Modesto, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Modesto, California had a total population of 219,215, the 19th largest city in California, with a median household income of $79,891, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Modesto Quick Facts
How Modesto Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 219,215 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $79,891 | +2.6% |
| Median home value | $415,600 | $442,700 | +6.5% |
How Modesto Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Modesto Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Stanislaus County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turlock | 72,502 | $82,995 | 11.3% | $460,600 |
| Ceres | 49,342 | $79,025 | 15.9% | $424,800 |
| Riverbank | 25,166 | $87,966 | 12.8% | $463,200 |
| Patterson | 24,693 | $93,650 | 9.0% | $450,200 |
| Oakdale | 23,194 | $83,091 | 14.8% | $457,900 |
| Salida | 13,900 | $94,935 | 8.2% | $461,100 |
| Newman | 12,316 | $78,906 | 12.2% | $412,700 |
| Waterford | 9,204 | $74,343 | 13.9% | $402,200 |
| Hughson | 7,648 | $91,557 | 13.9% | $511,200 |
| West Modesto | 5,978 | $61,440 | 12.4% | $304,700 |
Cities Similar to Modesto
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino | 222,724 | $67,415 | $422,300 | 13.1% | 18.6% |
| Moreno Valley | 211,666 | $93,222 | $503,700 | 17.8% | 11.7% |
| Fontana | 214,169 | $102,821 | $586,800 | 21.4% | 9.9% |
| Oxnard | 200,928 | $96,212 | $652,700 | 19.5% | 11.1% |
| Glendale | 190,748 | $88,393 | $1,102,300 | 47.2% | 12.9% |
Population Overview
Modesto is a major urban center located in California, within Stanislaus County. The total population is 219,215. It ranks as the 19th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Modesto is 35.1 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Modesto is $79,891. This is 19% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 1% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.3%. This is 11% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.2%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $442,700. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 58.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Modesto is Hispanic or Latino, making up 45.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 36.6%. The Asian population (7.3%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
21.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Modesto, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Modesto, California?
Modesto, California has a population of 219,215 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Modesto, CA?
The median household income in Modesto is $79,891, which is 1% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Modesto, CA?
The poverty rate in Modesto is 13.3%. This means approximately 28,912 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Modesto, California?
Modesto's population is 36.6% White, 4.4% Black, 45.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Modesto, CA?
The median home value in Modesto is $442,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Modesto, California?
21.2% of adults (25+) in Modesto hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.