Monterey County is a county located on the Pacific coast of California, its northwestern section forming the southern half of Monterey Bay. (Santa Cruz County forming the northern half). As of 2000, the population was 401,762. The county seat is Salinas. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 9,767 km² (3,771 mi²). 8,604 km² (3,322 mi²) of it is land and 1,163 km² (449 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 11.91% water. As of the census2 of 2000, there were 401,762 people, 121,236 households, and 87,896 families residing in the county. The population density was 47/km² (121/mi²). There were 131,708 housing units at an average density of 15/km² (40/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 55.92% White, 3.75% Black or African American, 1.05% Native American, 6.03% Asian, 0.45% Pacific Islander, 27.82% from other races, and 4.98% from two or more races. 46.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.