Editing Atwater, California

{{Short description|City in California, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Atwater, California
| settlement_type    = [[List of municipalities in California|City]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = Community Pride, City Wide
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = Atwater california city seal.png
| seal_alt           = Seal of the City of Atwater
| image_skyline      = Atwater tower.jpg
| imagesize          = 245px
| image_caption      = Water tower in the city
| image_map          = File:Merced County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Atwater Highlighted 0603162.svg
| mapsize            = 250x200px
| map_caption        = Location in Merced County, California
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = 
| pushpin_map        = California#USA
| pushpin_label      = Atwater
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = [[United States]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[California]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in California|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Merced County, California|Merced]]
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Paul Creighton<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.atwater.org/government_mayorcitycouncil.html |title=City of Atwater |access-date=January 6, 2019 |archive-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223185844/http://www.atwater.org/government_mayorcitycouncil.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| leader_title1      = [[California's 12th State Senate district|State Senator]]
| leader_name1       = {{Representative|casd|12|fmt=sleader}}<ref name=swd/>
| leader_title2      = [[California's 21st State Assembly district|Assemblymember]]
| leader_name2       = {{Representative|caad|21|fmt=sleader}}<ref name=swd/>
| leader_title3      = [[California's 16th congressional district|U. S. Rep.]]
| leader_name3       = {{Representative|cacd|16|fmt=usleader}}<ref name=gt/>
| established_title  = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date   = August 16, 1922<ref>{{Cite web
 |url=http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc 
 |title=California Cities by Incorporation Date 
 |format=Word 
 |publisher=California Association of [[Local Agency Formation Commission]]s 
 |access-date=August 25, 2014 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103002921/http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc 
 |archive-date=November 3, 2014 }}</ref>
<!-- Area------------------>| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2021">{{cite web |title=2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files: California |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2021_Gazetteer/2021_gaz_place_06.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=August 24, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi   = 6.57
| area_land_sq_mi    = 6.57
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.01
| area_total_km2     = 
| area_land_km2      = 
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_water_percent = 0.08
| area_note          = 
| area_urban_km2     = 
| area_urban_sq_mi   = 
| area_metro_km2     = 
| area_metro_sq_mi   = 
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_note    = 
| population_total   = 31970
| population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US0603162&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=P1. Race – Atwater city, California: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=August 24, 2022}}</ref>
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
| population_metro   = 
| population_urban   = 
| population_density_km2 = 
| population_density_sq_mi = 4868.28
| timezone           = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific]]
| utc_offset         = -8
| timezone_DST       = Pacific
| utc_offset_DST     = -7
| coordinates        = {{coord|37|20|52|N|120|36|33|W|region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis>{{gnis|277600}}</ref>
| elevation_m        = 46
| elevation_ft       = 151
| website            = {{URL|www.atwater.org}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code        = 95301, 95342
| area_code          = [[Area code 209|209]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = {{FIPS|06|03162}}
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = {{GNIS 4|277600}}
| footnotes          = 
}}
'''Atwater''' is a city on [[California State Route 99|State Route 99]] in [[Merced County, California]], United States. Atwater is {{convert|8|mi|km|0}} west-northwest of [[Merced, California|Merced]],<ref name=CGN>{{California's Geographic Names|741}}</ref> at an elevation of {{convert|151|ft}}.<ref name=gnis /> The population as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]] was 31,970,<ref name="Census 2020"/> up from 28,168 in 2010.

==Geography==
Atwater is in northern Merced County, between Merced, the [[county seat]], to the southeast and [[Livingston, California|Livingston]] to the northwest. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|6.6|sqmi}}. 99.92% of it is land and 0.08% is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2021"/>

The city includes [[Castle Air Museum]], but does not include the former [[Castle Air Force Base]] proper, now repurposed as [[Castle Airport]].

==History==
The railroad reached Atwater in the 1870s, and a town grew around it.<ref name=CGN /> The first post office opened in 1880.<ref name=CGN /> Atwater incorporated in 1922.<ref name=CGN /> The name honors Marshall D. Atwater, a wheat farmer whose land was used by the railroad for its station.<ref name=CGN />

North of the town is the site of [[Castle Air Force Base]], the former World War II [[Merced Army Airfield auxiliary fields|Merced Army Airfield]].<ref>[http://www.militarymuseum.org/CastleAFB.html militarymuseum.org Merced Army Air Field, Castle Field]</ref> Castle was selected for closure under the [[1991 Base Realignment and Closure Commission]] and the base closed September 30, 1995. The site is now a public airport.

