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Patterson, California
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Key Information
Patterson is a city in Stanislaus County, California, United States, located off Interstate 5. It is 27 miles (43 km) southeast of Tracy and is part of the Modesto Metropolitan Statistical Area. Patterson is known as the "Apricot Capital of the World";[6] and holds an annual Apricot Fiesta to celebrate with many drinks, food, desserts and games. The population was 23,781 at the 2020 Census.[7]
History
[edit]The Rancho Del Puerto Mexican land grant (1844) by Governor Manuel Micheltorena extended east of the present-day Highway 33 to the San Joaquin River. The northern boundary was Del Puerto Creek, and the southern boundary was just south of present-day Marshall Road. This early land grant marked the beginning of the area that would eventually become modern-day Patterson.
Samuel G. Reed and Ruben S. Wade claimed the land on January 7, 1855. A patent encompassing the land grant was signed by President Abraham Lincoln, confirming their ownership. Reed and Wade received title to 13,340 acres (54 km2) on August 15, 1864. Reed and Wade then sold the grant to J. O. Eldredge on June 18, 1866, for $5,000. Mr. Eldredge held the title for only two months before selling it to John D. Patterson on August 14, 1866, for $5,400. John D. Patterson purchased additional land that expanded the property upon his death on March 7, 1902, a total of 18,462 acres (75 km2) were willed to Thomas W. Patterson and William W. Patterson, his estate executors, and other heirs. The land was sold to the Patterson Ranch Company on May 16, 1908, for $540,000 cash gold coin. Thomas W. Patterson subdivided the land into ranches of various sizes and plotted the design of the town of Patterson. Determined to make Patterson different from most rural towns, he modeled Patterson after the cities of Washington, D.C., and Paris, France, using a series of circles and radiating streets. Major streets were planted with palm, eucalyptus, and sycamore trees.
The Patterson Colony map was filed with the Stanislaus County Recorder's office on December 13, 1909. Sales of the ranch properties and city lots commenced. Patterson was the third city in Stanislaus County to incorporate on December 22, 1919.[8] In May 1971, the chamber of commerce approved the title of "Apricot Capital of the World" for Patterson, highlighting the identity.[9]
Geography
[edit]According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.9 square miles (20 km2), of which 98.9% is land and 1.1% is water.[1] The city is located 17 miles (27 km) southwest of Modesto,[10] and 78 miles (126 km) southeast of Oakland[11] making it close to the San Francisco Bay Area and major cities.
Demographics
[edit]| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 694 | — | |
| 1930 | 905 | 30.4% | |
| 1940 | 1,109 | 22.5% | |
| 1950 | 1,343 | 21.1% | |
| 1960 | 2,246 | 67.2% | |
| 1970 | 3,147 | 40.1% | |
| 1980 | 3,908 | 24.2% | |
| 1990 | 8,626 | 120.7% | |
| 2000 | 11,606 | 34.5% | |
| 2010 | 20,413 | 75.9% | |
| 2020 | 23,781 | 16.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[12] | |||
2020
[edit]The 2020 United States census reported that Patterson had a population of 23,781. The population density was 3,053.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,179.1/km2). The racial makeup of Patterson was 29.3% White, 7.1% African American, 2.3% Native American, 6.5% Asian, 1.4% Pacific Islander, 37.3% from other races, and 16.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 62.9% of the population.[13]
The census reported that 99.8% of the population lived in households, and no one was institutionalized.[13]
There were 6,461 households, out of which 51.4% included children under the age of 18, 58.6% were married-couple households, 7.2% were cohabiting couple households, 20.3% had a female householder with no partner present, and 13.9% had a male householder with no partner present. 12.1% of households were one person, and 5.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.67.[13] There were 5,395 families (83.5% of all households).[14]
The age distribution was 28.9% under the age of 18, 10.5% aged 18 to 24, 27.1% aged 25 to 44, 22.9% aged 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.0 males.[13]
There were 6,685 housing units at an average density of 858.5 units per square mile (331.5 units/km2), of which 6,461 (96.6%) were occupied. Of these, 67.8% were owner-occupied, and 32.2% were occupied by renters.[13]
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that 21.1% of the population was foreign-born. Of all people aged 5 or older, 43.9% spoke only English at home, 48.7% spoke Spanish, 2.2% spoke other Indo-European languages, 4.2% spoke Asian or Pacific Islander languages, and 1.1% spoke other languages. Of those aged 25 or older, 74.7% were high school graduates and 14.2% had a bachelor's degree.[15]
The median household income in 2023 was $93,542, and the per capita income was $29,365. About 7.8% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line.[16]
2010
[edit]The 2010 United States census[17] reported that Patterson had a population of 20,413. The population density was 3,428.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,323.8/km2). The racial makeup of Patterson was 10,117 (49.6%) White, 1,291 (6.3%) African American, 221 (1.1%) Native American, 1,069 (5.2%) Asian, 280 (1.4%) Pacific Islander, 6,235 (30.5%) from other races, and 1,200 (5.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11,971 persons (58.6%).
