Atwater is a city in Merced County, California, United States. The population was 28,168 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Modesto Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The Merced Municipal Airport is located three miles northwest of downtown Atwater and offers general aviation services. The airport has two asphalt runways: Runway 10/28 is 4,602 feet long and 100 feet wide; Runway 16/34 is 3,901 feet long and 60 feet wide. There are also three turf runways: Runway 2/20 is 3,801 feet long and 75 feet wide; Runway 7/25 is 2,801 feet long and 75 feet wide; Runway 13/31 is 2,401 feet long and 50 feet wide.

In addition to general aviation, the Merced Municipal Airport Atwater is also home to a number of flight schools and other aviation-related businesses.