Best Web Design in Merced, CA (2026)

Web Design for Merced, California

Merced is the county seat of Merced County and the classic "Gateway to Yosemite," sitting on the San Joaquin Valley floor less than two hours from the national park's entrance. A Central Pacific Railroad town founded in 1872, it grew into one of California's agricultural powerhouses and, in 2005, became home to UC Merced, the first American research university built in the 21st century. Its 1875 Italianate courthouse and a large, deeply rooted Hmong community give the city an identity that blends Old West valley heritage with modern diversity.

AppWT works with Merced, CA businesses from Livonia, Michigan, mostly online and travelling as needed.

About Merced

Also known as. Gateway to Yosemite. The Gateway City.

History. Named for the Merced River, which Spanish explorer Gabriel Moraga's 1806 expedition dubbed El Rio de Nuestra Senora de la Merced ("River of Our Lady of Mercy"). Founded in 1872 as a Central Pacific Railroad town; the first post office opened in 1870 and the city incorporated on April 1, 1889, as the seat of Merced County. The three-story Merced County Courthouse was built in 1875 by architect A. A. Bennett (who also worked on the California State Capitol) in an Italianate/Renaissance palazzo style, and is one of the oldest buildings in California. During WWII the Merced County Fairgrounds became the Merced Assembly Center, where 4,669 Japanese Americans were confined from May to September 1942 before removal to the Granada (Amache) camp in Colorado. The Yosemite Valley Railroad ran from Merced toward the park from 1907 to 1945, cementing the city's role as the rail gateway to Yosemite. Nearby Castle Air Force Base operated until September 1995; the site is now Castle Airport and home to the Castle Air Museum. UC Merced opened in 2005 as the University of California's 10th campus and the first new American research university of the 21st century.

Local economy. Agriculture anchors the economy: Merced County produced roughly $3.27 billion in farm value (2019), ranking second in California for milk and first in the state for sweet potatoes (about 92% of California's crop). Almonds, cattle, and chickens are other leading commodities. Top employers include the County of Merced (~1,980), UC Merced (~1,910), and Merced City School District (~1,300). UC Merced is a major economic engine, described as one of the nation's fastest-growing public universities. Merced is a planned hub for California's High-Speed Rail project, positioned as the northern terminus of the initial Central Valley segment. During the Great Recession, Merced home values fell about 62% from their 2006 peak, among the steepest drops in the country.

Culture and community. Home to one of the highest per-capita Hmong populations in the United States; the annual Merced Hmong New Year celebration is held at the Merced County Fairgrounds. Applegate Park & Zoo (open since 1962) and its Kiddieland rides sit in a 32-acre central park, alongside the Open Air Theater that hosts free summer concerts and Merced Shakespearefest. The historic Merced Theatre and Playhouse Merced host concerts, comedy, and stage productions downtown. A weekly Saturday farmers market fills downtown with local Central Valley produce. The city is majority Hispanic/Latino (about 56%), reflected in a strong taqueria and Mexican food scene. Notable people connected to Merced include actress Janet Leigh (born there), NBA champion Ray Allen (born on Castle AFB), and Harvard Law professor Charles Ogletree.

What makes Merced distinct. The original "Merced: Gateway to Yosemite" arches were erected in 1927, then torn down in 1940 when Highway 99 was widened. Merced County grows roughly 92% of California's sweet potatoes. Actress Janet Leigh of Psycho was born in Merced, and NBA star Ray Allen was born on Castle Air Force Base there. UC Merced was the first new University of California campus in 40 years and the first American research university built in the 21st century. In the 1890s Safety Bicycle craze, tiny Merced (about 2,000 residents) supported four newspapers and active cycling clubs.

A San Joaquin Valley college city and county seat of Merced County, home to UC Merced. It is often called the "Gateway to Yosemite" for its position less than two hours from the national park.

Merced Landmarks and Local Life

• Merced County Courthouse Museum - 1875 former courthouse now operating as a county museum
• Castle Air Museum - Aviation museum at the former Castle Air Force Base
• University of California, Merced - UC campus that opened in 2005
• Applegate Park - About 32-acre community park near downtown with a zoo and playground
• Lake Yosemite Regional Park - County lake park for swimming, picnicking, and boating

Merced at a Glance

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023.

• Median household income: About $59,938
• Adults with a bachelor degree or higher: About 18%
• Housing: About 44% of housing units are owner-occupied
• Housing: Roughly 65% of homes are detached single-family houses