# Merced County, California

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Merced_County%2C_California
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Merced_County%2C_California.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merced_County%2C_California
> Source revision: 1348163808
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

County in California, United States

County in California, United States

Merced County County San Luis Reservoir in the Diablo Range Merced Pacheco State Park El Nido Santa Nella Seal Interactive map of Merced County Location in the state of California Coordinates: 37°11′N 120°43′W / 37.19°N 120.71°W / 37.19; -120.71 Country United States State California Region San Joaquin Valley Incorporated April 19, 1855[1] Named after Merced River, originally El Río de Nuestra Señora de la Merced ("River of Our Lady of Mercy" in Spanish). County seat Merced Largest city Merced Government • Type Council–CEO • Body Board of Supervisors • Chair Daron McDaniel • Vice Chair Lloyd Pareira, Jr • Board of Supervisors[2] Supervisors Jim Pacheco Josh Pedrozo Daron McDaniel Lloyd Pareira, Jr Scott Silveira • Chief executive officer Raul Lomeli Mendez Area • Total 1,979 sq mi (5,130 km2) • Land 1,935 sq mi (5,010 km2) • Water 44 sq mi (110 km2) Highest elevation [3] 3,801 ft (1,159 m) Population (2020) • Total 281,202 • Estimate (2025) 297,260 • Density 145.3/sq mi (56.11/km2) GDP [4] • Total $11.560 billion (2022) Time zone UTC−8 (Pacific Time Zone) • Summer (DST) UTC−7 (Pacific Daylight Time) ZIP code 93620, 93635, 93661, 93665, 95301, 95303, 95312, 95315, 95317, 95322, 95324, 95333, 95334, 95388, 95340, 95341, 95343, 95344, 95348, 95365, 95369, 95374[5] Area code 209 FIPS code 06-047 GNIS feature ID 277288 Congressional district 13th Website www.co.merced.ca.us

**Merced County** ([/mɜːr.ˈsɛd/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English) [ⓘ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:En-us-merced.ogg) [*mur-SED*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Pronunciation_respelling_key); *Merced*, [Spanish](/source/Spanish_language_in_California) for "[Mercy](/source/Mercy)") is a [county](/source/County_(United_States)) located in the northern [San Joaquin Valley](/source/San_Joaquin_Valley) section of the [Central Valley](/source/Central_Valley_(California)), in the [U.S. state](/source/U.S._state) of [California](/source/California).

As of the [2020 census](/source/2020_United_States_census), the population was 281,202.[6][7] The county seat is [Merced](/source/Merced%2C_California).[8] The county is named after the [Merced River](/source/Merced_River).

Merced County comprises the Merced, California [Metropolitan Statistical Area](/source/Metropolitan_statistical_area), which is included in the [Modesto](/source/Modesto%2C_California)-Merced, California [Combined Statistical Area](/source/Combined_statistical_area). It is located north of [Fresno County](/source/Fresno_County%2C_California) and [Fresno](/source/Fresno%2C_California), and southeast of [Santa Clara County](/source/Santa_Clara_County%2C_California) and [San Jose](/source/San_Jose%2C_California).

## History

The county derives its name from the [Merced River](/source/Merced_River), or *El Río de Nuestra Señora de la Merced* (River of Our Lady of Mercy), named in 1806 by an expedition headed by [Gabriel Moraga](/source/Gabriel_Moraga), which came upon it at the end of a hot dusty ride on the [El Camino Viejo](/source/El_Camino_Viejo) across the San Joaquin Valley in Spanish colonial [Las Californias](/source/Las_Californias) Province.

Between 1841 and 1844, during the period when [Alta California](/source/Alta_California) was a territory of independent Mexico, four [Mexican land grants](/source/Ranchos_of_California) were made in what became Merced County: [Rancho Orestimba y Las Garzas](/source/Rancho_Orestimba_y_Las_Garzas), [Rancho Panoche de San Juan y Los Carrisolitos](/source/Rancho_Panoche_de_San_Juan_y_Los_Carrisolitos), [Rancho San Luis Gonzaga](/source/Rancho_San_Luis_Gonzaga), and [Rancho Sanjon de Santa Rita](/source/Rancho_Sanjon_de_Santa_Rita)

Merced County was formed in 1855 from parts of [Mariposa County](/source/Mariposa_County%2C_California). Parts of its territory were given to [Fresno County](/source/Fresno_County%2C_California) in 1856.

## Geography

According to the [U.S. Census Bureau](/source/U.S._Census_Bureau), the county has a total area of 1,979 square miles (5,130 km2), of which 1,935 square miles (5,010 km2) is land and 44 square miles (110 km2) (2.2%) is water.[9]

### National protected areas

- [Merced National Wildlife Refuge](/source/Merced_National_Wildlife_Refuge)

- [San Luis National Wildlife Refuge](/source/San_Luis_National_Wildlife_Refuge)

## Demographics

Historical population Census Pop. Note %± 1860 1,141 — 1870 2,807 146.0% 1880 5,656 101.5% 1890 8,085 42.9% 1900 9,215 14.0% 1910 15,148 64.4% 1920 24,579 62.3% 1930 36,748 49.5% 1940 46,988 27.9% 1950 69,780 48.5% 1960 90,446 29.6% 1970 104,629 15.7% 1980 134,560 28.6% 1990 178,403 32.6% 2000 210,554 18.0% 2010 255,793 21.5% 2020 281,202 9.9% 2025 (est.) 297,260 [10] 5.7% U.S. Decennial Census[11] 1790–1960[12] 1900–1990[13] 1990–2000[14] 2010[15] 2020[16]

