Monterey County, CA

County

Add Comparison

2019 Population

434,061

0.352% 1-year decline

US Senator

Dianne Feinstein

Democratic Party

US Senator

Alex Padilla

Democratic Party

2019 Median Age

0.865% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

13.1%

7.4% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$77,514

9.67% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$602,900

7.09% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

191,694

0.518% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Monterey County, CA had a population of 434k people with a median age of 35 and a median household income of $77,514. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Monterey County, CA declined from 435,594 to 434,061, a −0.352% decrease and its median household income grew from $70,681 to $77,514, a 9.67% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Monterey County, CA are Other (Hispanic) (40.8%), White (Non-Hispanic) (29.1%), White (Hispanic) (16.1%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (5.82%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (2.58%). 0% of the households in Monterey County, CA speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

79.5% of the residents in Monterey County, CA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Monterey County, CA are Naval Postgraduate School (3,014 degrees awarded in 2020), Hartnell College (2,482 degrees), and California State University-Monterey Bay (2,281 degrees).

In 2019, the median property value in Monterey County, CA was $602,900, and the homeownership rate was 52.8%. Most people in Monterey County, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 23.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Monterey County, CA was 2 cars per household.

Monterey County, CA borders Fresno County, CA, Kings County, CA, San Benito County, CA, San Luis Obispo County, CA, and Santa Cruz County, CA.

About the photo: Coast of Northern Big Sur

Photo by Stewart Butterfield

United States California Salinas, CA

Diversity

Monterey County, CA is home to a population of 434k people, from which 79.5% are citizens. As of 2019, 29.8% of Monterey County, CA residents were born outside of the country (129k people).

In 2019, there were 1.4 times more Other (Hispanic) residents (177k people) in Monterey County, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 126k White (Non-Hispanic) and 70k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Monterey County, CA

Other (Hispanic)
177k ± 7.98k
White (Non-Hispanic)
126k ± 778
White (Hispanic)
70k ± 7.83k

59.4%

Hispanic Population

258k people

59.4% of the people in Monterey County, CA are hispanic (258k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

29.8%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

129k people

29.9%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

130k people

As of 2019, 29.8% of Monterey County, CA residents (129k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.7%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Monterey County, CA was 29.9%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.8

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1.1

In 2019, the median age of all people in Monterey County, CA was 35. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 28, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 45. But people in Monterey County, CA are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Monterey County, CA residents was 35.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
3,940,728 ± 46,243 people
Philippines
859,394 ± 22,511 people
China
690,995 ± 20,229 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 3,940,728 California residents, followed by Philippines with 859,394 and China with 690,995.

Citizenship

79.5%

2019 Citizenship

78%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 79.5% of Monterey County, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Monterey County, CA was 78%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
5,605 ± 1,089
Gulf War (2001-)
2,224 ± 658
Gulf War (1990s)
1,639 ± 603

Monterey County, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.52 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 Monterey County, CA is $77,514. In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Monterey County, CA was Census Tract 107.01 with a value of $148,125, followed by Census Tract 119 and Census Tract 132, with respective values of $141,402 and $135,742.

Males in California have an average income that is 1.26 times higher than the average income of females, which is $64,688. The income inequality in California (measured using the Gini index) is 0.497, which is higher than than the national average.

The economy of Monterey County, CA employs 192k people. The largest industries in Monterey County, CA are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (31,758 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (21,427 people), and Educational Services (18,681 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($71,492), Public Administration ($70,334), and Educational Services ($55,084).

Wages

Median Household Income

$77,514

2019 value

± $3,300

9.67%

1 Year Growth

± 6.09%

Households in Monterey County, CA have a median annual income of $77,514, which is more than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $70,681 in 2018, which represents a 9.67% annual growth.

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

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

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

$81,539

Average Male Salary in California

± $777

$64,688

Average Female Salary in California

± $649

In 2019, 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 County level, so we are showing data for California.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in California

Asian
$78,217 ± $1,221
White
$67,399 ± $624
Two or More Races
$58,533 ± $1,947

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of California workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.16 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 Monterey County, CA is from California.

0.497

2019 Wage GINI in California

0.499

2018 Wage GINI in California

In 2019, the income inequality in California was 0.497 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.308% decline from 2018 to 2019, 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)

Census Tract 107.01
Census Tract 119
Census Tract 132

In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Monterey County, CA was Census Tract 107.01 with a value of $148,125, followed by Census Tract 119 and Census Tract 132, with respective values of $141,402 and $135,742.

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

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 6 - 11

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

13.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Monterey County, CA (54.4k out of 416k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 6 - 11, followed by Females 25 - 34 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

Hispanic
40,761 ± 1,531
Other
25,026 ± 1,256
White
23,624 ± 1,187

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

192k

2019 Value

± 7,811

0.518%

1 Year growth

± 5.74%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Monterey County, CA grew at a rate of 0.518%, from 191k employees to 192k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Monterey County, CA, are Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (23,959 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (17,325 people), and Management Occupations (17,010 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Monterey County, CA.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Monterey County, CA, by number of employees, are Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (23,959 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (17,325 people), and Management Occupations (17,010 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Monterey County, CA has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (21.9 times higher than expected), Building & Grounds Cleaning & Maintenance Occupations (1.39 times), and Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (1.33 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Monterey County, CA, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($113,347), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($100,695), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($87,468).

