Modesto is located in the central part of the state. It is the 18th largest city of California in terms of population.
Modesto, California Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Modesto |
| County | Stanislaus County |
| State | California |
| State Capital | Sacramento |
| US Region | West |
| Latitude | 37.6391° N |
| Longitude | 120.9969° W |
| Elevation | 89 ft (27 m) |
| Land Area | 44.8 sq mi |
| Water Area | 0.2 sq mi |
| Total Area | 45.0 sq mi |
| Population (2020 Census) | 218,464 |
| Population Density | Approximately 4,876 per sq mi |
| ZIP Codes | 95350, 95351, 95354, 95355, 95356, 95357, 95358 |
| Area Code | 209 |
| Time Zone Standard | Pacific Standard Time (PST, UTC-8) |
| Time Zone Daylight | Pacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC-7) |
| Currency | US Dollar (USD) |
| FIPS Code | 06-48354 |
| Congressional District | California 13th Congressional District |
Location and Surroundings
Modesto is located in Stanislaus County in California's northern San Joaquin Valley. It lies between Stockton to the north and Merced to the south, with the Sierra Nevada foothills to the east. The city is known for its agricultural economy, tree-lined neighborhoods, connection to filmmaker George Lucas, and its role as a regional commercial center in the Central Valley.
Nearby Cities to Modesto, California
- Ceres, California - 3 mi South
- Riverbank, California - 5 mi Northeast
- Salida, California - 6 mi Northwest
- Ripon, California - 12 mi North
- Oakdale, California - 14 mi East
- Turlock, California - 15 mi South
- Patterson, California - 18 mi Southwest
- Manteca, California - 20 mi North
- Tracy, California - 30 mi Northwest
- Merced, California - 40 mi South
Modesto, California Climate and Weather Overview
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Avg Rainfall (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 55 | 39 | 2.2 |
| April | 74 | 48 | 1.0 |
| July | 95 | 61 | 0.0 |
| October | 81 | 53 | 0.7 |
| Annual | 76 | 50 | 13.2 |
| Climate Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Climate Classification (Köppen) | Hot-Summer Mediterranean (Csa) |
| Annual Rainfall | About 13.2 inches |
| Annual Sunshine Days | Approximately 261 days |
| Hurricane/Tornado Risk | Very low |
| Snowfall | Rare |
Driving Distances from Modesto, California
| City | State | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceres | California | 3 | 10 min |
| Riverbank | California | 5 | 10 min |
| Salida | California | 6 | 10 min |
| Ripon | California | 12 | 15 min |
| Oakdale | California | 14 | 20 min |
| Turlock | California | 15 | 20 min |
| Patterson | California | 18 | 25 min |
| Manteca | California | 20 | 25 min |
| Stockton | California | 29 | 35 min |
| Sacramento | California | 80 | 1 hr 20 min |
Transportation and Connectivity in Modesto, California
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Modesto City-County Airport |
| IATA Code | MOD |
| Port | Not Applicable |
| Major Highways | CA 99, CA 108, CA 132, CA 219 |
| Train/Amtrak Service | Amtrak San Joaquins via Modesto Station |
| Local Bus/Transit Service | Modesto Area Express (MAX) |
- State Route 99 - Major north-south corridor connecting Modesto with Sacramento and Bakersfield.
- State Route 108 - Connects the city with Oakdale and the Sierra Nevada region.
- State Route 132 - Provides access to Tracy and Yosemite-area routes.
- State Route 219 - Links Modesto with neighboring agricultural communities.
- McHenry Avenue - Important commercial corridor through the city.
- Briggsmore Avenue - Major east-west route serving residential and business districts.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Modesto, California
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| McHenry Mansion | Historic Site |
| McHenry Museum | Museum |
| Gallo Center for the Arts | Performing Arts Venue |
| Graceada Park | Urban Park |
| Dry Creek Regional Park | Regional Park |
| Modesto Arch | Historic Landmark |
| Tuolumne River Regional Park | Nature Area |
| Great Valley Museum | Museum |
| Mistlin Sports Park | Sports Complex |
| Virginia Corridor Trailway | Recreation Trail |
Waterbodies in Modesto, California
Tuolumne River, Dry Creek, Modesto Reservoir, Woodward Reservoir, Turlock Lake, San Joaquin River, Del Puerto Creek, Empire Reservoir, Don Pedro Reservoir, California Aqueduct
Golf Courses in Modesto, California
Del Rio Country Club, Dryden Park Golf Course, Creekside Golf Course, Modesto Municipal Golf Course, Oakdale Golf and Country Club, Turlock Golf and Country Club, St. Stanislaus Golf Course, Diablo Grande Golf Club, Manteca Park Golf Course, River Oaks Golf Course
Economy and Major Employers in Modesto, California
| Sector | Major Employer or Industry | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | Food Processing and Farming | Foundation of the regional economy. |
| Manufacturing | E. & J. Gallo Winery | One of the world's largest wineries. |
| Healthcare | Memorial Medical Center | Major healthcare employer. |
| Education | Modesto City Schools | Large public-sector employer. |
| Government | Stanislaus County Government | Provides significant local employment. |
| Retail | Commercial and Shopping Centers | Supports local employment growth. |
| Logistics | Transportation and Warehousing | Benefits from Central Valley location. |
| Healthcare Services | Sutter Health Facilities | Important regional medical provider. |
Colleges and Schools in Modesto, California
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto Junior College | Public | Community College | One of California's oldest community colleges |
| California State University Stanislaus | Public | University | Regional public university nearby |
| University of Phoenix - Modesto | Private | University | Adult education programs |
| Institute of Technology | Private | College | Career-focused training |
| Modesto City Schools | Public | K-12 District | Largest school district in the county |
| Sylvan Union School District | Public | K-12 District | Serves northeastern Modesto |
Modesto, California - Key Historical Facts
- Modesto was founded in 1870 as a stop along the Central Pacific Railroad.
- The city's name means "modest" in Spanish and was chosen after a railroad financier declined having the city named after him.
- Agriculture became the foundation of Modesto's economy due to fertile soils and irrigation projects.
- The city grew rapidly during the twentieth century as a center for food processing and transportation.
- Filmmaker George Lucas grew up in Modesto and based parts of the film "American Graffiti" on local experiences.
- Today, Modesto serves as a major economic and cultural hub in California's northern San Joaquin Valley.
Sources
- Official City of Modesto Website
- Official Stanislaus County Website
- U.S. Census Bureau
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- National Weather Service
Most Viewed CA Maps
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