Modesto is a city in, and is the county seat of, Stanislaus County, California. With a population of approximately 201,165 at the 2010 census, Modesto ranks as the 18th largest city in the state of California.
Modesto is located in the central valley area of Northern California, 90 miles north of Fresno, 92 miles east of San Francisco, 68 miles south of the state capital of Sacramento,66 miles west of Yosemite National Park, and 24 miles south of Stockton. Modesto, a 29-time Tree City USA honoree,[2] is surrounded by rich farmland, lending to a ranking for the county as 6th among all California counties in farm production.[3] Led by milk, almonds, chickens, cattle, and walnuts, the county grossed nearly $2.5 billion in agricultural production in 2007.
Locally, Modesto is home to the critically acclaimed Gallo Center for the Arts, Prospect Theater Project, The Modesto Symphony Orchestra, The State Theater, the Modesto Nuts (a Colorado Rockies MLB affiliate), the Amgen Tour of California, and the Modesto Christian High School 2009 State Championship Football Team. The Xclamation Festival (X-Fest), has become the city’s largest entertainment and cultural gathering, recently celebrating its 10th year. The event in 2009 had an estimated 16,000 attendees enjoy music and food on the streets of downtown Modesto. Modesto also encompasses various cultural and social diverse schools. Among the oldest are Modesto Junior College (MJC), Thomas Downey High School, Grace M. Davis High School, and Modesto High School (MHS), being the oldest high school in Modesto. Embodies a rigorous academic and physical curriculum for students such as the International Baccalaureate program, AVID, and more.
Modesto was immortalized in the 1973 George Lucas film American Graffiti. The award winning film captured the spirit of "cruising" and friendship, on 10th and 11th Streets in 1962 and lead to the world-wide revival of 1950's nostalgia leading to the TV show Happy Days and the other spin-offs. Ron Howard, Harrison Ford and Richard Dreyfuss starred in the film. The soundtrack was a huge success. Director George Lucas is a native of Modesto, graduating from Downey High School in 1962.
In February 2010, the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, which interviewed more than 353,000 participants and asked individuals to assess their jobs, finances, physical health, emotional state of mind and communities, ranked Modesto 161 out of the 162 cities surveyed.[4] In December 2009, Forbes ranked Modesto 48th out of 100 among "Best Bang-for-the-Buck Cities"; according to Forbes. In this ranking, Modesto ranked 8th in housing affordability and travel time but also ranked 86th in job forecast growth and 99th in foreclosures.[5] In variety of other past rankings, Modesto has scored in the top ten worst places to live due to its high cost of living, high unemployment, long commutes and high crime rate.[citation needed]
Modesto's 10th street in 1890.
Modesto, originally a stop on the railroad connecting Sacramento to Los Angeles, was founded in 1870 and was to be named for William C. Ralston, financier of many projects in early California. However, he declined the suggestion and a Spanish-speaking railroad worker at the naming ceremony said that Ralston was "Muy modesto" (very modest). Thus, the town was named Modesto.[citation needed] It is unknown at this time if this story is mere folklore or actual fact.
The city was incorporated in 1884, at which time it had over 1000 people. With fields of grain and the proximity of the river (grain barges during the flood season) and railroad traffic, the town grew. Later, dams were installed in the foothills, irrigation water came, and irrigated fields of vegetables and fruit or nut trees prospered. By 1900, its population was over 4,500. During World War II, the area provided canned goods, powdered milk, and eggs for the US armed forces and allied forces. For the next few decades, Modesto's population grew at about two percent per year to over 100,000 in 1980, and over 200,000 in 2001.
Modesto's official slogan is "Water Wealth Contentment Health," which is emblazoned on a large downtown arch featured in local photographs and postcards. A contest was run in 1911 to determine the slogan. The original winning slogan was: "Nobody's got Modesto's goat". The second place entry was the final winner.
Modesto is known for the following tourist attractions and historical sites.
Gallo Center for the Arts
Currently no tours are given due to a Fire that damaged the front of the Mansion. A fire at the McHenry Mansion late Tuesday Dec 7, 2011 damaged the exterior of the building and there was water damage to the interior of the building due to the fire sprinklers being activated by the heat of the fire. The Modesto Regional Fire Authority did tremendous work in putting the fire out quickly and continues to investigate the cause of the fire. As a result of the damage, the McHenry Mansion will be closed to the public through February while the damage is assessed and repaired.
- McHenry Museum Across the street from the McHenry Mansion. Filled with tidbits from Modesto's history
- George Lucas Plaza American Graffiti-inspired bronze statue made in the honor of Modesto filmmaker George Lucas, located at Five Points (the intersections of McHenry Avenue, "J" Street, 17th Street, Downey and Needham).
- Gallo Center for the Arts, Center for performing arts recently opened and is located in downtown Modesto at 1000 "I" Street.
