COUNTY · 1990 CENSUS

Monterey County

California · 355,660 residents · 3,281.718 sq mi

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The short version

Monterey County is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $33,520. Population has declined 11% since 2000. Median home value is $196,300.

At a glance

Wealthier

above the US median

US median: $30,130

Younger

median age 29.8

US median: 33.0

Average education

22% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 20%

Stable housing

home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted

US median home: $93,722

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

355,660

−11%vs 2000

vs 401,762 in 2000

1990 – 2025

Population density

108 / sq mi

−11%vs 2000

vs 122 / sq mi in 2000

US average: 221

Median age

29.8

−6%vs 2000

vs 31.7 in 2000

US average: 33.0

Population, 1990 – 2024

2024438K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$33,520

−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $48,305 in 2000

US average: $30,130

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$14,578

−28%vs 2000

vs $20,165 in 2000

US average: $14,340

Poverty rate

11.6%

−1.9 ptsvs 2000

vs 13.5% in 2000

US average: 13.2%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$196,300

+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $254,800 in 2000

US average: $93,722

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$625

+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $776 in 2000

US average: $450

Owner-occupied

50.7%

−4.0 ptsvs 2000

vs 54.6% in 2000

49.3% rent

Afford Score

5.9

+11%vs 2000

vs 5.3 in 2000

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Monterey County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000

White, non-Hispanic40.3%(162,045)

Black3.5%(14,085)

Hispanic / Latino46.8%(187,969)

Asian5.8%(23,203)

Other0%

Diversity Score73.1%(293,532)

1990

White, non-Hispanic63.9%(227,262)

Black6.4%(22,679)

Hispanic / Latino32.7%(116,431)

Asian7.8%(27,657)

Other21.9%(78,062)

Diversity Score84.3%(299,800)

Diversity Score

+15%vs 2000

vs 73 in 2000

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

21.5%

−1.0 ptsvs 2000

vs 22.5% in 2000

US average: 20.3%

High school or higher

72.9%

+4.4 ptsvs 2000

vs 68.4% in 2000

US average: 75.2%

Graduate degree

7.6%

−1.1 ptsvs 2000

vs 8.7% in 2000

US average: 7.1%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

18.7 min

+17%vs 2000

vs 15.9 min in 2000

US average: 21.9

Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Monterey County

Head to head

Compare Monterey County to nearby counties

MONTEREY COUNTY VS

San Benito County

Income$114,394+241%

Home value$793,400+304%

Population70,082−84%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

MONTEREY COUNTY VS

Santa Cruz County

Income$111,093+231%

Home value$1,027,500+423%

Population258,852−40%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

MONTEREY COUNTY VS

Santa Clara County

Income$164,281+390%

Home value$1,490,600+659%

Population1,914,391+341%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

MONTEREY COUNTY VS

Merced County

Income$65,510+95%

Home value$391,800+100%

Population297,260−31%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Monterey County, California?

Monterey County, California has about 355,660 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Monterey County, California?

The typical household in Monterey County, California earns about $33,520 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Monterey County, California expensive?

In Monterey County, California, the median home is worth about $196,300, and the typical rent is about $625 a month.

How educated are people in Monterey County, California?

About 21.5% of adults age 25 and over in Monterey County, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Monterey County, California?

About 11.6% of people in Monterey County, California live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →