Fresno County, California

Fresno County, California
County
County of Fresno
The Fresno County courthouse in June 2007
Seal
Location in the state of California
California's location in the United States
Coordinates: 36°45′N 119°39′W / 36.75°N 119.65°W / 36.75; -119.65Coordinates: 36°45′N 119°39′W / 36.75°N 119.65°W / 36.75; -119.65
Country	United States of America
State	California
Region	San Joaquin Valley
Metro area	Fresno-Madera
Incorporated	1856
Named for	The city of Fresno (Spanish for "ash tree")
County seat	Fresno
Largest city	Fresno
Area
• Total	6,011 sq mi (15,570 km2)
• Land	5,958 sq mi (15,430 km2)
• Water	53 sq mi (140 km2)
Highest elevation[1]	14,248 ft (4,343 m)
Population (April 1, 2010)[2]
• Total	930,450
• Estimate (2016)[2]	979,915
• Density	150/sq mi (60/km2)
Time zone	Pacific (UTC-8)
• Summer (DST)	Pacific Daylight Time (UTC-7)
Area code	559
FIPS code	06-019
GNIS feature ID	277274
Website	www.co.fresno.ca.us

Fresno County, officially the County of Fresno, is a county located in the northern portion of the U.S. state, California. As of the 2010 census, the population was 930,450.^[3] The county seat is Fresno,^[4] the fifth-largest city in California.

Fresno County comprises the Fresno, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the Fresno-Madera, CA Combined Statistical Area. It is located in the Central Valley, south of Stockton and north of Bakersfield.

History

The area now known as Fresno County is the traditional homeland of Yokuts and Mono peoples, and was later stumbled upon by Spaniards during a search for suitable mission sites. In 1846, this area became part of the United States as a result of the Mexican War.

Fresno County was formed in 1856 from parts of Mariposa, Merced and Tulare counties. Fresno is Spanish for "ash tree"^[5] and it was in recognition of the abundance of the shrubby local Ash, Fraxinus dipetala, growing along the San Joaquin River that it received its name. Parts of Fresno County's territory were given to Mono County in 1861 and to Madera County in 1893. The original county seat was along the San Joaquin River in Millerton, but was moved to the rapidly growing town of Fresno on the newly built Southern Pacific Railroad line after a flood destroyed much of the town.

The settling of Fresno County was not without its conflicts, land disputes, and other natural disasters. Floods caused immeasurable damage elsewhere and fires also plagued the settlers of Fresno County. In 1882, the greatest of the early day fires wiped out an entire block of the city of Fresno, and was followed by another devastating blaze in 1883.

At the same time residents brought irrigation, electricity, and extensive agriculture to the area. Moses Church developed the first canals, called "Church Ditches," for irrigation. These canals allowed extensive cultivation of wheat. Francis Eisen, leader of the wine industry in Fresno County, also began the raisin industry in 1875, when he accidentally let some of his grapes dry on the vine. A.Y. Easterby and Clovis Cole (aka the "Wheat King of the Nation") developed extensive grain and cattle ranches. These and other citizens laid the groundwork for the cultivation of Fresno County – now one of the nation's leading agricultural regions. In more recent times cotton became a major crop in Fresno and the southern San Joaquin Valley, but recent drought and lower demand have lessened cotton's importance to the local economy.

The discovery of oil in the western part of the county, near the town of Coalinga at the foot of the Coast Ranges, brought about an economic boom in the 1900s (decade), even though the field itself was known at least as early as the 1860s. By 1910, Coalinga Oil Field, the largest field in Fresno County, was the most richly productive oil field in California; a dramatic oil gusher in 1909, the biggest in California up until that time, was an event of sufficient excitement to cause the Los Angeles Stock Exchange to close for a day so that its members could come by train to view it. The Coalinga field continues to produce oil, and is currently the eighth-largest field in the state.^[6][7]

More than thirty structures in Fresno County are on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Fresno Water Tower, which once held over 250,000 US gallons (950 m³) of water for the city of Fresno, the Meux Home, and Kearney Mansion Museum.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 6,011 square miles (15,570 km²), of which 5,958 square miles (15,430 km²) is land and 53 square miles (140 km²) (0.9%) is water.^[8]

Major watercourses are the San Joaquin River, Kings River, Delta-Mendota Canal, Big Creek, Friant Kern Canal, Helm Canal and Madera Canal. It is bordered on the west by the Coast Range and on the east by the Sierra Nevada. It is the center of a large agricultural area, known as the most agriculturally rich county in the United States. The county withdrew 3.7 billion US gallons (14,000,000 m³) of fresh water per day in 2000, more than any other county in the United States.

