What is Living in Atwater CA Like? ☀️ | COMPLETE Guide for Moving to Atwater

Thinking about moving to Atwater California? Located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, this charming town in Merced County is one of the best places to live in the entire state. Whether you’re chasing affordable housing, good schools, or job opportunities, living in Atwater CA has plenty to offer. The cost of living here won’t break the bank, and the welcoming community of friendly residents adds to its small-town charm. As such, Atwater CA is a good place to live. No matter what, Atwater is likely to fit your own personal preferences. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about living in Atwater CA.

Is Atwater CA a Good Place to Live?

Atwater CA is a good place to live. Residents living in Atwater CA can take advantage of a top-rated school district, a reasonable cost of living, and plenty of parks and outdoor attractions. This city truly has something for everyone!

Where Is Atwater CA?

 

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What county is Atwater CA in? Atwater is in Merced County and spans across 6.57 square miles. If you’re looking to drive to a nearby town, you can quickly get to places like Merced (8.6 miles away), Los Banos (35.2 miles away), Modesto (31.4 miles away), and Turlock (17.3 miles away).

When living in Atwater CA, the best way to get around is by car. However, if you prefer public transit, there are two bus routes that run through the area via The Bus.

If living in Atwater CA is in your future, then give our Atwater movers a call! Our Atwater moving company will get you settled into your home quickly and efficiently.

Atwater Population & Demographics

 

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How many people are living in Atwater CA? The population of Atwater California is 31,970, which is a 13.4% increase over the past 10 years. After moving to Atwater, you can enjoy a very diverse community, with a racial and ethnic composition of 45.5% White (30.2% non-Hispanic), 8.1% two or more races, 5.2% Asian, 4.5% Black or African American, 1.2% American Indian, and 1.1% Native Hawaiian. Additionally, 22.2% of residents living in Atwater CA are foreign-born. The median household income in Atwater is $64,195, which is suitable for the cost of living in the area.

Additional Atwater Demographics:

• Sex ratio: 50% male, 50% female
• Median age: 33.5
• Educational attainment: 72.4% high school degree (or higher), 14.7% bachelor’s degree (or higher)
• Notable people from Atwater: NFL player Bernard Berrian, Olympian Jamill Kelly, actress Sheryl Underwood

Is Atwater CA safe? Here’s a quick look at the crime rate in Atwater California:

• Overall crime rate: 3,346 crimes per 100,000 people (17.7% higher than the California average and 44.0% higher than the national average)
• Violent crime rate: 843 crimes per 100,000 people (68.8% higher than the California average and 128.0% higher than the national average)
• Property crime rate: 2,503 crimes per 100,000 people (6.8% higher than the California average and 28.1% higher than the national average)

Although the crime rates are on the higher end, Atwater CA is a safe place to live. Most of the crime in the city is concentrated in just a few small areas where gang activity is higher. You’ll find plenty of safe communities where there is little to no crime at all. When living in Atwater CA, you’ll be protected by the Atwater Police Department.

Atwater Cost of Living

Are you wondering whether or not living in Atwater CA is affordable for you and your family? Luckily, the cost of living in Atwater is very reasonable, considering its location. The Cost of Living Index in Atwater is 109.1. This means that the cost of living in the area is 9.1% higher than the national average.

Although the cost of living is higher than the national average, it is 27.2% lower than the California average. Moving to Atwater could be a great option for families who want to live in California without the high price tag.

According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Atwater CA would need to earn $105,921 per year to live comfortably in the community.

Typical Atwater Living Expenses

• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $20.00
• Gallon of milk: $4.53
• Gallon of gas: $4.77
• Fitness membership (monthly): $33.33
• Childcare (monthly): $1,883.33
• Average Atwater utilities per month: $275.29

Source: Numbeo

*These numbers are for the nearby city of Merced, but you can expect similar figures when living in Atwater CA.

Do you want to purchase Atwater CA real estate before moving to the area? Fortunately, Atwater real estate is quite affordable. According to Redfin, the median home price in Atwater is $401,500, which is lower than the national average of $428,000. When living in Atwater CA, you’ll find mostly single family homes with three to four bedrooms.

 

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If you’d rather rent in Atwater CA, then you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. According to RentCafe, the average rent in Atwater CA is $1,521 per month, lower than the national average of $1,728.

Neighborhoods in Atwater | Where to Live in Atwater

When living in Atwater CA, you’ll have many amazing neighborhoods to choose from. Whether you want to be closer to town, be near parks for your kids, or find somewhere with lower noise levels, there’s a neighborhood for your personal preferences. These are a few of the best neighborhoods in Atwater.

Downtown Atwater | Fast-Paced Neighborhood Popular Among Young Professionals

Young professionals living in Atwater CA love Downtown Atwater. This neighborhood is walkable, with many shops and restaurants lining the streets. This is also where you’ll find most of the apartment living options in the area.