- Downtown Modesto is known for having a variety of restaurants and night life. It also hosts a multi-venue Art Walk year around on the Third Thursday of the Month, free to view with maps available.
- The State Theatre Dating back to the 1920s, it was recently renovated and serves as a local performance arts center and as a theater specializing in independent and foreign films.
- John Thurman Field The stadium renovated several years ago, the home of the Modesto Nuts baseball team (single "A" affiliate of the Colorado Rockies MLB team).
- Graceada Park Neighborhood an area of representative old homes (circa 1920s and earlier) with streets lined with large city planted shade trees and a series of parks, a bandshell and other amenities. The name Graceada is based on two old local ladies that helped promote the idea of a park, Grace and Ada.
The 1973 movie, American Graffiti, starring Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss and Cindy Williams was set in 1962 Modesto; however, the scenes of weekend cruising were actually filmed in Petaluma, California.
Modesto is served by one of the busiest rail corridors in the country. The Amtrak San Joaquins make ten daily stops on the route between Oakland and Bakersfield, and two stops daily on the route between Sacramento and Bakersfield.
Modesto is served by the Modesto City-County Airport that lies east of California State Route 99 within the city limits. SkyWest Airlines (operating as United Express) provides air service to San Francisco International Airport. The airport is used for manufacturing and the shipping industries throughout California and the United States.
Interstate 5 and California State Route 99 provide major highway access to Modesto. California State Route 132 links the city to Interstate 580, providing commuter access to highways into the Bay Area. California State Route 108 connects to Oakdale, California and east to the foothills. The city has added many roundabouts in an effort to ease traffic congestion within the town with varying degrees of success.
Three public transit systems serve Modesto: Modesto Area Express (MAX), StaRT, and the San Joaquin Regional Transit District along the northern edge of the city on McHenry Avenue. MAX is the local system with additional connections to the Altamont Commuter Express train station in Lathrop and the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station. MAX also provides a paratransit "dial-a-ride" service which specifically caters to seniors and the disabled. It is open to the general public only during certain times.[6] StaRT connects Modesto to the county's other populated centers.Modesto will also serve the future California High Speed Rail.
The large industrial region south and east of the city is served by the Modesto and Empire Traction Railroad, a 5-mile (8.0 km) short line with a web of industry tracks and many customers.
At one time, Modesto was the operational center of the Tidewater Southern Railway, which had its main line down the center of Ninth Street, a major north-south street. A city ordinance passed by the city council kept electric power lines over this section of street activated long after the railroad had converted to steam power. In 2000, the last trains ran down Ninth Street. Now the railroad (owned by the Union Pacific Railroad since 1983) no longer passes through Modesto.
Modesto usually has cool winters and very hot, dry summers. Average January temperatures range from 56°F (13°C) in the day to 40°F (4°C) at night. Most of the rainfall occurs during the winter and the annual total is 13.19 inches (33.5 cm). Since the city does not have full storm sewer systems, many of the streets flood during the winter rain storms.
Average July temperatures range from 95°F (35°C) in the day to 63°F (17°C) at night. During the summer months there can be multiple days in a row with daily temperatures exceeding highs of 100.0°F (38°C). This can pose health risks for those with weak constitutions, or who ignore the dangers of heat stroke. Offshore breezes (locally known as the "delta breeze") moderate these high temperatures, with cooler air coming in sometime after 8 or 9 PM on summer nights, although this does not give much relief.
| Climate data for Modesto |
| Month |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Year |
| Record high °F (°C) |
75
(24) |
80
(27) |
89
(32) |
100
(38) |
107
(42) |
112
(44) |
113
(45) |
108
(42) |
106
(41) |
101
(38) |
88
(31) |
75
(24) |
113
(45) |
| Average high °F (°C) |
56
(13) |
63
(17) |
69
(21) |
75
(24) |
83
(28) |
90
(32) |
95
(35) |
94
(34) |
89
(32) |
79
(26) |
66
(19) |
56
(13) |
76.25
(24.58) |
| Average low °F (°C) |
40
(4) |
43
(6) |
46
(8) |
49
(9) |
55
(13) |
60
(16) |
63
(17) |
62
(17) |
59
(15) |
53
(12) |
45
(7) |
40
(4) |
51.25
(10.69) |
| Record low °F (°C) |
18
(−8) |
24
(−4) |
27
(−3) |
32
(0) |
32
(0) |
39
(4) |
46
(8) |
46
(8) |
40
(4) |
29
(−2) |
25
(−4) |
18
(−8) |
18
(−8) |
| Precipitation inches (mm) |
2.61
(66.3) |
2.46
(62.5) |
2.04
(51.8) |
0.97
(24.6) |
0.63
(16) |
0.12
(3) |
0.00
(0) |
0.02
(0.5) |
0.26
(6.6) |
0.68
(17.3) |
1.36
(34.5) |
2.04
(51.8) |
13.19
(335) |
| Source: Weather Channel [7] |
Although the city is located on the Tuolumne River and near the Stanislaus River, it has no operating port for oceangoing ships due to the shallow depths of these rivers, and also due to a small dam on the Tuolumne River near Highway 99. In Modesto there is also a small creek aptly named Dry Creek, which although badly polluted by agricultural runoff, is adjacent to several parks in Modesto. Most of the rivers and streams are otherwise not accessible to public use or view due to fences and private property rights. There are no public boat ramps or docks within the city limits. Although summertime brings high temperatures, swimming is prohibited by local ordinance in rivers, creeks, and the many irrigation canals. Rivers and lakes near Waterford are wide enough to be accessible for a kayak, or small motorboat, and there are several points of public access. This access was given as part of a government plan when hydroelectric power dams were installed upstream for valuable flood control, irrigation, and electric power generation. The nearest large open seaport is the Port of Stockton, which is used for oceangoing ships that transport goods, particularly cement, fertilizer, and agricultural products, from California to overseas.
