RANK #722 / 996 · POP 282,290 · CA
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.1%
Merced County, located in California's San Joaquin Valley, is often called the "Gateway to Yosemite" due to its proximity to the national park, roughly two hours away. The county seat, the city of Merced, is about 56 miles from Fresno. The community offers access to outdoor recreation at places like Lake Yosemite for fishing and boating, and the Merced River Recreation Management Area, known for whitewater boating, camping, and hiking. The county also features several state recreation areas, including McConnell State Recreation Area, which provides opportunities for fishing and swimming along the Merced River.
Life in Merced County is shaped by its agricultural roots and a growing educational presence, notably the University of California, Merced, which opened in 2005. The county's economy is largely driven by agriculture, food processing, and related industries. Public sector employment, healthcare, and transportation also contribute significantly to the job market. Commute options include local bus services and vanpooling programs that connect communities within the county and to neighboring areas. The county's 20 school districts serve over 58,000 students.
Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 9.4x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Wright Solar Park
Undisclosed
|
$200M | Completed |
|
Zeta Solar and Battery Energy Storage Project
Longroad Energy
|
$150M | Planned |
|
Spikes Peak Solar and Battery Energy Storage Project
Undisclosed
|
$150M | Proposed |
|
Gonzaga Ridge Wind Farm (Repowering & Battery Storage)
Scout Clean Energy
|
$148M | Under Construction |
|
Campus Parkway Project (Segments II & III)
Merced County
|
$100M | Completed |
|
Devonwood Affordable Housing Project
The Richman Group / Huff Construction
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Merced County has a Boom Town Index score of 28/100, ranking #722 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.3% and a median household income of $64,772, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Merced County is $342,300 with median rent at $1,200/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1892, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.3%. Home values changed -1.9% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.83% of Merced County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.