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CITY · 2020 ACS

Modesto

California · 218,464 residents · 43.358 sq mi
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The short version

Modesto has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $62,182. Population has grown 16% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $300,700.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 36.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 62%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
218,464
+16%since 2000
from 188,856 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
5,039 / sq mi
+16%since 2000
from 4,356 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
36.3
+11%since 2000
from 32.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
159K176K192K208K225K1990201020202024Modesto
2024219K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$62,182
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,394 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,052
+58%since 2000
from $17,797 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
41.0%
+10.0 ptssince 2009
from 31.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
12.4%
−3.3 ptssince 2000
from 15.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade11.6%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade7.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance6.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Transportation & warehousing3.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction2.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration1.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$300,700
+62%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $123,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,254
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $639 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
56.1%
−2.6 ptssince 2000
from 58.7% in 2000
43.9% rent
Afford Score
4.8
+58%since 2000
from 3.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Modesto on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic59.6%(112,466)
Black3.7%(7,013)
Hispanic / Latino25.6%(48,310)
Asian5.9%(11,084)
Other0%
Diversity Score65.8%(124,257)
2020
White, non-Hispanic38.7%(84,592)
Black3.7%(8,103)
Hispanic / Latino42.9%(93,733)
Asian7.7%(16,929)
Other4.6%(10,098)
Diversity Score80%(174,812)
Diversity Score
80
+22%since 2000
from 66 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.3%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 16.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
83.3%
+8.2 ptssince 2000
from 75.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 5.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.7 min
+63%since 2000
from 17.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.9%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 81.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.3%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.5%
−5.5 ptssince 2011
from 14.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
60.9%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 61.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.7%
−30.1 ptssince 2009
from 60.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.1%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
Female
50.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
Foreign born
18.0%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 16.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.5%
−77.0 ptssince 2013
from 82.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Modesto to nearby cities

MODESTO VS
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Income$79,025+27%
Home value$424,800+41%
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MODESTO VS
Salida
Income$94,935+53%
Home value$461,100+53%
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MODESTO VS
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MODESTO VS
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Income$91,557+47%
Home value$511,200+70%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Modesto, California?

Modesto, California has about 218,464 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Modesto, California?

The typical household in Modesto, California earns about $62,182 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Modesto, California expensive?

In Modesto, California, the median home is worth about $300,700, and the typical rent is about $1,254 a month.

How educated are people in Modesto, California?

About 19.3% of adults age 25 and over in Modesto, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Modesto, California?

About 12.4% of people in Modesto, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Modesto, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Modesto, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 53,734 residents, a change of about 33 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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