Modesto has a large agricultural industry which is based on the fertile farmland surrounding the city. Despite this the city has traditionally had above average unemployment rates. In July 2010, the Modesto Bee reported Modesto's unemployment rate at 17.3% while the rest of the U.S. was reporting an unemployment rate of 9.5%. Blue Diamond Growers, a nearby almond factory in Salida, is a major nut supplier. Modesto is also home to the largest winery in the world: E & J Gallo Winery. Founded in 1933 by brothers Ernest and Julio Gallo, the company continually revolutionizes the wine industry in America. The Gallo Glass Company, a company of Gallo Winery, is the largest wine bottle manufacturing company in the world. The company provides thousands of office and manufacturing jobs to Stanislaus County residents. Other major privately owned companies based in Modesto include Foster Farms Dairy, Royal Robbins, international award winner Fiscalini Cheese, Sciabica Olive Oil, Acme Construction, Aderholt Specialty, and 511 Tactical (formerly a part of Royal Robbins). A cannery downtown produces food which is usually shipped to Sacramento and Fresno for transfer to rail or ship. Ceres has a few cereal and snack factories in the area. Downtown there are several small steelworking companies. In mid-2008, a number of road projects were being constructed, repaved or repaired, with an estimated total cost of nearly $120,000,000.
Major manufacturing employers in the city include:[8]
Other major employers are:[8]
| # |
Employer |
# of Employees |
| 1 |
Stanislaus County |
4,764 |
| 2 |
Modesto City Schools |
3,113 |
| 3 |
Memorial Medical Center |
2,682 |
| 4 |
Doctors Medical Center |
1,984 |
| 5 |
Modesto Junior College |
1,643 |
| 6 |
Kaiser Permanente |
1,500 |
| 7 |
City of Modesto |
1,400 |
| 8 |
Walmart |
1,244 |
| 9 |
AT&T |
1,175 |
| 10 |
Sutter Gould Medical Foundation |
1,100 |
| 11 |
Save Mart Supermarkets |
927 |
| 11 |
Sylvan Union School District |
739 |
Rates of both violent crimes and property crimes are higher in Modesto than the state average.[9] Of particular note is that Modesto ranks among the top car theft cities in the US. As of 2008 Modesto ranked number 1 for car theft rate per 100,000 people.[10] Modesto is also home to many street gangs. The Stanislaus County Gang Intelligence Task Force estimates there to be 7,000 to 10,000 gang members.[11]
In the late 1980s Modesto embarked on an update to the city's General Plan pursuant to requirements of the State of California. The result was a comprehensive evaluation of alternative population and land use projections along with associated environmental impact analysis. Some of the environmental factors technically assessed were air quality, water quality, environmental noise, soil contamination and visual impacts.
Much of the soils in Modesto are classified as part of the Hanford series: (HbpA) fine sandy loam, moderately deep over silt. These soils are well-drained, moderately coarse textured soils derived from alluvium from granitic rock. The Hanford soils are important for the production of a wide variety of irrigated orchard, field, and truck crops.
Vicinity watercourses include the Stanislaus River, the Tuolumne River and Dry Creek empties into the Tuolumne River. Area groundwater, which is the principal source of water supply in the city (Stanislaus, 1987), has been historically impaired in a fashion that is spatially variable. Water from the nearby Modesto Resovoir is now used to augment city water. In various parts of the city and its perimeter the following water pollutants have occurred from time to time: nitrates, dibromochloromethane, volatile organics, salinity, total dissolved solids and other pesticides. (Torrey, 1989) Each of these contaminants is not present citywide.
