Monterey County, CA

County

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2021 Population

438,953

1.38% 1-year growth

US Senator

Dianne Feinstein

Democratic Party

US Senator

Alex Padilla

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

34.9

0.576% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

12.2%

0.987% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$82,013

6.59% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$596,400

6.61% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

189,807

0.569% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Monterey County, CA had a population of 439k people with a median age of 34.9 and a median household income of $82,013. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Monterey County, CA grew from 432,977 to 438,953, a 1.38% increase and its median household income grew from $76,943 to $82,013, a 6.59% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Monterey County, CA are Other (Hispanic) (38.2%), White (Non-Hispanic) (28.8%), White (Hispanic) (14.5%), Two+ (Hispanic) (5.91%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (5.59%).

None of the households in Monterey County, 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.

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

The largest universities in Monterey County, CA are Hartnell College (2,352 degrees awarded in 2021), Naval Postgraduate School (2,318 degrees), and California State University-Monterey Bay (2,172 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Monterey County, CA was $596,400, and the homeownership rate was 51.7%.

Most people in Monterey County, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.5 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

Population & Diversity

Monterey County, CA is home to a population of 439k people, from which 79.5% are citizens. As of 2021, 29.1% of Monterey County, CA residents were born outside of the country (128k people).

In 2021, there were 1.33 times more Other (Hispanic) residents (168k people) in Monterey County, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 126k White (Non-Hispanic) and 63.8k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

79.5%

2021 Citizenship

79.7%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 79.5% of Monterey County, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Monterey County, CA was 79.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Monterey County, CA

Other (Hispanic)
168k ± 3.82k
White (Non-Hispanic)
126k ± 359
White (Hispanic)
63.8k ± 3.44k

59.7%

Hispanic Population

262k people

59.7% of the people in Monterey County, CA are hispanic (262k people).

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

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
3,959,545 ± 46,338 people
Philippines
828,655 ± 22,113 people
China
680,942 ± 20,084 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 3,959,545 California residents, followed by Philippines with 828,655 and China with 680,942.

Foreign-Born Population

29.1%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

128k people

29%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

126k people

As of 2021, 29.1% of Monterey County, CA residents (128k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Monterey County, CA was 29%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
5,332 ± 437
Gulf War (2001-)
3,314 ± 832
Gulf War (1990s)
2,150 ± 356

Monterey County, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.61 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Monterey County, CA employs 190k people. The largest industries in Monterey County, CA are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (29,444 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (20,428 people), and Retail Trade (17,936 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($102,610), Utilities ($94,602), and Finance & Insurance ($87,521).

Males in California have an average income that is 1.26 times higher than the average income of females, which is $69,050. The income inequality in California (measured using the Gini index) is 0.497, which is higher than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

190k

2021 Value

± 3,562

0.569%

1 Year growth

± 2.62%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Monterey County, CA grew at a rate of 0.569%, from 189k employees to 190k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Monterey County, CA, are Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (21,118 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (18,018 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (17,187 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Monterey County, CA.

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

190k

2021 Value

± 3,562

0.569%

1 Year growth

± 2.62%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Monterey County, CA grew at a rate of 0.569%, from 189k employees to 190k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Monterey County, CA, are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (29,444 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (20,428 people), and Retail Trade (17,936 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.

Median Earnings by Industry

$40,892

Median earning men ± $1,041

$32,427

Median earning women ± $817

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($89,775), Information ($69,104), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($64,441).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($61,727), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($56,410), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($42,345).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in California. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

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

3,743
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
1,881
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
1,719
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

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

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$2.57M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$1.4M
Manufacturing
$965k
Wholesale Trade

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

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 $405B, followed by Mixed freight ($159B) and Pharmaceuticals ($155B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for California.

$2.21T

2020 Value in California

$4.61T

Projected 2050 Value in California

109% growth

In 2020, total outbound California trade was $2.21T. This is expected to increase 109% 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
$84.4B
Arizona
$44.8B
Ohio
$40.6B

In 2020, the top outbound California domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $84.4B, followed by Arizona with $44.8B and Ohio and $40.6B.

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%).

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

Presidential Elections

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.

Senator Elections

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 18, 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 Representative Elections

US Representatives from California

California is currently represented by 52 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 2021, universities in Monterey County, CA awarded 9,061 degrees. The student population of Monterey County, CA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 26,218 male students and 30,392 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Monterey County, CA are Hispanic or Latino (4,325 and 49.6%), followed by White (2,908 and 33.3%), Asian (584 and 6.7%), and Unknown (297 and 3.41%).

