Modesto, CA

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2020 Population

546,235

0.56% 1-year growth

US Senator

Dianne Feinstein

Democratic Party

US Senator

Alex Padilla

Democratic Party

2020 Median Age

34.3

0.587% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

13.5%

10.8% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$62,873

3.57% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$314,100

7.72% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

231,043

1.26% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, Modesto, CA had a population of 546k people with a median age of 34.3 and a median household income of $62,873. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Modesto, CA grew from 543,194 to 546,235, a 0.56% increase and its median household income grew from $60,704 to $62,873, a 3.57% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Modesto, CA are White (Non-Hispanic) (40.8%), White (Hispanic) (29.6%), Other (Hispanic) (10.2%), Two+ (Hispanic) (6.24%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (5.68%).

None of the households in Modesto, CA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

89.4% of the residents in Modesto, CA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Modesto, CA are Modesto Junior College (3,092 degrees awarded in 2020), California State University-Stanislaus (2,792 degrees), and Paul Mitchell the School-Modesto (120 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in Modesto, CA was $314,100, and the homeownership rate was 58.7%. Most people in Modesto, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 30.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Modesto, CA was 2 cars per household.

Modesto, CA borders Merced, CA, San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, Sonora, CA, and Stockton-Lodi, CA.

Photo by Chris Baker

United States California

Diversity

Modesto, CA is home to a population of 546k people, from which 89.4% are citizens. As of 2020, 20.5% of Modesto, CA residents were born outside of the country (112k people).

In 2020, there were 1.38 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (223k people) in Modesto, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 162k White (Hispanic) and 55.8k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Modesto, CA

White (Non-Hispanic)
223k ± 261
White (Hispanic)
162k ± 3.09k
Other (Hispanic)
55.8k ± 3.74k

46.9%

Hispanic Population

256k people

46.9% of the people in Modesto, CA are hispanic (256k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Modesto, CA as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

20.5%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

112k people

20.6%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

112k people

As of 2020, 20.5% of Modesto, CA residents (112k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Modesto, CA was 20.6%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Modesto, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.2

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.5

In 2020, the median age of all people in Modesto, CA was 34.3. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 29, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 48. But people in Modesto, CA are getting getting older. In 2019, the average age of all Modesto, CA residents was 34.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for California.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
4,008,868 ± 46,586 people
Philippines
829,356 ± 22,122 people
China
683,718 ± 20,124 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 4,008,868 California residents, followed by Philippines with 829,356 and China with 683,718.

Citizenship

89.4%

2020 Citizenship

89%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 89.4% of Modesto, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Modesto, CA was 89%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Modesto, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
7,034 ± 561
Gulf War (2001-)
4,283 ± 607
Gulf War (1990s)
2,205 ± 393

Modesto, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.64 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for California. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in California, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in California (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in California. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in California.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of California across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Modesto, CA is $62,873. In 2020, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Modesto, CA was Santa Clara County, CA with a value of $130,890, followed by San Mateo County, CA and Marin County, CA, with respective values of $128,091 and $121,671.

Males in California have an average income that is 1.26 times higher than the average income of females, which is $64,427. The income inequality in California (measured using the Gini index) is 0.498, which is higher than than the national average.

The economy of Modesto, CA employs 231k people. The largest industries in Modesto, CA are Health Care & Social Assistance (30,367 people), Retail Trade (28,098 people), and Manufacturing (27,461 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($73,182), Public Administration ($59,090), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($56,762).

Wages

Median Household Income

$62,873

2020 value

± $1,328

3.57%

1 Year Growth

± 2.63%

Households in Modesto, CA have a median annual income of $62,873, which is less than the median annual income of $64,994 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $60,704 in 2019, which represents a 3.57% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Modesto, CA compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for California.