Fresno County is part of the Madera AVA wine region.

Fresno was actually named after two particular ash trees that grew near the town of Minkler on the Kings River, one of which is still alive and standing.

National protected areas

• Giant Sequoia National Monument (part)
• Kings Canyon National Park (part)
• Sequoia National Forest (part)
• Sierra National Forest (part)

Geology

A number of minerals have been discovered in the county, including macdonaldite, krauskopfite, walstromite, fresnoite, verplanckite, muirite, traskite, and kampfite.^[9][10]

Demographics

2011

Population, race, and income
Total population[11]	920,623
White[11]	552,475	60.0%
Black or African American[11]	46,522	5.1%
American Indian or Alaska Native[11]	8,894	1.0%
Asian[11]	87,275	9.5%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander[11]	1,321	0.1%
Some other race[11]	188,007	20.4%
Two or more races[11]	36,129	3.9%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)[12]	458,069	49.8%
Per capita income[13]	$20,638
Median household income[14]	$46,903
Median family income[15]	$52,832

Places by population, race, and income

Places by population and race
Place	Type[16]	Population[11]	White[11]	Other[11] [note 1]	Asian[11]	Black or African American[11]	Native American[11] [note 2]	Hispanic or Latino (of any race)[12]
Auberry	CDP	2,259	87.7%	4.3%	0.5%	0.1%	7.4%	9.3%
Big Creek	CDP	227	69.6%	26.9%	0.0%	0.0%	3.5%	11.5%
Biola	CDP	1,066	60.6%	20.7%	17.7%	0.0%	0.9%	72.2%
Bowles	CDP	105	63.8%	32.4%	0.0%	1.9%	1.9%	41.0%
Calwa	CDP	1,467	49.5%	44.4%	6.1%	0.0%	0.0%	83.0%
Cantua Creek	CDP	289	89.6%	10.4%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	100.0%
Caruthers	CDP	2,914	53.4%	39.5%	1.6%	3.2%	2.3%	78.3%
Centerville	CDP	231	93.9%	0.0%	0.0%	6.1%	0.0%	0.0%
Clovis	City	93,304	69.2%	16.5%	9.8%	3.1%	1.4%	24.2%
Coalinga	City	13,246	66.6%	22.1%	1.9%	7.3%	2.1%	52.0%
Del Rey	CDP	1,625	33.0%	64.5%	0.0%	0.0%	2.5%	100.0%
Easton	CDP	1,994	56.4%	37.7%	2.3%	1.5%	2.2%	57.6%
Firebaugh	City	7,474	78.9%	20.2%	0.1%	0.7%	0.0%	89.9%
Fort Washington	CDP	406	86.2%	13.8%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Fowler	City	5,434	47.6%	38.5%	11.3%	2.2%	0.4%	63.9%
Fresno	City	489,922	54.0%	25.0%	12.4%	7.5%	1.1%	46.4%
Friant	CDP	372	99.5%	0.3%	0.0%	0.3%	0.0%	0.8%
Huron	City	6,733	83.6%	15.9%	0.1%	0.4%	0.0%	99.1%
Kerman	City	13,093	75.6%	17.0%	7.3%	0.0%	0.1%	70.6%
Kingsburg	City	11,221	69.1%	24.8%	4.9%	0.3%	0.9%	49.0%
Lanare	CDP	428	48.4%	51.6%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	100.0%
Laton	CDP	1,274	70.6%	27.6%	0.6%	1.2%	0.0%	63.6%
Malaga	CDP	827	37.0%	63.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	100.0%
Mayfair	CDP	4,346	45.0%	38.9%	11.0%	4.8%	0.3%	46.9%
Mendota	City	10,729	85.9%	9.2%	2.2%	0.8%	1.9%	96.3%
Minkler	CDP	831	83.3%	13.0%	2.4%	1.3%	0.0%	23.5%
Monmouth	CDP	108	63.9%	33.3%	0.0%	2.8%	0.0%	62.0%
Old Fig Garden	CDP	5,022	79.9%	11.4%	8.4%	0.1%	0.2%	18.5%
Orange Cove	City	8,889	53.9%	44.1%	0.0%	2.0%	0.0%	95.8%
Parlier	City	14,204	60.0%	38.4%	0.3%	0.9%	0.4%	97.1%
Raisin City	CDP	272	34.2%	41.5%	0.0%	0.0%	24.3%	95.6%
Reedley	City	23,968	62.1%	33.7%	3.0%	0.7%	0.4%	75.9%
Riverdale	CDP	3,633	58.1%	37.3%	2.9%	1.5%	0.2%	68.2%
Sanger	City	23,814	62.5%	29.8%	4.3%	2.8%	0.5%	76.6%
San Joaquin	City	3,965	96.7%	3.0%	0.3%	0.0%	0.0%	97.0%
Selma	City	22,939	58.1%	35.2%	4.2%	1.7%	0.8%	79.7%
Shaver Lake	CDP	710	98.2%	0.8%	1.0%	0.0%	0.0%	8.5%
Squaw Valley	CDP	1,900	93.8%	4.9%	0.8%	0.0%	0.4%	16.8%
Sunnyside	CDP	4,586	54.5%	20.6%	17.1%	6.0%	1.8%	37.3%
Tarpey Village	CDP	3,714	71.7%	19.9%	4.3%	3.4%	0.7%	25.7%
Three Rocks	CDP	159	94.3%	5.7%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	100.0%
Tranquillity	CDP	1,180	89.5%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	10.5%	83.9%
West Park	CDP	1,070	53.5%	39.9%	2.1%	4.6%	0.0%	81.2%