### 2020 census

As of the [2020 census](/source/2020_United_States_census), the county had a population of 281,202. The median age was 32.0 years. 28.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 11.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.7 males age 18 and over.[17]

The racial makeup of the county was 37.2% White, 3.3% [Black or African American](/source/African_Americans), 2.7% [American Indian and Alaska Native](/source/Native_Americans_in_the_United_States), 7.4% [Asian](/source/Asian_Americans), 0.3% [Native Hawaiian](/source/Native_Hawaiians) and [Pacific Islander](/source/Pacific_Islander), 31.7% from some other race, and 17.6% from [two or more races](/source/Multiracial_Americans). [Hispanic or Latino](/source/Hispanic_and_Latino_Americans) residents of any race comprised 61.8% of the population.[18]

83.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 16.8% lived in rural areas.[19]

There were 83,464 households in the county, of which 45.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 17.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[17]

There were 87,783 housing units, of which 4.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 54.7% were owner-occupied and 45.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 3.9%.[17]

### Racial and ethnic composition

Merced County, California – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race. Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[20] Pop 1990[21] Pop 2000[22] Pop 2010[15] Pop 2020[16] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020 White alone (NH) 89,006 96,701 85,585 81,599 68,729 66.15% 54.20% 40.65% 31.90% 24.44% Black or African American alone (NH) 6,618 7,889 7,594 8,785 8,191 4.92% 4.42% 3.61% 3.43% 2.91% Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 1,091 1,135 1,115 1,126 1,164 0.81% 0.64% 0.53% 0.44% 0.41% Asian alone (NH) 2,891 14,109 14,041 18,183 19,824 2.15% 7.91% 6.67% 7.11% 7.05% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [23] x [24] 281 476 617 0.13% 0.19% 0.13% 0.19% 0.22% Other race alone (NH) 900 462 410 439 1,242 0.67% 0.26% 0.19% 0.17% 0.44% Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [25] x [26] 6,062 4,700 7,578 x x 2.88% 1.84% 2.69% Hispanic or Latino (any race) 34,054 58,107 95,466 140,485 173,857 25.31% 32.57% 45.34% 54.92% 61.83% Total 134,560 178,403 210,554 255,793 281,202 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

### 2010 census

The [2010 United States census](/source/2010_United_States_census) reported that Merced County had a population of 255,793. The racial makeup of Merced County was 148,381 (58.0%) [White](/source/White_(U.S._Census)), 9,926 (3.9%) [African American](/source/African_American_(U.S._census)), 3,473 (1.4%) [Native American](/source/Native_American_(U.S._Census)), 18,836 (7.4%) [Asian](/source/Asian_(U.S._Census)), 583 (0.2%) [Pacific Islander](/source/Pacific_Islander_(U.S._Census)), 62,665 (24.5%) from [other races](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)), and 11,929 (4.7%) from two or more races. [Hispanic](/source/Hispanic_(U.S._Census)) or [Latino](/source/Latino_(U.S._Census)) of any race were 140,485 persons (54.9%).[27]

Population reported at 2010 United States census The County Total Population White African American Native American Asian Pacific Islander other races two or more races Hispanic or Latino (of any race) Merced County 255,793 148,381 9,926 3,473 18,836 583 62,665 11,929 140,485 Incorporated city Total Population White African American Native American Asian Pacific Islander other races two or more races Hispanic or Latino (of any race) Atwater 28,168 18,410 1,225 364 1,416 76 5,300 1,377 14,808 Dos Palos 4,950 3,377 167 62 37 4 1,075 228 3,075 Gustine 5,520 3,875 73 54 95 8 1,191 224 2,769 Livingston 13,058 5,263 106 348 2,223 18 4,547 553 9,547 Los Banos 35,972 20,846 1,354 512 1,162 134 10,123 1,841 23,346 Merced 78,958 41,177 4,958 1,153 9,342 174 17,804 4,350 39,140 Census-designated place Total Population White African American Native American Asian Pacific Islander other races two or more races Hispanic or Latino (of any race) Ballico 406 237 2 3 11 2 128 23 210 Bear Creek 290 156 4 2 14 0 93 21 170 Cressey 394 253 1 3 15 1 95 26 195 Delhi 10,755 5,655 118 157 405 30 3,930 460 7,706 Dos Palos Y 323 225 1 8 1 0 82 6 197 El Nido 330 162 0 7 9 0 147 5 245 Franklin 6,149 3,455 273 77 931 12 1,072 329 3,250 Hilmar-Irwin 5,197 4,475 15 23 87 1 439 157 916 Le Grand 1,659 869 19 35 17 1 659 59 1,357 McSwain 4,171 3,196 56 34 282 9 422 172 1,081 Planada 4,584 1,681 22 23 46 1 2,725 86 4,347 Santa Nella 1,380 832 22 25 31 0 433 37 968 Snelling 231 206 0 3 6 0 13 3 33 South Dos Palos 1,620 809 135 21 36 10 552 57 1,262 Stevinson 313 228 4 0 0 0 73 8 133 Tuttle 103 77 6 0 6 0 9 5 31 University of California, Merced 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Volta 246 201 7 0 1 4 29 4 132 Winton 10,613 5,696 175 140 701 8 3,455 438 7,566 Other unincorporated areas Total Population White African American Native American Asian Pacific Islander other races two or more races Hispanic or Latino (of any race) All others not CDPs (combined) 40,403 27,020 1,183 419 1,962 90 8,269 1,460 18,001

