Fresno County, California

Fresno County, officially called the County of Fresno, is in the central part of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 1,008,654 people. The main city, or county seat, is Fresno, which is the fifth-most populous city in California.

Fresno County is part of the Fresno, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area. This area is also part of the larger Fresno–Madera, CA Combined Statistical Area. The county sits in the Central Valley, south of Stockton and north of Bakersfield.

Since 2010, droughts in California have made it harder for Fresno County and the whole Central Valley to keep enough water. This has been a big challenge for the area.

History

The land that is now Fresno County has long been home to the Yokuts and Mono peoples. Later, Spanish explorers arrived looking for places to build missions. In 1846, this area became part of the United States after the Mexican-American War.

Fresno County was created in 1856 from parts of Mariposa, Merced, and Tulare counties. It was named after the ash trees that grew along the San Joaquin River. Over time, parts of Fresno County were used to create Mono County and Madera County. The county seat moved from Millerton to the growing town of Fresno in 1874 after a special vote.

Fresno County has faced many challenges, including floods and fires. Despite these, people brought irrigation, electricity, and farming to the area. They grew wheat, raisins, and later cotton. The discovery of oil near Coalinga brought economic growth in the early 1900s. Today, Fresno County is a major agricultural area and has many historic buildings.

Geography

Fresno County, in California, covers 6,011 square miles, with most of it being land and a small part being water. It includes around 38 towns, such as Fresno, Selma, and Clovis. The county is surrounded by mountain ranges and has several important rivers and canals.

Fresno County is known for its rich farming and is one of the top agricultural areas in the United States. It shares borders with several other counties, including Madera County, Kings County, and Tulare County. Parts of national parks and forests, like Kings Canyon National Park and Sierra National Forest, are also located here.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Fresno County had a population of 1,008,654 people, with the median age being 33.3 years. About 27.6% of the residents were younger than 18, and 13.2% were 65 or older. For every 100 females, there were 98.9 males, and for every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 96.9 males aged 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county included 37.1% White, 4.8% Black or African American, 2.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 11.2% Asian, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 28.2% from some other race, and 16.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents made up 53.6% of the population.

Most people, about 88.7%, lived in urban areas, while 11.3% lived in rural areas.

There were 319,296 households, with 40.9% having children under 18 living with them. About 27.7% of households had a female householder without a spouse or partner present. Around 20.5% of households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 or older.

There were 338,441 housing units, with 5.7% being vacant. Of the occupied housing units, 54.3% were owned by the residents, and 45.7% were rented. The rate of homes that were empty and for sale was 1.0%, while the rate of empty rental homes was 4.2%.

2010 census

The 2010 United States census reported that Fresno County had a population of 930,450 people. The racial makeup included 55.4% White, 5.3% Black or African American, 1.7% Native American, 9.6% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 23.3% from other races, and 4.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents made up 50.3% of the population. About 46.0% of the population had Mexican heritage.

2000 census

As of the census in 2000, there were 799,407 people living in Fresno County. The population density was 134 people per square mile (52 people/km²). The racial makeup was 54.3% White, 5.3% Black or African American, 1.6% Native American, 8.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 25.9% from other races, and 4.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents made up 44.0% of the population.

In terms of ancestry, 7.5% were of German descent, 6.6% of Irish descent, and 6.3% of English descent. The main languages spoken were 59.3% English, 31.5% Spanish, and 3.1% Hmong.

There were 252,940 households, with 41.2% having children under 18. About 52.5% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder without a husband present, and 26.2% were non-families. Around 20.6% of households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.09, and the average family size was 3.59.

The population ages were spread out, with 32.1% under 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% aged 65 or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.4 males, and for every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 98.2 males.

The median income for a household was $34,725, and for a family, it was $38,455. Males earned a median income of $33,375, while females earned $26,501. The per capita income was $15,495. About 17.6% of families and 22.9% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 31.7% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those aged 65 or older.

Metropolitan Statistical Area

The United States Office of Management and Budget named Fresno County the Fresno, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to the United States Census Bureau, this area was the 56th most populous metropolitan area in the country as of July 1, 2012.

The same office also included the Fresno, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area in the larger Fresno–Madera, CA Combined Statistical Area. This combined area was ranked the 49th most populous in the United States as of July 1, 2012.

Government and policing

Government

The Government of Fresno County follows rules set by the California Constitution, law, and the Charter of the County of Fresno. County governments, like Fresno County's, handle many important services for people living there. These services include voting, public safety, health care, and keeping records of property and taxes. The county also governs areas that are not part of any city.

The county government is led by a Board of Supervisors with five members, each elected from a different district. Other important jobs include the Sheriff, District Attorney, and several other officials who help run the county.

Policing

County Sheriff

The Fresno County Sheriff helps keep people safe by protecting courts, managing jails, and providing other important services for the whole county. The Sheriff’s office also patrols areas outside the cities and works with the city of San Joaquin to keep people safe there too.

