Atwater is a city on State Route 99 in Merced County, California, United States. Atwater is 8mi west-northwest of Merced, at an elevation of 151 feet (46 m). The population as of the 2010 census was 28,168.GeographyAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.1sqmi. 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.HistoryThe 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.Demographics2010The 2010 United States Census reported that Atwater had a population of 28,168. The population density was 4,620.8 people per square mile (1,784.1/km²). 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.