### 2000

As of the [census](/source/Census)[28] of 2000, there were 210,554 people, 63,815 households, and 49,775 families residing in the county. The [population density](/source/Population_density) was 109 people per square mile (42 people/km2). There were 68,373 housing units at an average density of 36 units per square mile (14 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 56.2% [White](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)), 3.8% [Black](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)) or [African American](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)), 1.2% [Native American](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)), 6.8% [Asian](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)), 0.2% [Pacific Islander](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)), 26.1% from [other races](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)), and 5.7% from two or more races. 45.3% of the population were [Hispanic](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)) or [Latino](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)) of any race. 6.6% were of [Portuguese](/source/Portuguese_people) and 6.0% [German](/source/German_people) ancestry according to [Census 2000](/source/Census_2000). 55.1% spoke [English](/source/English_language), 35.3% [Spanish](/source/Spanish_language), 3.2% [Hmong](/source/Hmong_language), 2.9% [Portuguese](/source/Portuguese_language) and 1.0% [Punjabi](/source/Punjabi_language) as their first language.

There were 63,815 households, out of which 45.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were [married couples](/source/Marriage) living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.0% were non-families. 17.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.25 and the average family size was 3.69.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 34.5% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 17.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.6 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,532, and the median income for a family was $38,009. Males had a median income of $31,721 versus $23,911 for females. The [per capita income](/source/Per_capita_income) for the county was $14,257. About 16.9% of families and 21.7% of the population were below the [poverty line](/source/Poverty_line), including 28.4% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.

As of 2008, according to the Lao Family Community, a nonprofit organization, about 8,000 [Hmong](/source/Hmong_people) lived in Merced County.[29]

## Government and policing

### County government

Merced County is a California Constitution defined general law county and is governed by an elected Board of Supervisors. The Board consists of five members, elected by districts, who serve four-year staggered terms.[30]

### Merced County Sheriff's Office

The seal of the Merced County Sheriff's Office.

The Merced County Sheriff's Office provides court protection, jail administration, and coroner service for the entire county. It provides patrol, detective, and other police services for the unincorporated parts of the county. The main sheriff station and offices are at Merced. There are two sheriff's substations. A Grand Jury report in 2010 stated that the Sheriff processed 12,746 average jail bookings per year with an average daily jail population of 1,123.[31]

### Municipal police departments

Municipal police departments in the county are: Merced, population 83,000; Los Banos, population 38,000; Atwater, population 30,000; Livingston, population 13,000; Gustine, population 6,000; Dos Palos, population 5,500.

### State and federal representation

In the [United States House of Representatives](/source/United_States_House_of_Representatives), Merced County is in [California's 13th congressional district](/source/California's_13th_congressional_district), represented by [Democrat](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)) [Adam Gray](/source/Adam_Gray).[32]

In the [California State Senate](/source/California_State_Senate), Merced County is divided between [the 4th senatorial district](/source/California's_4th_senatorial_district), represented by [Republican](/source/California_Republican_Party) [Marie Alvarado-Gil](/source/Marie_Alvarado-Gil), and [the 14th senatorial district](/source/California's_14th_senatorial_district), represented by [Democrat](/source/California_Democratic_Party) [Anna Caballero](/source/Anna_Caballero). In the [California State Assembly](/source/California_State_Assembly), the county is divided between [the 22nd Assembly district](/source/California's_22nd_State_Assembly_district), represented by [Republican](/source/California_Republican_Party) [Juan Alanis](/source/Juan_Alanis_(politician)), and [the 27th Assembly district](/source/California's_27th_State_Assembly_district), represented by [Democrat](/source/California_Democratic_Party) [Esmeralda Soria](/source/Esmeralda_Soria).[33]

## Politics

### Voter registration statistics

Population and registered voters Total population[34] 253,606 Registered voters[35][note 1] 98,874 39.0% Democratic[35] 43,981 44.5% Republican[35] 32,767 33.1% Democratic–Republican spread[35] +11,214 +11.4% Independent[35] 3,016 3.1% Green[35] 568 0.6% Libertarian[35] 483 0.5% Peace and Freedom[35] 318 0.3% Americans Elect[35] 2 0.0% Other[35] 180 0.2% No party preference[35] 17,559 17.8%

#### Cities by population and voter registration

Cities by population and voter registration City Population[34] Registered voters[35] [note 1] Democratic[35] Republican[35] D–R spread[35] Other[35] No party preference[35] Atwater 27,922 41.0% 39.4% 37.4% +2.0% 8.2% 18.3% Dos Palos 4,940 38.0% 44.4% 35.0% +9.4% 9.9% 14.9% Gustine 5,484 38.3% 48.2% 30.3% +17.9% 7.7% 17.0% Livingston 12,899 34.6% 62.2% 15.9% +46.3% 4.9% 18.9% Los Banos 35,252 37.6% 50.1% 27.6% +22.5% 7.8% 17.7% Merced 78,111 41.0% 46.4% 30.2% +16.2% 8.2% 18.3%

### Overview

Merced County has been somewhat of a bellwether county for presidential elections. Since [1916](/source/1916_United_States_presidential_election_in_California), it has voted for the winner in each election except in [1956](/source/1956_United_States_presidential_election_in_California) when it voted for [Adlai Stevenson II](/source/Adlai_Stevenson_II) instead of [Dwight D. Eisenhower](/source/Dwight_D._Eisenhower), [1968](/source/1968_United_States_presidential_election_in_California) when it voted for [Hubert Humphrey](/source/Hubert_Humphrey) instead of [Richard Nixon](/source/Richard_Nixon), and [2016](/source/2016_United_States_presidential_election_in_California) when it voted for [Hillary Clinton](/source/Hillary_Clinton) instead of [Donald Trump](/source/Donald_Trump). In [2024](/source/2024_United_States_presidential_election_in_California), [Donald Trump](/source/Donald_Trump) won the county in a slim victory, continuing the county's bellwether county status.[36]

