California

Merced

281,202
2020 population
1860
first census record
17
census records

About Merced

Merced, California, first appears in the United States federal census in 1860, when it recorded a population of 1,141. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 281,202.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, one documented military engagement has been recorded within the county, among them Snelling Affair — Stanislaus River (1850), and 16 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
2020281,202
2010255,793
2000210,554
1990178,403
1980134,560
1970104,629
196090,446
195069,780
194046,988
193036,748
192024,579
191015,148
19009,215
18908,085
18805,656
18702,807
18601,141
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Merced

Military engagements that took place in Merced, California.

Snelling Affair — Stanislaus River (1850)
1850

Historic places in Merced

National Register of Historic Places listings in Merced, California.

Bank of Los Banos Building
Los Banos
Merced County Courthouse
Merced
Bloss Mansion
Atwater
Leggett House
Merced
Kaehler-Rector House
Merced
Buhach Grammar School
Merced
U.S. Post Office
Merced
Church of St. Joseph
Los Banos
San Luis Gonzaga Archeological District
Los Banos
Bank of Italy, Merced
Merced
Tioga Hotel
Merced
Merced Theatre
Merced
Leggett, Thomas H., House
Merced
Cook, Maj. George Beecher, House
Merced
Merced County High School
Merced
Browse all Californiahistoric sites ›

Other counties in California

Explore census history and historic records for more California counties.

ShastaSierraSiskiyouSolanoSonomaStanislausSutterTehamaTrinityTulareTuolumneVenturaYoloYubaAlamedaAlpineAmadorButteCalaverasColusa
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Merced County, California

This page charts the census history of Merced County, California. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Merced County, California report
Or see a real report first

Explore California records

Californiahistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from California›

Frequently asked about Merced

When does Merced first appear in the US census?
Merced, California first appears in the federal census in 1860, with a recorded population of 1,141.
What is the population of Merced?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Merced had a recorded population of 281,202.
Were any battles fought in Merced?
1 documented military engagement took place in Merced, including Snelling Affair — Stanislaus River (1850).
How many historic places are in Merced?
16 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Merced, California.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report