Industries

Employment by Industries

192k

2019 Value

± 7,811

0.518%

1 Year growth

± 5.74%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Monterey County, CA grew at a rate of 0.518%, from 191k employees to 192k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Monterey County, CA, are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (31,758 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (21,427 people), and Educational Services (18,681 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Monterey County, CA, though some of these residents may live in Monterey County, CA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Monterey County, CA, by number of employees, are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (31,758 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (21,427 people), and Educational Services (18,681 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Monterey County, CA has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (15.5 times higher than expected), Utilities (1.35 times), and Construction (1.17 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Monterey County, CA, by median earnings, are Utilities ($71,492), Public Administration ($70,334), and Educational Services ($55,084).

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 Monterey County, CA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 69.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (28.2%), followed by Other (1.13%). 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

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (69.5%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (28.2%)
Republican Party
Other (1.13%)
Green and Other Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Monterey County, CA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 69.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (28.2%), followed by Other (1.13%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Monterey County, CA 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 Monterey County, CA

69.5% 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 Monterey County, CA awarded 10,035 degrees. The student population of Monterey County, CA is skewed towards women, with 12,281 male students and 16,155 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Monterey County, CA are Hispanic or Latino (4,490 and 46.3%), followed by White (3,089 and 31.8%), Unknown (871 and 8.98%), and Asian (576 and 5.94%).

The largest universities in Monterey County, CA by number of degrees awarded are Naval Postgraduate School (3,014 and 30%), Hartnell College (2,482 and 24.7%), and California State University-Monterey Bay (2,281 and 22.7%).

The most popular majors in Monterey County, CA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (1,896 and 18.9%), General Business Administration & Management (929 and 9.26%), and Other Military Technologies & Applied Sciences (585 and 5.83%).

The median tuition costs in Monterey County, CA are $42,634 for private four year colleges, and $5,742 and $17,622 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
760 degree-majorss awarded
General Business Administration & Management
209 degree-majorss awarded
General Psychology
171 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Monterey County, CA was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 760 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Naval Postgraduate School
3,014 degrees awarded
Hartnell College
2,482 degrees awarded
California State University-Monterey Bay
2,281 degrees awarded

$5,742

Median In-State Public

$42,634

Median Private

In 2020, the Monterey County, CA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Naval Postgraduate School with 3,014 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

4,912

Degrees Awarded to Men

5,123

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 4,912 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Monterey County, CA, which is 0.959 times less than the 5,123 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 institutions in Monterey County, CA by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino
4,490 degrees awarded
White
3,089 degrees awarded
Unknown
871 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Monterey County, CA was Hispanic or Latino students. These 4,490 degrees mean that there were 1.45 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 3,089 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Monterey County, CA was $602,900 in 2019, which is 2.51 times larger than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $563,000 to $602,900, a 7.09% increase. The homeownership rate in Monterey County, CA is 52.8%, which is lower than the national average of 64.1%. People in Monterey County, CA have an average commute time of 23.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Monterey County, CA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$602,900

2019 Median

± $17,871

$563,000

2018 Median

± $19,181

In 2019, the median property value in Monterey County, CA grew to to $602,900 from the previous year's value of $563,000.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Monterey County, 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 Monterey County, CA the largest share of households have a property value in the $500k - $750k range.

Household Income

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

$77,514

Median Household Income

± $3,300

128k

Number of Households

± 5,720

In 2019, the median household income of the 128k households in Monterey County, CA grew to $77,514 from the previous year's value of $70,681.

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

Rent vs Own

52.8%

2019 Homeownership

51.3%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 52.8% of the housing units in Monterey County, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 51.3%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Monterey County, CA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

23.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Monterey County, CA have a shorter commute time (23.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26 minutes). Additionally, 2.93% of the workforce in Monterey County, CA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (73.6%)
Carpooled (10.2%)
Other (7.21%)

In 2019, 73.6% of workers in Monterey County, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.2%) and those who used some unspecified means to get work (7.21%).

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

Health

90.3% of the population of Monterey County, CA has health coverage, with 41.2% on employee plans, 28% on Medicaid, 9.34% on Medicare, 10.3% on non-group plans, and 1.51% 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 Monterey County, CA see 1590 patients per year on average, which represents a 4.16% decrease from the previous year (1659 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1442 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 261 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

1,590 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Monterey County, CA

Primary care physicians in Monterey County, CA see an average of 1,590 patients per year. This represents a 4.16% decrease from the previous year (1,659 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Monterey County, CA 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

9.66%

Uninsured

41.2%

Employer Coverage

28%

Medicaid

9.34%

Medicare

10.3%

Non-Group

1.51%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Monterey County, CA declined by 7.77% from 10.5% to 9.66%.

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