Modesto city, California Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Modesto city, California has a total population of 218,614, the 19th largest city in California, with a median household income of $77,899, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.0%.
Modesto city Quick Facts
How Modesto city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 69 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Modesto city Rankings in California
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Cities Similar to Modesto city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moreno Valley city | 210,378 | $87,477 | $461,400 | 17.3% | 11.8% |
| San Bernardino city | 221,774 | $63,988 | $384,900 | 12.8% | 19.5% |
| Fontana city | 211,921 | $98,187 | $558,500 | 20.4% | 10.3% |
| Glendale city | 192,270 | $84,262 | $1,043,900 | 45.5% | 13.4% |
| Oxnard city | 201,014 | $93,372 | $617,800 | 19.6% | 10.8% |
Population Overview
Modesto city is a major urban center located in California. The total population is 218,614. It ranks as the 19th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Modesto city is 35.4 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Modesto city is $77,899. This is 19% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is about average. The poverty rate stands at 13.0%. This is 8% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.3%. This is 14% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $415,600. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x. 58.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 55.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Modesto city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 39.0%. The Asian population (7.1%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.
Education
20.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Modesto city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Modesto city, California?
Modesto city, California has a population of 218,614 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Modesto city, CA?
The median household income in Modesto city is $77,899, which is about average the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Modesto city, CA?
The poverty rate in Modesto city is 13.0%. This means approximately 28,061 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Modesto city, California?
Modesto city's population is 39.0% White, 4.3% Black, 43.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Modesto city, CA?
The median home value in Modesto city is $415,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x.
How educated is Modesto city, California?
20.3% of adults (25+) in Modesto city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.