Modesto, California

Modesto, California
Nickname: 
City of Great Neighbors
Motto: 
Water Wealth Contentment Health
Location in Stanislaus County and California
Modesto
Location in the United States
Modesto
Modesto (the United States)
Coordinates: 37°39′41″N 120°59′40″W / 37.66139°N 120.99444°W / 37.66139; -120.99444
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyStanislaus
FoundedNovember 8, 1870
IncorporatedAugust 6, 1884
Named afterWilliam Chapman Ralston's modesty
Government
  TypeCouncil-manager
  MayorSue Zwahlen
  City managerJoseph Lopez
Area
  City
44.80 sq mi (116.04 km2)
  Land42.97 sq mi (111.30 km2)
  Water1.83 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
  Rank1st in Stanislaus County
19th in California
109th in the United States
  Density5,007.59/sq mi (1,933.45/km2)
  Urban
357,301 (US: 116th)
  Urban density5,076.8/sq mi (1,960.2/km2)
  Metro
552,878 (US: 105th)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
  Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP codes
95350–95358, 95397
Area code209
FIPS code06-48354
GNIS IDs277609, 2411130
Websitewww.modestogov.com

Modesto (/məˈdɛst/ mə-DESS-toh; 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-most populous city in California.

Modesto is located in the Central Valley region, 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, in the San Joaquin Valley, 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 often honored as a Tree City USA.