Places by population and income
Place	Type[16]	Population[17]	Per capita income[13]	Median household income[14]	Median family income[15]
Auberry	CDP	2,259	$31,289	$70,096	$80,625
Big Creek	CDP	227	$28,624	$84,583	$97,250
Biola	CDP	1,066	$9,019	$23,274	$25,673
Bowles	CDP	105	$25,403	$61,563	$83,125
Calwa	CDP	1,467	$10,017	$24,960	$18,750
Cantua Creek	CDP	289	$6,145	$19,737	$19,737
Caruthers	CDP	2,914	$13,377	$43,400	$44,000
Centerville	CDP	231	$53,879	$82,125	$81,250
Clovis	City	93,304	$27,749	$65,300	$76,331
Coalinga	City	13,246	$16,098	$47,101	$47,381
Del Rey	CDP	1,625	$11,101	$42,375	$42,125
Easton	CDP	1,994	$21,676	$43,839	$44,075
Firebaugh	City	7,474	$12,015	$33,009	$34,525
Fort Washington	CDP	406	$29,897	$89,453	$89,453
Fowler	City	5,434	$20,465	$54,698	$64,545
Fresno	City	489,922	$19,978	$43,440	$49,053
Friant	CDP	372	$23,924	$24,152	$86,574
Huron	City	6,733	$7,422	$22,969	$20,884
Kerman	City	13,093	$15,958	$46,289	$47,344
Kingsburg	City	11,221	$22,055	$58,091	$65,354
Lanare	CDP	428	$10,581	$46,136	$46,136
Laton	CDP	1,274	$20,941	$51,250	$65,156
Malaga	CDP	827	$10,171	$35,469	$36,510
Mayfair	CDP	4,346	$14,711	$37,870	$51,406
Mendota	City	10,729	$8,488	$25,807	$25,113
Minkler	CDP	831	$37,856	$82,885	$127,578
Monmouth	CDP	108	$15,590	$40,625	$46,563
Old Fig Garden	CDP	5,022	$46,145	$70,526	$91,473
Orange Cove	City	8,889	$9,547	$27,642	$28,396
Parlier	City	14,204	$11,681	$36,388	$36,063
Raisin City	CDP	272	$6,876	$26,563	$17,321
Reedley	City	23,968	$16,306	$46,776	$48,596
Riverdale	CDP	3,633	$14,542	$50,367	$50,665
Sanger	City	23,814	$16,053	$41,987	$51,496
San Joaquin	City	3,965	$7,560	$25,702	$24,421
Selma	City	22,939	$15,633	$42,459	$45,893
Shaver Lake	CDP	710	$38,979	$80,375	$81,375
Squaw Valley	CDP	1,900	$26,330	$54,219	$61,558
Sunnyside	CDP	4,586	$27,925	$69,674	$85,543
Tarpey Village	CDP	3,714	$22,902	$63,620	$70,189
Three Rocks	CDP	159	$5,181	$16,250	$16,786
Tranquillity	CDP	1,180	$8,664	$24,293	$23,750
West Park	CDP	1,070	$12,197	$41,528	$46,369

