RANK #482 / 996 NAT · #6 / 43 CA · POP 157,243
1YR FORECAST: +1.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Madera County, California, is often recognized as a primary gateway to Yosemite National Park, with the town of Oakhurst serving as a popular entry point to the park. Located in the geographic center of California, it spans from the agricultural San Joaquin Valley to the Sierra Nevada mountains, offering diverse landscapes. The county seat, Madera, is situated along Highway 99, providing access to larger cities like Fresno, which is nearby. Commute times vary depending on location within the county, with some residents commuting to Fresno. The community offers a blend of rural charm and outdoor recreation, including Bass Lake for boating and fishing, and numerous hiking trails in the Sierra National Forest.
Life in Madera County blends agricultural traditions with a growing economy. The county has seen significant residential development, attracting families and others seeking a more affordable lifestyle compared to coastal California. Local school districts, such as Madera Unified and Golden Valley Unified, serve the area's families. The economy is driven by agriculture, with crops like almonds, grapes, and pistachios, alongside recent investments in commercial, residential, and energy sectors. Healthcare is also a focus, with efforts to expand access to care and the reopening of Madera Community Hospital. Public transportation options like Madera Metro and Madera County Connection offer local and intercity bus services.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.9x — home prices are high 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
North Fork Mono Casino and Resort
North Fork Rancheria Economic Development Authority
|
$300M | Under Construction |
|
Puma Storage
Unknown
|
$204M | Planned |
|
New Leaf Energy Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
New Leaf Energy
|
$200M | Proposed |
|
Flores Storage
Unknown
|
$152M | Planned |
|
Madera Transit Station Specific Plan (MTSP)
San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Riverstone Master-Planned Community
Various Homebuilders (e.g., McCaffrey Homes, Lennar)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Madera County scores 51/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#482). Median household income is $73,543 and job growth is running at +4.1%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Madera County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $340,300 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.22 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,185/month on average.
Madera County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.6% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +4.1% clip. Home values shifted +1.0% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.82% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Madera County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.