The Census reported that 20,410 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 3 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 5,630 households, out of which 3,162 (56.2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 3,398 (60.4%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 758 (13.5%) had a female householder with no husband present, 491 (8.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 453 (8.0%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 47 (0.8%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 716 households (12.7%) were made up of individuals, and 273 (4.8%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.63. There were 4,647 families (82.5% of all households); the average family size was 3.95.
The population was spread out, with 6,890 people (33.8%) under the age of 18, 2,140 people (10.5%) aged 18 to 24, 5,822 people (28.5%) aged 25 to 44, 4,280 people (21.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,281 people (6.3%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.0 males.
There were 6,328 housing units at an average density of 1,062.8 units per square mile (410.3 units/km2), of which 3,801 (67.5%) were owner-occupied, and 1,829 (32.5%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.7%. 13,304 people (65.2% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units, and 7,106 people (34.8%) lived in rental housing units.
Government
[edit]State and national
[edit]In the California State Legislature, Patterson is in the 4th senatorial district, represented by Republican Marie Alvarado-Gil, and the 22nd Assembly district, represented by Republican Juan Alanis.[18] In the United States House of Representatives, Patterson is in California's 13th congressional district, represented by Democrat Adam Gray.[19]
Local
[edit]The city council consists of five representatives. The mayor is elected to a two-year term, and four council members are elected in district elections to four-year terms on a staggered basis; this means that every two years, there are two council seats and the mayor's seat up for election. The current council consists of Mayor Michael Clauzel and Council members Shivaughn Alves (District A), Jessica Romero (District B), Dominic Farinha (District C), and Carlos Roque (District D). The City Council appoints a city manager, who hires all city staff and manages the day-to-day business of the city. Advisory bodies work with the city council and identify issues before the council makes final decisions. Advisory body members are appointed by the mayor, subject to the approval of a majority of the council.[20]
Public safety
[edit]Patterson previously had a local police department.[21] In 1998, it was merged into the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department.[21] The county sheriff's department, through a contract with the city, provides services through Patterson Police Services.[21][22]
Culture
[edit]Media
[edit]The daily newspaper in Patterson is the Patterson Irrigator, which was founded in 1911.[23] It is located in downtown Patterson and has been at the same location since 1929.[23] The Irrigator, since 2009, is published weekly.[23]
Patterson is also the city of license for two radio stations, the iHeartRadio-affiliated country music channel KOSO and Spanish contemporary hit radio channel KTSE-FM.
Celebrations
[edit]During the first weekend in June, Downtown Patterson hosts the town's largest celebration of the year, the Apricot Fiesta.Patterson is known as the “Apricot Capital of the World”, celebrates its strong agricultural history through its annual fiesta held every June. In 1971, the first year of the fiesta, the Chamber of Commerce agreed to decree that Patterson was the Apricot Capital of the World. It may have been the “capital” at the time, with California growing 95 percent of the nation’s apricots and the United States leading the world in production of the delicate fruit. The event begins on Friday with several beauty pageants, which have become a local tradition. The Patterson Library hosts an art show during the celebration, and displays on local history are held open to the public at the Patterson Museum, also known as the Center Building, located at the center of Patterson. The three-day celebration also features fireworks shows and typically takes place on the first weekend of June.[24]
Patterson has also been the site of the Fiestas Patrias celebration, commemorating the independence of various Latin American countries. This celebration is held in mid-September.
Education
[edit]The Patterson Joint Unified School District serves more than 5,669 students and operates four elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools.
