Monterey County, California

County seat: Salinas · Population 433,729 (2025) · 3,282 sq mi

Monterey County is the 22nd most populous of California's 58 counties, with 433,729 people (2025 estimate). Its county seat is Salinas. The map shows its 12 cities and towns and the 5 neighboring counties.

Map of Monterey County, California with cities, towns and the county boundary
Monterey County, California with its cities and towns, unincorporated communities (CDPs) and neighboring counties. Boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025. Free to use with attribution (CC BY 4.0).
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Monterey County facts

County seat
Salinas
Population (2025 estimate)
433,729 −1.7% since 2020
Land area
3,282 sq mi 17th largest of 58
Water area
490 sq mi
Population density
132 per sq mi
Established
1850
Named after
Monterey Bay bay of the Pacific Ocean in California, United States
Largest city
Salinas 159,134
Median household income
$97,230
Cities and towns
12 plus 18 CDPs
ZIP codes
33
Time zone
Pacific
FIPS code
06053

Cities and towns in Monterey County

Monterey County has 12 incorporated cities, towns and villages. Populations count the people living inside Monterey County; cities that cross a county line also list the other counties.

NameTypePopulation 2025Also in
Salinas (county seat)City159,134
SeasideCity31,636
MontereyCity28,953
SoledadCity26,357
MarinaCity23,256
GreenfieldCity21,138
Pacific GroveCity14,659
King CityCity14,002
GonzalesCity8,313
Carmel-by-the-SeaCity3,105
Del Rey OaksCity1,536
Sand CityCity323

Unincorporated communities (CDPs)

Census-designated places are communities without their own city government; the county provides their services.

CommunityPopulationAlso in
Prunedale19,723
Castroville6,720
Carmel Valley Village4,785
Del Monte Forest3,613
Las Lomas3,355
Pajaro2,899
Pine Canyon2,477
Elkhorn1,664
Boronda1,351
Aromas1,276San Benito County
Fort Hunter Liggett1,119
Chualar812
San Ardo462
Lockwood240
Spreckels174
San Lucas134
Bradley112
Moss Landing45

ZIP codes in Monterey County

33 ZIP codes reach into Monterey County. ZIP codes ignore county lines, so some also cover a neighboring county.

Population of Monterey County, 2020–2025

Monterey County shrank by 7,293 people (−1.7%) between April 2020 and July 2025: 13,055 more births than deaths and a net loss of 20,835 people from migration.

Year (July 1)Population
2020440,493
2021439,062
2022435,884
2023434,107
2024433,447
2025433,729

Neighboring counties

Printable Monterey County map

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Sources

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