Monterey, CA Demographics

A map of Monterey's Population by Race

Monterey, California has an estimated population of 29,613, a slight decrease from the 30,218 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 60.7% White, 23.6% Hispanic, 6.7% Asian, 4.4% Multiracial, 2.3% Black, and 2.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Monterey, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Monterey has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably 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 Monterey, that probability was 55.7% in 2020 and 56.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Monterey is ranked the 273rd 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). Monterey was ranked the 269th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Monterey's White Population

17,987 residents of Monterey, or 60.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Monterey is significantly higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Monterey ranks 711th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Monterey's White population has declined by an estimated 5.6%. White residents' share of Monterey's population has decreased from 63.1% to 60.7%.

Monterey is more White than neighboring Sand City (34.4% White), and Seaside (29.4% White). Monterey is less White than neighboring Pacific Grove (70.8% White), Del Rey Oaks (65.3% White), and Carmel-by-the-Sea (84.7% White).

Monterey's Black Population

686 residents of Monterey, or 2.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Monterey is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Monterey ranks 330th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Monterey's Black population has declined by an estimated 21.2%. Black residents' share of Monterey's population has decreased from 2.9% to 2.3%.

Monterey is more Black than neighboring Pacific Grove (1.1% Black), and Carmel-by-the-Sea (1% Black). Monterey is less Black than neighboring Sand City (4% Black), and Seaside (4.7% Black).

Monterey's Asian Population

1,977 residents of Monterey, or 6.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Monterey is lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Monterey ranks 362nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Monterey's Asian population has declined by an estimated 16.0%. Asian residents' share of Monterey's population has decreased from 7.8% to 6.7%.

Monterey is more Asian than neighboring Sand City (1.7% Asian), and Carmel-by-the-Sea (1.6% Asian). Monterey is less Asian than neighboring Pacific Grove (7.8% Asian), and Seaside (9.4% Asian).

Monterey's Hispanic Population

6,986 residents of Monterey, or 23.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Monterey is significantly lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Monterey ranks 914th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Monterey's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 24.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Monterey's population has increased from 18.6% to 23.6%.

Monterey is more Hispanic than neighboring Pacific Grove (13% Hispanic), Del Rey Oaks (12.9% Hispanic), and Carmel-by-the-Sea (4.5% Hispanic). Monterey is less Hispanic than neighboring Sand City (46.5% Hispanic), and Seaside (48.2% Hispanic).

Monterey's Native American/Other Population

667 residents of Monterey, or 2.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Monterey is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Monterey ranks 601st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Monterey's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 43.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Monterey's population has increased from 1.5% to 2.3%.

Monterey is more Native American/Other than neighboring Sand City (0.7% Native American/Other), Pacific Grove (0.8% Native American/Other), Carmel-by-the-Sea (0% Native American/Other), and Seaside (2.2% Native American/Other). Monterey is less Native American/Other than neighboring Del Rey Oaks (3% Native American/Other).

Monterey's Multiracial Population

1,310 residents of Monterey, or 4.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Monterey is comparable to the share in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Monterey ranks 432nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Monterey's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 29.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Monterey's population has decreased from 6.1% to 4.4%.

Monterey is less Multiracial than neighboring Sand City (12.6% Multiracial), Pacific Grove (6.4% Multiracial), Del Rey Oaks (9.8% Multiracial), Carmel-by-the-Sea (8.1% Multiracial), and Seaside (6.1% 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.