The E.P.A. rates air quality in Modesto, CA as a 23 on a scale to 100 (higher is better), making Modesto an unhealthy place to live for those with breathing difficulties. This is based on ozone alert days and number of pollutants in the air. In May 2010, Forbes Magazine, in association with the American Lung Association, indicated that Modesto was one of the top 25 most polluted cities in the U.S.[12]
As of the 2000s, Downtown Modesto has been thoroughly modernized, including new attractions such as Gallo Center for the Arts and the new Downtown Plaza adjacent to Modesto Centre Plaza. Downtown Modesto has lost some of its old-time flavor with the loss of the Hotel Covell, The incredible art deco Strand Theatre, and the Sears building but it has improved traffic flow considerably. The projects under feasibility planning stages are:
- 7-story condo/commercial tower at 10th and H Streets
- 8-story condo tower at 14th and J Streets
The Modesto Nuts Minor League Baseball Club of the class A California League is the main attraction for locals between Easter and Labor Day. The Nuts are the Single A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies and play 70 home games each season.
In the past 10 years, Modesto has hosted many music festivals such as SummerFest, the Downtown Summer Concert Series featuring Chris Isaak, Hootie & the Blowfish, The Doobie Brothers and Styx, and the most notorious of all, X-Fest.
X-Fest, deriving from its real name Xclamation Festival, is a 21 and over music festival in downtown Modesto. Starting in 2000, X-Fest has evolved into a large outdoor event stretching 15 blocks and featuring the Worlds Largest Disco which covers four blocks on its own. In 2008 X-Fest featured 50 bands and a crowd of 15,000 people. Much of the profits end up in local non-profit charities. Some business owners and citizens of Modesto complain of rowdy and often drunk Mardi Gras atmosphere exhibited at X-fest. Events like these may have helped propel Modesto to be ranked, in Feb. of 2010 by Men's Health Magazine, as the 12th drunkest city in America. Men's Health Magazine compiled its rating based on alcohol related deaths, DUI and other arrests.
Summers in Modesto are also marked by the revival of American Graffiti, the 1973 film and cult classic written and directed by Modesto native George Lucas. Lucas' film paid homage to teenage life in 1962 based on his own experiences growing up in the city of Modesto. The city council refused to let Lucas film Graffiti in Modesto so he was forced to make the film elsewhere. The City of Modesto has since realized the importance of our connection to the award winning film and the city is preparing new tourist attractions and events to welcome American Graffiti tourists. The Modesto Convention and Visitors bureau report that the leading request for information is American Graffiti related. The annual festival, Graffiti Summer, celebrates this event and lasts the entire month of June attracting thousands of visitors and car enthusiasts along with hundreds of classic and antique cars.
Located in downtown Modesto is the locally iconic State Theater, one of the many hot sports for music acts and independent films. Also located downtown is the Fat Cat Music House & Lounge, a nightclub dating back to the 1930s.[13]
Downtown Modesto hosts a monthly Art Walk with local artists displaying art for sale, artist demos, local gallery shows, in a multi-venue map self guided tour. Downtown Modesto Third Thursday Art Walk venues include local galleries, nonprofits, restaurants and other local businesses; each featuring local artists 5 to 9 PM. Some stops include musicians from Modesto's vibrant music scene. Maps can be picked up at local businesses, and Downtown Improvement District office.
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra, which finds its home at the Gallo Center, held their first performance when Modesto had a population of 17,000 in 1931 and continues to be a staple in the community.[14] Not to be outdone by the Symphony, MoBand (Modesto Band of Stanislaus County), established in 1919, is one of the oldest, continuously performing bands in the U.S.[15] The group performs a free 6-week summer concert-in-the-park series with its 130 volunteer musicians.
Modesto is also home to Townsend Opera, founded in 1983 by the late Modesto-born opera singer Buck Townsend, and Modesto Performing Arts, as well as the Gallo Center for the Arts.[16] Modesto is also home to the area's leading pre-professional ballet company, Central West Ballet. The company was founded by Gretchen Vogelzang, and is now run under the direction of Artistic Director Rene Daveluy and Ballet Mistress Leslie Ann Larson.[17]
Modesto offers more than 200 restaurants, cafes, coffee houses and other nightlife clubs. There is also a weekly farmer's market, located downtown on I & 15th Streets.
Vintage Faire Mall in Modesto is an enclosed 2-level shopping mall with space for 125 stores and five major department stores. Notable retailers include Forever 21, Macy’s, JC Penney, Sears, Apple, Coach, Foot Locker, Abercrombie & Fitch, Foot Action, Champs Sports, Sephora, American Eagle, and H&M.
Vintage Commons is a shopping center close to Vintage Faire Mall, and it contains retailers such as Target, Best Buy, Borders (now closed), and Bed, Bath, & Beyond. Costco also has it's Modesto location nearby, as well as Pier One Imports, and Cost Plus World Market, among others.