Transportation
[edit]Major highways include Interstate 5 and State Route 33. Patterson is also the eastern terminus of State Route 130 as defined by state legislation, although the route is unbuilt in Stanislaus County. A freeway has been proposed for construction along this route, passing directly through the Diablo Range west of the city toward the San Francisco Bay Area.
Public transit service is operated by the Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority, including commuter service to Dublin/Pleasanton station.
Notable people
[edit]- Amy Franceschini, artist[25]
- Eslabon Armado, band[26]
- Pedro Tovar, singer[26]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ "City of Patterson". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ "Patterson Airport (historical)". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ "Patterson Police Department". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
- ^ Hepler, Lauren (April 13, 2017). "'It's a perfect storm': homeless spike in rural California linked to Silicon Valley". The Guardian. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ "Patterson (city) QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ "History". City of Patterson. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ Bettencourt, Craig (May 27, 2021). "Patterson's Past: 50 years ago- Patterson is now the self-proclaimed "Apricot Capital of the World"". Patterson Irrigator. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
- ^ "Modesto to Patterson".
- ^ "Oakland to Patterson".
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e "Patterson city, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
- ^ "Patterson city, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
- ^ "Patterson city, California; CP02: Comparative Social Characteristics in the United States - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
- ^ "Patterson city, California; DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
- ^ "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Patterson city". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
- ^ "Final Maps | California Citizens Redistricting Commission". Retrieved October 11, 2025.
- ^ "California's 10th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
- ^ "Patterson City Council | Patterson, CA - Official Website". www.ci.patterson.ca.us. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Contract Cities - Patterson Police Services". Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ Lam, Kristin (January 11, 2021). "Stanislaus Sheriff's Department misconduct case closed with retirement. What happened?". The Modesto Bee. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Newspaper has long, varied history". Patterson Irrigator. August 14, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
- ^ Swift, Ron (May 25, 2022). "The real story and history of the Apricot Fiesta". Tank Town Media. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ "Amy Franceschini, Author at The Creative Time Summit". creativetime.org. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ a b Exposito, Suzy (April 26, 2023). "Meet Eslabón Armado and Peso Pluma, the Mexican regional stars making history on the pop charts". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
External links
[edit]- Official website

- Visit Patterson CA, official tourism website of Patterson
- Patterson-Westley Chamber of Commerce
Patterson, California
View on GrokipediaHistory
Founding and Rancho Era
The Rancho del Puerto, comprising 13,340 acres in present-day Stanislaus County, was formally measured and granted on January 30, 1844, by Mexican Governor Manuel Micheltorena to brothers Mariano Hernandez (c. 1810–1852) and Pedro Hernandez (1820–1893).[2][7] This land grant, situated west of the San Joaquin River and extending into areas later encompassing Patterson, represented a typical allocation under Mexico's secularization policies following the missions' decline, prioritizing vast tracts for private ranching operations over communal indigenous uses.[2][8] The Hernandez brothers, Californio settlers of Hispanic descent, established a self-sufficient ranching enterprise on the property, centered on cattle grazing and limited subsistence agriculture amid the region's fertile Central Valley plains.[2][9] Such operations relied on vaquero labor and natural water sources like the Del Puerto Creek, embodying the era's pastoral economy where large landholdings supported herds numbering in the thousands, with hides and tallow as primary trade goods exported via Monterey or San Francisco.[2] This model underscored the rancho system's emphasis on extensive, low-density land use, fostering individual enterprise in a frontier context with minimal governmental infrastructure. The conclusion of the Mexican-American War in 1848, via the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, transferred Alta California to U.S. sovereignty, subjecting Mexican grants like Del Puerto to validation by the U.S. Public Land Commission established in 1851.[2] Confirmation processes, often protracted by legal challenges from squatters and survey discrepancies, ultimately upheld the Hernandez claim's core acreage, affirming private property rights against collective or federal redistribution pressures and enabling market-oriented agricultural transitions under American legal frameworks.[2] By the 1860s, the rancho had passed into Anglo-American hands through purchase, preserving its foundational role in the area's agrarian base while highlighting the shift from Mexican communal grant traditions to U.S. emphases on surveyed, alienable titles conducive to intensive farming potential.[10]Railroad Development and Incorporation
