Merced County
Central Valley Region

Merced County is located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the world's most productive agricultural area, and spans from the coastal ranges to the foothills of Yosemite National Park. The total area of Merced County is approximately 2,020 square miles. The city of Merced, known as the "Gateway to Yosemite," is the County seat and is the largest of six incorporated cities, which include Atwater, Livingston, Los Banos, Gustine, and Dos Palos. There are eleven un-incorporated communities including, Snelling, Santa Nella, Winton, Delhi, Le Grand, Steveinson, Ingomar, Volta, El Nido, Plainsburg, Tuttle, and Planada.Agricultural related industries are a major source of employment along with food processing, retailing, light manufacturing and tourism. Merced County communities offer a small community atmosphere, residential neighborhoods characterized by wide, tree-lined streets and homes in every economic range. Merced County has an excellent school system including a modern community college, (located in Merced and Los Banos) which provides cultural and social influence to the entire county. Additionally, the University of California has chosen Merced County for their tenth campus location, which opened in the fall of 2004. UC Merced has created a strong, collaborative educational network that draws upon the vitality and rich history of Merced County, and fulfills the University's historic commitment to excellence in teaching, research and public service.

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