Overview

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.

Demographics

People

Total Population82,289
Male Share of the Population49.5%
Female Share of the Population50.5%
Senior Citizens10.2%
Employed Population 16+28,695
Age of the Population30

Families

% of people married39.2%
Average household size3

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher18.2%
Median Earnings25+$31,581
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$23,019
Median Earnings With High School Degree$26,766

Wealth

Median Family Income$46,559
% Above Poverty Level70.3%
% Below Poverty Level29.7%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time24 minutes
% Working from Home2.8%
% Walking and Biking to Work2.6%
% Using Public Transportation2.7%

Housing

People Living Alone22.9%
Median Gross Rent$954
Median House Value$212,100

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)74.5%
German5.3%
Irish3.3%
Italian2.9%
English2.7%
Portuguese2%
Scottish0.9%
French Except Basque0.7%
Polish0.6%
Swedish0.6%
African0.5%
Arab0.4%
Dutch0.4%
Welsh0.3%
Norwegian0.3%
Hungarian0.2%
Russian0.2%
US/American0.1%
Swiss0.1%
Afghan)0.1%
Iranian0.1%
Danishn0.1%
Czech0.1%
Canadian0.1%
Finnish0.1%
Austrian0.1%
Greek0.1%
Lebanese0.1%
Basque0.1%
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Merced Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyMerced County
Standard Zip Codes95341, 95340, 95343, 95348
P.O. Box Zip Codes95344
Phone Area Codes209
Time ZoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
Approximate Latitude37.23
Approximate Longitude-120.5

Merced Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

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

StationMERCED
Distance2.3 miles
Jan Temp38 to 55 F
Apr Temp45 to 75 F
Jul Temp61 to 97 F
Oct Temp48 to 81 F
Annual Precip12.5 inches
StationTURLOCK #2
Distance24.4 miles
Jan Temp39 to 54 F
Apr Temp49 to 73 F
Jul Temp62 to 93 F
Oct Temp52 to 78 F
Annual Precip12.4 inches
StationLOS BANOS DET RESV
Distance33.3 miles
Jan Temp39 to 54 F
Apr Temp49 to 72 F
Jul Temp64 to 94 F
Oct Temp54 to 78 F
Annual Precip8.3 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Atwater29,197$54,592
Chowchilla18,533$52,882
Dos Palos5,272$55,184
Livingston13,997$56,104
Turlock72,335$66,221

Merced Public Libraries

Merced County Library
2100 O ST.
Merced, California
(209) 385-7485

library logo

More Information for Librarians

Merced Hospitals

Marie Green Psychiatric Center - P H F
(Government - Local)
300 East 15th Street
Mercy Medical Center - Merced
(Non-profit)
333 Mercy Avenue

Merced Public Schools

Ada Givens Elementary
2900 Green St.
ZIP: 95340
Primary
Total Enrollment 495
Alicia Reyes Elementary
123 S. N St.
ZIP: 95340
Primary
Total Enrollment 584
Allan Peterson Elementary
848 E. Donna Dr.
ZIP: 95340
Primary
Total Enrollment 728
Charles Wright Elementary
900 E. 20th St.
ZIP: 95340
Primary
Total Enrollment 540
Don Stowell Elementary
251 E. 11th St.
ZIP: 95340
Primary
Total Enrollment 539
Donn B. Chenoweth Elementary
3200 Parsons Ave.
ZIP: 95340
Primary
Total Enrollment 763
Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle
601 Mercy Ave.
ZIP: 95340
Middle
Total Enrollment 849
Herbert Hoover Middle
800 E. 26th St.
ZIP: 95340
Middle
Total Enrollment 845
Independence High (alternative)
1900 G St.
ZIP: 95340
High
Total Enrollment 36
John C. Fremont Elementary
1120 W. 22nd St.
ZIP: 95340
Primary
Total Enrollment 413
John Muir Elementary
300 W. 26th St.
ZIP: 95340
Primary
Total Enrollment 516
Leontine Gracey Elementary
945 W. Ave.
ZIP: 95340
Primary
Total Enrollment 590
Luther Burbank Elementary
609 E. Alexander Ave.
ZIP: 95340
Primary
Total Enrollment 683
Margaret Sheehy Elementary
1240 W. Sixth St.
ZIP: 95340
Primary
Total Enrollment 484
Merced City School District Community Day
1850 Wardrobe Ave.
ZIP: 95340
Primary
Total Enrollment 7
Merced County Juvenile Hall/community
2840 W. Sandy Mush Rd.
ZIP: 95340
Other
Total Enrollment 62
Sequoia High
1900 G St.
ZIP: 95340
High
Total Enrollment 105
Tenaya Middle
760 W. Eighth St.
ZIP: 95340
Middle
Total Enrollment 878
Yosemite High (continuation)
1900 G St.
ZIP: 95340
High
Total Enrollment 357
Farmdale Elementary
100 Winder Ave.
ZIP: 95341
Primary
Total Enrollment 860
Mcswain Elementary
922 Scott Rd.
ZIP: 95341
Primary
Total Enrollment 865
Merced County Rop
632 W. 13th St.
ZIP: 95341
High
Merced County Special Education
632 W. 13th St.
ZIP: 95341
Other
Total Enrollment 559
Merced Scholars Charter
1850 Wardrobe Ave., Bldg. H
ZIP: 95341
Other
Total Enrollment 82
Pioneer Elementary
2950 Gerard Ave.
ZIP: 95341
Primary
Total Enrollment 1069
Plainsburg Union Elementary
3708 S. Plainsburg Rd.
ZIP: 95341
Primary
Total Enrollment 129
Valley Merced Community
1850 Wardrobe Ave.
ZIP: 95341
Other
Total Enrollment 324
Weaver Middle
3076 E. Childs Ave.
ZIP: 95341
Middle
Total Enrollment 867
Weaver Preschool
3076 E. Childs Ave.
ZIP: 95341
Golden Valley High
2121 E. Childs Ave.
ZIP: 95344
High
Total Enrollment 1785
El Capitan High
100 W. Farmland, E. Campus Edal Center
ZIP: 95348
High
Total Enrollment 1124
Franklin Elementary
2936 Franklin Rd.
ZIP: 95348
Primary
Total Enrollment 463
Joe Stefani
2768 Ranchero Ln.
ZIP: 95348
Primary
Total Enrollment 528
Merced High
205 W. Olive Ave.
ZIP: 95348
High
Total Enrollment 1961
Rudolph Rivera Middle
945 Buena Vista Dr.
ZIP: 95348
Middle
Total Enrollment 878

Merced Private Schools

Joseph Novack Academy
2025 E Santa Fe
ZIP: 95340
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 25
Merced Christian School
3312 G St
ZIP: 95340
Elementary
Total Enrollment 183
Merced Montessori School
436 W 21st St
ZIP: 95340
Elementary
Total Enrollment 7
Our Lady Of Mercy School
1400 E 27th St
ZIP: 95340
Elementary
Total Enrollment 275
St Paul Lutheran
2916 Mckee Rd
ZIP: 95340
Elementary
Total Enrollment 96
Harvest Christian School
161 E 16th St
ZIP: 95341
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 44
St Lukes Anglican School
350 W Yosemite Ave
ZIP: 95348
Elementary
Total Enrollment 30
Stone Ridge Christian High School
500 Buena Vista Dr
ZIP: 95348
Secondary
Total Enrollment 76
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