Fresno County, CA
County Offices
2281 Tulare Street
Fresno 559-600-5956
www.co.fresno.ca.us
Chamber of Commerce
2331 Fresno Street
Fresno 559-495-4800
www.fresnochamber.com
Fresno County, officially the County of Fresno, is a county located in the Central Valley of the California, south of Stockton and north of Bakersfield. It is the tenth most populous county in California with a population of over 1 million and the sixth largest in size with an area of 6,017.4 square miles. The county seat is Fresno. Fresno is the fifth largest city in California. Fresno County is home to 15 incorporated cities, all located on the Valley floor. Over 60 percent of the County’s total population resides in the neighboring cities of Fresno and Clovis.
Lifestyle
Fresno County is located near the center of California’s San Joaquin Valley which, together with the Sacramento Valley to the north, form the Great Central Valley, one of the distinct physical regions of the state. The Coast Range foothills, which form the county’s western boundary, reach a height of over 4,000 feet near Coalinga while some peaks along the crest of the Sierra Nevada, the county’s eastern boundary, exceed 14,000 feet. The Valley floor in between is fifty to sixty miles wide and has an elevation near the city of Fresno of about 325 feet.
Fresno County has an unmatched diversity of natural beauty and recreational opportunities, not to mention its proximity to three national parks, national forests and wilderness areas. In addition to country farm trails featuring the bountiful harvest of the nation’s #1 agricultural county, majestic lakes and rivers, and awe-inspiring foothills and mountain ranges, Fresno County offers a wide variety of unique entertainment opportunities in the Fresno metropolitan area, featuring California’s fifth largest city. From the cultural diversity displayed in area museums, restaurants and festivals, to the recreation opportunities in the region’s many lakes, rivers, foothills and mountains. Golfers, bicyclists and just about every other type of outdoor sports lover will find something in this area to enjoy.
Shoppers can relax in the comfort of knowing that the county boasts several shopping malls with a mix of national and local stores. The many small cities of the area offer a unique mix of shopping opportunities, from quaint and historic downtown areas to farm stores and antique shops. The county is also home to several museums offering a view into the regions varied past – from mining to the current agricultural economy. Fans of theater will find everything from amusing dinner theater to high quality productions.
Services
Rich soil, irrigation, and the hard work of farmers who came from all over the world combine to make Fresno County the richest and most productive agricultural county in America. In the year 2006, Fresno County growers are responsible for the production of more than 200 commercial crops. Many Fresno County businesses engage in food processing, manufacturing, distribution and warehousing of agricultural products.
Residents of San Joaquin County enjoy quick and easy access to state-of-the-art healthcare facilities and services, with seven full-service hospitals anchoring the region’s network of routine and advanced care. Throughout the region, skilled professionals in every major specialty and most sub-specialties combine with walk-in emergency care centers, same-day surgery centers, family practice clinics, and specialty care centers to meet every need close to home.
Award-winning school districts combine with a medley of options for private education in San Joaquin County. Students receive a quality education in modern classrooms that emphasize technical and computer-aided advancements that prepare tomorrow’s leaders for a competitive and fast-paced world. Extra-curricular activities range from sports to the arts, providing students with additional opportunities for self-expression and talent development. The options for higher education close to home are abundant, from major universities to respected private colleges.
CITIES
City of Clovis
559-324-2060
https://cityofclovis.com
The city of Clovis began as a freight stop along the San Joaquin Valley Railroad. Organized on January 15, 1890, by Fresno businessmen. Clovis is situated midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, bordering Fresno, in the agriculturally rich San Joaquin Valley. Lying at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, which includes Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks, Clovis has been known as “Gateway to the Sierras” since its incorporation in 1912. Clovis has a long history as a western town known for its slogan, “Clovis – A Way of Life”. Since 1914, the Clovis Rodeo has been held on the last weekend in April, with a parade on Saturday morning, followed by the rodeo that afternoon and all day Sunday. Also contributing to the “Clovis way of life” are a number of street festivals, including Big Hat Days, Clovis Fest, and the weekly Friday Night Farmer’s Market held between mid-May and mid-September every year. Many buildings in the town core have been renovated. Older storefronts on Clovis Avenue, the main street running through town, have been restored and new buildings have been designed with facades that resemble those found in the early 20th century. The historic center, with its fresh new look, has been reborn as “Old Town Clovis”. The city is a great place to call home, with its small town feel and modern amenities.
City of Coalinga
559-935-1533
www.coalinga.com
Nestled in the Pleasant Valley at the eastern edge of California’s Coastal Mountain Range, surrounded by hills and ranches, Coalinga is 10 miles west of I-5 and 60 miles southwest of the City of Fresno. Coalinga is a full-service city that provides a wide range of services to approximately 18,000 citizens. Coalinga has an excellent school system, regional medical center, parks and recreation district, a 2-year community college, and enjoys a low level of crime through law-abiding citizenry. Coalinga has many fun events and activities including the Plaza Market in the summer and the Wham-O-Bass Hot Air Balloon Festival in November. One of Coalinga’s longest traditions is the Annual Horned Toad Derby, which is held every Memorial Day weekend and includes a carnival, parade, Fireman’s Pancake Breakfast, Horned Toad Races and many more fun family festivities. The City of its residents a mix of new and old, with a strong sense of community.
