Page Contents for Merced, California

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Chamber of Commerce.

Community news

Organizations, Churches, and Sports.

Schools.

Miscellany

---

Statistics & Facts

The California state capital is Sacramento.
The population of Merced is approximately 76,313 (2006), 78958 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 21,532 (2000), 24899 (2010).
The amount of land area in Merced is 41.761 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Merced is 19.9 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Merced to Washington DC is 2468 miles.
The distance to the California state capital is 99 miles. (as the crow flies)
Merced is positioned 37.29 degrees north of the equator and 120.48 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Merced elevation is 172 feet above sea level.
Merced per capita income is $ 13,115 (2000).
Merced median income is $ 32,791 (2005).
The Merced median home price is $ 293,700 (2005).

Location

on State Highway 99 between Modesto and Fresno in the central valley of California. Nearby communities include Atwater, Planada, Winton, Snelling, Le Grand, Livingston, Chowchilla and Delhi.

Here is a map page for Merced.
Return to Index

History & History Related Items

The first inhabitants of the area were the Yokuts Indians. The early Spanish explorers came next but few attempts were made to settle the area. Various landowners and settlers came and went as the area grew. In April 1855, Merced County was formed and in 1872, there was an election held to determine a permanent county seat. Before that time, there was no official county seat, only a courthouse in a building on a local ranch. Livingston was also desiring the nomination but, in the end, Merced was named the county seat.

Castle Air Force Base, a stable force in the local economy for many years, closed in 1995. Though there was some effect, the area has not suffered much from the closing. The former base is being considered for re-use with other development. Also in 1995, Merced was chosen as the site for a new University of California campus. The university opened in September 2005 with 1,000 students. The university will expand to about 25,000 in the future.

Here is a history page for Merced. Try this history page from the hamber.
Return to Index

The incorporation of Merced

1889

Attractions

Merced Conference and Visitors Bureau. This site gives much information about the area.

Castle Air Museum
5050 Santa Fe Drive
Atwater, CA 95301

See Photographs of Merced.
Return to Index

---

Merced City Government

City of Merced
678 West 18th Street
Merced, California 95340

Merced has a council-manager form of government. It is the county seat of Merced County.

Merced Chamber

Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce
360 East Yosemite Ave., Suite #100
Merced, CA 95340
Phone: 209-384-7092

Merced Community News

The Merced Sun-Star
A local newspaper

Merced Organizations

Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce
360 East Yosemite Ave., Suite #100
Merced, CA 95340
Phone: 209-384-7092

Merced Schools

Merced College
3600 M Street
Merced, California 95348

---

University of California, Merced
P.O. Box 2039
Merced, CA 95344
Phone: 209-228-4400 Merced

Miscellany

the population of Merced was:
1990 - 56,216
2000 - 63,893
2006 - 76,313
2007 - 79,715

The number of housing units was:
1990 - 18,965
2000 - 21,532

---

Median age:
2000 - 27.8 years

Median household income:
2000 - $ 30,429 2005 - $ 32,791

Median house value:
2000 - $ 106,400
2005 - $ 293,700

Merced is located in the Pacific Time Zone and does participate in daylight savings time during a portion of the year.