$81,373

Average Male Salary in California

± $777

$64,427

Average Female Salary in California

± $650

In 2020, full-time male employees in California made 1.26 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in California by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for California.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in California

Asian
$76,893 ± $1,222
White
$68,605 ± $653
Two or More Races
$54,009 ± $1,392

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of California workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.12 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in California.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in California by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Modesto, CA is from California.

0.498

2020 Wage GINI in California

0.499

2019 Wage GINI in California

In 2020, the income inequality in California was 0.498 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.321% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in California in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in California across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2020, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Modesto, CA was Santa Clara County, CA with a value of $130,890, followed by San Mateo County, CA and Marin County, CA, with respective values of $128,091 and $121,671.

The following map shows all of the counties in Modesto, CA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

13.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Modesto, CA (73.1k out of 542k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Males 6 - 11.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
51,137 ± 1,840
Hispanic
38,962 ± 1,694
Other
7,282 ± 704

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Modesto, CA is White, followed by Hispanic and Other.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

231k

2020 Value

± 4,195

1.26%

1 Year growth

± 2.4%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Modesto, CA grew at a rate of 1.26%, from 228k employees to 231k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Modesto, CA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (25,050 people), Sales & Related Occupations (23,134 people), and Management Occupations (18,734 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Modesto, CA.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Modesto, CA, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (25,050 people), Sales & Related Occupations (23,134 people), and Management Occupations (18,734 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other MSAs, Modesto, CA has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (5.88 times higher than expected), Material Moving Occupations (1.79 times), and Construction & Extraction Occupations (1.33 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Modesto, CA, by median earnings, are Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($97,281), Legal Occupations ($96,413), and Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors ($79,111).

Industries

Employment by Industries

231k

2020 Value

± 4,195

1.26%

1 Year growth

± 2.4%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Modesto, CA grew at a rate of 1.26%, from 228k employees to 231k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Modesto, CA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (30,367 people), Retail Trade (28,098 people), and Manufacturing (27,461 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Modesto, CA, though some of these residents may live in Modesto, CA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Modesto, CA, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (30,367 people), Retail Trade (28,098 people), and Manufacturing (27,461 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other MSAs, Modesto, CA has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (4.2 times higher than expected), Transportation & Warehousing (1.3 times), and Construction (1.29 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Modesto, CA, by median earnings, are Utilities ($73,182), Public Administration ($59,090), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($56,762).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from California to other states, or from other states to California.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound California product (by dollars) was Electronics with $407B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($158B) and Mixed freight ($149B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound California products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for California.

$2.26T

2020 Value in California

$4.61T

Projected 2050 Value in California

104% growth

In 2020, total outbound California trade was $2.26T. This is expected to increase 104% to $4.61T by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound California trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from California to other states, or from other states to California.

Most Common Trade Partners

Texas
$83.5B
Arizona
$44.4B
Ohio
$43.3B

In 2020, the top outbound California domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $83.5B, followed by Arizona with $44.4B and Ohio and $43.3B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that California shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 63.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (34.3%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.07%). The most partisan county was San Francisco County, CA with 85.3% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla are the senators currently representing the state of California. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

California is currently represented by 53 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Modesto, CA. Showing the available data for California.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (63.5%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (34.3%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.07%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 63.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (34.3%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.07%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in California for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of California.

Joseph R Biden Jr.

Popular Vote for California

63.5% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in California

San Francisco County, CA
85.3% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Marin County, CA
82.3% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Alameda County, CA
80.2% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in California was San Francisco County, CA with 85.3% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in California colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from California

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Dianne Feinstein

Senator from California

Assumed office on November 10, 1992
Elected to the seat to succeed John Seymour (California politician)|John Seymour, who had been appointed to the seat after Pete Wilson was elected Governor of California.

Alex Padilla

Senator from California

Assumed office on January 20, 2021
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Kamala Harris, who had become Vice President of the United States.

Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla are the senators currently representing California.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in California over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from California

California is currently represented by 53 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for California have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Modesto, CA awarded 6,281 degrees. The student population of Modesto, CA is skewed towards women, with 9,835 male students and 18,471 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Modesto, CA are Hispanic or Latino (3,023 and 48.8%), followed by White (1,932 and 31.2%), Asian (540 and 8.72%), and Unknown (302 and 4.87%).

The largest universities in Modesto, CA by number of degrees awarded are Modesto Junior College (3,092 and 49.2%), California State University-Stanislaus (2,792 and 44.5%), and Paul Mitchell the School-Modesto (120 and 1.91%).

The most popular majors in Modesto, CA are General Business Administration & Management (652 and 10.4%), General Psychology (561 and 8.93%), and Liberal Arts & Sciences (542 and 8.63%).

The median tuition cost in Modesto, CA for a public four year colleges is $3,423 for in-state students and $12,543 for out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
412 degree-majorss awarded
General Psychology
373 degree-majorss awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
235 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Modesto, CA was General Business Administration & Management with 412 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Modesto, CA according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Modesto Junior College
3,092 degrees awarded
California State University-Stanislaus
2,792 degrees awarded
Paul Mitchell the School-Modesto
120 degrees awarded

$3,423

Median In-State Public

In 2020, the Modesto, CA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Modesto Junior College with 3,092 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

1,938

Degrees Awarded to Men

4,343

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 1,938 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Modesto, CA, which is 0.446 times less than the 4,343 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Modesto, CA by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino
3,023 degrees awarded
White
1,932 degrees awarded
Asian
540 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Modesto, CA was Hispanic or Latino students. These 3,023 degrees mean that there were 1.56 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 1,932 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Modesto, CA was $314,100 in 2020, which is 1.37 times larger than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $291,600 to $314,100, a 7.72% increase. The homeownership rate in Modesto, CA is 58.7%, which is lower than the national average of 64.4%. People in Modesto, CA have an average commute time of 30.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Modesto, CA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$314,100

2020 Median

± $3,357

$291,600

2019 Median

± $2,760

In 2020, the median property value in Modesto, CA grew to to $314,100 from the previous year's value of $291,600.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Modesto, CA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Modesto, CA the largest share of households have a property value in the $300k - $400k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$62,873

Median Household Income

± $1,328

175k

Number of Households

± 3,520

In 2020, the median household income of the 175k households in Modesto, CA grew to $62,873 from the previous year's value of $60,704.

The following chart displays the households in Modesto, CA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Modesto, CA distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Modesto, CA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

Rent vs Own

58.7%

2020 Homeownership

57.8%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 58.7% of the housing units in Modesto, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 57.8%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 64.4%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Modesto, CA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

30.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Modesto, CA have a longer commute time (30.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 8.73% of the workforce in Modesto, CA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Modesto, CA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (80.6%)
Carpooled (10.4%)
Worked At Home (5.62%)

In 2020, 80.6% of workers in Modesto, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.4%) and those who worked at home (5.62%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Modesto, CA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Modesto, CA have 2 cars, followed by false.

Health

94.4% of the population of Modesto, CA has health coverage, with 42.9% on employee plans, 30.1% on Medicaid, 9.37% on Medicare, 11.1% on non-group plans, and 0.929% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in California was $7,549 in 2014. This is a 4.04% increase from the previous year ($7,256).

Primary care physicians in California see 1254 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.555% decrease from the previous year (1261 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1149 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 268 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Amador County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (17%). Additionally, Colusa County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (39%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

1,254 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in California

Primary care physicians in California see an average of 1,254 patients per year. This represents a 0.555% decrease from the previous year (1,261 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in California in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

$7,549

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in California

$4,735

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,368

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$11,833

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in California (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.04%, from $7,256 to $7,549.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

5.61%

Uninsured

42.9%

Employer Coverage

30.1%

Medicaid

9.37%

Medicare

11.1%

Non-Group

0.929%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Modesto, CA declined by 1.19% from 5.68% to 5.61%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Modesto, CA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.