The Patterson Ranch Company, formed following the 1908 purchase of the former Rancho del Puerto lands for $540,000 in gold coin, played a pivotal role in subdividing the property and fostering community development through pragmatic land management.[2] Under the direction of Thomas W. Patterson, the company filed the townsite map on December 13, 1909, laying out a grid of streets with distinctive circular plazas inspired by urban designs in Washington, D.C., and Paris, centered around key infrastructure including the railroad depot to facilitate efficient commerce.[2] This private enterprise-driven initiative capitalized on existing rail access in the West Side region, where lines constructed as early as 1888 connected the area to broader markets, enabling the transport of local agricultural outputs without reliance on public planning or subsidies.[10] Rail connectivity proved essential for economic viability, particularly in shipping perishable goods such as apricots, which became a staple crop; the first rail shipment of canning apricots from Patterson occurred in the early 20th century, underscoring the line's role in transforming raw production into viable trade.[11] Livestock operations, integral to the ranch's heritage from John D. Patterson's 1866 acquisition of the rancho, similarly benefited from rail links that expedited movement to urban centers, supporting steady growth in ranching and early orchard enterprises.[2] The Patterson Ranch Company's strategic emphasis on rail-adjacent development attracted settlers and merchants, laying the groundwork for formalized governance. By 1919, sustained population and economic momentum from these rail-enabled activities culminated in incorporation on December 22, marking Patterson as the third city in Stanislaus County.[12] The vote, with 136 in favor and 47 against, reflected community consensus on self-administration to manage expanding rail-dependent commerce, including apricot processing and livestock auctions, without external intervention.[13] This milestone solidified the town's identity as a hub of private-sector agricultural logistics in California's Central Valley.Postwar Expansion and Agricultural Boom
Following World War II, Patterson underwent rapid expansion as agricultural demand surged in California's Central Valley, drawing migrant workers to its orchards and fields. The city's population grew from 1,343 in 1950 to 2,246 by 1960—a 67.3% increase—and reached 3,147 by 1970, fueled by employment in fruit harvesting and processing.[14] This influx supported the transition of apricot production from the Santa Clara Valley southward, with Patterson emerging as a key hub by the mid-1950s due to suitable soil and climate for high-yield varieties.[15] Family farms predominated, leveraging manual labor and gravity-fed irrigation systems to achieve productivity gains from intensive planting and pruning techniques, rather than mechanization alone.[16] By the 1960s, apricots formed the economic backbone, with the Patterson area contributing significantly to California's output, which peaked at over 100,000 tons statewide before acreage shifts.[17] Local reliance on surface water diversions, including from nearby canyons like Del Puerto for flood control and recharge, enabled sustained cultivation of apricots alongside almonds and row crops, underpinning per-farm revenues through consistent yields of 4-6 tons per acre under traditional dry-farming hybrids.[2] This agricultural prosperity formalized Patterson's identity as the "Apricot Capital of the World" in 1971, based on empirical dominance in West Side Stanislaus County production data.[11] The 1980s marked initial suburbanization as agricultural land margins converted to housing tracts, attracted by lot prices 70-80% below Bay Area coastal averages, enabling commuters to access jobs while preserving core farm viability.[2] Population estimates rose to 4,031 by 1975 before stabilizing near 3,908 in 1980, reflecting early diversification from pure ag dependency amid rising land values.[14]Late 20th and 21st Century Growth
Patterson experienced significant population expansion beginning in the late 1990s, with the 2000 census recording 11,606 residents, a 34.5% increase from the 8,626 counted in 1990.[14] This growth accelerated through the 2010s, reaching 20,413 by 2010 and 23,781 by 2020, reflecting a more than twofold rise over the three decades amid broader Central Valley migration patterns.[18] The influx was primarily driven by the region's relative housing affordability compared to coastal California markets, where median home prices in the Bay Area and Southern California exceeded $500,000 by the early 2000s, prompting families and workers to seek lower-cost alternatives in areas like Stanislaus County.[19] Projections indicate continued momentum, with an estimated annual growth rate of 1.62%, leading to a forecasted population of 25,889 by 2025.