Modesto, CA Demographics

A map of Modesto's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Hispanic	99,605	93,733	45.4%	42.9%
White	80,150	84,592	36.6%	38.7%
Asian	16,079	16,929	7.3%	7.7%
Multiracial	9,879	10,561	4.5%	4.8%
Black	9,611	8,103	4.4%	3.7%
Native American/Other	3,891	4,546	1.8%	2.1%

Modesto, California has an estimated population of 219,215, a less than 1% change from the 218,464 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 45.4% Hispanic, 36.6% White, 7.3% Asian, 4.5% Multiracial, 4.4% Black, and 1.8% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Modesto, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Modesto has become slightly less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than California overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Modesto, that probability was 65.6% in 2020 and 65.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Modesto is ranked the 19th most populous place in California, out of 1,618 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Modesto was ranked the 19th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Modesto's White Population

80,150 residents of Modesto, or 36.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Modesto is slightly higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Modesto ranks 1074th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Modesto's White population has declined by an estimated 5.3%. White residents' share of Modesto's population has decreased from 38.7% to 36.6%.

Modesto is more White than neighboring Rouse (10.3% White), Bystrom (12.1% White), Airport (31.7% White), Bret Harte (3.4% White), and West Modesto (16.6% White).

Modesto's Black Population

9,611 residents of Modesto, or 4.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Modesto is comparable to the share in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Modesto ranks 266th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Modesto's Black population has grown by an estimated 18.6%. Black residents' share of Modesto's population has increased from 3.7% to 4.4%.

Modesto is more Black than neighboring Bystrom (0% Black), Airport (0% Black), Bret Harte (0.3% Black), and West Modesto (0.3% Black). Modesto is less Black than neighboring Rouse (5.1% Black).

Modesto's Asian Population

16,079 residents of Modesto, or 7.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Modesto is lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Modesto ranks 364th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Modesto's Asian population has declined by an estimated 5.0%. Asian residents' share of Modesto's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.3%.

Modesto is more Asian than neighboring Airport (2% Asian), Bret Harte (0.2% Asian), and West Modesto (5.7% Asian). Modesto is less Asian than neighboring Rouse (8.6% Asian).

Modesto's Hispanic Population

99,605 residents of Modesto, or 45.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Modesto is higher than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Modesto ranks 456th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Modesto's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 6.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Modesto's population has increased from 42.9% to 45.4%.

Modesto is less Hispanic than neighboring Rouse (72.7% Hispanic), Bystrom (78.8% Hispanic), Airport (59.5% Hispanic), Bret Harte (93.2% Hispanic), and West Modesto (74.1% Hispanic).

Modesto's Native American/Other Population

3,891 residents of Modesto, or 1.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Modesto is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Modesto ranks 388th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Modesto's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 14.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Modesto's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.8%.

Modesto is more Native American/Other than neighboring Rouse (0% Native American/Other), Bystrom (0% Native American/Other), Airport (0% Native American/Other), Bret Harte (0.2% Native American/Other), and West Modesto (0.3% Native American/Other).

Modesto's Multiracial Population

9,879 residents of Modesto, or 4.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Modesto is comparable to the share in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Modesto ranks 758th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Modesto's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 6.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Modesto's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.5%.

Modesto is more Multiracial than neighboring Rouse (3.3% Multiracial), Bystrom (1.8% Multiracial), Bret Harte (2.6% Multiracial), and West Modesto (3% Multiracial). Modesto is less Multiracial than neighboring Airport (6.9% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.