Ballico is a census-designated place in Merced County, California. It is located 9 miles northwest of Atwater, at an elevation of 151 feet. The population was 406 at the 2010 census.Ballico is located in the northern part of Merced County, just north of where the Santa Fe railroad crosses the Merced River. Delhi is to the west, Denair to the northwest, and Cressey is across the river to the southeast. The ZIP Code is 95303. The area is inside area code 209.The name is a portmanteau of Ballantine Company, owner of the ranch on which the town was built.