Atwater, California
Encyclopedia
Atwater is a city on U.S. Route 99
in Merced County
, California
, United States. Atwater is 8 miles (13 km) west-northwest of Merced
, at an elevation of 151 feet (46 m). The population as of the 2010 census was 28,168.
, the city has a total area of 6.1 square miles (15.8 km²). 99.86% of it is land and 0.14% water.
The city includes Castle Air Museum
, but does not include Castle Air Force Base
proper.
was 4,620.8 people per square mile (1,784.1/km²). The racial makeup of Atwater was 18,410 (65.4%) White, 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. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14,808 persons (52.6%).
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, out of which 4,255 (48.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 4,593 (52.0%) were 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%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 60 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 1,615 households (18.3%) were made up of individuals and 738 (8.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.18. There were 6,823 families
(77.2% of all households); the average family size was 3.61.
The population was spread out with 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 years of age 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 (618.9/km²), of which 4,905 (55.5%) were owner-occupied, and 3,933 (44.5%) were occupied by renters. 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.
of 2000, there were 23,113 people, 7,247 households, and 5,667 families residing in the city. The population density
was 4,277.4 people per square mile (1,652.6/km²). There were 8,114 housing units at an average density of 1,501.6/sq mi (580.2/km²). The 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 Hispanic or Latino
of any race.
There were 7,247 households out of which 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 all households were made up of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.15 and the average family size was 3.55.
In the city the population was spread out with 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% who were 65 years of age 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 income for a family 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.
Atwater is in the 12th Senate
District, represented by Republican
Anthony Cannella
, and in the 17th Assembly
District, represented by Democrat
Cathleen Galgiani
. Federally, Atwater is in California's 18th congressional district
, which has a Cook PVI
of D +3 and is represented by Democrat Dennis Cardoza
.
A small section of eastern Atwater is located in the Merced City School District; that section is zoned to Rivera Middle School. 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.
, although many of its residents use the daily paper, the Merced Sun-Star
, which is published in nearby Merced
.
Atwater has two weekly newspapers called The Atwater Signal and The Atwater Times. The Atwater Signal was first published in 1911. The Atwater Times is published by Mid Valley Publications, once a week.
U.S. Route 99
U.S. Route 99 was the main north–south highway on the West Coast of the United States until 1964, running from Calexico, California, on the U.S.-Mexico border to Blaine, Washington, on the U.S.-Canada border. It was a route of the United States Numbered Highways, assigned in 1926 and existing...
in Merced County
Merced County, California
Merced County , is a county located in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California, north of Fresno and southeast of San Jose. As of the 2010 census, the population was 255,793, up from 210,554 at the 2000 census. The county seat is Merced...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, United States. Atwater is 8 miles (13 km) west-northwest of Merced
Merced, California
Merced is a city in, and the county seat of, Merced County, California in the San Joaquin Valley of Northern California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 78,958. Incorporated in 1889, Merced is a charter city that operates under a council-manager government...
, at an elevation of 151 feet (46 m). The population as of the 2010 census was 28,168.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 6.1 square miles (15.8 km²). 99.86% of it is land and 0.14% water.
The city includes Castle Air Museum
Castle Air Museum
Castle Air Museum is a military aviation museum located in Atwater, California, United States adjacent to the site of the former Castle Air Force Base...
, but does not include Castle Air Force Base
Castle Air Force Base
Castle Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force Strategic Air Command base located northeast of Atwater, northwest of Merced and about east southeast of San Francisco, California....
proper.
History
The railroad reached Atwater in the 1870s, and a town grew up. The first post office opened in 1880. Atwater incorporated in 1922. The name honors Marshall D. Atwater, a wheat farmer whose land was used by the railroad for its station.2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Atwater had a population of 28,168. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 4,620.8 people per square mile (1,784.1/km²). The racial makeup of Atwater was 18,410 (65.4%) White, 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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1,377 (4.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14,808 persons (52.6%).
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, out of which 4,255 (48.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 4,593 (52.0%) were opposite-sex married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
POSSLQ
POSSLQ is an abbreviation for "Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters," a term coined in the late 1970s by the United States Census Bureau as part of an effort to more accurately gauge the prevalence of cohabitation in American households....
, and 60 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 1,615 households (18.3%) were made up of individuals and 738 (8.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.18. There were 6,823 families
Family (U.S. Census)
A family or family household is defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes as "a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. They do not include same-sex married couples even if the marriage was performed in a state...
(77.2% of all households); the average family size was 3.61.
The population was spread out with 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 years of age 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 (618.9/km²), of which 4,905 (55.5%) were owner-occupied, and 3,933 (44.5%) were occupied by renters. 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
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 23,113 people, 7,247 households, and 5,667 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 4,277.4 people per square mile (1,652.6/km²). There were 8,114 housing units at an average density of 1,501.6/sq mi (580.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 57.34% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 4.99% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.27% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 5.43% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.36% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 24.48% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 6.14% from two or more races. 41.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 7,247 households out of which 45.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.8% were non-families. 17.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.15 and the average family size was 3.55.