City of Firebaugh
559-659-2043
http://firebaugh.org
Firebaugh is located on the west side of the San Joaquin River 38 miles west of Fresno, at an elevation of 151 feet. The city is home to more than 6,000 people. Inside the city, a small commercial district includes the ubiquitous California Central Valley water tank painted with the city’s name. State Route 33 runs through downtown just west of center. The San Joaquin Valley Railroad, West Side Subdivision, passes through downtown. Outside of city, the area is almost entirely agricultural land in all directions. Incorporated in 1914, Firebaugh has grown from ferry crossing to a small agriculture based city. Before the railroad, the San Joaquin River was the major thoroughfare to upstream communities. The ferry, located in Firebaugh, was the major crossing for prospectors heading for gold country. Ferries were the only way to cross the river until the late 1800’s when the first bridges were built. The San Joaquin River played a major role in the settling of the valley and Firebaugh is one of the oldest historical towns on the Westside.
City of Fowler
559-834-3113
http://fowlercity.org
Fowler, California, is a small community located in the San Joaquin Valley approximately 5 miles south of Fresno. Fowler is considered one of Fresno County’s best kept secrets. With its small town feel, friendly citizens, close proximity to Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks, and just a few hours’ drive to San Francisco, the Central Coast, and Los Angeles – it’s a great place to live and work. Fowler is unique – while it offers a small town charm, it is also a community with its eye on the future. It is an ideal place for new businesses due to its prime central location, proximity to Southern Pacific railroad, major highways and business routes such as Highway 99, Golden State Boulevard, and Manning Avenue. Fowler is also known for its well-kept neighborhoods, attractive downtown, highly acclaimed school district, and its affordable housing.
City of Fresno
559-621-CITY
www.fresno.gov
Fresno is the county seat of Fresno County. The city’s has a population over 500,000 making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California and the 34th largest in the nation. Fresno is in the center of the San Joaquin Valley and is the largest city in the Central Valley, which contains the San Joaquin Valley. It is approximately 200 miles north of Los Angeles, and 170 miles south of the state capitol, Sacramento. Metropolitan Fresno and its surrounding Valley communities has a population of over 1,100,000 residents. The name Fresno is the Spanish language word for the ash tree, and an ash leaf is featured on the city’s flag. The City of Fresno is in the heart of the state in the fertile San Joaquin Valley. From the agricultural fields on the valley floor to the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada’s, the Fresno area offers something for everyone. Fresno was founded by the Central Pacific Railroad Company in 1872. Fresno is the financial, industrial, trade, and commercial capital in the Central San Joaquin Valley. This dynamic city is the hub of a region rich in heritage, resources, and people. Fresno is a unique mixture of more than 80 different nationalities. The various cultures that make up the community of Fresno are key to its many varied experiences and to its overall appeal as a city. Residents of the city are not only diverse, they are also warm and friendly people who take great pride in the city.
With its mid-sized city population, many consider Fresno to be the perfect size—offering the best of urban amenities and opportunities with the unique charms and easy living of a small town. There are many wonderful cultural and recreational experiences available in the city. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy a high quality of life in Fresno, with everything they need or want right at their doorstep.
City of Huron
559-945-2241
www.cityofhuron.com
Huron is home to a population of more than 7,400 year round residents. During the harvest season, the population swells to over 15,000 people due to the influx of migrant farm workers. The City of Huron was founded in 1877 and incorporated in 1951. Huron lies in the San Joaquin Valley’s vast west-side region. Huron is nine miles east of Interstate 5 and three miles south of Highway 198. The local economy is primarily based in agricultural and agriculture related industries. Many residents and their families have lived and worked in the city for several generations. The city is home to local parks and a recreation center. Residents are just a short drive away from all of the urban amenities of Fresno.
City of Kerman
559-846-9384
http://cityofkerman.net
The City of Kerman is located at the Central Valley crossroads of State Route 145 and Hwy 180, deep in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. Originally a small farming town, Kerman has experienced phenomenal growth over the past several years. Kerman is one of the fastest growing cities in West Fresno County and is the business and commercial center for West Fresno County. Despite its recent growth, Kerman remains true to its agricultural roots and local history. Citizens and visitors enjoy Kerman’s small town flavor and community activities. The Harvest Festival brings the community together each September to celebrate the bountiful harvest and end of the hot valley summer. Kerman is home to friendly people and inviting neighborhoods. Residents enjoy 44 acres of park space, and most neighborhoods have a community park within walking distance. The Kerman community has a legacy of taking pride in its hometown, making it the perfect place to call home.