2010

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1860	4,605		—
1870	6,336		37.6%
1880	9,478		49.6%
1890	32,026		237.9%
1900	37,862		18.2%
1910	75,657		99.8%
1920	128,779		70.2%
1930	144,379		12.1%
1940	178,565		23.7%
1950	276,515		54.9%
1960	365,945		32.3%
1970	413,053		12.9%
1980	514,621		24.6%
1990	667,490		29.7%
2000	799,407		19.8%
2010	930,450		16.4%
Est. 2016	979,915	[18]	5.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[19] 1790–1960[20] 1900–1990[21] 1990–2000[22] 2010–2015[3]

The 2010 United States Census reported that Fresno County had a population of 930,450. The racial makeup of Fresno County was 515,145 (55.4%) White, 49,523 (5.3%) African American, 15,649 (1.7%) Native American, 89,357 (9.6%) Asian (3.3% Hmong, 1.7% Asian Indian, 1.0% Filipino, 0.8% Laotian, 0.6% Chinese, 0.5% Japanese, 0.5% Cambodian, 0.3% Vietnamese, 0.2% Korean, 0.1% Pakistani, 0.1% Thai), 1,405 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 217,085 (23.3%) from other races, and 42,286 (4.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 468,070 persons (50.3%).^[23] 46.0% of Fresno County's population is of Mexican descent; 0.7% of its residents are Salvadoran, and 0.3% of its residents are Puerto Rican.

Population reported at 2010 United States Census
The County	Total Population	White	African American	Native American	Asian	Pacific Islander	other races	two or more races	Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
Fresno County	930,450	515,145	49,523	15,649	89,357	1,405	217,085	42,286	468,070
Incorporated cities	Total Population	White	African American	Native American	Asian	Pacific Islander	other races	two or more races	Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
Clovis	95,631	67,758	2,618	1,320	10,233	218	8,857	4,627	24,514
Coalinga	13,380	7,734	549	171	407	36	3,937	546	7,161
Firebaugh	7,549	4,715	70	116	40	0	2,371	237	6,887
Fowler	5,570	2,634	104	136	610	8	1,800	278	3,687
Fresno	494,665	245,306	40,960	8,525	62,528	849	111,984	24,513	232,055
Huron	6,754	2,300	66	77	39	6	3,964	302	6,527
Kerman	13,544	6,860	68	173	1,091	14	4,675	663	9,711
Kingsburg	11,382	8,576	62	146	383	21	1,706	488	4,883
Mendota	11,014	5,823	107	153	82	5	4,465	379	10,643
Orange Cove	9,078	3,940	72	131	101	3	4,481	350	8,413
Parlier	14,494	7,251	85	180	77	9	6,387	505	14,137
Reedley	24,194	14,105	169	267	797	8	7,850	998	18,455
San Joaquin	4,001	1,966	31	54	37	0	1,766	147	3,825
Sanger	24,270	14,454	219	311	758	39	7,645	844	19,537
Selma	23,219	12,869	284	479	1,057	9	7,630	891	18,014
Census-designated places	Total Population	White	African American	Native American	Asian	Pacific Islander	other races	two or more races	Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
Auberry	2,369	2,048	10	105	24	2	68	112	309
Big Creek	175	158	1	1	5	0	3	7	27
Biola	1,623	510	6	43	316	2	692	54	1,196
Bowles	166	108	6	1	1	0	43	7	71
Calwa	2,052	995	24	67	43	9	846	68	1,848
Cantua Creek	466	244	5	3	1	0	199	14	461
Caruthers	2,497	1,224	14	38	221	0	904	96	1,591
Centerville	392	321	1	9	20	0	33	8	99
Del Rey	1,639	740	7	11	34	0	814	33	1,534
Easton	2,083	1,248	13	58	68	0	593	103	1,308
Fort Washington	233	209	4	1	7	0	1	11	26
Friant	509	433	4	14	7	0	11	40	63
Lanare	589	181	57	5	2	0	300	44	519
Laton	1,824	1,001	4	13	10	0	744	52	1,393
Malaga	947	418	12	15	11	2	464	25	891
Mayfair	4,589	2,030	169	99	310	14	1,738	229	3,010
Minkler	1,003	818	4	20	23	0	108	30	302
Monmouth	152	82	6	1	5	0	47	11	107
Old Fig Garden	5,365	4,000	105	54	209	10	733	254	1,532
Raisin City	380	123	5	31	6	0	203	12	308
Riverdale	3,153	1,826	33	59	27	5	1,051	152	2,106
Shaver Lake	634	611	0	5	3	0	8	7	44
Squaw Valley	3,162	2,700	30	77	47	2	159	147	525
Sunnyside	4,235	2,687	176	58	467	6	640	201	1,525
Tarpey Village	3,888	2,868	77	59	261	3	452	168	1,219
Three Rocks	246	129	0	1	0	0	102	14	235
Tranquillity	799	504	9	13	2	0	251	20	637
West Park	1,157	602	32	32	54	1	370	66	879
Unincorporated communities	Total Population	White	African American	Native American	Asian	Pacific Islander	other races	two or more races	Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
All others not CDPs (combined)	125,378	80,036	3,245	2,517	8,933	124	25,990	4,533	55,856

