Atwater is 8 miles (13 km) west-northwest of Merced,[8] at an elevation of 151 feet (46 m).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.6 square miles (17 km2).

[8] The name honors Marshall D. Atwater, a wheat farmer whose land was used by the railroad for its station.

[8] North of the town is the site of Castle Air Force Base, the former World War II Merced Army Airfield.

On May 15, 2020, Atwater declared itself a business "sanctuary city" during the coronavirus pandemic.

At the 2000 census there were 23,113 people in 7,247 households, including 5,667 families, in the city.

There were 8,114 housing units at an average density of 1,501.6 per square mile (579.8/km2).

In the California State Legislature, Atwater is in the 12th Senate District, represented by Republican Shannon Grove, and in the 21st Assembly District, represented by Democrat Diane Papan.

[4] Most of the city is zoned to the Atwater Elementary School District.

Additionally Atwater residents rely on local Facebook pages such as "Merced County news".

The Atwater Times[16] is published by Mid Valley Publications, once a week.