[Trump](/source/Donald_Trump)'s win in Merced County made it one of ten counties in California to flip from [Biden](/source/Joe_Biden) to [Trump](/source/Donald_Trump), as well as making Merced one of six counties to vote for the Republican presidential candidate for the first time in 20 years since [George W. Bush](/source/George_W._Bush) in [2004](/source/2004_United_States_presidential_election_in_California). Democrat [Barack Obama](/source/Barack_Obama) won a majority in the county in both [2008](/source/2008_United_States_presidential_election_in_California) and [2012](/source/2012_United_States_presidential_election_in_California). Before that, Republican [George W. Bush](/source/George_W._Bush) won a majority in the county in both [2000](/source/2000_United_States_presidential_election_in_California) and [2004](/source/2004_United_States_presidential_election_in_California).

United States presidential election results for Merced County, California[37][38][39][40][41][note 2] Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies) No. % No. % No. % 1880 516 41.08% 736 58.60% 4 0.32% 1884 809 45.47% 953 53.57% 17 0.96% 1888 773 43.04% 972 54.12% 51 2.84% 1892 782 39.66% 995 50.46% 195 9.89% 1896 653 36.24% 1,117 61.99% 32 1.78% 1900 811 41.59% 1,081 55.44% 58 2.97% 1904 972 49.07% 863 43.56% 146 7.37% 1908 1,107 44.58% 1,100 44.30% 276 11.12% 1912 10 0.24% 1,978 46.78% 2,240 52.98% 1916 2,132 40.72% 2,637 50.36% 467 8.92% 1920 3,457 62.99% 1,537 28.01% 494 9.00% 1924 3,573 52.94% 710 10.52% 2,466 36.54% 1928 4,644 60.17% 2,970 38.48% 104 1.35% 1932 2,920 27.20% 7,202 67.10% 612 5.70% 1936 3,230 25.50% 9,208 72.69% 230 1.82% 1940 6,101 36.35% 10,501 62.57% 182 1.08% 1944 6,518 41.31% 9,192 58.25% 69 0.44% 1948 7,721 42.60% 9,959 54.95% 444 2.45% 1952 13,512 53.26% 11,639 45.88% 219 0.86% 1956 11,430 45.99% 13,366 53.78% 56 0.23% 1960 11,990 43.37% 15,545 56.23% 111 0.40% 1964 8,814 31.18% 19,431 68.74% 24 0.08% 1968 11,595 40.90% 14,453 50.98% 2,301 8.12% 1972 17,737 54.33% 13,914 42.62% 997 3.05% 1976 14,842 46.08% 16,637 51.65% 729 2.26% 1980 18,043 48.77% 15,886 42.94% 3,067 8.29% 1984 24,997 58.85% 17,012 40.05% 468 1.10% 1988 21,717 51.20% 20,105 47.40% 592 1.40% 1992 17,981 36.48% 20,133 40.85% 11,170 22.66% 1996 20,847 44.41% 21,786 46.41% 4,305 9.17% 2000 26,102 51.77% 22,726 45.08% 1,590 3.15% 2004 32,773 56.54% 24,491 42.26% 696 1.20% 2008 28,704 44.98% 34,031 53.33% 1,073 1.68% 2012 27,581 44.44% 33,005 53.18% 1,471 2.37% 2016 28,725 40.58% 37,317 52.72% 4,747 6.71% 2020 39,397 43.51% 48,991 54.10% 2,166 2.39% 2024 43,955 50.87% 40,190 46.51% 2,266 2.62%

According to the California Secretary of State, as of October 20, 2008, there were 97,179 registered voters in Merced County.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Of those, 44,704 (46.0%) are registered Democratic, 35,955 (37.0%) are registered Republican, 3,090 (3.2%) are registered with other political parties, and 13,430 (13.8%) declined to state a political party. [Atwater](/source/Atwater%2C_California) and the county's unincorporated areas have Republican plurality registration advantages. All of the other cities and towns in the county have Democratic pluralities or majorities in voter registration. Merced County has seen a rightward tilt in recent years, voting "Yes" in the [2021 gubernatorial recall election](/source/2021_California_gubernatorial_recall_election) despite voting for Governor [Gavin Newsom](/source/Gavin_Newsom) by a margin of 4% in [2018](/source/2018_California_gubernatorial_election). The county then voted for Republican nominee [Brian Dahle](/source/Brian_Dahle) in [2022](/source/2022_California_gubernatorial_election) over Newsom, as well as for all Republican nominees for statewide office.

Merced County voted in favor of [Proposition 8](/source/2008_California_Proposition_8) in 2008 (which banned same-sex marriage by constitutional amendment) and voted against [Proposition 3](/source/2024_California_Proposition_3) in 2024 (which repealed Proposition 8). The level of support in the county for retaining the ban shrank from 70.8% in 2008 to 50.2% in 2024.

## Crime

The following table includes the number of incidents reported and the rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense.

Population and crime rates Population[34] 253,606 Violent crime[42] 1,658 6.54 Homicide[42] 26 0.10 Forcible rape[42] 78 0.31 Robbery[42] 276 1.09 Aggravated assault[42] 1,278 5.04 Property crime[42] 4,390 17.31 Burglary[42] 2,318 9.14 Larceny-theft[42][43] 5,089 20.07 Motor vehicle theft[42] 903 3.56 Arson[42] 90 0.35

### Cities by population and crime rates

Cities by population and crime rates City Population[44] Violent crimes[44] Violent crime rate per 1,000 persons Property crimes[44] Property crime rate per 1,000 persons Atwater 28,891 180 6.23 1,400 48.46 Dos Palos 5,079 59 11.62 162 31.90 Gustine 5,663 24 4.24 120 21.19 Livingston 13,394 74 5.52 306 22.85 Los Banos 36,897 142 3.85 1,210 32.79 Merced 80,976 810 10.00 4,111 50.77

## Economy

According to America's Labor Market Information System 2014 report,[45] the companies with the largest employment in Merced are, in alphabetical order:

- Anberry Rehabilitation Hospital

- Atwater Elementary Teachers

- Bianchi & Sons Packing Co (produce)

- [E & J Gallo Winery](/source/E_%26_J_Gallo_Winery)

- [Foster Farms](/source/Foster_Farms)

- Golden Valley Health Center

- [Hilmar Cheese Company](/source/Hilmar_Cheese_Company)

- J. Marchini & Son (farming)

- Liberty Packing Co

- Live Oak Farms (produce)

- Livingston District Office (education)

- Malibu Boats West Inc

- [McLane Pacific](/source/McLane_Company) (wholesale food services)

- Merced County Human Services

- [Mercy Medical Center Merced](/source/Mercy_Medical_Center_Merced)

- [Pacific Gas and Electric Company](/source/Pacific_Gas_and_Electric_Company)

- [Quad/Graphics](/source/Quad%2FGraphics) (printing)

- Sensient Dehydrated Flavors

- [University of California, Merced](/source/University_of_California%2C_Merced)

- [Walmart](/source/Walmart)

- Werner Co (ladders)

- Western Marketing & Sales (farming)

- Yosemite Wholesale Warehouse

Merced County grows 90% of California's [sweet potato](/source/Sweet_potato) crop,[46] due in part to the efforts of John Buttencourt Avila, called "the father of the sweet potato industry".

## Transportation

### Major highways

- [Interstate 5](/source/Interstate_5_in_California)

- [State Route 33](/source/California_State_Route_33)

- [State Route 59](/source/California_State_Route_59)

- [State Route 99](/source/California_State_Route_99)

- [State Route 140](/source/California_State_Route_140)

- [State Route 152](/source/California_State_Route_152)

- [State Route 165](/source/California_State_Route_165)

### Public transportation

- [Merced County Transit](/source/Merced_County_Transit), or "The Bus", provides local service in Merced as well as connecting service between most cities in Merced County.

- The [University of California, Merced](/source/University_of_California%2C_Merced), operates its own transit system, Cat Tracks. This system connects with Merced County Transit.

- [Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System](/source/Yosemite_Area_Regional_Transportation_System), or YARTS, connects Merced with [Yosemite National Park](/source/Yosemite_National_Park).

- [Greyhound](/source/Greyhound_Lines) buses and [Amtrak](/source/Amtrak) trains provide long-distance intercity service.

### Airports

[Merced Regional Airport](/source/Merced_Regional_Airport), located two miles (3.2 km) southwest of downtown Merced, provides passenger air service. General aviation airports in the county include [Castle Airport](/source/Castle_Airport), [Gustine Airport](/source/Gustine_Airport), and [Los Banos Municipal Airport](/source/Los_Banos_Municipal_Airport).

## Communities

### Cities

- [Atwater](/source/Atwater%2C_California)

- [Dos Palos](/source/Dos_Palos%2C_California)

- [Gustine](/source/Gustine%2C_California)

- [Livingston](/source/Livingston%2C_California)

- [Los Banos](/source/Los_Banos%2C_California)

- [Merced](/source/Merced%2C_California) (county seat)

### [Census-designated places](/source/Census-designated_place)

- [Ballico](/source/Ballico%2C_California)

- [Bear Creek](/source/Bear_Creek%2C_Merced_County%2C_California)

- [Cressey](/source/Cressey%2C_California)

- [Delhi](/source/Delhi%2C_California)

- [Dos Palos Y](/source/Dos_Palos_Y%2C_California)

- [El Nido](/source/El_Nido%2C_Merced_County%2C_California)

- [Franklin](/source/Franklin%2C_Merced_County%2C_California)

- [Hilmar-Irwin](/source/Hilmar-Irwin%2C_California)

- [Le Grand](/source/Le_Grand%2C_California)

- [McSwain](/source/McSwain%2C_California)

- [Planada](/source/Planada%2C_California)

- [Santa Nella](/source/Santa_Nella%2C_California)

- [Snelling](/source/Snelling%2C_California)

- [South Dos Palos](/source/South_Dos_Palos%2C_California)

- [Stevinson](/source/Stevinson%2C_California)

- [Tuttle](/source/Tuttle%2C_California)

- [University of California Merced](/source/University_of_California-Merced%2C_California_(CDP))

- [Volta](/source/Volta%2C_California)

- [Winton](/source/Winton%2C_California)

### Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the [2020 census](/source/2020_United_States_census) of Merced County.[47]

**†** *county seat*

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 census) 1 † Merced City 86,333 2 Los Banos City 45,532 3 Atwater City 31,970 4 Livingston City 14,172 5 Winton CDP 11,709 6 Delhi CDP 10,656 7 Franklin-Beachwood CDP 6,919 8 Gustine City 6,110 9 Dos Palos City 5,798 10 Hilmar-Irwin CDP 5,164 11 McSwain CDP 4,480 12 Planada CDP 4,164 13 Santa Nella CDP 2,211 14 South Dos Palos CDP 1,747 15 Le Grand CDP 1,592 16-T Cressey CDP 366 16-T Volta CDP 366 18 Ballico CDP 347 19 El Nido CDP 331 20 Dos Palos Y CDP 310 21 Stevinson CDP 275 22 Bear Creek CDP 273 23 Snelling CDP 238 24 Tuttle CDP 102 25 University of California Merced CDP 0

## Education

School districts include:[48]

K-12:

- [Dos Palos-Oro Loma Joint Unified School District](/source/Dos_Palos-Oro_Loma_Joint_Unified_School_District)

- [Delhi Unified School District](/source/Delhi_Unified_School_District)

- [Gustine Unified School District](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gustine_Unified_School_District&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [Hilmar Unified School District](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hilmar_Unified_School_District&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [Los Banos Unified School District](/source/Los_Banos_Unified_School_District)

- [Turlock Unified School District](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Turlock_Unified_School_District&action=edit&redlink=1)

Secondary:

- [Le Grand Union High School District](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Le_Grand_Union_High_School_District&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [Merced Union High School District](/source/Merced_Union_High_School_District)

Elementary:

- [Atwater Elementary School District](/source/Atwater_Elementary_School_District)

- [Ballico-Cressey Elementary School District](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ballico-Cressey_Elementary_School_District&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [El Nido Elementary School District](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=El_Nido_Elementary_School_District&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [Le Grand Union Elementary School District](/source/Le_Grand_Union_Elementary_School_District)

- [Livingston Union School District](/source/Livingston_Union_School_District)

- [McSwain Union Elementary School District](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=McSwain_Union_Elementary_School_District&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [Merced City Elementary School District](/source/Merced_City_Elementary_School_District)

- [Merced River Union Elementary School District](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Merced_River_Union_Elementary_School_District&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [Plainsburg Union Elementary School District](/source/Plainsburg_Union_Elementary_School_District)

- [Planada Elementary School District](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Planada_Elementary_School_District&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [Snelling-Merced Falls Union Elementary School District](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Snelling-Merced_Falls_Union_Elementary_School_District&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [Weaver Union Elementary School District](/source/Weaver_Union_Elementary_School_District)

- [Winton School District](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Winton_School_District&action=edit&redlink=1)

[University of California Merced](/source/University_of_California_Merced) is in the county.

## Places of interest

The former [Castle Air Force Base](/source/Castle_Air_Force_Base) and the [United States Penitentiary, Atwater](/source/United_States_Penitentiary%2C_Atwater) are located in an [unincorporated area](/source/Unincorporated_area) near [Atwater](/source/Atwater%2C_California).

## See also

- [California portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:California)

- [List of California Historical Landmarks](/source/List_of_California_Historical_Landmarks#Merced_County)

- [List of museums in the San Joaquin Valley](/source/List_of_museums_in_the_San_Joaquin_Valley)

- [List of school districts in Merced County, California](/source/List_of_school_districts_in_Merced_County%2C_California)

- [National Register of Historic Places listings in Merced County, California](/source/National_Register_of_Historic_Places_listings_in_Merced_County%2C_California)

## Notes

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-PCT-RV_36-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-PCT-RV_36-1) Percentage of registered voters with respect to total population. Percentages of party members with respect to registered voters follow.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-43)** This total comprised 1,571 votes for [Progressive](/source/Progressive_Party_(United_States%2C_1912)) [Theodore Roosevelt](/source/Theodore_Roosevelt) (who was official Republican nominee in California), 441 votes for [Socialist](/source/Socialist_Party_of_America) [Eugene V. Debs](/source/Eugene_V._Debs) and 228 votes for [Prohibition Party](/source/Prohibition_Party) nominee [Eugene W. Chafin](/source/Eugene_W._Chafin).

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Merced County"](https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/search/names/277288). *[Geographic Names Information System](/source/Geographic_Names_Information_System)*. [United States Geological Survey](/source/United_States_Geological_Survey), [United States Department of the Interior](/source/United_States_Department_of_the_Interior). Retrieved January 31, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Board Members | Merced County, CA - Official Website"](https://www.countyofmerced.com/248/Board-Members).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Laveaga Peak"](http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=1222). Peakbagger.com. Retrieved January 31, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Merced County, CA"](https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GDPALL06047). *[Federal Reserve Economic Data](/source/Federal_Reserve_Economic_Data)*. [Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis](/source/Federal_Reserve_Bank_of_St._Louis).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Merced County, CA Zip Codes"](https://www.zip-codes.com/county/CA-MERCED.asp). Zip-Codes.com. Retrieved May 29, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Merced County, California"](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US06047). *[United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau)*. Retrieved January 30, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/mercedcountycalifornia/NES010223](https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/mercedcountycalifornia/NES010223)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-GR6_8-0)** ["Find a County"](https://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx). National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-GR1_9-0)** ["2010 Census Gazetteer Files"](https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_06.txt). United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-USCensusEst2025_10-0)** ["Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025"](https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 10, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-DecennialCensus_11-0)** ["Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000"](https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html). [US Census Bureau](/source/US_Census_Bureau). Retrieved January 24, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Historical Census Browser"](http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu). University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 28, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). ["Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990"](https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ca190090.txt). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 28, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000"](https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf) (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved September 28, 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-2010CensusP2_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-2010CensusP2_15-1) ["P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Merced County, California"](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US06047&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2). *[United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau)*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-2020CensusP2_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-2020CensusP2_16-1) ["P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Merced County, California"](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US06047&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2). *[United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau)*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Census2020DP_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Census2020DP_17-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Census2020DP_17-2) ["2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)"](https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=county%3A047&in=state%3A06). *United States Census Bureau*. 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Census2020PL_18-0)** ["2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)"](https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=county%3A047&in=state%3A06). *United States Census Bureau*. 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Census2020DHC_19-0)** ["2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)"](https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=county%3A047&in=state%3A06). *United States Census Bureau*. 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["California: 1980, General Social and Economic Characteristics, Part 1 - Table 59: Persons by Race, Hispanic Origin, and Sex"](https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_caCs1-01.pdf) (PDF). *[United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["California: 1990, Part 1 - Table 5: Race and Hispanic Origin"](https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-6-1.pdf) (PDF). *[United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau)*. Retrieved July 14, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2000CensusP004_22-0)** ["P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Merced County, California"](https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US06047&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004). *[United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** not an option in the 1980 Census