The Plaza Parkway area features many stores including Wal-Mart, Kohl's, WinCo Foods, FedEx Kinko's, and John’s Incredible Pizza.
McHenry Avenue, also known as California State Highway 108, is home to numerous local businesses and nationally known chain stores. Some of the better known names include Burlington Coat Factory, Barnes and Noble Booksellers, Sports Authority, Foot Locker, Marshall's, Ross, Target, and Walmart. In McHenry Village there are numerous retailers, such as organic grocer Sunflower Market, Village Baking Company, Paper Habit, Valley Sporting Goods, Bianca's Bridal and Yogafina. The northern portion of McHenry, locally known as Auto Row, features a series of car dealerships. Also, on nearby Kiernan Avenue there is a major regional automotive auction house.
Crows Landing Road in south Modesto, is known by locals as "Little Tijuana". There one can find all sorts of authentic Mexican and Latin American foods, products, and spices. It plays home to Modesto's annual Cinco de Mayo parade, as well as the largest flea market in Stanislaus County.
| Historical populations |
| Census |
Pop. |
|
%± |
| 1880 |
1,693 |
|
—
|
| 1890 |
2,024 |
|
19.6% |
| 1900 |
4,034 |
|
99.3% |
| 1910 |
4,500 |
|
11.6% |
| 1920 |
9,241 |
|
105.4% |
| 1930 |
13,842 |
|
49.8% |
| 1940 |
16,830 |
|
21.6% |
| 1950 |
22,592 |
|
34.2% |
| 1960 |
36,585 |
|
61.9% |
| 1970 |
61,712 |
|
68.7% |
| 1980 |
106,963 |
|
73.3% |
| 1990 |
164,730 |
|
54.0% |
| 2000 |
188,856 |
|
14.6% |
| 2010 |
201,165 |
|
6.5% |
The 2010 United States Census[18] reported that Modesto had a population of 201,165. The population density was 5,423.4 people per square mile (2,094.0/km²). The racial makeup of Modesto was 130,833 (65.0%) White, 8,396 (4.2%) African American, 2,494 (1.2%) Native American, 13,557 (6.7%) Asian, 1,924 (1.0%) Pacific Islander, 31,244 (15.5%) from other races, and 12,717 (6.3%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 71,381 persons (35.5%). Non-Hispanic Whites were 49.4% of the population in 2010,[19] down from 83.1% in 1980.[20]
The Census reported that 198,210 people (98.5% of the population) lived in households, 1,189 (0.6%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 1,766 (0.9%) were institutionalized.
There were 69,107 households, out of which 27,152 (39.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 33,230 (48.1%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 10,774 (15.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 4,904 (7.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 5,177 (7.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 599 (0.9%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 15,887 households (23.0%) were made up of individuals and 6,221 (9.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87. There were 48,908 families (70.8% of all households); the average family size was 3.38.
The population was spread out with 54,012 people (26.8%) under the age of 18, 20,838 people (10.4%) aged 18 to 24, 53,116 people (26.4%) aged 25 to 44, 49,691 people (24.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 23,508 people (11.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.2 years. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.
There were 75,044 housing units at an average density of 2,023.2 per square mile (781.2/km²), of which 39,422 (57.0%) were owner-occupied, and 29,685 (43.0%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 9.1%. 112,065 people (55.7% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 86,145 people (42.8%) lived in rental housing units.
As of the census estimates of 2009, there were 210,294 people, 65,788 households, and 48,767 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,566.3 people per square mile (2,037.4/km²). There were 67,885 housing units at an average density of 1,771.6 per square mile (743.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 36.4% White, 50.8% Hispanic or Latino, 4.0% African American, 1.1% Native American, 7.2% Asian, 0.6% Pacific Islander. Spoken languages of the home were: 54.1 % spoke English, 40.2% Spanish as their first language, 3.0% Filipino, 0.8% Persian and 0.7% Armenian as their first language.
As of the census[21] of 2000, there were 188,856 people, 64,959 households, and 46,640 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,277.3 people per square mile (2,037.4/km²). There were 67,179 housing units at an average density of 1,877.2 per square mile (724.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.6% White, 25.6% Hispanic or Latino, 4.0% African American, 1.2% Native American, 6.0% Asian, 0.5% Pacific Islander.
There were 64,959 households out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.36.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.1% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,394, and the median income for a family was $45,681. Males had a median income of $38,595 versus $26,989 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,797. About 12.2% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.
In September 2010, the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research released a study indicating that 32% of the population was obese vs. a statewide average obesity rate of 22.7%. Poverty was one of the factors listed as contributing to the high obesity rates.
