Merced is growing, but the question is whether we are growing in a way that actually works for the people who live here.

After reviewing discussion around the city’s Existing Conditions and Trends Workbook, one thing feels very clear to me: Merced cannot afford to drift into the future. We need to make intentional choices now about housing, transportation, safety, downtown, and the kind of city we are becoming.

Merced is not just becoming a UC town someday. In many ways, it already is one. We can see it in housing patterns, student growth, and the pressure already showing up in local rents. That can be a good thing if the city plans carefully. But if we do not, Merced could become less affordable for the working families, students, seniors, and longtime residents who already call this place home.

Housing needs to stay at the center of the conversation. The report lists Merced’s median rent at $1,938 per month and median household income at $59,938 per year. That means the median rent takes up almost 39% of the median monthly income. That should make all of us pause. This is not just a housing statistic. It is a warning sign.

We need more housing options, but not just more large developments at the edge of town. We need practical, neighborhood-scale solutions too: ADUs, duplexes, triplexes, smaller multifamily housing, and more flexibility for people who already own property and want to add value in a responsible way. We should also take a serious look at parking requirements. Too much land gets locked up in pavement when it could be used for housing, small businesses, trees, gathering spaces, or something that actually strengthens the tax base.

Don’t Look to High-Speed Rail to Save Us

Merced also needs to stop waiting for one giant project to save us. High-Speed Rail may bring opportunity, but it should not be treated as the magic answer to Merced’s future, especially if the station ends up away from downtown. Downtown revitalization needs to be a City-led priority, not something we hope another agency delivers for us later.

Transportation safety also deserves more attention. Many of our bike paths and trails feel disconnected, and too many bike lanes are just painted lines next to fast traffic. With more people using e-bikes, scooters, and bikes for real transportation, safer connections are not a luxury. They are basic planning.

The same goes for transit. If buses do not come often enough or routes are hard to understand, people will not rely on them. If we want people to have real choices, the system has to be useful.

Merced’s future should be ambitious, but it also needs to be grounded. Growth should make life better for current residents, not just look good on a planning document.

About the Author

Rosie Campagna is a Merced resident, project coordinator, community advocate, and Strong Towns Conversation Leader who writes about housing, transportation safety, downtown revitalization, and the long-term future of the city.

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