RANK #505 / 996 NAT · #8 / 43 CA · POP 1,008,280
1YR FORECAST: -0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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 scores 49/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#505). Median household income is $67,756 and job growth is running at +2.0%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Fresno County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $338,200 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.20 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,207/month on average.
Fresno County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.5% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.0% clip. Home values shifted +0.3% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.46% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Fresno County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.