Gustine, with a 2000 population of about 4,300, is located on the west side of Merced County near Interstate 5, about 30 miles west of Merced. The nearest incorporated place is Newman, just across the Stanislaus County line to the north. Gustine was established in 1895 and incorporated in 1915. Like many west side communities, Gustine is within commuting range of the San Francisco Bay area and expects an increasing population.