On May 15, 2020, Atwater declared itself a business "sanctuary city" during the coronavirus pandemic.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Lauten-Scrivner|first=Abbie|date=May 15, 2020|title=Atwater is now a business 'sanctuary city' during coronavirus pandemic. What does it mean?|work=Merced Sun-Star|url=https://www.mercedsunstar.com/news/coronavirus/article242772536.html|access-date=May 16, 2020}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1930= 917
|1940= 1235
|1950= 2856
|1960= 7318
|1970= 11640
|1980= 17530
|1990= 22282
|2000= 23113
|2010= 28168
|2020= 31970
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2010===
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] Atwater had a population of 28,168. The population density was {{convert|4,620.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Atwater was 18,410 (65.4%) White, 14,808 (52.6%) Hispanic or Latino of any race, 1,225 (4.3%) African American, 364 (1.3%) Native American, 1,416 (5.0%) Asian, 76 (0.3%) Pacific Islander, 5,300 (18.8%) from other races, and 1,377 (4.9%) from two or more races.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0603162|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715023349/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0603162|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Atwater city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref>

The census reported that 28,066 people (99.6% of the population) lived in households, 31 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 71 (0.3%) were institutionalized.

There were 8,838 households, 4,255 (48.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 4,593 (52.0%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 1,558 (17.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 672 (7.6%) had a male householder with no wife present.  There were 615 (7.0%) [[POSSLQ|unmarried opposite-sex partnerships]], and 60 (0.7%) [[same-sex partnerships|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. 1,615 households (18.3%) were one person and 738 (8.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.18.  There were 6,823 families (77.2% of households); the average family size was 3.61.

The age distribution was 9,016 people (32.0%) under the age of 18, 2,968 people (10.5%) aged 18 to 24, 7,492 people (26.6%) aged 25 to 44, 5,760 people (20.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 2,932 people (10.4%) who were 65 or older.  The median age was 30.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.7 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.

There were 9,771 housing units at an average density of 1,602.9 per square mile, of the occupied units 4,905 (55.5%) were owner-occupied and 3,933 (44.5%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 10.9%.  14,920 people (53.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 13,146 people (46.7%) lived in rental housing units.

===2000===
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] there were 23,113 people in 7,247 households, including 5,667 families, in the city.  The population density was {{convert|4,277.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 8,114 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,501.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 57.34% White, 4.99% Black or African American, 1.27% Native American, 5.43% Asian, 0.36% Pacific Islander, 24.48% from other races, and 6.14% from two or more races.  41.51% of the population were [[Hispanics in the United States|Hispanic]] or Latino of any race.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
Of the 7,247 households 45.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.8% were non-families. 17.6% of households were one person and 6.9% were one person aged 65 or older.  The average household size was 3.15 and the average family size was 3.55.

The age distribution was 34.9% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 17.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% 65 or older.  The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.

The median [[income]] for a household in Atwater is $37,344, and the median family income  was $39,789. Males had a median income of $32,983 versus $22,450 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,162.  About 15.3% of families and 18.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 25.1% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
In the [[California State Legislature]], Atwater is in {{Representative|casd|12|fmt=sdistrict}}, and in {{Representative|caad|21|fmt=adistrict}}.<ref name=swd>{{Cite web
 | url = http://statewidedatabase.org/gis/gis2011/index_2011.html
 | title = Statewide Database
 | publisher = UC Regents
 | access-date = December 10, 2014
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150201113744/http://statewidedatabase.org/gis/gis2011/index_2011.html
 | archive-date = February 1, 2015
| url-status = dead
 }}</ref>

In the [[United States House of Representatives]], Atwater is in {{Representative|cacd|13|fmt=district}}.<ref name=gt>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|13|access-date=October 1, 2014}}</ref>

==Education==

===Primary and secondary schools===
====Public schools====
Most of the city is zoned to the [[Atwater Elementary School District]]. Schools of AESD within Atwater and serving Atwater include:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aesd.edu/attendance_area.htm |title=Attendance Area |access-date=September 2, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509160347/http://www.aesd.edu/attendance_area.htm |archive-date=May 9, 2008 }}</ref>

