Fresno County
CA · Pop. 1,012,152 · Mixed County
Fresno County is a mixed rural-suburban county in California, spanning 5,958 square miles with 1,012,152 residents at a density of 169.9 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, cotton, tomatoes. A median home price of $363,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.75% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 320-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.9°F and average winter lows of 39.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 12.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Clovis Community Medical Center is 5.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 320-day growing season in USDA zone 9b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.75% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Clovis Community Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 5.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, cotton, tomatoes means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Annual rainfall of just 12.8 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $363,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Fresno County, CA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 22/100
- Median home price
- $363k
- Property tax
- 0.75%
- Growing season
- 320 days (zone 9b)
- Annual rainfall
- 12.8"
- Broadband
- 98.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Clovis Community Medical Center, 5.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Fresno County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Fresno County?
- Fresno County is in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 320-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.9°F, and average winter lows of 39.2°F. The established crops are hay, cotton, tomatoes.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $363,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.75%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Clovis Community Medical Center is 5.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 16 hospitals in the county.
Explore California Resources
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LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in California
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The closest counties to Fresno County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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