RANK #643 / 996 · POP 1,008,280 · CA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.2%
Known as the "Raisin Capital of the World," Fresno County, California, is where nearly all of the nation's raisins are grown and sun-dried. Located in the Central Valley, Fresno is about a two-hour drive from San Francisco and three hours from Sacramento. The community offers a blend of urban amenities and small-town charm. The county is a gateway to the Sierra Nevada mountains and three national parks: Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia, all within a 90-minute drive. Residents and visitors can enjoy outdoor recreation such as paddling on Millerton or Shaver Lake, white water rafting on the Kings River, or hiking numerous trails.
Life in Fresno County offers affordability compared to other parts of California. The region is a major agricultural center, producing a wide variety of crops, and this industry forms the backbone of the local economy. While agriculture provides many jobs, employment can be seasonal. Recent economic developments include significant investment in renewable energy sectors, with projects focused on solar power and battery storage. These initiatives aim to repurpose agricultural land and create new job opportunities.
Above national median (4.7x)
Well below national median
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.8x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Darden Clean Energy Project
IP Darden I, LLC (subsidiary of Intersect Power)
|
$2,500M | Under Construction |
|
Key Energy Storage
NextEra Energy Resources, LLC
|
$300M | Proposed |
|
Cornucopia Hybrid Project
BayWa r.e. Americas
|
$300M | Proposed |
|
South Lake Solar and Energy Storage Project
South Lake Solar, LLC
|
$180M | Proposed |
|
Southeast Development Area (SEDA) Specific Plan
City of Fresno
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Copper River Ranch (Expansion Phases)
Unknown
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Fresno County has a Boom Town Index score of 36/100, ranking #643 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.0% and a median household income of $67,756, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Fresno County is $338,200 with median rent at $1,207/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2003, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.0%. Home values changed +0.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.46% of Fresno County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.