While the population of the city is officially 211,156 (as of April 2009), there are large unincorporated districts, locally known as unincorporated "islands" or "pockets", which are technically not part of the city but have Modesto mailing addresses. Statistics for these sections (population, income, education, crime, etc.) are included into Stanislaus County totals instead of Modesto. These areas, which include most of the Airport neighborhood in east Modesto, roughly a third of west Modesto, and most of south Modesto, are largely devoid of sidewalks, sewer service, parks, and until recently, street lights.
These neighborhoods were originally built in the 1930s and 40's to house Dust Bowl migrants on lands that were then beyond the edges of town. Due to the hopes of local officials that the housing would only be temporary, little oversight in the way of permits was the norm, and even today some homes have no foundation and many have septic tanks. These areas have since become permanent and today are populated largely by Latinos. Descendants of the original Dust Bowl migrants remain a small but sizable minority in these neighborhoods.
Incorporating these areas into the city of Modesto is thought not to be a priority of local government by many residents of these "islands" and has led to resentment by some. Making these places part of the city would require that services (city sewer) and infrastructure (sidewalks) be in place first, as well as approval by city residents in local elections. Efforts to incorporate some of these neighborhoods into the city have proved fruitless thus far.
Modesto is governed via the mayor-council system. The Mayor is elected by the entire City. The six members of the city council are elected from districts by the voters within the respective district.
According to the city’s most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the city’s various funds had $325.7 million in Revenues, $268.0 million in expenditures, $1,126.9 million in total assets, $322.0 million in total liabilities, and $343.0 million in cash and investments.[22]
The structure of the management and coordination of city services is:[22]
| City Department |
Director |
| City Manager |
Greg Nyhoff |
| Deputy City Manager |
Dee Williams-Ridley |
| Director Finance |
Gloriette Beck |
| Director of Human Resources |
VACANT |
| Chief Information Officer |
Bryan Sastokas |
| Director of Public Works |
Dennis Turner |
| Police Chief |
Michael Harden |
| Fire Chief |
Michael Kraus |
| Director of Parks, Recreation & Neighborhoods |
Julie Hannon |
| Director of Community & Economic Development |
Brent Sinclair |
| Director of Utility Planning & Projects |
Nick Pinhey |
In the state legislature Modesto is located in the 12th and 14th Senate district, represented by Republicans Anthony Cannella and Tom Berryhill respectively, and in the 25th and 26th Assembly districts, represented by Republicans Kristin Olsen and Bill Berryhill respectively. Federally, Modesto is located in California's 18th and 19th congressional districts, which have Cook PVIs of D +4 and R +9[23] respectively and are represented by Democrat Dennis Cardoza and Republican Jeff Denham respectively.
Modesto City Schools was established for students in the community in 1871.The current enrollment is approximately 32,000 students. The district operates 23 elementary schools (K-6), four junior high schools (7-8), seven comprehensive high schools (9-12), and an alternative education program which includes an opportunity and continuation school, independent study and adult evening high school. The seventh comprehensive high school, Joseph Gregori High School, was recently completed. Modesto's oldest high school, Modesto High School, also offers an International Baccalaureate program, and is the only high school in Stanislaus County accredited for this program. There are other elementary school districts within and adjacent to the limits of Modesto City Schools that feed into the high schools. They include Sylvan Unified (serving the eastern portion of Modesto), Stanislaus Union and Hart-Ransom.
- Modesto Junior College is a two year junior college in Modesto and has over 20,000 students enrolled and 21 inter-collegiate sports teams.
- Institute of Technology technical college in Modesto offering career training in a number of fields, including culinary arts, business, and health care.
- Community Business College vocational college in Modesto providing vocational training and job placement services to the unemployed with non-profit tuition scholarships. Offers training in medical office, bookkeeping, property management, foreign languages, medical coding and solar technologies.
As part of the Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto television market, Modesto is primarily served by stations that are based mainly in Sacramento, CA. They are listed below, with the city of license in bold:
- KMPO 88.7: World Ethnic
- KLOVE 89.7: AC Christian
- KAMB 101.5 AC Christian
- Air 1 90.7 Christian (Alternative/Pop)
- KOSO 92.9: 90's and Now
- KBBU 93.9: Regional Mexican
- KHOP 95.1: Top 40 (CHR)
- KMRQ 96.7: Rock
- KWIN 98.3: Mainstream Urban
- KQOD 100.1: Rhythmic Oldies
- KMIX 100.9: Regional Mexican
- KJSN 102.3: Adult Contemporary
- KATM 103.3: Country
- KHKK 104.1: Classic Rock
- KHTN 104.7: Hip-Hop
- KGIG-LP 106.1: Local Community Radio
- KESP 970: Sports
- KFIV 1360: Talk Radio
- KLOC 1390: Regional Mexican
- As'ad AbuKhalil, professor of political science and commentator on Middle Eastern issues
- Jack Angel, voice actor provided the voice of Teddy in A.I. Artificial Intelligence, AstroTrain in Transformers, Nikki in Balto.
