Modesto | California, United States - Britannica

Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos Modesto Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics Quizzes Guess the City by Its River Quiz Contents Geography & Travel Cities & Towns Cities & Towns M-O CITE verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style MLA APA Chicago Manual of Style Copy Citation Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/place/Modesto Feedback External Websites Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites

• CRW Flags - Modesto, California (U.S.)
• Official Site of the City of Modesto, California, United States

Britannica Websites Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

• Modesto - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

Modesto California, United States Ask Anything Homework Help Written and fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Jan. 20, 2026 •History Britannica AI Ask Anything Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask Anything

Modesto, city, seat (1871) of Stanislaus county, central California, U.S. It is situated on the Tuolumne River in the northern San Joaquin Valley, 94 miles (151 km) southeast of San Francisco. Founded in 1870 by the Central Pacific Railroad, it was named Modesto (Spanish: “Modesty”) when W.C. Ralston, a railway director, “modestly” declined to have the community named in his honour. It developed as a shipping centre for agricultural produce (especially peaches and figs). Food processing is supplemented by light manufacturing. A junior college was founded in Modesto in 1921; the California State University, Stanislaus (1957), is located in Turlock, southeast of the city. Local attractions include the 25-foot- (8-metre-) high Modesto Arch, McHenry Museum, and Lucas Plaza, which contains a statue dedicated to the film director and Modesto native George Lucas. To the east of the city are Stanislaus National Forest, Don Pedro and La Grange dams, and Turlock and Modesto irrigation reservoirs; there are several other historical and recreational areas nearby. Inc. 1884. Pop. (2010) 201,165; Modesto Metro Area, 514,453; (2020) 218,464; Modesto Metro Area, 552,878.

This article was most recently revised and updated by World Data Editors.