Visalia
RANK #445 / 996 NAT · #5 / 43 CA · POP 473,446
1YR FORECAST: +1.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +25%
Tulare County, California, stands out for its direct access to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, home to some of the world's largest trees and the highest peak in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney. Located in the southern San Joaquin Valley, east of Visalia, the county offers a blend of agricultural landscapes and mountain scenery. Commutes within the county are generally manageable, with local and commuter bus services connecting its communities. Residents enjoy a mild climate and abundant outdoor recreation, including hiking, fishing, boating, and skiing in areas like Lake Kaweah and the Golden Trout Wilderness.
Life in Tulare County offers a small-town feel with access to amenities. The county is a significant agricultural producer, particularly known for dairy, citrus, and other crops, which shapes much of its economy. Recent economic developments show investment in infrastructure and a focus on expanding opportunities for local businesses in towns like Visalia, Tulare, and Porterville. The region is also seeing growth in sectors such as healthcare, leisure and hospitality, and transportation and warehousing. Educational opportunities include various K-12 school districts and community colleges.
Above national median (4.7x)
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Rexford Solar Farm (Phases 1 & 2)
AES Corporation / 8 Minute
|
$1,200M | Operating/Approved |
|
Interstate 99 Widening
Caltrans
|
$550M | Under Construction |
|
Bottleneck Energy Storage
VESI 12 LLC
|
$80M | Operating |
|
Vistra Energy Solar and Battery Storage (Terra Bella)
Vistra Energy
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Agri-Center Overpass
Caltrans
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Tulare County scores 55/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#445). Median household income is $64,474 and job growth is running at +1.6%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Tulare County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $280,900 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.23 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,137/month on average.
Tulare County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.5% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.6% clip. Home values shifted +0.8% in the past year.
Not particularly — 1.94% of Tulare County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.