- Randall Behr, (born Randall Bare), resident conductor, chorus master, and head of music staff, Los Angeles Opera, 1988–1995, graduate of Grace M. Davis High School, Class of 1969.
- Dezmond Castner, YouTube commentator with nearly 100,000 subscribers.
- Jose Luis Ayala, lead vocalist of the regional Mexican Group "Los Humildes Hermanos Ayala"
- Tony Boselli, 2nd Pick in the 1995 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. 5x Pro Bowler & 3x First Team All-Pro. Born in Modesto.
- Carol Channing, three-time Tony Award-winning actress and singer.
- Joe Dillon, MLB player for the Florida Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Tampa Bay Rays.
- Jack Elam, 1919 to 2003, actor, epitome of the bad guy in films. Elam once attended Modesto Junior College and had a brother who taught there for many years.
- Jim Fairchild, musician, guitarist, songwriter of Grandaddy, All Smiles and Modest Mouse.
- Ernest Gallo and Julio Gallo, wine makers, philanthropists.
- Tony Graziani, Philadelphia Soul quarterback and graduate of Thomas Downey High School.
- Chuck Hayes, Kentucky Wildcat and Houston Rocket basketball player.
- Lester Hayes, former American football player.
- Kirby Hensley, founder of the Universal Life Church.
- Ray Lankford, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder and graduate of Grace M. Davis High School.
- Chandra Levy, intern at Federal Bureau of Prisons in Washington DC, whose 2001 disappearance was a major news story.
- George Lucas, film director, producer, and screenwriter, graduate of Thomas Downey High School, and former student at Modesto Junior College.
- Jason Lytle, musician, songwriter of indie-rockbands Grandaddy and Admiral Radley
- Roger Maltbie, golfer and television announcer
- James Marsters, actor and graduate of Grace M. Davis High School.
- Shane Minor, country music artist
- Boaz Myhill, West Bromwich Albion and Wales goalkeeper (birthplace).
- Timothy Olyphant, actor and 1986 graduate of Fred C. Beyer High School.
- Heath Pearce, professional soccer player for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer and a graduate of Peter Johansen High School.
- Lindsay Pearce, contender on The Glee Project.
- Laci Peterson, murdered wife of Scott Peterson.
- Scott Peterson, sentenced to death for the murder of his wife, Laci Peterson, and unborn child. The case attracted national attention.
- B.R. Pinedo, two-time Jeopardy! champion and poet. Graduate of Modesto High School.
- Suzy Powell-Roos, three-time track and field Olympian and American Record holder in the Women's Discus. Graduate of Thomas Downey High School.
- Harve Presnell, actor. He was born in Modesto in 1933 and is a graduate of Modesto High School.
- Jeremy Renner, Academy Award nominated actor.[24]
- Kenny Roberts, three-time Grand Prix motorcycle racing champion, former two-time AMA Grand National Champion.
- Joe Rudi, professional baseball player, 3 time Gold Glove winning outfielder as a member of the 70's era World Champion Oakland A's
- Joseph Sapien, United States Army, youngest veteran of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
- Mark Spitz, 9-time Olympic swimming gold medalist.[25]
- Ann Veneman, 27th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
- Tisha Venturini, member of the gold medal winning U.S. women's national soccer team at the 1996 Olympic Games; from Grace M. Davis High School.
- Ashley Walker, attended Grace M. Davis High School. Was the star player on the UC Berkeley women's basketball team 2005-2009. Now plays professional basketball overseas.
- Rust Epique, aka Charles Lopez Rock Star.
- Erin Cafaro, Olympic gold medalist for 2008 Women's Eight Crew. Graduate of Modesto High School, Class of 2001.
- Carter Williams, Carter "The Beast" Williams is a professional American kickboxer, boxer and mixed martial artist. He is a former North American Muaythai champion and K-1 World GP in Las Vegas tournament champion.
Modesto has five sister cities and one sister county:
These programs are run by Modesto Sister Cities International; a non-profit, community based, volunteer organization promoting international understanding, friendship, and peace between nations.[26]
In a Lifetime film, they made a movie of a true story on Scott Peterson murdering his pregnant wife.
In the film 1985 Murphy's Romance with Sally Field and James Garner, James Garner's character asks Sally Field where she was from and her response was "This time Modesto, Ca"
In the animated feature Monsters vs. Aliens, the protagonist Susan Murphy comes from Modesto. Scenes of Modesto depicted in the movie bear no resemblance to the actual town. In the short film Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space, Susan says, "Modesto, why is it always Modesto?"
In Even Stevens a girl quotes her mom is from Modesto.
Inspector Keller (played by Michael Douglas) reveals he is from Modesto in Season 3 of The Streets of San Francisco.