The largest universities in Monterey County, CA by number of degrees awarded are Hartnell College (2,352 and 26%), Naval Postgraduate School (2,318 and 25.6%), and California State University-Monterey Bay (2,172 and 24%).

The most popular majors in Monterey County, CA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (1,774 and 19.6%), General Business Administration & Management (699 and 7.71%), and General Psychology (463 and 5.11%).

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.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Monterey County, CA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 92.8%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 8.37%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 56,610 (46.3% men and 53.7% 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.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 56,610 students enrolled in Monterey County, CA, 46.3% men and 53.7% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 29,210 records, of which 60.1% were women and 39.9% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
656 degree-majors awarded
General Psychology
211 degree-majors awarded
General Business Administration & Management
183 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Monterey County, CA was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 656 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

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Hartnell College
2,352 degrees awarded
Naval Postgraduate School
2,318 degrees awarded
California State University-Monterey Bay
2,172 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Hartnell College with 2,352 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 4,105 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Monterey County, CA, which is 0.828 times less than the 4,956 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 4,325 degrees mean that there were 1.49 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 2,908 degrees awarded.

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.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($42,634) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,476) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($3,372) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2021, 1.89% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 2.12% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were Some college (7.01M), High School or Equivalent (6.74M), and Bachelors Degree (6.25M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Monterey County, CA was $596,400 in 2021, which is 2.44 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $559,400 to $596,400, a 6.61% increase. The homeownership rate in Monterey County, CA is 51.7%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Monterey County, CA have an average commute time of 24.5 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.

Median household income in Monterey County, CA is $82,013. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Monterey County, CA was Census Tract 132 with a value of $169,844, followed by Census Tract 107.02 and Census Tract 117, with respective values of $164,946 and $140,023.

In 2022, 29.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Monterey County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 0.639%.

Housing

Property

$596,400

Median Property Value 2021

±$8,452

$67,182

Median Property Taxes

±$1,801

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 Monterey County, CA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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

Rent vs Own

51.7%

Homeownership

2021

73.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 51.7% of the housing units in Monterey County, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 51.8%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 132
Census Tract 107.02
Census Tract 117

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Monterey County, CA was Census Tract 132 with a value of $169,844, followed by Census Tract 107.02 and Census Tract 117, with respective values of $164,946 and $140,023.

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

Household Income

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

$82,013

Median Household Income

± $1,767

130k

Number of Households

± 2,731

In 2021, the median household income of the 130k households in Monterey County, CA grew to $82,013 from the previous year's value of $76,943.

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.

Wage Distribution

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

0.497

2021 Wage GINI in California

0.498

2020 Wage GINI in California

In 2021, the income inequality in California was 0.497 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.12% decline from 2020 to 2021, 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (70.8%)
Carpooled (10.3%)
Other (7.68%)

In 2021, 70.8% of workers in Monterey County, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.3%) and those who used some unspecified means to get work (7.68%).

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.

Commute Time

24.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Monterey County, CA have a shorter commute time (24.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.81% 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.

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.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 29.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Monterey County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 0.639%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

12.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Monterey County, CA (51.3k out of 422k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Females 35 - 44.

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

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 15% of the children was living in poverty in Monterey County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 12.1%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

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.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 421 in Monterey County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 70.8 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

90.1% of the population of Monterey County, CA has health coverage, with 40% on employee plans, 27.3% on Medicaid, 9.2% on Medicare, 11.7% on non-group plans, and 1.76% 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 1528 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.9% decrease from the previous year (1590 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1413 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 240 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,528 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Monterey County, CA

Primary care physicians in Monterey County, CA see an average of 1,528 patients per year. This represents a 3.9% decrease from the previous year (1,590 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.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 28.7% under 18 years, 21.5% between 18 and 34 years, 35.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

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

Uninsured People

9.95%

Uninsured

40%

Employer Coverage

27.3%

Medicaid

9.2%

Medicare

11.7%

Non-Group

1.76%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Monterey County, CA grew by 6.23% from 9.36% to 9.95%.

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.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 36.9 in Monterey County, CA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Monterey County, CA.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 32.1% in Monterey County, CA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Monterey County, CA.

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