Located in the heart of the Central Valley, Waterford is the 8th largest city in Stanislaus County with a population which has grown steadily from 2,683 in 1980 to over 7,800 today.

Known as the "Gateway to Recreation", the city plays host to the thousands of people who travel through on their way to the many recreational opportunities in the area.

Originally settled in 1857 by William W. Baker, the town was originally named Bakersville. Mr. Baker homesteaded 160 acres just south of the river near the Appling Road Bridge.

In 1870 the post office was apparently having trouble delivering the mail as the name was being confused with the other places ( at the time the only other similarity was Bakersfield) so the post office suggested the name be changed. So in 1870 the name was changed to Waterford.