Monterey County, California Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Monterey County is located in California with a total population of 435,834. It is the 21st most populous county out of 58 in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Monterey County is 35.3 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Monterey County is $94,486. This is 2% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 20% higher. The poverty rate stands at 12.6%. This is 5% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $723,100. Housing costs are 4% higher than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 52.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Monterey County is Hispanic or Latino, making up 61.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 27.6%. The Black or African American population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (61.0% vs 39.8%). The Asian population (5.5%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

27.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% 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 73.3%.