Castle Gardens | Quiet Area Great for Families

Castle Gardens is a popular neighborhood among families as it is close to top-rated schools like Bellevue Elementary School and Peggy Heller School. In this area, you’ll find mostly single-family homes with large yards.

Andy Albiani Park | Perfect Atwater Neighborhood for Nature Lovers

 

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The neighborhood around Andy Albiani Park is great for nature lovers. You can enjoy easy access to the park itself, as well as the nearby Rancho Del Rey Golf Club.

Atwater CA Weather & Climate

When living in Atwater CA, you can enjoy a cold semi-arid climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The air quality in the area is generally good, although it can dip a bit during the very hot months. Aside from the occasional air quality issue, the weather is very pleasant for those living in Atwater CA. The average annual rainfall in Atwater is 12.7 inches, while the city sees 267 sunny days per year.

Things to Do in Atwater

Aren’t sure what to do in Atwater CA? Luckily there are plenty of things to do for kids, families, and retirees alike! For grocery shopping, you can check out places like Sam’s Food Supermarket and Valley Foods Supermarket. Retail shopping can be enjoyed at spots like Applegate Ranch Shopping Center and Atwater Plaza Shopping Center. These are a few of the best things to do when living in Atwater CA.

Castle Air Museum

 

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Stop by this aircraft museum and check out dozens of World War II and Cold War airplanes.

5050 Santa Fe Dr, Atwater, CA 95301, (209) 723-2178

Rancho Del Rey Golf Club

Tee off at this fabulous golf course, suitable for golfers of all skill levels.

5250 Green Sands Ave, Atwater, CA 95301, (209) 358-7131

Ralston Park

This is one of the best parks for residents living in Atwater CA. Grab the children and head over to this park to enjoy playgrounds, walking paths, and plenty of green space.

1550 Third St, Atwater, CA 95301

Additional Atwater Attractions

• Osborn Park
• Atwater Memorial Ballpark
• Bellevue Bowl

When living in Atwater CA, you can check out the City of Atwater Recreation and Community Center to discover more parks and fun things to do in the area.

Atwater Restaurants

There are plenty of amazing places to eat when living in Atwater CA. These are just a few of the most popular Atwater restaurants.

Almond Tree Restaurant

 

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Almond Tree Restaurant is easily one of the best restaurants in Atwater, serving up diner-style classics like omelets, hamburgers, and spaghetti.

1490 Sycamore Ave, Atwater, CA 95301, (209) 358-6331

Brooks Ranch

For over 25 years, Brooks Ranch has been serving up classic American food to residents living in Atwater CA. Make sure you try one of their famous homemade pie slices for dessert!

975 Bellevue Rd, Atwater, CA 95301, (209) 357-1838

Isabella’s Bar & Grill

Stop by Isabella’s for delicious authentic Mexican food and large margaritas.

2811 Shaffer Rd, Atwater, CA 95301, (209) 358-2760

Jobs in Atwater CA

Are you thinking about searching for job opportunities before moving to Atwater? Because the community is so close to major cities like Fresno and Merced, many people living in Atwater CA commute to work. Fresno includes top employers like Foster Farms and California State University, while Merced is home to companies like Passion Fruit Farms and Radprof.

According to Payscale, the average salary in the Atwater/Merced area is $69,000 per year. If you’re looking for Atwater jobs, try searching for ‘jobs in Atwater CA’ on Indeed or check out the city job board.

Atwater Schools

Living in Atwater CA offers a welcoming community with great options for families when it comes to education. The Merced Union High School District serves high schools in Atwater CA, including the popular Atwater High School, known for its amazing extracurricular programs. For younger kids, elementary schools in Atwater CA are a part of the Atwater Elementary School District. The school district is focused on supporting students’ growth and success, making it a great place for families looking to settle down.

If you are living in Atwater CA and searching for higher education options, then Merced College is your best bet, and is only 6.7 miles away from Atwater. One of Merced College’s standout features is that they offer first-time students who enroll in at least 12 units free tuition for two years.

 

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After moving to Atwater, you can enjoy the Atwater Library and Computer Centre.

Atwater Statistics & Information

This is just some of the most important information to know when living in Atwater CA.

• County: Merced County
• Atwater area: 6.57 square miles
• Atwater zip code: 95301, 95342
• Atwater area code: 209
• Atwater elevation: 151 feet
• Atwater time zone: Pacific Time Zone (UTC -7 and -8)
• Closest airport to Atwater: Merced Regional Airport (MCE), 8.5 miles away

Map of Atwater CA

Here’s a map of everything you can explore when living in Atwater CA.

Is moving to Atwater in your future? This wonderful community offers endless amazing benefits for you and your family. If living in Atwater CA sounds great to you, then get in touch with the Atwater movers at Grace Moving. Give our reliable team a call today at (209) 551-7772 to get started with a free quote.