Modesto, CA

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2024 Population
553,990
US Senator
Alex Padilla
Democratic Party
US Senator
Adam Schiff
Democratic Party
2024 Median Age
34.9
0.287% 1-year increase
2024 Poverty Rate
13.5%
2.92% 1-year increase
2024 Median Household Income
$81,468
2.27% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$450,100
5.51% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
241,063
0.348% 1-year growth

About

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

The largest universities in Modesto, CA are Modesto Junior College (2,792 degrees awarded in 2023), California State University-Stanislaus (2,694 degrees), and San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto (409 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Modesto, CA was $450,100, and the homeownership rate was 61.2%.

Most people in Modesto, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 30.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Modesto, CA was 2 cars per household.

Photo by Chris Baker
United StatesCalifornia

Population & Diversity

Modesto, CA is home to a population of 554k people, from which 89% are citizens. As of 2024, 21.2% of Modesto, CA residents were born outside of the country (117k people).

In 2024, there were 1.58 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (201k people) in Modesto, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 127k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 94.3k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

89%
2024 Citizenship
89.3%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 89% of Modesto, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Modesto, CA was 89.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Modesto, CA
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    201k ± 931
  2. Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
    127k ± 4.69k
  3. Other (Hispanic)
    94.3k ± 4.23k
50%
Hispanic Population
277k people

In 2024, there were 1.58 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (201k people) in Modesto, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 127k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 94.3k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

50% of the people in Modesto, CA are hispanic (277k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Modesto, CA as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for California.
Most Common Origin
  1. Mexico
    3,862,617 ± 45,816 people
  2. Philippines
    824,246 ± 22,054 people
  3. China
    687,951 ± 20,184 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 3,862,617 California residents, followed by Philippines with 824,246 and China with 687,951.

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Foreign-Born Population

21.2%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
117k people
20.6%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
114k people

As of 2024, 21.2% of Modesto, CA residents (117k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Modesto, CA was 20.6%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    5,317 ± 449
  2. Gulf War (2001-)
    4,557 ± 653
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    2,272 ± 379

Modesto, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.17 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Modesto, CA.

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Economy

The economy of Modesto, CA employs 241k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Modesto, CA were Health Care & Social Assistance (30,837 people), Manufacturing (29,795 people), and Retail Trade (28,111 people), and the highest paying industries were Management of Companies & Enterprises ($133,029), Utilities ($110,714), and Public Administration ($77,794).

Employment

Occupations

241k
2024 Value
± 4,247
0.348%
1 Year growth
± 2.52%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Modesto, CA grew at a rate of 0.348%, from 240k employees to 241k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Modesto, CA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (24,468 people), Management Occupations (21,075 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (20,213 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Modesto, CA.

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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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Industries

Employment by Industries

241k
2024 Value
± 4,247
0.348%
1 Year growth
± 2.52%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Modesto, CA grew at a rate of 0.348%, from 240k employees to 241k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Modesto, CA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (30,837 people), Manufacturing (29,795 people), and Retail Trade (28,111 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.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$53,577
Median earning men ± $1,532
$37,534
Median earning women ± $1,194

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($95,448), Information ($78,842), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($70,913).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($59,790), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($53,750), and Construction ($49,842).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.
Y-Axis
2.57%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 17.9M people employed in California. This represents a 2.57% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 14%.

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

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments
  1. 626
    Retail Trade
  2. 616
    Construction
  3. 595
    Other Services (except Public Administration)

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll
  1. $2.22M
    Health Care and Social Assistance
  2. $1.36M
    Manufacturing
  3. $895k
    Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Kamala Harris with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.3%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.25%).

Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff 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 52 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Voting results are not available for Modesto, CA. Showing the available data for California.
2024 Election Results
  1. Kamala Harris (58.5%)
    Democratic Party
  2. Donald J. Trump (38.3%)
    Republican Party
  3. Robert Kennedy (1.25%)
    Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Kamala Harris with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.3%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.25%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in California for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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Senator Elections

US Senators from California

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for California.
Alex Padilla
Senator from California3
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.
Adam Schiff
Senator from California1
Assumed office on December 8, 2024
Elected to the seat to succeed Laphonza Butler, who had been appointed to the seat following the death of Dianne Feinstein.

Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff 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.

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Education

In 2023, universities in Modesto, CA awarded 6,627 degrees. The student population of Modesto, CA in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 10,510 male students and 17,966 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Modesto, CA are Hispanic or Latino (3,653 and 55.4%), White (1,789 and 27.1%), Asian (548 and 8.31%), and Unknown (200 and 3.03%).

The largest universities in Modesto, CA by number of degrees awarded are Modesto Junior College (2,792 and 42.1%), California State University-Stanislaus (2,694 and 40.7%), and San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto (409 and 6.17%).

The most popular majors in Modesto, CA are General Business Administration & Management (687 and 10.4%), General Psychology (661 and 9.97%), and Liberal Arts & Sciences (634 and 9.57%).

The median tuition cost in Modesto, CA for a public four year colleges is $3,465 for in-state students and $13,205 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University
Measure

In 2023 in Modesto, CA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 97.5%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 20.1%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 28,476 (36.9% men and 63.1% women).

The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 28,476 students enrolled in Modesto, CA, 36.9% men and 63.1% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 16,527 records, of which 65% were women and 35% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. General Psychology
    461 degrees awarded
  2. General Business Administration & Management
    386 degrees awarded
  3. Liberal Arts & Sciences
    236 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Modesto, CA was General Psychology with 461 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. Modesto Junior College
    2,792 degrees awarded
  2. California State University-Stanislaus
    2,694 degrees awarded
  3. San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto
    409 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Modesto Junior College with 2,792 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 2,142 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Modesto, CA, which is 0.478 times less than the 4,485 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 3,653 degrees mean that there were 2.04 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 1,789 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($3,465) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,083) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,202) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Modesto, CA was $450,100 in 2024, which is 1.35 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $426,600 to $450,100, a 5.51% increase. The homeownership rate in Modesto, CA is 61.2%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Modesto, CA have an average commute time of 30.8 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

$450,100
Median Property Value 2024
±$3,186
$108,828
Median Property Taxes
±$2,437

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units 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.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Modesto, CA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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Rent vs Own

61.2%
Homeownership
2024
68%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 61.2% of the housing units in Modesto, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 61%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Modesto, CA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$81,468
Median Household Income
± $1,473
178k
Number of Households
± 3,453

In 2024, the median household income of the 178k households in Modesto, CA grew to $81,468 from the previous year's value of $79,661.

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.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Modesto, CA is from California.
0.495
2023 Wage GINI in California
0.498
2022 Wage GINI in California

In 2023, the income inequality in California was 0.495 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.573% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.476. 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.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (77.2%)
  2. Carpooled (10.8%)
  3. Worked At Home (8.11%)

In 2024, 77.2% of workers in Modesto, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.8%) and those who worked at home (8.11%).

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.

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Commute Time

30.8 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Modesto, CA have a longer commute time (30.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 8.55% 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.

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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.

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

13.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Modesto, CA (74.3k out of 549k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Males 6 - 11.

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

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.

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Health

94.4% of the population of Modesto, CA has health coverage, with 43.5% on employee plans, 30.1% on Medicaid, 9.75% on Medicare, 10.3% on non-group plans, and 0.73% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in California see 1,233 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,233 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1076 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 213 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.9% were men and 50.1% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.
1,233 to 1
Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in California

Primary care physicians in California see an average of 1,233 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,233 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.

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Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 28.2% under 18 years, 22.1% between 18 and 34 years, 36.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.5% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.9% were men and 50.1% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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Uninsured People

5.64%
Uninsured
43.5%
Employer Coverage
30.1%
Medicaid
9.75%
Medicare
10.3%
Non-Group
0.73%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Modesto, CA declined by 6.47% from 6.03% to 5.64%.

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.

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