About Merced, California

Merced, known as the “Gateway to Yosemite”, is a city in, and the county seat of Merced County, California. Incorporated on April 1, 1889, Merced is a charter city that operates under a council-manager government. It is named after the Merced River, which flows nearby. As of 2019, the city had a population of 83,676.

In 2005, the City became home to the 10th University of California campus, University of California, Merced (UC Merced), the first research university built in the U.S. in the 21st century. The University of California Merced campus provides new educational and economic opportunity, adding to the already-established growth of the region.

Located in the heart of California’s agricultural Central Valley, Merced is the region’s hub for education, culture, and business. The community offers abundant shopping, pleasant neighborhoods and tree-lined streets. Bicycle paths along creeks link major City parks. Merced’s revitalized downtown is emerging as the entertainment center of the area. Annual events and festivals also brings regional and even national recognition.