1. Start with McSwain’s exact service geography
McSwain is recorded as a CDP in Merced County, California. That relationship matters when you define a service area, but the Census record does not say that a firm should target all of Merced County or any particular surrounding community. A law firm may have a service area that is narrower, broader or different from the CDP boundary, depending on its practice, court work, office location and capacity. Bosseo’s public Local Service Ads description identifies category and geography targeting as part of the program. The practical decision is which locations the firm is authorized and prepared to serve—not how many people live in McSwain.
Recommended approach
Bring the firm’s current service-area rules to the consultation. Separate McSwain from Merced County and from any metropolitan area you may also serve. Review whether each proposed area matches the firm’s accepted matter types, travel limits and response capacity. Treat the local population estimate as context only, not as a forecast of calls or signed cases.
