Monterey County Demographics

A map of Monterey County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Hispanic	269,490	265,321	61.6%	60.4%
White	117,547	120,077	26.9%	27.4%
Asian	24,126	25,123	5.5%	5.7%
Multiracial	13,311	14,120	3.0%	3.2%
Black	8,954	9,051	2.0%	2.1%
Native American/Other	4,185	5,343	1.0%	1.2%

Monterey County, California has an estimated population of 437,613, a less than 1% change from the 439,035 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 61.6% Hispanic, 26.9% White, 5.5% Asian, 3.0% Multiracial, 2.0% Black, and 1.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Monterey County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Monterey has become less 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 County, that probability was 55.5% in 2020 and 54.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Monterey County is ranked the 21st most populous county in California, out of 58 counties. Monterey County was ranked the 21st most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Monterey County's White Population

117,547 residents of Monterey County, or 26.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Monterey County is lower than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Monterey County ranks 52nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 58 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Monterey County's White population has declined by an estimated 2.1%. White residents' share of Monterey County's population has decreased from 27.4% to 26.9%.

Monterey County is more White than neighboring Merced County (23.2% White). Monterey County is less White than neighboring San Benito County (29.2% White), Santa Cruz County (53.9% White), Santa Clara County (27.2% White), and San Luis Obispo County (64.5% White).

Monterey County's Black Population

8,954 residents of Monterey County, or 2.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Monterey County is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Monterey County ranks 25th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 58 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Monterey County's Black population has declined by an estimated 1.1%. Black residents' share of Monterey County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.0%.

Monterey County is more Black than neighboring San Benito County (0.8% Black), Santa Cruz County (0.7% Black), and San Luis Obispo County (1.1% Black). Monterey County is less Black than neighboring Santa Clara County (2.2% Black), and Merced County (2.6% Black).

Monterey County's Asian Population

24,126 residents of Monterey County, or 5.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Monterey County is lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Monterey County ranks 25th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 58 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Monterey County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 4.0%. Asian residents' share of Monterey County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.5%.

Monterey County is more Asian than neighboring San Benito County (3.5% Asian), Santa Cruz County (4.7% Asian), and San Luis Obispo County (3.4% Asian). Monterey County is less Asian than neighboring Santa Clara County (40.3% Asian), and Merced County (7.1% Asian).

Monterey County's Hispanic Population

269,490 residents of Monterey County, or 61.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Monterey County is significantly higher than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Monterey County ranks 6th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 58 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Monterey County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 1.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Monterey County's population has increased from 60.4% to 61.6%.

Monterey County is more Hispanic than neighboring Santa Cruz County (35.2% Hispanic), Santa Clara County (25% Hispanic), and San Luis Obispo County (25% Hispanic). Monterey County is less Hispanic than neighboring San Benito County (62.4% Hispanic), and Merced County (63.4% Hispanic).

Monterey County's Native American/Other Population

4,185 residents of Monterey County, or 1.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Monterey County is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Monterey County ranks 46th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 58 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Monterey County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 21.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Monterey County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

Monterey County is more Native American/Other than neighboring San Benito County (0.6% Native American/Other), and Merced County (0.9% Native American/Other). Monterey County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Santa Clara County (1.1% Native American/Other).

Monterey County's Multiracial Population

13,311 residents of Monterey County, or 3.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Monterey County is comparable to the share in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Monterey County ranks 48th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 58 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Monterey County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 5.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Monterey County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.0%.

Monterey County is more Multiracial than neighboring Merced County (2.9% Multiracial). Monterey County is less Multiracial than neighboring San Benito County (3.6% Multiracial), Santa Cruz County (4.5% Multiracial), Santa Clara County (4.2% Multiracial), and San Luis Obispo County (5.1% 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.