Municipal police

Many cities within Fresno County have their own police departments to help keep people safe. Some of the larger cities with their own police include Fresno, Clovis, and Sanger.

Politics

Overview

Fresno County has more voters who support the Democratic party, but elections there can be close. In 2020, Joe Biden won more than half of the votes in Fresno County, something no Democratic candidate had done since 1964. But just four years later, Donald Trump won the county, showing how split the voting can be.

Some cities in Fresno County, like Clovis, Coalinga, and Kingsburg, usually vote for Republican candidates. The city of Fresno itself is divided. Smaller towns and areas outside the cities often lean toward Republican views.

Voter registration statistics

Cities by population and voter registration

Crime

The following table shows the number of reported incidents and the rate per 1,000 people for each type of offense.

Economy

Agriculture

Fresno County is famous for its farming. Almost half of the county’s land is used for growing crops, making it the top agricultural area in the United States. In 2017, farms in the county produced over $7 billion worth of goods. More than 300 different plants and animals are raised here.

Some of the most important crops include grapes, pistachios, cotton, almonds, tomatoes, turkeys, cattle, milk, plums, oranges, peaches, and nectarines. The grape harvest alone was worth over one billion dollars in 2017.

Companies based in Fresno County

Freseno County is also home to many businesses, including:

• Gottschalks Department Stores
• Sun-Maid Raisins
• Pinnacle Armor
• Pelco, maker of surveillance cameras
• David Sunflower Seeds
• Flicks Candy Company
• Harris Ranch Beef Company
• JD Food
• Saladino's Inc
• National Raisin Company
• Pacific Ethanol
• United Security Bank
• Central Valley Community Bank
• Electronic Recyclers International

Major employers

Education

Fresno County has many places for students to learn. There are universities such as California State University, Fresno, which opened in 1911, and smaller colleges like Fresno Pacific University.

For younger students, there are many school districts including Fresno Unified School District and Clovis Unified School District. There are also special schools just for certain grade levels, like high schools or elementary schools.

The county also has public libraries to help people read and learn, run by the Fresno County Public Library.

Transportation

Major highways

Some important roads in Fresno County include Interstate 5, State Route 33, State Route 41, State Route 43, State Route 63, State Route 99, State Route 145, State Route 168, State Route 180, State Route 198, State Route 201, State Route 245, and State Route 269.

Rail

The county has several rail services, including BNSF Railway, Union Pacific Railroad, and San Joaquin Valley Railroad. Some older rail lines like the Biola Branch (Southern Pacific), Shaver Lake Railroad, and San Joaquin and Eastern Railroad are no longer in use.

Airports

Fresno County has airports for both commercial flights and private planes. The main airport for commercial travel is Fresno Yosemite Int'l Airport. For private or smaller planes, there are airports such as Fresno Chandler Executive Airport, Firebaugh Airport, Mendota Airport, New Coalinga Municipal Airport, Reedley Municipal Airport, and Sierra Sky Park Airport.

Public transportation

Local bus services in Fresno are provided by Fresno Area Express, also known as FAX, which also offers daily service to Fresno Yosemite International Airport. In Clovis, Clovis Transit Stageline runs the bus service. Reedley Transit, also called Dial-A-Ride, serves Reedley. The Fresno County Rural Transit Agency (FCRTA) offers many local and intercity bus services around the county. For longer trips, companies like Greyhound, FlixBus, and Orange Belt Stages provide bus services. Amtrak’s Gold Runner stops in Fresno.

Attractions

Fresno County in California has many places to visit and enjoy. There are tables showing some of these attractions, which you can see below.

Communities

Cities

Fresno County has many cities, including:

• Clovis
• Coalinga
• Firebaugh
• Fowler
• Fresno (county seat)
• Huron
• Kerman
• Kingsburg
• Mendota
• Orange Cove
• Parlier
• Reedley
• San Joaquin
• Sanger
• Selma

Census-designated places

Some other places in Fresno County are:

• Auberry
• Big Creek
• Biola
• Bowles
• Calwa
• Cantua Creek
• Caruthers
• Centerville
• Del Rey
• Easton
• Fort Washington
• Friant
• Lanare
• Laton
• Malaga
• Mayfair
• Millerton
• Minkler
• Monmouth
• Old Fig Garden
• Raisin City
• Riverdale
• Shaver Lake
• Yokuts Valley
• Sunnyside
• Tarpey Village
• Three Rocks
• Tranquillity
• West Park
• Westside

Unincorporated communities

There are also smaller areas that are not part of any city, such as:

• Burrel
• Dunlap
• Highway City
• Hume
• Mercey Hot Springs
• Prather
• Rolinda
• Tollhouse
• Oleander

Population ranking

The following list shows the population ranking based on the 2010 census of Fresno County.

† county seat