Manteca

by The Linguist

Manteca, California

Manteca is a city located in San Joaquin County in California’s Central Valley. As of 2022, the population of Manteca was estimated to be 89,133 making it one of the largest cities in San Joaquin County.

History

Manteca was founded in 1861 by Joshua Cowell. The name “Manteca” comes from the Spanish word for “lard” or “tallow” referring to the grease that was made at the mill in town. Manteca grew as an agricultural community known for its production of grains, almonds, melons and grapes. In the 1920s, Manteca experienced growth as a residential city for people working in nearby cities like Stockton and Modesto. Today, Manteca continues to be an important agricultural and residential hub in the Northern San Joaquin Valley.

For more on the history of Manteca, visit the city of Manteca’s history page.

Population and Demographics

According to the latest Census data, Manteca has a population of 89,133 making it the 16th largest city in the San Joaquin Valley and the 66th largest city in California. The city has seen rapid growth in recent decades, more than doubling in population since 1990. Once a small agricultural town, Manteca has transformed into a commuter city with many residents working in the larger Bay Area.

Manteca has a relatively young population compared to national averages. The median age is 33.7 years old. The racial makeup of Manteca is:

  • 59.4% White
  • 4.8% Black or African American
  • 24.9% Hispanic or Latino
  • 9.5% Asian
  • 1.4% Other races

Manteca’s population density is 3,818 people per square mile. The city has a total area of 23.4 square miles, with 0.08% covered by water.

Government and Infrastructure

Manteca has a Council-Manager form of government. The City Council consists of a directly elected Mayor and four council members elected by district. The current Mayor of Manteca is Ben Cantu and the City Manager is Tim Ogden.

The Manteca City Hall is located at:

1001 W Center St.
Manteca, CA 95337
(209) 456-8000

Manteca is located in San Joaquin County. The county seat is Stockton. The San Joaquin County Administration Building is located at:

44 N. San Joaquin St.
Stockton, CA 95202
(209) 468-3000

Economy and Major Employers

Historically an agricultural community, Manteca’s economy today relies on industries including warehousing, healthcare, retail, hospitality and construction. Top employers in Manteca include:

Manteca benefits from its location near major transportation routes including Highway 99 and Highway 120. The city has large industrial and warehouse districts near Roth Road which provide jobs and tax revenue.

Attractions and Landmarks

Popular attractions and landmarks in Manteca include:

Manteca is home to the famous murals on the Manteca water tower. Painted in the 1940s, the murals depict agricultural and everyday life in Manteca. The water tower is located at (37.7946, -121.2248).

Transportation

Manteca is served by major transportation infrastructure including:

The major arterial streets in Manteca run on a uniform grid pattern with spacing of 4 blocks between major roads. North-south roads are named “Streets” while east-west roads are named “Avenues”. Numbered streets increase going south while numbered avenues increase going east. Main thoroughfares include Yosemite Avenue and Louise Avenue.

Public Transportation

Public transportation in Manteca is provided by the San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD). RTD operates several bus routes serving popular destinations in Manteca including the Manteca Transit Center, Sierra High School, Big League Dreams Sports Park, Bass Pro Shops and more. Buses run daily approximately every 30-60 minutes. Fares are $1.50 per ride or $3.75 for an all-day pass.

Regional rail service is provided by the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) train which connects Manteca to Livermore, Fremont, San Jose and Stockton. The Manteca ACE station is located at 220 Moffat Blvd near Highway 120.

Schools and Education

Manteca is served by the Manteca Unified School District which operates:

In total, the district has over 23,000 students. Manteca schools consistently rank well in terms of test scores, graduation rates and other metrics of academic achievement. The district office is located at 2271 West Louise Avenue, Manteca, CA 95337.

Manteca is also home to several private schools and has campuses of University of Phoenix, DeVry University and San Joaquin Delta College located within city limits. The main San Joaquin Delta College campus is located in Stockton.

Healthcare

Medical facilities in Manteca include:

The city is also served by numerous multi-specialty clinics, urgent care centers, private practices and other healthcare services.

Parks and Recreation

The City of Manteca operates over 20 public parks offering sports fields, playgrounds, swimming pools and recreation facilities. Popular parks include:

  • Woodward Park – Baseball and softball diamonds, soccer fields, basketball courts, playgrounds, picnic areas.
  • Lincoln Park – Picnic sites, basketball court, playgrounds, community building.
  • Sequoia Park – Lighted softball field, basketball court, playground, picnic areas.
  • Big League Dreams Sports Park – Baseball and softball complex with multiple fields.

Popular recreation centers include the Manteca Senior Center, Manteca Community Center, and Manteca Family YMCA. The city has over 15 miles of pedestrian and bike paths.

Shopping and Dining

Popular shopping and dining destinations in Manteca include:

  • Bass Pro Shops – Massive outdoor recreation store selling fishing, hunting, camping gear and more.
  • Orchard Valley Center – Open air shopping center with major stores like Macy’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Old Navy, Best Buy.
  • Downtown Manteca – Shops and restaurants in the walkable historic downtown district along Yosemite Ave.
  • Daniels Street retail corridor – Home to chain restaurants, grocery stores, banks, gas stations and other retail.

Manteca has all the dining options you’d expect in a city of its size including fast food, chain restaurants like Chili’s, Cheesecake Factory, Olive Garden, as well as many local eateries serving cuisine like Mexican, Italian, Chinese and more.

Annual Events

Popular annual events in Manteca include:

Manteca also hosts events like street fairs, car shows, and festivals revolving around sports, food trucks, music and more throughout the year.

Sports Teams

Manteca is home to: