With a population of over 83,000 as of 2019 according to Wikipedia, Merced is the largest city in California’s Central Valley. Located approximately 110 miles southeast of San Francisco and 310 miles northwest of Los Angeles, Merced serves as the county seat for Merced County.
History
Merced was founded in 1870 and incorporated in 1889. The city was named after the Merced River which flows nearby. The word “Merced” is derived from the Spanish word meaning “grace.”
In the early 1900s, Merced experienced significant growth due to its location along major railroad lines connecting northern and southern California. Agriculture and food production have long been mainstays of the local economy. Today, the city continues to serve as a hub for central California.
Demographics
According to 2019 estimates from the City of Merced government website, the city has a population of 83,776 residents. The population density is over 4,500 people per square mile. Merced has seen steady population growth in recent decades. Since 2000, the population has increased by over 20%.
Merced has a diverse population in terms of race and ethnicity. The census breakdown is:
- 48% Hispanic/Latino
- 31% White
- 7% Asian
- 6% African American
- 5% Multi-racial
- 1% Native American
- 1% Pacific Islander
Over 30% of Merced residents were born outside the United States and about 40% speak a language other than English at home.
Government
Merced has a council-manager form of government. The city council consists of six council members elected to alternating four-year terms. The mayor is chosen by the council from its own members. The city council appoints a city manager to oversee day-to-day operations.
Attractions and Landmarks
One of Merced’s most iconic sites is the Merced County Courthouse, located in downtown Merced. This historic courthouse was built in 1875 and still contains the county’s original civil and criminal courtrooms.
Another landmark is the Merced Multimodal Station. Built in 1889, this train station once served several major railroads. Today, it operates as an Amtrak station and bus depot. The station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Nature lovers will enjoy Yosemite National Park which is located just over an hour’s drive from Merced. As the closest major city to Yosemite, Merced is a popular gateway for visitors exploring the park.
Sports
Merced is home to the UC Merced Golden Bobcats, representing the University of California, Merced. Though a smaller NCAA Division II program, the Golden Bobcats field 18 varsity sports teams.
Baseball fans can cheer for the Merced Nuts, a collegiate summer baseball team. The Nuts play at the historic John Fiscalini Field located in Applegate Park. Dating back to 1953, the park has hosted various professional, amateur and college baseball teams over the years.
Economy and Major Employers
Historically driven by agriculture, transportation and food processing industries, Merced has worked to diversify its economy in recent years. According to the City’s Facebook page, the major employers today are:
- Merced County (2,500 employees)
- University of California, Merced (1,860 employees)
- Merced City School District (1,600 employees)
- Mercy Medical Center Merced (1,180 employees)
- Foster Farms Poultry (1,100 employees)
Agriculture and food production continue to play vital roles. Major agricultural products include milk, chickens, almonds, sweet potatoes, corn, and wheat.
Merced’s economy also relies significantly on retail, education, technology, manufacturing and healthcare sectors. The city has worked to boost economic development by attracting startups and high-tech companies, particularly those related to the University of California, Merced.
Recent business growth has helped lower Merced’s unemployment rate and provide higher-wage job opportunities. Ongoing economic development initiatives aim to sustain business expansion and job creation.