* K-6
** Aileen Colburn Elementary School
** Shaffer Elementary School
** Thomas Olaeta Elementary School
** Elmer Wood Elementary School
** Mitchell K-6 Elementary School
** Peggy Heller Elementary School
** Bellevue Elementary School
* 7-8
** Mitchell Senior Elementary School
** Bellevue Senior Elementary School
** Peggy Heller Junior High School
* High School
** Atwater High School
** Buhach Colony High School
* Other
** Atwater Valley Community Day School
** Atwater Senior Academy

A small section of eastern Atwater is located in the [[Merced City School District]]; that section is zoned to Rudolph Rivera Middle School.<ref>"[http://www.mcsd.k12.ca.us/files/tsaechao/Proposed%20Middle%20School%20Boundaries%202008-2009.pdf Proposed Middle School Boundaries 2008-2009]{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}." ''[[Merced City School District]]''.</ref> Franklin Elementary School is the closest elementary school to the section of Atwater.

[[Merced Union High School District]] operates [[Atwater High School]] and [[Buhach Colony High School]], both of which serve and reside in Atwater.

====Private schools====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! School !! Grades
|-
| Ariel Dear Academy || 2-12
|-
| Fruitland Christian Preschool || PK-K
|-
| [[Landmark Christian School (California)|Landmark Christian School]] || PK-12
|-
| St. Anthony School || PK-8
|}

==Newspapers==
Atwater currently does not have a daily [[newspaper]], although many of its residents use the daily paper, the ''[[Merced Sun-Star]]'', which is published in nearby [[Merced, California|Merced]]. Additionally Atwater residents rely on local Facebook pages such as "Merced County news".
Atwater has two weekly newspapers called  ''The Atwater Signal''  and ''The Atwater Times''. ''The Atwater Signal''  was first published in 1911. ''The Atwater Times''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usnewspapers.com|title=Newspaper Advertising - Nationwide Classified or Display Ads Cheap|website=www.usnewspapers.com|access-date=April 17, 2018}}</ref> is published by Mid Valley Publications, once a week.

==Notable residents== 
[[File:BlossHouseAtwaterCAJuly06.jpg|thumb|right|Bloss House Museum]]
*[[Bernard Berrian]], NFL Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bernard Berrian Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BerrBe00.htm |access-date=December 17, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Chuck Compton]], NFL Green Bay Packers defensive back<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chuck Compton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CompCh20.htm |access-date=December 17, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Jamill Kelly]], 2004 Olympics silver medal in wrestling<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jamill Kelly - Wrestling Coach |url=https://gostanford.com/sports/wrestling/roster/coaches/jamill-kelly/903 |access-date=December 17, 2023 |website=Stanford University Athletics |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Sheryl Underwood]], actress<ref>{{Cite web |title=Actress, TV Host Sheryl Underwood Also Served in the Air Force |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/2937499/actress-tv-host-sheryl-underwood-also-served-in-the-air-force/https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/2937499/actress-tv-host-sheryl-underwood-also-served-in-the-air-force/ |access-date=December 17, 2023 |website=U.S. Department of Defense |language=en-US}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
*[[Willow Wisp]], experimental Gothic/metal band<ref>{{Cite web |title=Willow Wisp on Apple Music |url=https://music.apple.com/us/artist/willow-wisp/110917041 |access-date=December 17, 2023 |website=Apple Music Web Player |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Sports ==
* [[Atwater Aviators]], of the [[Golden State Collegiate Baseball League]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pointstreaksites.com/view/goldenstatecollegiatebaseballleague/teams-397/atwater-aviators|title=Atwater Aviators - Golden State Collegiate Baseball League|website=pointstreaksites.com|access-date=April 17, 2018}}</ref>
* Atwater Falcons - football and baseball<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mascotdb.com/team.php?id=126351|title=MascotDB.com - Atwater Angels|website=www.mascotdb.com|access-date=April 17, 2018}}</ref>
* Buhach Colony Thunder - football and basketball

== See also ==
* [[List of cities and towns in California]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
*[[Compass Maps]]: Merced, Atwater, Merced County
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060615162927/http://www.atwater.org/doc_files/Annexations%20%28Approved%203-8-05%29.pdf City of Atwater -- Approved Annexations]

==External links==
* {{Official website|www.atwater.org}}

{{Atwater, California}}
{{Merced County, California}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California]]
[[Category:Cities in Merced County, California]]
[[Category:1922 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1922]]