Modesto, California
Modesto (/məˈdɛstoʊ/, Spanish pronunciation: [moˈðesto]) is the county seat and largest city of Stanislaus County, California, United States. With a population of 218,069 according to 2022 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, it is the 19th largest city in the State of California.
Modesto, California | |
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Clockwise: Modesto Arch; Modesto Transportation Center; Tenth Street Place; Gallo Center for the Arts | |
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Flag Seal | |
| Nickname: City of Great Neighbors | |
| Motto: Water Wealth Contentment Health | |
Location in Stanislaus County and the State of California | |
Modesto Location in the United States Modesto Modesto (the United States) | |
| Coordinates: 37°39′41″N 120°59′40″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Stanislaus |
| Region | San Joaquin Valley |
| Founded | November 8, 1870 |
| Incorporated | August 6, 1884 |
| Named for | William Chapman Ralston's modesty |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-manager |
| • Mayor | Sue Zwahlen |
| • City manager | Joseph Lopez |
| Area | |
| • City | 44.80 sq mi (116.04 km2) |
| • Land | 42.97 sq mi (111.30 km2) |
| • Water | 1.83 sq mi (4.74 km2) 0.61% |
| • Metro | 1,515 sq mi (3,920 km2) |
| Elevation | 89 ft (27 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • City | 218,464 |
| • Rank | 1st in Stanislaus County 19th in California 104th in the United States |
| • Density | 5,007.59/sq mi (1,933.45/km2) |
| • Urban | 357,301 (US: 116th) |
| • Urban density | 5,076.8/sq mi (1,960.2/km2) |
| • Metro | 552,878 (US: 105th) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| ZIP codes | 95350–95358, 95397 |
| Area code | 209 |
| FIPS code | 06-48354 |
| GNIS IDs | 277609, 2411130 |
| Website | www |
Modesto is located in the Central Valley, 68 miles (109 km) south of Sacramento and 90 miles (140 km) north of Fresno. Distances from other places include: 40 miles (64 km) north of Merced, California, 92 miles (148 km) east of San Francisco, 66 miles (106 km) west of Yosemite National Park, and 24 miles (39 km) south of Stockton.
The city is surrounded by rich farmland. Stanislaus County ranks sixth among California counties in farm production. It is home to Gallo Family Winery, the largest family-owned winery in the United States. Led by milk, almonds, chickens, walnuts, and corn silage, the county grossed nearly $3.1 billion in agricultural production in 2011. The farm-to-table movement plays a central role in Modesto living in the Central Valley.
Modesto has been honored as a Tree City USA numerous times.