2000

As of the census^[24] of 2000, there were 799,407 people, 252,940 households, and 186,669 families residing in the county. The population density was 134 people per square mile (52/km²). There were 270,767 housing units at an average density of 45 per square mile (18/km²). The racial makeup of the county 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. 44.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 7.5% were of German ancestry according to Census 2000. 59.3% spoke English, 31.5% Spanish and 3.1% Hmong as their first language.

There were 252,940 households out of which 41.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.2% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.09 and the average family size was 3.59.

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

The median income for a household in the county was $34,725, and the median income for a family was $38,455. Males had a median income of $33,375 versus $26,501 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,495. About 17.6% of families and 22.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.7% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.

Fresno County is also known for having the highest rate of chlamydia in the state. It 2006 it had 545.2 cases per 100,000 people, compared with the statewide average of 363.5.

Metropolitan Statistical Area

The United States Office of Management and Budget has designated Fresno County as the Fresno, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area.^[25] The United States Census Bureau ranked the Fresno, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area as the 56th most populous metropolitan statistical area of the United States as of July 1, 2012.^[26]

The Office of Management and Budget has further designated the Fresno, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area as a component of the more extensive Fresno-Madera, CA Combined Statistical Area,^[25] the 49th most populous combined statistical area and the 55th most populous primary statistical area of the United States as of July 1, 2012.^[26][27]

Government

The Government of Fresno County is defined and authorized under the California Constitution, law, and the Charter of the County of Fresno. Much of the Government of California is in practice the responsibility of county governments, such as the Government of Fresno County. The County government provides countywide services such as elections and voter registration, law enforcement, jails, vital records, property records, tax collection, public health, and social services. In addition the County serves as the local government for all unincorporated areas.

The County government is composed of the elected five-member Board of Supervisors, several other elected offices including the Sheriff,^[28] District Attorney, Assessor-Recorder, Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector, and Clerk/Registrar of Voters, and numerous county departments and entities under the supervision of the County Administrator. As of January 2017 the members of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors are:^[29]

• Brian Pacheco, District 1
• Andreas Borgeas, District 2
• Sal Quintero, District 3,
• Buddy Mendes, District 4
• Nathan Magsig, District 5

Politics

Overview

Fresno County vote
by party in presidential elections^[30]

Year	GOP	DEM	Others
2016	43.21% 124,049	49.24% 141,341	7.55% 21,672
2012	47.94% 124,490	49.72% 129,129	2.34% 6,078
2008	47.91% 131,015	49.99% 136,706	2.10% 5,731
2004	57.38% 141,988	41.68% 103,154	0.94% 2,321
2000	53.14% 117,342	43.05% 95,059	3.82% 8,434
1996	47.42% 98,813	45.32% 94,448	7.26% 15,132
1992	40.67% 89,137	42.17% 92,418	17.16% 37,606
1988	49.95% 94,835	48.79% 92,635	1.26% 2,400
1984	54.30% 104,757	44.74% 86,315	0.97% 1,864
1980	51.13% 82,515	40.43% 65,254	8.44% 13,617
1976	48.10% 72,533	49.71% 74,958	2.20% 3,314
1972	50.44% 79,051	46.38% 72,682	3.18% 4,986
1968	43.60% 59,901	47.42% 65,153	8.98% 12,342
1964	34.33% 46,792	65.57% 89,375	0.10% 141
1960	44.32% 57,930	55.21% 72,164	0.47% 608
1956	43.33% 51,611	56.44% 67,234	0.23% 270
1952	48.95% 54,626	50.30% 56,135	0.75% 837
1948	37.20% 30,379	58.49% 47,762	4.31% 3,524
1944	35.50% 22,668	63.84% 40,769	0.67% 425
1940	29.79% 21,079	69.07% 48,866	1.14% 805
1936	20.94% 11,545	77.75% 42,859	1.31% 722
1932	26.07% 12,134	69.90% 32,528	4.03% 1,875
1928	54.30% 20,687	44.32% 16,884	1.38% 527
1924	44.01% 15,635	12.98% 4,610	43.02% 15,282
1920	55.36% 14,621	36.39% 9,613	8.25% 2,179
1916	41.07% 11,707	49.95% 14,241	8.98% 2,560
1912	0.46% 95	42.96% 8,891	56.58% 11,710
1908	50.89% 6,384	37.81% 4,743	11.30% 1,418
1904	55.78% 4,929	31.86% 2,815	12.36% 1,092
1900	47.34% 3,585	47.41% 3,590	5.26% 398
1896	40.22% 2,686	56.75% 3,790	3.04% 203
1892	37.18% 3,031	42.35% 3,453	20.47% 1,669

