# Cressey, California

Cressey (formerly, Cressy) is a census-designated place in Merced County, California. It is located 6 miles (9.7 km) north-northwest of Atwater, at an elevation of 167 feet (51 m). The population was 366 at the 2020 United States census, down from 393 in 2010.
Cressey is located in the northern part of Merced County. It is just east of where the Santa Fe railroad (the original line of the San Francisco and San Joaquin Valley Railroad) crosses the Merced River. Ballico is across the river to the northwest. Livingston is to the southwest, and Winton is southeast of Cressey. The ZIP Code is 95312. The area is inside area code 209.

## History

The Cressy post office opened in 1882, closed in 1883, re-opened in 1909, and changed its name to Cressey in 1912. The town was named by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway for Calvin J. Cressey, local landowner.
Cressey is patrolled by the Merced County Sheriffs Office.
Cressey has one elementary school (Ballico-Cressey School District, K-2).

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP covers an area of 1.8 square miles (4.6 km$^2$), all of it land.
To the north of Cressey, beyond the Merced River, it is considered Ballico. To the south of Cressey, Palm Avenue and beyond, it is considered Winton. To the west of Cressey, over the Santa Fe Rail Road and beyond, it is considered Livingston. To the east of Cressey, off of Cressey Way onto Meadow Drive and beyond, it is considered Winton as well.

## Demographics

The 2010 United States Census reported that Cressey had a population of 394. The population density was 224.1 inhabitants per square mile (86.5/km$^2$). The racial makeup of Cressey was 253 (64.2%) White, 1 (0.3%) African American, 3 (0.8%) Native American, 15 (3.8%) Asian, 1 (0.3%) Pacific Islander, 95 (24.1%) from other races, and 26 (6.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 195 persons (49.5%).
The Census reported that 394 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 114 households, out of which 50 (43.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 72 (63.2%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 11 (9.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 7 (6.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 4 (3.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 4 (3.5%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 18 households (15.8%) were made up of individuals, and 9 (7.9%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.46. There were 90 families (78.9% of all households); the average family size was 3.90.
The population was spread out, with 109 people (27.7%) under the age of 18, 44 people (11.2%) aged 18 to 24, 90 people (22.8%) aged 25 to 44, 95 people (24.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 56 people (14.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.6 males.
There were 123 housing units at an average density of 69.9 per square mile (27.0/km$^2$), of which 88 (77.2%) were owner-occupied, and 26 (22.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0%; the rental vacancy rate was 10.3%. 303 people (76.9% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 91 people (23.1%) lived in rental housing units.

## Government
### Local

The Merced Irrigation District provides irrigation water.
Ballico and Cressey share an elementary school district. Most Cressey students continue to Livingston High School in the Merced Union High School District.
Fire protection is provided by Cal Fire under contract to Merced County Fire Department. Station 64 is staffed with one career fire officer each shift, and local volunteers.
Merced County Sheriffs Department is the patrol for this unincorporated area.

### State and federal

In the California State Legislature, Cressey is in the 12th Senate District, represented by Republican Shannon Grove, and in the 21st Assembly District, represented by Democrat Diane Papan.
In the United States House of Representatives, Cressey is in California's 16th congressional district, represented by Democrat Anna Eshoo.