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** not an option in the 1990 Census

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["2010 Census P.L. 94-171 Summary File Data"](https://www2.census.gov/census_2010/01-Redistricting_File--PL_94-171/California/). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-GR8_28-0)** ["U.S. Census website"](https://www.census.gov). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). Retrieved May 14, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Oppenheim, Jamie. "[Hmong youth not preserving traditions, professor says](http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2010/03/29/1366628/hmong-youth-not-preserving-traditions.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20100608185151/http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2010/03/29/1366628/hmong-youth-not-preserving-traditions.html) June 8, 2010, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)." Monday March 29, 2010. Retrieved on September 20, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** ["Board of Supervisors"](http://www.co.merced.ca.us/index.aspx?NID=61). Merced County, CA. Retrieved January 5, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** *Grand Jury report 2010 website*[*[full citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources#What_information_to_include)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** ["California's 13th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map"](https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/CA/13). Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved April 18, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** ["Final Maps | California Citizens Redistricting Commission"](https://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/final-maps/). Retrieved November 4, 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-US-CB-B02001_34-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-US-CB-B02001_34-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-US-CB-B02001_34-2) U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B02001. [U.S. Census website](https://www.census.gov). Retrieved October 26, 2013.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-CA-SS_35-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-CA-SS_35-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-CA-SS_35-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-CA-SS_35-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-CA-SS_35-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-CA-SS_35-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-CA-SS_35-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-CA-SS_35-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-CA-SS_35-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-CA-SS_35-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-CA-SS_35-10) [***l***](#cite_ref-CA-SS_35-11) [***m***](#cite_ref-CA-SS_35-12) [***n***](#cite_ref-CA-SS_35-13) [***o***](#cite_ref-CA-SS_35-14) [***p***](#cite_ref-CA-SS_35-15) [***q***](#cite_ref-CA-SS_35-16) California Secretary of State. [February 10, 2013 - Report of Registration](http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ror/ror-pages/ror-odd-year-2013/political-sub.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130727173649/http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ror/ror-pages/ror-odd-year-2013/political-sub.pdf) July 27, 2013, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). Retrieved October 31, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** ["Election Night Reporting"](https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/CA/Merced/122862/web.345435/#/summary). *results.enr.clarityelections.com*. Retrieved November 14, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** Leip, David. ["Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections"](http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/). *uselectionatlas.org*. Retrieved March 16, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** [Bowen, Debra](/source/Debra_Bowen) (December 13, 2008). ["United States President by County"](https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2008-general/17_22_pres_by_county.pdf) (PDF). *[Secretary of State of California](/source/Secretary_of_State_of_California)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250425081311/https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2008-general/17_22_pres_by_county.pdf) (PDF) from the original on April 25, 2025. Retrieved October 3, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-40)** [Bowen, Debra](/source/Debra_Bowen) (December 14, 2012). ["President by County"](https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2012-general/10-president.pdf) (PDF). *[Secretary of State of California](/source/Secretary_of_State_of_California)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250324192251/https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2012-general/10-president.pdf) (PDF) from the original on March 24, 2025. Retrieved October 3, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-41)** [Padilla, Alex](/source/Alex_Padilla) (December 11, 2020). ["President by County"](https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2020-general/sov/18-presidential.pdf) (PDF). *[Secretary of State of California](/source/Secretary_of_State_of_California)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250614002159/https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2020-general/sov/18-presidential.pdf) (PDF) from the original on June 14, 2025. Retrieved October 3, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-42)** [Weber, Shirley](/source/Shirley_Weber) (December 13, 2024). ["President by County"](https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2024-general/sov/16-president.pdf) (PDF). *[Secretary of State of California](/source/Secretary_of_State_of_California)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20241217210354/https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2024-general/sov/16-president.pdf) (PDF) from the original on December 17, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-CA-DOJ-T11_44-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-CA-DOJ-T11_44-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-CA-DOJ-T11_44-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-CA-DOJ-T11_44-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-CA-DOJ-T11_44-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-CA-DOJ-T11_44-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-CA-DOJ-T11_44-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-CA-DOJ-T11_44-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-CA-DOJ-T11_44-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-CA-DOJ-T11_44-9) Office of the Attorney General, Department of Justice, State of California. [Table 11: Crimes – 2009](http://stats.doj.ca.gov/cjsc_stats/prof09/00/11.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20131202222315/http://stats.doj.ca.gov/cjsc_stats/prof09/00/11.pdf) December 2, 2013, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). Retrieved November 14, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-LT-note_group=note_45-0)** Only larceny-theft cases involving property over $400 in value are reported as property crimes.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FBI-UCR-T8_46-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FBI-UCR-T8_46-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FBI-UCR-T8_46-2) United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation. [Crime in the United States, 2012, Table 8 (California)](https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2012/crime-in-the-u.s.-2012/tables/8tabledatadecpdf/table-8-state-cuts/table_8_offenses_known_to_law_enforcement_by_california_by_city_2012.xls). Retrieved November 14, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-47)** ["Major Employers in California"](https://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/majorer/countymajorer.asp?CountyCode=000047). *www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov*. Retrieved March 16, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-48)** ["Farmers Markets: Stokes Purple is a sweet potato of mystery", *Los Angeles Times*, 2 November 2012](https://www.latimes.com/food/la-fo-marketnews-online-20121102-story.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-49)** ["2020 U.S. Census website"](https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.2020.html). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). Retrieved November 4, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-50)** ["2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Merced County, CA"](https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st06_ca/schooldistrict_maps/c06047_merced/DC20SD_C06047.pdf) (PDF). [U.S. Census Bureau](/source/U.S._Census_Bureau). Retrieved July 24, 2022. - [text list](https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st06_ca/schooldistrict_maps/c06047_merced/DC20SD_C06047_SD2MS.txt)