Fresno County is a Republican -leaning swing county, voting for President George W. Bush with 57% of the vote in 2004. US Senate races are competitive. County voters preferred Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, and Hillary Clinton in 2016.

The cities of Clovis, Coalinga, and Kingsburg voted overwhelmingly for Governor Mitt Romney. Reedley did so by much lesser margins and is now a GOP-leaning "swing" city in the county. Huron, Mendota, Orange Cove, Parlier, Fowler, Firebaugh, Fresno, Kerman, Sanger, Selma and San Joaquin voted overwhelmingly for President Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012.

According to the California Secretary of State, in October 2012 there were 410,188 registered voters in Fresno County. 158,267 (38.6%) were registered Republican, 164,663 (40.1%) were registered Democratic, 19,841 (4.8%) are registered with other political parties, and 67,417 (16.4%) declined to state a political party. Republicans have a plurality or majority of voter roll registration in the cities of Clovis, Coalinga, Kingsburg, Reedley, and the unincorporated areas. The other cities and towns have Democratic pluralities or majorities.

From Fresno County's incorporation in 1849, it voted Democratic in every election until the 1904 election in California, when President Theodore Roosevelt stood for re-election. Fresno County backed Roosevelt over his Democratic opponent Alton B. Parker. This did not immediately change the county's voting tendencies, however. It supported southern Democrat Woodrow Wilson in the elections of 1912 and 1916.

Fresno County was generally Republican from the onset of the "roaring 1920s" until the Great Depression, when former President Franklin D. Roosevelt forged the New Deal Coalition that benefitted the agrarian county. From 1932 till 1976 the county consistently voted Democratic, barring Richard Nixon's landslide victory over former Senator George McGovern (D-SD) in the 1972 Presidential Election.

With former President Jimmy Carter's defeat by former President Reagan, Fresno became a GOP-leaning swing county: it barely favored Reagan's successor former President Bush and voted Democratic for Bill Clinton only in his 1992 presidential bid. Republicans won elections in Fresno County by increasing margins from 1996 to 2004, but when the GOP lost ground with Hispanic voters after 2004, the county swung Democratic, voting twice for Barack Obama, and then for Hillary Clinton in 2016.

In the United States House of Representatives, Fresno County is split among four congressional districts:^[31]

• California's 4th congressional district, represented by Republican Tom McClintock^[32]
• California's 16th congressional district, represented by Democrat Jim Costa^[33]
• California's 21st congressional district, represented by Republican David Valadao^[34]
• California's 22nd congressional district, represented by Republican Devin Nunes^[35]

In the California State Senate, the county is split among 3 legislative districts:^[36]

• the 8th Senate District, represented by Republican Tom Berryhill,
• the 12th Senate District, represented by Republican Anthony Cannella, and
• the 14th Senate District, represented by Republican Andy Vidak.

In the California State Assembly, Fresno County is split between the 23rd Assembly District, represented by Republican Jim Patterson, and the 31st Assembly District, represented by Democrat Joaquin Arambula.^[37]

Fresno tends to remain socially conservative while being more moderate on economic issues, which can be seen in Fresno's support for socially conservative proposition amendments but occasionally voting for a Democratic Presidential Candidate if economic times are poor such as former President Bill Clinton's victory over incumbent former President George H.W. Bush in 1992 and President Barack Obama over Senator John McCain in 2008.

