Monterey County Demographics

A map of Monterey County's Population by Race

Monterey County, California had a population of 439,035 in 2020. It was 27.4% White, 2.1% Black, 5.7% Asian, 60.4% Hispanic, 1.2% Native American/Other, and 3.2% Multiracial. This map presents the population of Monterey County, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

Monterey County is the 21st most populous county of the 58 counties in California.

Monterey County's White Population

120,077 residents of Monterey County identify as White, or 27.4%. This makes the White share of the population of Monterey County slightly less than the White share of the population of California (34.7% White). Of the 58 counties in California, Monterey County is ranked #52 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Monterey County is more White than neighboring Merced County (24.4% White). Monterey County is less White than neighboring San Benito County (30.8% White), Santa Cruz County (53.7% White), Santa Clara County (28.7% White), and San Luis Obispo County (65% White).

Monterey County's Black Population

9,051 residents of Monterey County identify as Black, or 2.1%. This makes the Black share of the population of Monterey County roughly similar to the Black share of the population of California (5.4% Black). Of the 58 counties in California, Monterey County is ranked #25 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Monterey County is more Black than neighboring San Benito County (0.7% Black), Santa Cruz County (1.1% Black), and San Luis Obispo County (1.5% Black). Monterey County is less Black than neighboring Santa Clara County (2.2% Black), and Merced County (2.9% Black).

Monterey County's Asian Population

25,123 residents of Monterey County identify as Asian, or 5.7%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Monterey County slightly less than the Asian share of the population of California (15.1% Asian). Of the 58 counties in California, Monterey County is ranked #25 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Monterey County is more Asian than neighboring San Benito County (3.4% Asian), Santa Cruz County (4.5% Asian), and San Luis Obispo County (3.5% Asian). Monterey County is less Asian than neighboring Santa Clara County (38.9% Asian), and Merced County (7% Asian).

Monterey County's Hispanic Population

265,321 residents of Monterey County identify as Hispanic, or 60.4%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Monterey County considerably larger than the Hispanic share of the population of California (39.4% Hispanic). Of the 58 counties in California, Monterey County is ranked #6 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Monterey County is more Hispanic than neighboring Santa Cruz County (34.8% Hispanic), Santa Clara County (25.2% Hispanic), and San Luis Obispo County (24% Hispanic). Monterey County is less Hispanic than neighboring San Benito County (61.1% Hispanic), and Merced County (61.8% Hispanic).

Monterey County's Native American/Other Population

5,343 residents of Monterey County identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 1.2%. This makes the Native American/Other share of the population of Monterey County roughly similar to the Native American/Other share of the population of California (1.3% Native American/Other). Of the 58 counties in California, Monterey County is ranked #46 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Monterey County is more Native American/Other than neighboring San Benito County (1.1% Native American/Other), Santa Cruz County (1% Native American/Other), Santa Clara County (1% Native American/Other), Merced County (1.1% Native American/Other), and San Luis Obispo County (1.1% Native American/Other).

Monterey County's Multiracial Population

14,120 residents of Monterey County identify as Multiracial, or 3.2%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Monterey County roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of California (4.1% Multiracial). Of the 58 counties in California, Monterey County is ranked #48 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Monterey County is more Multiracial than neighboring San Benito County (2.9% Multiracial), and Merced County (2.7% Multiracial). Monterey County is less Multiracial than neighboring Santa Cruz County (4.9% Multiracial), Santa Clara County (4% Multiracial), and San Luis Obispo County (4.8% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.