West Modesto, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, West Modesto, California had a total population of 5,978, the 617th largest community in California, with a median household income of $61,440, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.1% is notably above the national average.
West Modesto Quick Facts
How West 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 | 5,633 | 5,978 | +6.1% |
| Median household income | $61,833 | $61,440 | -0.6% |
| Median home value | $285,700 | $304,700 | +6.7% |
How West 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
West Modesto Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Stanislaus County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto | 219,215 | $79,891 | 13.3% | $442,700 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to West Modesto
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruitridge Pocket | 6,095 | $62,528 | $362,200 | 21.9% | 30.7% |
| Gustine | 6,133 | $59,532 | $441,700 | 7.9% | 4.0% |
| Willows | 6,190 | $64,068 | $281,700 | 15.8% | 19.3% |
| Lucerne Valley | 5,957 | $54,788 | $269,100 | 21.1% | 21.9% |
| Joshua Tree | 6,234 | $66,291 | $334,200 | 27.0% | 22.6% |
Population Overview
West Modesto is a small city located in California, within Stanislaus County. The total population is 5,978. It ranks as the 617th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in West Modesto is 31.2 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 29.3% of the population under 18, West Modesto has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in West Modesto is $61,440. This is 38% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.4%. This is 3% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 12.1%. This is 83% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $304,700. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 55.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in West Modesto is Hispanic or Latino, making up 74.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 16.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (16.6%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (74.1% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (5.7%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
9.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% 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 66.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for West 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 West Modesto, California?
West Modesto, California has a population of 5,978 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in West Modesto, CA?
The median household income in West Modesto is $61,440, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in West Modesto, CA?
The poverty rate in West Modesto is 12.4%. This means approximately 735 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of West Modesto, California?
West Modesto's population is 16.6% White, 0.3% Black, 74.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in West Modesto, CA?
The median home value in West Modesto is $304,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is West Modesto, California?
9.7% of adults (25+) in West Modesto hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.