[20] This trajectory aligns with persistent demand for affordable single-family housing, where Patterson's median home values remained below the state average—around $367,000 in recent assessments—facilitating private-sector residential subdivisions and supporting organic expansion without reliance on subsidized development programs.[21] Economically, the city transitioned from agriculture-dominant roots toward a diversified base incorporating residential and light commercial growth, bolstered by private investments in food processing and logistics facilities proximate to Interstate 5.[4] Industrial parks expanded notably from the 2010s, attracting distribution operations that complemented farming outputs, with market signals rather than government incentives drawing firms seeking cost-effective land and labor in the Central Valley.[22] This shift enabled Patterson to capture spillover development from congested urban corridors, sustaining population gains through unsubsidized housing tracts and employment opportunities tied to regional supply chains.[23]Geography and Environment
Location and Physical Features
Patterson is situated in Stanislaus County in the northern San Joaquin Valley of central California, approximately 27 miles southeast of Tracy and directly adjacent to Interstate 5.[24] The city lies at coordinates 37.4716°N, 121.1297°W, with an average elevation of about 102 feet above sea level.[25] Its municipal boundaries encompass roughly 6 square miles of land, primarily consisting of flat alluvial plains characteristic of the valley floor.[26] The topography features level terrain formed by sedimentary deposits from ancient rivers, facilitating extensive agricultural use through irrigation from nearby water sources.[27] To the west, Patterson borders the Del Puerto Canyon, a narrow passage through the Diablo Range that marks the transition from the broad valley to steeper foothills.[28] These soils, classified in the Patterson series by soil surveys, are deep loamy types developed in alluvium, contributing to the region's productivity in crops like almonds and tomatoes when managed with drainage.[29] The flat landscape and fertile sediments, derived from Sierra Nevada erosion, underpin the area's economic reliance on farming without significant topographic barriers to cultivation.[27]Climate and Natural Resources
Patterson features a Mediterranean climate with hot, arid summers and short, mild winters marked by occasional precipitation. Average high temperatures peak at 96°F in July, while lows average 38°F in January, supporting a long growing season of approximately 250 frost-free days. Annual rainfall measures about 12 inches, concentrated mainly from November to March, with negligible snowfall.[30][31][32] Agricultural productivity in the area depends on irrigation sourced from Sierra Nevada snowpack melt, which historically correlates with Central Valley crop yields by providing reliable summer water supply despite low local rainfall. Stanislaus County farmers, including those near Patterson, utilize this snowpack—accounting for up to 30% of California's water—through canals and districts like the Patterson Irrigation District to sustain operations during dry periods.[33][34][35] The region's soils, classified by the Natural Resources Conservation Service as predominantly well-drained to moderately well-drained types such as Hanford and Dinuba series, facilitate drainage essential for root crops and orchards in a semi-arid setting. These fertile alluvial soils, derived from Sierra sediments, underpin cultivation of almonds, walnuts, stone fruits, and grains, with adaptations like drip irrigation enhancing yields under prevailing conditions.[36]Environmental Challenges
Groundwater overdraft in the Patterson area, part of the Eastern Turlock subbasin in Stanislaus County, has led to declining water levels and land subsidence, with county officials projecting a need to reduce pumping by hundreds of acre-feet annually to comply with California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) of 2014.[37] [38] This depletion is exacerbated by reduced surface water allocations from state-managed systems like the Central Valley Project, where policies prioritizing environmental flows in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta—diverting up to 80% of river water to the Pacific—force greater reliance on local aquifers rather than inherent overuse by farmers.[39] [40] Such regulatory constraints under SGMA and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) impose metering and reporting burdens on wells, delaying adaptive management while subsidence damages infrastructure like canals, as observed in nearby Central Valley regions.[41] [42] Air quality in Patterson suffers from the San Joaquin Valley's persistent winter inversion layer, which traps particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) from agricultural tillage, road dust, and diesel operations, resulting in an extreme risk classification with frequent days exceeding Air Quality Index thresholds of 100.[43] [44] Farming practices contribute significantly to PM emissions, yet stringent state regulations on equipment and land use—often enforced by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District—limit mitigation options like fallowing fields, which could worsen water scarcity without addressing inversion's meteorological causes.