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Manteca, CA

Frequently asked questions

Manteca, CA

Manteca is a city in San Joaquin County, California. The city had a population of 83,498 as of the 2020 Census. It is part of the Stockton-Lodi, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.8 square miles (46 km2), 99.87% of it land and 0.13% of it water.

Neighboring towns include Lathrop, Ripon, Escalon, and Tracy. Manteca is located in between the larger cities of Modesto and Stockton.

Manteca is a city in the Central Valley of California, located 76 miles (122 kilometers) east of San Francisco. The Manteca area was first inhabited by Yokuts. Manteca was formally established in 1861 by Joshua Cowell. Cowell claimed around 1,000 acres (400 hectares) and built houses on what is now the corner of Main and Yosemite, where Bank of America now stands. In 1873, the Central Pacific Railroad laid track directly through the area. The residents wanted to refer to their new train station as "Cowell Station", but there was already a Cowell Station near Tracy. The residents agreed to change the name of the community, choosing "Monteca" as the new name. This was misprinted as "Manteca" (Spanish for lard) by the railroad, and the misspelled version was eventually accepted as the name of the town. In 1918, Manteca was incorporated as a city, and Joshua Cowell became its first mayor.

In 1935, photojournalist Dorothea Lange took photos of William & Mary Dimotakis (immigrants from the Greek island of Crete), and their youngest child, son George, on the family farm in Manteca for the Farm Security Administration. The farm, near the industrial park area, is still owned by the Dimotakis family. The images can be found in the Library of Congress.

Manteca fashions itself the "Family City", and it lies at a crossroads of major highways and railroads. As recently as the 1970s, Manteca existed primarily on agriculture and was still barely a stop between two freeways, Interstate 5 and State Route 99. The continuing rise in Bay Area housing prices caused Bay Area families to look further eastward for more affordable places to live. Since the construction of the 120 bypass portion of State Route 120, Manteca has become a popular choice for these commuters. The 1990s saw an increase in the city's population and the construction of its third high school (Sierra High School), joining Manteca High School and East Union High School. The population of Manteca continues to increase, with some housing being constructed on what was once farmland to the north and southeast. Manteca has more than tripled in population since 1980

Manteca focuses on health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by Manteca’s Recreation and Community Services Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Planet Fitness, Valley Fitness, and Fit Republic Gyms & Health Clubs. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Manteca, such as the Union Ranch East Park and the Woodward Community Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Manteca, CA are Caswell Memorial State Park, Skydive California, and Manteca Historical Society. 

Population: 94,292 (2024). ZIP codes: 95336, 95337. Area code: 209. Elevation: 36 ft. Area: 21.41 sq mi (55.46 km2).

FAQs

What is Manteca, CA famous for?

Manteca itself is a relatively young town, first settled by a few pioneer farmers in the heart of one of the greatest agricultural areas in the world. A combination of good soil, excellent climate, and clean water has ensured its destiny as a prosperous farming center. Manteca is shedding much of its old image with new high-tech industries. It has become a “bedroom community” for the industrial sites west of the Altamont Pass.

Is Manteca, CA expensive to live in?

Manteca is part of the Stockton Metro metro area, which is ranked 32 out of 273 cities across the US in terms of cost of living. According to C2ER (the Council for Community and Economic Research), the cost of living in Manteca is estimated to be 119% of the national average making it one of the more expensive cities in the US. The total monthly expenditure you can expect to incur depends on the cost of housing, food, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and other miscellaneous goods and services. 

Is Manteca, CA a good place to live?

Living in Manteca offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Manteca, there are a lot of parks. Many families live in Manteca and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Manteca are above average.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Manteca

Manteca’s Recreation and Community Services Department

Planet Fitness

Valley Fitness 

Fit Republic Gyms & Health Clubs

Union Ranch East Park

Woodward Community Park

Caswell Memorial State Park

Skydive California

Manteca Historical Society

Manteca.org

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