLDEN VALLEY HIGH
2121 E. CHILDS AVE.
209-385-8000
A Title I school.
Serves 2,331 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 24.3

VALLEY COMMUNITY
1850 WARDROBE AVE.
209-381-6678
A Non-traditional School
Serves 694 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 20.7

SPECIAL EDUCATION
632 W. 13TH ST.
209-381-6711
A Special Education School
Serves 424 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 6.8

INDEPENDENCE HIGH (ALTER.)
50 E. 20TH ST.
209-385-6515
A Non-traditional School
A Title I school.
Serves 269 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 25.4

YOSEMITE HIGH (CONT.)
1900 G ST.
209-385-6425
A Non-traditional School
Title I eligible, not participating.
Serves 161 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 13.9

VALLEY COMMUNITY DAY (7-12)
1850 WARDROBE AVE.
209-381-4500
A Non-traditional School
Serves 80 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 16

JUVENILE HALL/COMMUNITY
632 W. 13TH ST.
209-381-6678
A Non-traditional School
Serves 51 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 25.5

Merced Colleges

Click school name for a detailed profile.

Merced College

Sierra College of Beauty

University of California-Merced

(List of All California Colleges)

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