Los Banos is a city in the state of California, located in Merced County. Similarly to the surrounding areas, Los Banos is best known for its agriculture. The name Los Banos is Spanish for “the baths.” Los Banos got named that because of the various wetlands in San Joaquin Valley.
Los Banos got incorporated on May 8th, 1907. A few main highways that pass through the city include California State Route 165, California State Route 152, Interstate 5, and State Route 152. Los Banos is a good place to live and the mission is to keep the city a “family-oriented community.”
Where Is Los Banos?
Los Banos is in Merced County and close to the wetlands of San Joaquin Valley. It’s a great place to live, especially if you’re a hunter, enjoy birdwatching, or like fishing.
The next largest city to Los Banos is Merced. Los Banos to Merced is 37 miles away.
The cities surrounding Los Banos are Dos Palos, Merced, Modesto, Hollister, Newman, and Gustine. The public transportation in Los Banos is the Los Banos Commuter, a bus, and it has nine stops throughout the city.
Los Banos Population & Demographics
The population in Los Banos, CA, is 44,421, which is an increase of 8,449 people since 2010. The population density is 4,443.5 people per square mile.
Los Banos demographics:
- 19% White, 73% Hispanic, 2% Asian, 2% Biracial, 2% African American, 1% Islander
- Gender Breakdown: 49% female and 51% male
- 28.3% Foreign-Born Population
- Median Household Income: $69,607 which is less than the state median household income of $84,097
- Median Age: 29 years old
- Educational Attainment: 70.4% of the residents graduated from High School, and 10.9% have received their Bachelor’s degree
A notable person from Los Banos, CA, Mack Wheat, was an old catcher for the MLB.
The total crime rate in Los Banos, CA, is 2,770 per 100k people, which is 18.1% higher than the national average. While this California area is higher than the national average, the majority of these crimes come from property (2,241 per 100k). Despite crime being present in Los Banos, there are safe areas to live.
There are a total of 43 sworn officers in the Los Banos Police Department.
Cost of Living in Los Banos
The cost of living in Los Banos, CA, is 19.2% higher than the national average. While this might seem expensive, Los Banos is cheaper than the state average by 30.7%. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four in Merced County needs $82,079 per year to live comfortably in Los Banos, CA.
Typical Los Banos Living Expenses
While the expense breakdown wasn’t available for Los Banos, the prices are based on the closest big city, Modesto.
- Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: $19.50
- Domestic Beer (1 pint draught): $6.00
- Milk (regular, 1 gallon): $4.10
- Bread (1 loaf): $3.70
- Oranges (1 lb): $1.75
- Apples (1 lb): $1.62
- Beef Round (1 lb): $6.00
- Eggs (regular, 12): $2.84
- Average Cost of Gasoline Per Gallon: $4.77
- Fitness Club (Per Month, 1 Adult): $57.50
- Average Los Banos Utilities Per Month: $319
Source: Numbeo
The Los Banos median home sale price is $457,500, and the average sale price per square foot is $216. There are so many beautiful Los Banos, CA homes for sale, and it’s a great place to get into the real estate industry, especially in California. Here’s a breakdown of the median sale price for single-family homes and condos in Los Banos, CA.
- Single-Family: $457,500
- Condo: $274,500
According to RentCafe, the median rent in Los Banos is $936 per month, but the number of bedrooms, location, and amenities affects the price. While there aren’t many apartments to choose from in Los Banos, there are plenty of great apartments for rent nearby.
Los Banos Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Los Banos
While there are many big neighborhoods in Los Banos, there are plenty of areas that are family-friendly and kid-friendly neighborhoods in Los Banos. Here are some of the top-rated neighborhoods in Los Banos, CA.
Jolin Park | Urban Neighborhood Close To Highway
Jolin Park is an urban neighborhood in Los Banos and is a diverse area. The overall real estate in Jolin Park is less expensive than the average in California. If you’re looking for a family-friendly neighborhood in Los Banos, Jolin Park is a great option!
City Center | Suburban Los Banos, CA, Neighborhood
City Center in Los Banos is a suburban neighborhood with affordable real estate and diversity, and has plenty of places to explore after work.
Los Banos Weather & Climate
Los Banos is considered a semiarid climate (Bsk). In the spring and winter months, the climate is arid and hot, with clear skies; the temperature can range between the low-70s and the mid-90s. In the fall and winter months, the climate is cold, wet, cloudy, and short, and the temperature can range between the mid-50s to the upper-60s. The average rainfall for Los Banos is 13.6 inches per year.
