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CITY

Monterey

California · 28,953 residents (2025 est.) · 8.645 sq mi
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Part of the Salinas metro area
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Notable rankings
#216Most expensive homesof 6,786$1,076,300
The short version

Monterey is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $102,846. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $1,076,300. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 37.5
US median: 38.9
More educated
53% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 51%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
29,613
Unchangedsince 2000
from 29,674 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,425 / sq mi
Unchangedsince 2000
from 3,433 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.5
+4%since 2000
from 36.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:28,953 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
27K29K30K31K32K1990201020202024Monterey
202430K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$102,846
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $49,109 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$62,773
+131%since 2000
from $27,133 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
65.2%
+25.8 ptssince 2009
from 39.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.8%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 7.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.456
+8%since 2010
from 0.422 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information6.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services5.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade5%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade4.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance3.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,076,300
+51%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $392,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,353
+45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $888 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
36.2%
−2.3 ptssince 2000
from 38.5% in 2000
63.8% rent
Vacancy rate
11.3%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
32.9%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 37.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
54.5%
+6.9 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
10.5
+31%since 2000
from 8.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
50
RELATED:See current rent listings in Monterey on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic75%(22,246)
Black2.4%(716)
Hispanic / Latino10.9%(3,222)
Asian7.3%(2,171)
Other0%
Diversity Score45.6%(13,541)
2024
White, non-Hispanic60.7%(17,987)
Black2.3%(686)
Hispanic / Latino23.6%(6,986)
Asian6.7%(1,977)
Other6.7%(1,977)
Diversity Score70.7%(20,950)
Diversity Score
71
+55%since 2000
from 46 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
52.9%
+6.6 ptssince 2000
from 46.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.1%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 91.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
27.2%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 18.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.5 min
+64%since 2000
from 11.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
57.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 57.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.2%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
2.6%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
23.0%
+15.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
9.2%
−8.4 ptssince 2009
from 17.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.7%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.1%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 6.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
68.0%
+0.3 ptssince 2011
from 67.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.5%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 13.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
52.0%
−21.3 ptssince 2009
from 73.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.7%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Female
49.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Foreign born
17.7%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.6%
−38.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2012
from 10.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.3%
−76.6 ptssince 2013
from 83.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.6%
+7.1 ptssince 2017
from 87.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
73.1%
−3.5 ptssince 2016
from 76.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
15.1%
+4.9 ptssince 2016
from 10.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Monterey to nearby cities

MONTEREY VS
Pacific Grove
Income$106,065+3%
Home value$1,190,400+11%
Population14,659−49%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MONTEREY VS
Seaside
Income$85,311−17%
Home value$787,100−27%
Population31,636+9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MONTEREY VS
Marina
Income$95,955−7%
Home value$818,700−24%
Population23,256−20%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MONTEREY VS
Salinas
Income$91,908−11%
Home value$654,100−39%
Population159,134+450%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Monterey, California?

Monterey, California has about 29,613 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Monterey, California?

The typical household in Monterey, California earns about $102,846 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Monterey, California expensive?

In Monterey, California, the median home is worth about $1,076,300, and the typical rent is about $2,353 a month.

How educated are people in Monterey, California?

About 52.9% of adults age 25 and over in Monterey, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Monterey, California?

About 9.8% of people in Monterey, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Monterey, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Monterey, California has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 2,341 residents, a change of about -7 percent over that period.

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

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