On November 4, 2008, Fresno County voted 68.7% for Proposition 8, which amended the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriages.

Voter registration statistics

Population and registered voters
Total population[11]	920,623
Registered voters[38][note 3]	415,276	45.1%
Democratic[38]	166,913	40.2%
Republican[38]	158,510	38.2%
Democratic–Republican spread[38]	+8,403	+2.0%
Independent[38]	10,852	2.6%
Green[38]	1,592	0.4%
Libertarian[38]	1,942	0.5%
Peace and Freedom[38]	1,097	0.3%
Americans Elect[38]	15	0.0%
Other[38]	4,770	1.1%
No party preference[38]	69,585	16.8%

Cities by population and voter registration

Cities by population and voter registration
City	Population[11]	Registered voters[38] [note 3]	Democratic[38]	Republican[38]	D–R spread[38]	Other[38]	No party preference[38]
Clovis	93,304	58.0%	29.1%	49.5%	-20.4%	8.2%	16.2%
Coalinga	13,246	33.0%	38.6%	36.0%	+2.6%	8.4%	20.0%
Firebaugh	7,474	28.0%	57.5%	22.0%	+35.5%	6.8%	16.0%
Fowler	5,434	47.3%	44.1%	34.6%	+9.5%	4.6%	18.1%
Fresno	489,922	45.4%	43.9%	33.5%	+10.4%	7.4%	17.7%
Huron	6,733	14.5%	65.3%	14.0%	+51.3%	7.3%	15.8%
Kerman	13,093	38.6%	47.0%	28.7%	+18.3%	11.6%	17.6%
Kingsburg	11,221	55.0%	24.9%	56.0%	-31.1%	7.9%	14.1%
Mendota	10,729	19.6%	67.8%	15.3%	+52.5%	3.8%	14.3%
Orange Cove	8,889	29.4%	65.8%	15.0%	+50.8%	4.4%	16.3%
Parlier	14,204	26.1%	60.8%	17.5%	+43.3%	4.5%	18.5%
Reedley	23,968	36.4%	38.7%	40.3%	-1.6%	6.5%	16.7%
San Joaquin	3,965	17.4%	60.5%	17.3%	+43.2%	6.1%	18.3%
Sanger	23,814	41.8%	49.4%	30.0%	+19.4%	5.5%	17.0%
Selma	22,939	36.6%	47.0%	33.0%	+14.0%	6.7%	15.8%

Crime

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

Population and crime rates
Population[11]	920,623
Violent crime[39]	4,694	5.10
Homicide[39]	69	0.07
Forcible rape[39]	178	0.19
Robbery[39]	1,453	1.58
Aggravated assault[39]	2,994	3.25
Property crime[39]	20,071	21.80
Burglary[39]	7,912	8.59
Larceny-theft[39][note 4]	21,749	23.62
Motor vehicle theft[39]	5,491	5.96
Arson[39]	491	0.53

Cities by population and crime rates

Cities by population and crime rates
City	Population[40]	Violent crimes[40]	Violent crime rate per 1,000 persons	Property crimes[40]	Property crime rate per 1,000 persons
Clovis	97,828	219	2.24	4,025	41.14
Coalinga	13,669	188	13.75	476	34.82
Firebaugh	7,724	29	3.75	141	18.25
Fowler	5,698	48	8.42	213	37.38
Fresno	506,011	2,748	5.43	25,737	50.86
Huron	6,901	69	10.00	301	43.62
Kerman	13,854	42	3.03	608	43.89
Kingsburg	11,644	38	3.26	432	37.10
Mendota	11,270	53	4.70	344	30.52
Parlier	14,828	119	8.03	431	29.07
Reedley	26,774	173	6.99	570	23.03
Sanger	24,827	269	10.83	1,041	41.93
Selma	23,753	208	8.76	1,218	51.28

Economy

Agriculture

Agriculture is the primary industry in Fresno County. Ag production totaled $5.3 billion in 2007, making it the number one agricultural county in the nation. Major crops and livestocks include:

• Grapes
• Cotton
• Almonds
• Tomatoes
• Turkeys
• Cattle
• Milk
• Plums
• Oranges
• Peaches
• Nectarines