The best time of year to visit Los Banos, CA, is June and September.
Some of the natural disasters that can take place in California are wildfires, mudslides, and earthquakes.
Things to Do in Los Banos
The College Plaza is the main shopping center in Los Banos, and if you’re looking for some popular storefronts, you’ll find Village Sports, Dollar General Market, Santa Fe Foods Los Banos, Rue21, and the Boot Barn.
San Luis National Wildlife Refuge
With 26,800 acres, the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most beautiful areas in California, with plenty of things to see, ranging from waterfowl, shorebirds, tule elk, and natural scenery.
San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, 7376 Wolfsen Rd, Los Banos, CA 93635 (209) 826-3508
Los Banos Fairgrounds Park
The Los Banos Fairgrounds Park is a family-friendly and kid-friendly spot that offers a Spring and Summer fair. Whether you’re an entertainer or vendor, this space is fun and a place for people of all ages.
Los Banos Fairgrounds Park, 403 F St, Los Banos, CA 93635 (209) 826-5166
Premier Cinemas
The Premiere Cinemas is a family-favorite spot to come and spend time as a family or the night out with friends. They have all the current favorites to the old classics like Titanic.
Premier Cinemas, 245 Mercey Springs Rd, Los Banos, CA 93635 (209) 827-9400
Additional Places To Visit In Los Banos
- Los Banos Wildlife Area
- Los Banos Creek Reservoir
- Jungle Jim’s Adventure Lanes
- St. Joseph’s Church
- Lake Banos Waterfowl Area (Wildlife Refuge)
The city of Los Banos has 20+ local parks that are family-friendly and has something for everyone. And if you want to check out some of the community events, check out their events calendar.
Los Banos Restaurants
Here are some of the top-rated restaurants in Los Banos, CA!
Espana’s Southwest Bar & Grill
With 50+ years and being a family-owned and operated community, Espana’s Southwest Bar & Grill has transformed from its original days of Canal Farm. The mouthwatering food is a staple in the community of Los Banos!
Espana’s Southwest Bar & Grill, 1460 E Pacheco Blvd, Los Banos, CA 93635 (209) 826-4041
Wool Growers Restaurant
As a French restaurant in Los Banos, Wool Growers has been in business for 100+ years and continues to provide delicious and traditional French-Basque food.
Wool Growers Restaurant, 609 H St, Los Banos, CA 93635 (209) 826-4593
Little Diamond’s Pizza
If you’re looking for the best pizza restaurant in Los Banos, Little Diamond’s Pizza has delicious and authentic food that’s perfect for parties, family nights, or just for dinner.
Little Diamond’s Pizza, 933 6th St STE B, Los Banos, CA 93635 (209) 710-8385
Jobs in Los Banos
The unemployment rate in Los Banos is 7.2%, which is higher than the national average for unemployment. The largest industries in Los Banos include retail, manufacturing, and health. Some of the most popular employers in Los Banos are Kagome USA, Sutter Health, and California Dairies.
The average salary in Los Banos is $70,000, and the average hourly rate is $16.97, according to Payscale.
Ready to explore employment opportunities ahead of moving to Los Banos? You’ll find many Los Banos, CA jobs on Indeed. You can also explore City of Los Banos jobs.
Los Banos Schools
Los Banos, CA, is part of the Los Banos Unified School District. A few of the available schools within the district include:
- Charleston Elementary
- Henry Miller Elementary School
- Los Banos Junior High
- Creekside Junior High
- Los Banos High
- Pacheco High
When it comes to attending college after high school, there are plenty of great schools nearby. Some of the most popular are: the University of California Merced, Fresno City College, and San Jose State University.
The local library is the Friends of the Los Banos Library.
Los Banos Statistics & Information
- Los Banos County: Merced
- Los Banos Area: 10.12 square miles
- Los Banos Zip Code: 93635
- Los Banos Area Code: (209)
- Los Banos Elevation: 1118 feet above sea level
- Los Banos Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST)
- The Closest Airport: Merced Regional Airport (MCE), 35 miles away
Map of Los Banos
Explore more amenities, shops, restaurants, and places with this map of Los Banos, CA!
Are you thinking about moving to the beautiful area of Los Banos, CA? Southbay Moving is here to help make your transition seamless while giving you peace of mind! Call our 5-star Los Banos movers today at (831) 000-0000 for a free estimate!