About Chualar CDP, California
Chualar CDP, California is a census-designated place located in Monterey County. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,854. The community is named after Rancho Chualar, a Mexican land grant.
The area now known as Chualar was originally inhabited by the Ohlone people. In 1844, the Rancho Chualar land grant was granted to Ygnacio Ortega by the Mexican government. The rancho included present-day Chualar as well as parts of Salinas and Gonzales.
In 1856, the Ortega family sold the rancho to John B. Brown. Brown began ranching and farming in the area, and also built a stagecoach stop along the Monterey Road. The stagecoach stop eventually grew into a small community, which came to be known as Chualar.
Chualar remained a small rural community until the mid-20th century. However, its proximity to Salinas and the growing agricultural industry in the area led to increased population growth in the latter part of the century. Today, Chualar is a predominantly Hispanic community with a population of over 1,800 people.