Companies based in Fresno County

• Gottschalks Department Stores (liquidated in 2010 )
• Sun-Maid Raisins
• Pinnacle Armor, maker of the Dragon Skin Body Armor
• Pelco, maker of surveillance cameras (acquired by Schneider Electric October 2007)^[41]
• David Sunflower Seeds, now part of ConAgra Foods
• Flicks Candy Company
• Harris Ranch Beef Company
• Saladino's Inc
• National Raisin Company
• Pacific Ethanol
• United Security Bank
• Central Valley Community Bank
• Electronic Recyclers International

Major employers

Education

Educational institutions in Fresno County include:

• California State University, Fresno which opened in 1911.
• San Joaquin College of Law is a private, nonprofit law school founded in 1969 and located in the City of Clovis.
• Fresno Pacific University is a private university in the City of Fresno.

Within the California Community Colleges System, Fresno County is mostly covered by the State Center Community College District and the West Hills Community College District. The following campuses are in Fresno County:^[43]

• Clovis Community College near the City of Clovis
• Fresno City College in the City of Fresno
• Reedley College in the City of Reedley
• West Hills College Coalinga in the City of Coalinga

In addition, the Fresno County Public Library operates public libraries throughout the county.

Transportation

Major highways

Rail

• BNSF Railway
• Union Pacific Railroad
• San Joaquin Valley Railroad
• Biola Branch (Southern Pacific) (abandoned)
• Shaver Lake Railroad (abandoned)
• San Joaquin and Eastern Railroad (abandoned)

Airports

Commercial service

• Fresno Yosemite Int'l Airport

General Aviation

• Fresno Chandler Executive Airport
• Firebaugh Airport
• Mendota Airport
• New Coalinga Municipal Airport
• Reedley Municipal Airport
• Sierra Sky Park Airport

Public transportation

• Fresno Area Express or FAX is the local bus operator in Fresno.
• Clovis Transit Stageline is the bus service in Clovis.
• Reedley Transit a.k.a. Dial-A-Ride services Reedley.
• Fresno County Rural Transit Agency (FCRTA) offers a variety of local and intercity transit services around Fresno County.
• Greyhound and Orange Belt Stages provide intercity, long-distance bus service.
• Amtrak San Joaquins stop in Fresno.

Attractions

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

• Avocado
• Dunlap
• Highway City
• Mercey Hot Springs
• Prather
• Rolinda
• Tollhouse

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Fresno County.^[44]

† county seat

Rank	City/Town/etc.	Municipal type	Population (2010 Census)
1	† Fresno	City	494,665
2	Clovis	City	95,631
3	Sanger	City	24,270
4	Reedley	City	24,194
5	Selma	City	23,219
6	Parlier	City	14,494
7	Kerman	City	13,544
8	Coalinga	City	13,380
9	Kingsburg	City	11,382
10	Mendota	City	11,014
11	Orange Cove	City	9,078
12	Firebaugh	City	7,549
13	Huron	City	6,754
14	Fowler	City	5,570
15	Old Fig Garden	CDP	5,365
16	Mayfair	CDP	4,589
17	Sunnyside	CDP	4,235
18	San Joaquin	City	4,001
19	Tarpey Village	CDP	3,888
20	Squaw Valley	CDP	3,162
21	Riverdale	CDP	3,153
22	Caruthers	CDP	2,497
23	Auberry	CDP	2,369
24	Easton	CDP	2,083
25	Calwa	CDP	2,052
26	Laton	CDP	1,824
27	Del Rey	CDP	1,639
28	Biola	CDP	1,623
29	West Park	CDP	1,157
30	Minkler	CDP	1,003
31	Malaga	CDP	947
32	Tranquillity	CDP	799
33	Shaver Lake	CDP	634
34	Lanare	CDP	589
35	Friant	CDP	509
36	Cantua Creek	CDP	466
37	Centerville	CDP	392
38	Raisin City	CDP	380
39	Three Rocks	CDP	246
40	Fort Washington	CDP	233
41	Cold Springs Rancheria[45]	AIAN	184
42	Big Creek	CDP	175
43	Bowles	CDP	166
44	Monmouth	CDP	152
45	Big Sandy Rancheria[46]	AIAN	118
46	Table Mountain Rancheria[47]	AIAN	64

See also

• Fresno County Library
• List of museums in the San Joaquin Valley
• List of school districts in Fresno County, California
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Fresno County, California

Notes

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fresno County, California.

• Official website
• Fresno County Public Library
• Fresno County Sequicentennial
• Size of California Counties