County · California
Modoc County, California
Modoc County, California. Modoc County had 8,426 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.2% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). It holds 13 places (1 city, village or borough and 12 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 06049.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
8,426
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 8,700 · ACS 2020-2024: 8,600
Median household income
$59,455
±$6,095 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$224,700
±$19,423 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$836
±$48 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
How many people live in Modoc County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 8,700 residents in Modoc County. The Census Bureau estimates 8,426 for July 1, 2025, down 3.2% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 8,600 over 3,948 square miles of land.
| Measure | Modoc County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 8,600 | 39,287,377 | −307 |
| Households | 3,267±180 | 13,548,091 | −349 |
| Average household size | 2.46±0.13 | 2.84 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,764±14 | 14,644,735 | −494 |
Modoc County's population since 2000
From 9,449 in 2000 to 8,426 in 2025: down 10.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Modoc County?
Modoc County holds 13 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place) and 12 census-designated places. The largest is Alturas with 2,634 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Alturas | 2,715 | $59,896 |
|---|---|---|
| California PinesGEOID 0609834 | 473 | $66,328 |
| Cedarville | 437 | $52,105 |
| NewellGEOID 0651042 | 301 | $36,620 |
| AdinGEOID 0600310 | 205 | $29,375 |
| CanbyGEOID 0610732 | 183 | not published |
| Fort BidwellGEOID 0625030 | 180 | not published |
| Daphnedale ParkGEOID 0617995 | 129 | not published |
| New Pine CreekGEOID 0651168 | 87 | not published |
| Lake CityGEOID 0639472 | 71 | not published |
| LookoutGEOID 0643126 | 68 | $140,568 |
| LikelyGEOID 0641390 | 58 | not published |
| EaglevilleGEOID 0620424 | 45 | $81,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Modoc County?
The median resident of Modoc County is 47.5 years old; 19.1% are under 18 and 31.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 74.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 15.7%. 8.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Modoc County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.5±0.5 | 37.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.1% | 22.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 31.7%±1.3 pts | 15.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 15.7% | 40.2% | +1.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 74.8%±0.7 pts | 33.8% | −2.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.1%±2.9 pts | 15.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.8%±1.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.7%±1.7 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.8%±3.5 pts | 27.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 14.0%±3.3 pts | 44.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.7%±2.2 pts | 4.3% | – |
| With a disability | 18.2%±3.9 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.0%±4.3 pts | 6.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.7%±4.9 pts | 84.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.8%±4.4 pts | 37.1% | +9.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.9%±2.0 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2%±1.0 pts | 1.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Modoc County earn?
Half of Modoc County's 3,267 households earn less than $59,455 a year (±$6,095), against $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 it was $56,005 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 17.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Modoc County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $59,455±$6,095 | $99,122 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $78,582±$8,800 | $140,436 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,252±$3,229 | $49,513 | +$4,139 |
| People below the poverty line | 17.9%±5.4 pts | 12.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.8%±17.2 pts | 15.0% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.0%±4.0 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.4%±3.5 pts | 93.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Modoc County?
Owners occupy 77.4% of Modoc County's occupied homes and renters 22.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $224,700 by its owner (±$19,423). The median renter pays $836 a month including utilities, and 37.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Modoc County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $224,700±$19,423 | $734,700 | +$51,664 |
| Median gross rent | $836±$48 | $2,036 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.4%±13.2 pts | 46.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,551±$134 | $2,946 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.4%±5.2 pts | 55.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,764±14 | 14,644,735 | −494 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 3.1%±2.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.9 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 81.5%±3.4 pts | 57.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.6%±2.7 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0%±0.9 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 17.5%±3.6 pts | 8.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Modoc County building?
Builders took permits for 9 new housing units across Modoc County in 2025 (9 single-family), 1.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Modoc County get to work?
66.0% of Modoc County's workers drive alone and 11.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.6%.
| Measure | Modoc County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 47.4%±2.9 pts | 63.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.6%±3.5 pts | 6.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 66.0%±6.5 pts | 65.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.5%±4.3 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.3 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Walked | 8.2%±4.4 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.9%±4.0 pts | 17.2% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.5 min±4.0 | 28.7 min | +6.4 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Modoc County's census tracts?
Modoc County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $53,493 (Tract 4) to $61,696 (Tract 3).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Modoc County compare with California's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 56th of 58 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 43rd of 58 |
| Residents per square mile | 56th of 58 |
| Median household income | 55th of 58 |
| Median home value | 58th of 58 |
| Median gross rent | 56th of 56 |
| Poverty rate | 9th of 57 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32nd of 58 |
| Median age | 9th of 58 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Modoc County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.