## Further reading

- *A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Merced, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa, California.* Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1892.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Merced County, California](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Merced_County,_California).

- [Official website](https://www.countyofmerced.com/)

Places adjacent to Merced County, California Stanislaus County Tuolumne County Santa Clara County Merced County, California Mariposa County San Benito County Fresno County Madera County

v t e Municipalities and communities of Merced County, California, United States County seat: Merced Cities Atwater Dos Palos Gustine Livingston Los Banos Merced Merced County map CDPs Ballico Bear Creek Cressey Delhi Dos Palos Y El Nido Franklin Hilmar-Irwin Le Grand McSwain Planada Santa Nella Snelling South Dos Palos Stevinson Tuttle University of California-Merced Volta Winton Unincorporated communities Amsterdam Athlone Buhach Cortez Hilmar Hopeton Ingomar Irwin Lingard Merced Falls Plainsburg Santa Rita Park Ghost towns Lone Willow Station St. Louis Ranch Yamato Colony California portal United States portal

v t e San Joaquin Valley Counties Fresno Kern Kings Madera Merced San Joaquin Stanislaus Tulare Major cities Fresno Bakersfield Stockton Cities and towns 100k–250k Clovis Modesto Visalia Cities and towns 25k–99k Atwater Ceres Delano Hanford Lathrop Lemoore Lodi Los Banos Madera Manteca Merced Oildale Porterville Ridgecrest Sanger Tracy Tulare Turlock Wasco Cities and towns 10k–25k Arvin Avenal California City Chowchilla Coalinga Corcoran Delhi Dinuba Exeter Farmersville Garden Acres Kerman Kingsburg Lamont Lindsay Livingston McFarland Mendota Mountain House Newman Oakdale Parlier Patterson Reedley Ripon Riverbank Rosamond Rosedale Salida Selma Shafter Tehachapi Winton

v t e State of California Sacramento (capital) Topics Culture food languages sports California Dream Crime Demographics Earthquakes Economy agriculture Education Education, history of Environment Geography climate ecology flora fauna Government Capitol districts governor legislature Supreme Court Healthcare Abortion History Law LGBT rights National Historic Landmarks National Natural Landmarks NRHP listings Politics congressional delegations elections People Protected areas state parks state historic landmarks Symbols Transportation Water Foreign relations Index of articles Regions Antelope Valley Big Sur California Coast Ranges Cascade Range Central California Central Coast Central Valley Channel Islands Coachella Valley Coastal California Conejo Valley Cucamonga Valley Death Valley East Bay (SF Bay Area) East County (SD) Eastern California Emerald Triangle Gold Country Great Basin Greater San Bernardino Inland Empire Klamath Basin Lake Tahoe Greater Los Angeles Los Angeles Basin Lost Coast Mojave Desert Mountain Empire North Bay (SF) North Coast North County (SD) Northern California Orange Coast Owens Valley Oxnard Plain Peninsular Ranges Pomona Valley Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta Sacramento Valley Saddleback Valley Salinas Valley San Fernando Valley San Francisco Bay Area San Francisco Peninsula San Gabriel Valley San Joaquin Valley Santa Clara Valley Santa Clara River Valley Santa Clarita Valley Santa Ynez Valley Shasta Cascade Sierra Nevada Silicon Valley South Bay (LA) South Bay (SD) South Bay (SF) South Coast Southern Border Region Southern California Southern California Megalopolis Transverse Ranges Tri-Valley Victor Valley Wine Country Metro regions Fresno–Madera Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim Sacramento–Roseville Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario San Diego–Tijuana San Jose–San Francisco–Oakland Counties Alameda Alpine Amador Butte Calaveras Colusa Contra Costa Del Norte El Dorado Fresno Glenn Humboldt Imperial Inyo Kern Kings Lake Lassen Los Angeles Madera Marin Mariposa Mendocino Merced Modoc Mono Monterey Napa Nevada Orange Placer Plumas Riverside Sacramento San Benito San Bernardino San Diego San Francisco San Joaquin San Luis Obispo San Mateo Santa Barbara Santa Clara Santa Cruz Shasta Sierra Siskiyou Solano Sonoma Stanislaus Sutter Tehama Trinity Tulare Tuolumne Ventura Yolo Yuba Most populous cities Los Angeles San Diego San Jose San Francisco Fresno Sacramento Long Beach Oakland Bakersfield Anaheim Music California sound San Francisco sound Bakersfield sound Chicano rock Chicano soul Surf music Sunshine pop California punk Hardcore punk Nu metal Bay Area thrash Orange County ska Palm Desert Scene Paisley Underground West Coast hip hop West Coast jazz West Coast blues Yuman music California portal

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF FAST WorldCat National United States Israel Geographic MusicBrainz area Other IdRef NARA Yale LUX

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Merced County, California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merced_County%2C_California) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merced_County%2C_California?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.