Geography

Fresno County is located near the center of California's San Joaquin Valley which, together with the Sacramento Valley to the north, form the Great Central Valley, one of the distinct physical regions of the state. The Coast Range foothills, which form the county's western boundary, reach a height of over 4,000 feet near Coalinga while some peaks along the crest of the Sierra Nevada, the county's eastern boundary, exceed 14,000 feet. The valley floor in between is fifty to sixty miles wide and has an elevation near the city of Fresno of about 325 feet. (Environment of Fresno County, Fresno County Planning Dept., 1975).

Rich soil, irrigation, and the hard work of farmers who came from all over the world combine to make Fresno County the richest and most productive agricultural county in America. In the year 2000, Fresno County growers grossed over 3.4 billion dollars from the production of more than 200 commercial crops.

Downtown Los Angeles is 220 miles to the south and east, Monterey, on the Pacific Coast is almost directly to the west, 160 miles by road, and San Francisco is 185 miles to the north and west. The southern entrance to Yosemite National Park is about 65 miles to the north, while the entrance to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is about 55 miles to the east.

The City of Fresno is one of 15 incorporated cities in Fresno County, all located on the valley floor. Over 60 percent of the Countys total population resides in the neighboring cities of Fresno and Clovis.

Climate

Fresno County is subject to a Mediterranean climate. Low elevations are hot and dry in the summer and in the winter moderate temperatures and relatively light precipitation are common.

Temperatures and rainfall for the City of Fresno are typical of that part of the county in which most people live.

_{*** Most recent figures available at time of printing.}

Much more weather data for Fresno County locations is available from: United States National Weather Service, San Joaquin Valley University of California Integrated Pest Management Project, California Weather Databases

Demographics

According to the 2000 Census, Fresno County is one of the largest, fastest growing, and most diverse counties in the state of California.

With a population of 823,900 (as of Jan 1, 2001) Fresno County is the 10th largest county, up from its ranking of 12th in 1990. The largest city, Fresno, population 441,200, remains the state's sixth largest city. (Fresno Bee 3/30/01)

In Fresno County, three in five people are either Hispanic or members of a minority race, such as African American, Asian, American Indian, or Pacific Islander. (Fresno Bee 3/30/01)

Fresno County is the state's third most diverse county, behind Los Angeles and Alameda Counties. ( Fresno Bee 4/1/01.)

For more information about the population of Fresno County try: Ethnic make up of Fresno County - from the 2000 census. Vision 20/20 Statistical data about Fresno County published by the United Way.

Early History

No date has been established for the coming of the areas first human inhabitants, although it probably happened between 50,000 and 7,000 years ago. When the first Europeans arrived the Yokuts tribe was settled on the valley floor and in the foothills along the San Joaquin and Kings Rivers. Along the upper reaches of these rivers lived the Monache. (Fresno County, The pioneer years, Clough & Secrest, 1984.)

Fresno County, which takes its name from the Spanish word for "ash", or "ash tree", was created April 19, 1856; it's present boundaries were established in 1909.

First European exploration was by the Spaniards in the early 1800's, in search of possible sites for an inland chain of missions. Other early expeditions were by fur trappers, and Kit Carson made several trips into the mountains during the 1840's.

Fresno County experienced four stages of development. First the mining period, which extended into the early 1860's and left such memorable names as Temperance Flat and Grub Gulch; then the stock raising period, to about 1874; general farming, which received its impetus from the advent of the railroad in 1870; and finally after many years of bitter controversy over the use of water, the transition to irrigated orchards, vineyards and row crops. (1950 California Blue Book)

Highlights for Fresno County's first 100 years.

CSAC Snapshot Info

Official County Website