In the city the population was spread out with 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% who were 65 years of age 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
Income
Income is the consumption and savings opportunity gained by an entity within a specified time frame, which is generally expressed in monetary terms. However, for households and individuals, "income is the sum of all the wages, salaries, profits, interests payments, rents and other forms of earnings...
for a household in Atwater is $37,344, and the median income for a family was $39,789. Males had a median income of $32,983 versus $22,450 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
Politics
In the state legislatureCalifornia State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
Atwater is in the 12th Senate
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
District, represented by Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Anthony Cannella
Anthony Cannella
Anthony Cannella is an American politician currently serving in the California State Senate. He is a Republican representing the 12th district, encompassing Merced and San Benito counties, as well as parts of Madera, Monterey, and Stanislaus counties...
, and in the 17th Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
District, represented by Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Cathleen Galgiani
Cathleen Galgiani
Cathleen Galgiani is an American politician who currently serves in the California State Assembly, where she has represented the 17th district since December 2006...
. Federally, Atwater is in California's 18th congressional district
California's 18th congressional district
California's 18th congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of California. The district is located in the northern San Joaquin Valley and includes the cities of Modesto, Stockton, Ceres, Atwater, Merced and Los Banos...
, which has a Cook PVI
Cook Partisan Voting Index
The Cook Partisan Voting Index , sometimes referred to as simply the Partisan Voting Index , is a measurement of how strongly an American congressional district or state leans toward one political party compared to the nation as a whole...
of D +3 and is represented by Democrat Dennis Cardoza
Dennis Cardoza
Dennis A. Cardoza is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. The district takes in a large swath of the Central Valley, from Stockton to Fresno. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
.
Public schools
Most of the city is zoned to the Atwater Elementary School District. Schools of AESD within Atwater and serving Atwater include:- K-6
- Aileen Colburn Elementary School
- Shaffer Elementary School
- Thomas Olaeta Elementary School
- Elmer Wood Elementary SchoolElmer Wood Elementary SchoolElmer Wood Elementary is a public school in the small town of Atwater, California. Students attend between Kindergarten and 6th grade. The school has about 560 pupils. It is the recipient of several awards including the 2000 California Distinguished School Award and the Title One Academic...
- Mitchell Elementary School
- K-8
- 7-8
- Other
A small section of eastern Atwater is located in the Merced City School District; that section is zoned to Rivera Middle School. Franklin Elementary School is the closest elementary school to the section of Atwater.
Merced Union High School District
Merced Union High School District
The Merced Union High School District is a school district headquartered in the Castle Commerce Center on the grounds of the Castle Airport Aviation and Development Center in unincorporated Merced County, California, near Atwater...
operates Atwater High School
Atwater High School
Atwater High School is a secondary school in Atwater, California and a part of the Merced Union High School District....
and Buhach Colony High School
Buhach Colony High School
Buhach Colony High School is a public high school in Atwater, California. Opened in 2001, the school is part of the Merced Union High School District. The school colors are black and gold, and the mascot is Thor. -Curriculum:...
, both of which serve and reside in Atwater.
Private schools
| School | Grades |
|---|---|
| Ariel Dear Academy | 2-12 |
| Fruitland Christian Preschool | PK-K |
| Landmark Christian School | PK-12 |
| St. Anthony School | PK-8 |
Newspapers
Atwater currently does not have a daily newspaperNewspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
, although many of its residents use the daily paper, the Merced Sun-Star
Merced Sun-Star
The Merced Sun-Star is a daily broadsheet newspaper printed in Merced, California, in the United States. It has an estimated circulation of 20,000 copies...
, which is published in nearby Merced
Merced, California
Merced is a city in, and the county seat of, Merced County, California in the San Joaquin Valley of Northern California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 78,958. Incorporated in 1889, Merced is a charter city that operates under a council-manager government...
.
Atwater has two weekly newspapers called The Atwater Signal and The Atwater Times. The Atwater Signal was first published in 1911. The Atwater Times is published by Mid Valley Publications, once a week.
Notable residents
- Carrie Henn played Rebecca "Newt" Jorden in the 1986 film1986 in film-Events:*April 12 - Actor Morgan Mason marries The Go-Go's Belinda Carlisle.*April 26 - Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger marries television journalist Maria Shriver.*May - Actress Heather Locklear marries Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee....
AliensAliens (film)Aliens is a 1986 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron and starring Sigourney Weaver, Carrie Henn, Michael Biehn, Lance Henriksen, William Hope, and Bill Paxton... - Thomas W. HayesThomas W. HayesThomas W. Hayes was the 28th California State Treasurer. A Republican, he was nominated by Governor George Deukmejian to fill the vacancy created by the August 4, 1987 death of Democrat Jesse M. Unruh. He took office in 1989, upon confirmation by both houses of the California Legislature...
, former California State Treasurer - Jamill KellyJamill KellyJamill Kelly is an American freestyle wrestler. He represented the United States at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games where he earned a silver medal...
, 2004 Olympics silver medal in wrestling - Dennis CardozaDennis CardozaDennis A. Cardoza is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. The district takes in a large swath of the Central Valley, from Stockton to Fresno. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
, Democratic Congressman - Bernard BerrianBernard BerrianBernard Berrian is a free agent American football wide receiver who last played for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
, NFL Minnesota Vikings wide receiver - Chuck ComptonChuck Compton-Career:Compton played with the Green Bay Packers during the 1987 NFL season. He played at the collegiate level at Boise State University....
, NFL Green Bay Packers defensive back - ExperimentalExperimental musicExperimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
Avant-gardeAvant-garde musicAvant-garde music is a term used to characterize music which is thought to be ahead of its time, i.e. containing innovative elements or fusing different genres....
Black metalBlack metalBlack metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
band Willow Wisp was formed in Atwater in 1987