Modoc County, California Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Modoc County is located in California with a total population of 8,646. It is the 56th most populous county out of 58 in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Modoc County is 49.0 years. This is 30% higher than the state median of 37.6 years. 12.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Modoc County is $56,648. This is 41% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.3%. This is 69% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 7% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $212,000. Housing costs are 70% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 77.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% higher than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Modoc County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (75.2% vs 34.6%). The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (15.3%) is well below the state average of 39.8%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

23.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% 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 87.9%.