In The Glee Project, Lindsay Pearce is a contestant and runner-up from Modesto, won 2 episode arcs in Glee Season 3.
In the video game Destroy All Humans!, "Santa Modesto" is one of the playable locations.
In the video game series Wipeout, "Modesto Heights" is one of the race tracks in Wipeout Pure and Wipeout HD.
An episode of Bewitched, one of Darrin's clients frequently mentions growing up in Modesto.
Brooklyn-based indie rockers The Hold Steady refer to the city in the song "Modesto Is Not That Sweet."
In the 1963 movie It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World the truck driver played by Jonathan Winters refers to the load he is driving to Modesto.
The 1973 film American Graffiti is set in Modesto.
"Modesto" is the name of a song by Beck, from his Stereopathetic Soulmanure album.
"St. Modesto" is a song by Chris Walla from his Field Manual album.
The 2009 film Janky Promoters is set in Modesto.
In the 1992 film starring Christian Slater entitled Kuffs Slater's character mentions that he grew up in Modesto and went to (the fictional) Fremont High School.
In the television show Sons of Anarchy, Season 3, Episode 7, Bobby Elvis asks Clay Morrow, "Where's Tig?" Clay responds, "Halfway to Modesto."
In the television show CSI, Season 5, Episode 10, Sara Sidle searches for the records of her mother's court case, which ultimately led to Sarah being put in foster care, from Modesto, CA.
On the Moshe Kasher album, "Everyone You Know is Going To Die, Then You Are," on the track, "An Open Letter to Modesto, California."
In the television show Criminal Minds, in season 4, episode 6 , where a serial killer jumps trains and targets people living near the railway is the subject of a BAU manhunt set in Modesto, California
- ^ U.S. Census
- ^ City of Modesto
- ^ California Farm Bureau Federation
- ^ Page, Susan (2010-02-15). "Western cities fare best in well-being index". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-02-15-cities_N.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-13.
- ^ Levy, Francesca (2009-11-30). "America's Best Bang-For-The-Buck Cities". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/2009/11/30/cities-affordable-cheap-lifestyle-real-estate-housing-foreclosures_chart.html.
- ^ "Dial-A-Ride Information". Modesto Area Express. http://www.modestoareaexpress.com/dar_information.htm.
- ^ Monthly Averages for Modesto, CA Weather Channel'.' Retrieved 2012-01-22.
- ^ a b Largest Employers
- ^ Modesto crime rates and statistics - NeighborhoodScout
- ^ III - Auto Theft
- ^ Gangs thriving in Modesto, Modesto Bee, Sep. 20, 2007.
- ^ "List: Worst Cities For Ozone Pollution". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/2010/04/28/polluted-cities-smog-lifestyle-health-american-lung-association-ozone_slide_2.html?partner=msnhealth.
- ^ "Official site". Fat Cat Music House & Lounge. http://www.fatcatmodesto.com/. Retrieved September 12, 2010.
- ^ Modesto Symphony Official Web Site
- ^ MoBand Official Web Site
- ^ "Gallo Center for the Arts". http://www.gallocenter.org.
- ^ Home Welcome
- ^ All data are derived from the United States Census Bureau reports from the 2010 United States Census, and are accessible on-line here. The data on unmarried partnerships and same-sex married couples are from the Census report DEC_10_SF1_PCT15. All other housing and population data are from Census report DEC_10_DP_DPDP1. Both reports are viewable online or downloadable in a zip file containing a comma-delimited data file. The area data, from which densities are calculated, are available on-line here. Percentage totals may not add to 100% due to rounding. The Census Bureau defines families as a household containing one or more people related to the householder by birth, opposite-sex marriage, or adoption. People living in group quarters are tabulated by the Census Bureau as neither owners nor renters. For further details, see the text files accompanying the data files containing the Census reports mentioned above.
- ^ "Modesto (city), California". State & County QuickFacts. U.S. Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0648354.html.
- ^ "California - Race and Hispanic Origin for Selected Cities and Other Places: Earliest Census to 1990". U.S. Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b City of Modesto CAFR
- ^ Hinckley, Catie; Walker, John (November 1, 2006). "Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest?". Campaign Legal Center Blog. http://www.clcblog.org/blog_item-85.html. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ In Jeremy Renner profile, London paper calls Modesto a cowtown - Jeremy Renner - Modbee.com
- ^ "Mark Spitz". www.jewishsports.net. http://www.jewishsports.net/BioPages/MarkSpitz.htm. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
- ^ Modesto Sister Cities
- Stanislaus County General Plan, (1987)
- John Torrey, Paul Awosika et al., Expanded initial study, Boulder Creek subdivision, Stanislaus County, Earth Metrics, Report 7999: California State Clearinghouse, Sacramento, November, 1989.
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^* Mayor selected from city council
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