Merced is the county seat of Merced County, California in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. It is named after the Merced River, which flows nearby. Yosemite National Park is to the east and Monterey Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and several beaches to the west. The community is served by the rail passenger service Amtrak, a major airline through Merced Regional Airport, and three bus lines. It is approximately 110 miles from Sacramento, 130 miles from San Francisco, and 270 miles from Los Angeles.
Merced’s Valley location southeast of San Francisco provides easy access to the central California coast, Sierra Nevada mountains and national parks, and major cities. Merced has historically been the “Gateway to Yosemite”, and residents also enjoy short drives to skiing, beaches, fishing, and other outdoor attractions.
Merced is a dynamic community with friendly small town living in a mid-size city. The University of California Merced campus, opened in 2005, provides new educational and economic opportunity, adding to the already-established growth of the region. Merced’s population is youthful and diverse.
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. Even with recent increases in prices, Merced’s housing remains affordable compared to many other California locations. Merced’s revitalized downtown is emerging as the entertainment center of the area. Annual events and festivals bring regional and even national recognition
Housing Cost
Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $233,800
Demographics
Population in July 2008: 77,160. Merced covers 19.9 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 171 feet above sea level. Zip codes: 95340, 95341, 95343, 95344, 95348 - Area code: 209
Weather
Merced, CA climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 70's and cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 40's.
The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 96.50 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is December with an average minimum temperature of 35.80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be relatively big during summer with a difference that can reach 36 degrees Fahrenheit, and moderate during winter with an average difference of 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Merced is 12.50 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is January with an average rainfall of 2.43 Inches.
Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com
