Stanislaus County is located in the North Central Valley and is part of the San Joaquin Valley region just East of the Bay Area. The county is named for the Stanislaus River, which was named after Estanislao, a Native American chief of the Yokut tribe who led a rebellion against Mexican rule in the 1800s. The county has a diverse geography, with rolling hills and valleys, as well as agricultural lands and wetlands. Some major landmarks in the county include the Stanislaus River, the Del Puerto Canyon, and the Stanislaus National Forest. The county's major towns include Modesto, the county seat, as well as Ceres, Riverbank, and Turlock. The population of Stanislaus County is estimated to be around 536,000. The economy of Stanislaus County is primarily driven by agriculture, with crops such as almonds, grapes, and livestock being the major contributors. The county is also home to a number of manufacturing and distribution centers, as well as healthcare and education institutions. A significant portion of the residents of Stanislaus county commute West to work in the Bay Area.
Commercial cannabis is legal in Stanislaus County, with a small but diverse industry mainly focused on cultivation and retail sales.