[45] Empirical data from monitors show PM2.5 levels routinely aggravating respiratory conditions, though attribution to agriculture alone overlooks contributions from upwind urban and freight sources.[46] In nearby Del Puerto Canyon, land use tensions highlight wildlife preservation's clash with property rights, as proposals for reservoirs to secure local water supplies face legal challenges under environmental laws, stalling projects that could alleviate pumping pressures despite minimal direct inundation of habitats.[47] [48] Court rulings, such as the 2022 Stanislaus County Superior Court decision vacating approvals for the Del Puerto Canyon Reservoir, underscore how CEQA-mandated analyses prioritize species relocation over landowners' abilities to develop groundwater alternatives, perpetuating reliance on overtaxed aquifers amid state-imposed surface water shortages.[49] These conflicts reflect broader regulatory overreach that hinders causal solutions like expanded storage, favoring stasis in ecological claims from advocacy groups with incentives to oppose infrastructure.[50]Demographics
Population Growth and Census Data
The 2010 United States Census recorded a population of 20,413 for Patterson, with a density of 3,428.5 inhabitants per square mile across approximately 6 square miles of incorporated land.[51] By the 2020 Census, the population had grown to 23,781, marking a 16.5% increase over the decade, though the official density fell to 3,053.9 per square mile due to territorial expansion to about 7.8 square miles through annexations supporting suburban development. This numerical uptick reflects sustained organic expansion tied to economic prospects in agriculture and logistics, with annual growth averaging roughly 1.55% from 2010 to 2020.[52] Post-2020 estimates indicate continued momentum, with the City of Patterson reporting 24,317 residents as of January 1, 2023, based on Department of Finance projections incorporating building permits and migration inflows.[3] Independent analyses align closely, estimating 24,306 for the 2019-2023 American Community Survey period, underscoring Patterson's appeal as a bedroom community for commuters to nearby Modesto and beyond.[51] Projections forecast further rise to 25,889 by 2025, assuming a 1.62% annual rate sustained by housing development and job opportunities in the Central Valley.[20]| Census Year | Population | Annual Growth Rate (Prior Decade) | Density (per sq mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 20,413 | 4.98% (2000-2010) | 3,428.5 |
| 2020 | 23,781 | 1.55% (2010-2020) | 3,053.9 |
Ethnic and Racial Composition
In the 2020 United States Census, residents identifying as Hispanic or Latino (of any race) comprised 62.0% of Patterson's population of 23,781, establishing it as the majority ethnic group. Non-Hispanic Whites represented 25.8%, Asians 5.7%, and Blacks or African Americans 3.2%.[54] Other groups included American Indians and Alaska Natives at 0.5%, Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders at 0.2%, and those reporting two or more races at 2.5%.[54]| Racial/Ethnic Category | Percentage (2020 Census) |
|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 62.0% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 25.8% |
| Black or African American alone | 3.2% |
| Asian alone | 5.7% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 0.5% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone | 0.2% |
| Two or more races | 2.5% |
Socioeconomic Indicators
In 2023, the median household income in Patterson was $93,542, exceeding the national median of approximately $75,000 but aligning closely with California's statewide figure of around $91,000, reflecting a reliance on stable agricultural and related employment that supports moderate self-sufficiency despite regional economic pressures.[56] The city's unemployment rate stood at 8% as of recent estimates, higher than the U.S. average of about 4% but indicative of seasonal fluctuations tied to farming cycles rather than structural dependency.[57] Poverty levels remain relatively low at 8.6% of the population, below the state average of 12%, with agricultural job availability contributing to reduced welfare reliance through consistent, if variable, local labor demand.[58] Homeownership rates are robust at 74.2%, surpassing the national average of 65% and underscoring household stability amid rising housing costs, as owner-occupied units predominate in a market where median home values reached $427,400.[18] Educational attainment supports these indicators, with 75% of residents aged 25 and older holding at least a high school diploma or equivalent, and approximately 22% achieving an associate degree or higher, levels that facilitate entry into skilled trades and agribusiness roles while highlighting gaps in advanced credentials compared to urban California averages.[58]| Indicator | Value | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income (2023) | $93,542 | Above U.S. avg.; near CA avg. |
| Unemployment Rate | 8% | Above U.S. avg. of ~4%[57] |
| Poverty Rate | 8.6% | Below CA avg. of 12%[58] |
| Homeownership Rate (2019-2023) | 74.2% | Above U.S. avg. of 65%[18] |
| High School Diploma or Higher (25+) | 75% | Moderate relative to CA urban areas[58] |