City of Kingsburg
559-897-5821
http://cityofkingsburg-ca.gov
Kingsburg is located 5 miles southeast of Selma on the banks of the Kings River. The city is half an hour away from Fresno, and two hours away from the California Central Coast and Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. The city is home to more than 11,000 residents. In the early 1870’s two Swedish natives fell in love with the area because of its warm weather, good farming and available land. By 1921, “Little Sweden’s” population was 94% Swedish-American. Residents observe the rich traditions and culture in this town with brightly painted buildings, Dala horses, and shady bay trees. The community is home to a very popular historical park. Several historical structures in the area have been relocated to this park including; houses, a medical building, a general store, schoolhouse, service station, as well as an old windmill and covered wagons. With more than 30 restaurants, unique gift shops, and collectable shops, the community offers a small town feel with a high quality of life for its residents.
City of Mendota
559-655-4298
http://ci.mendota.ca.us
Nestled in the heart of California’s Central Valley and located in Fresno County, the City of Mendota has much to offer its residents and visitors. A strong heritage and community pride is evident in recent downtown projects and community sponsored events. Mendota’s acclaimed Farmer’s Market runs from June through September and draws numerous vendors and shoppers from across the region. The City of Mendota is pleased to bear the designation Cantaloupe Center of the World as agriculture is an important part of the City’s economy. The community is strong and vibrant, with verdant parks, an excellent school district, affordable housing, and a community rich in volunteerism and civic engagement. It is the perfect place to call home.
City of Orange Cove
559-626-4488
www.cityoforangecove.com
Orange Cove is a comfortable agricultural community located along the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is home to more than 10,000 year round residents. Located within a 4 hour drive of the San Francisco Bay and Los Angeles basin areas, the City lies 35 miles south east of Fresno and a 30 minute drive east of Freeway 99 in central California. The City enjoys a year around growing season for hundreds of acres of orange and lemon citrus fruit, with major packing house operations, surrounding the community. Orange Cove is a destination site for the annual spring Fresno County Blossom Trail event that kicks off the agricultural growing season. It is located within an hour’s drive of the Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Park areas for fishing, hiking and family recreational activity.
City of Parlier
559-646-3545
www.parlier.ca.us
Ideally situated just 210 miles north of Los Angeles and 199 miles south of San Francisco, Parlier is nestled in the heart of the beautiful San Joaquin Valley. It is home to just over 12,000 residents. Its location ensures that a vast array of recreational activities are available to its residents. World-renowned Yosemite National Park, Friant Dam, and the beautiful California Coastline, are all within of a couple of hours drive from Parlier. The community is undergoing a rebirth of sorts as it is expanding housing options, restoring its downtown area. This ensures that residents of Parlier can enjoy the small town feel that they have grown to love while offering them all of the amenities they need close to home. Being a predominantly agricultural community means that the city has a long history of hard working and dedicated residents who enjoy a quieter pace of life, making this the ideal place to settle.
City of Reedley
559-637-4200
www.reedley.com
Reedley is located in the central San Joaquin Valley. Within an hour’s travel time, Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks can be enjoyed. Although it has diversified in recent years, local economy continues to be significantly dependent upon the underlying agricultural character of the region. The people in Reedley are some of the friendliest and most neighborly you will meet. Reedley’s citizens are a community mix of many converging cultures and peoples, making for a tasteful community that provides some of the best exposure of social and cultural living in one place. Since 1946, Reedley has been known as the Fruit Basket of the World because of the large volume of shipping of fresh fruit. Thirty fruit and vegetable packing and cold storage facilities, including the world’s largest plant, along with nearby wineries, supply tree and vine fruit products of consistently high quality. Recreation is bountiful in the Reedley area. Fishermen, water skiers, boaters, swimmers and picnickers find the scenic Kings River a paradise. The river winds through Reedley providing a natural beach and beautiful park areas. There are several wonderful golf courses that serve our community.
City of San Joaquin
559-693-4311
www.cityofsanjoaquin.org
Home to a population slightly over 3600, San Joaquin is the smallest city in Fresno County. Surrounded by some of the richest and most fertile agricultural land in the Central Valley San Joaquin is only thirty miles west of Fresno’s urban center. The city offers easy accessibility, an aggressive approach to growth for commercial and residential development, affordable housing, friendly small-town appeal, and a beautified downtown. The city offers its residents the ability to enjoy a quiet lifestyle, where neighbors know each other and everyone takes pride in their community.
City of Selma
559-891-2200
www.cityofselma.com
Selma is a rapidly growing community of over 23,000, located in the central San Joaquin Valley. Selma is widely known for its small town charm as well as its big city development. Selma’s location, at the crossroads of State Routes 99 and 43, makes it a regional hub for southeast Fresno County as well as neighboring Tulare and Kings Counties. Both new and long-time residents are discovering and rediscovering the joys of living in this delightful community. Selma provides an ideal location for shopping in its beautiful downtown and other shopping centers. Countless events offered through the City, the Chamber of Commerce, schools, churches and other community groups make Selma a great place to live, work and play.
