With a population of over 140,000 as of 2023, Visalia is the fifth largest city in the Central Valley region of California and the 44th most populous city in the state. Known as the Jewel of the Valley, Visalia serves as the county seat of Tulare County and is considered a major hub for agriculture and industry in the San Joaquin Valley.
Population and Demographics
According to recent census data, Visalia’s current population is estimated at 141,384 as of 2023. The city has seen steady population growth over the past decade, increasing by over 10% since the 2010 census. Visalia is part of the Visalia-Porterville metropolitan area, which has a total population of over 466,000 residents.
The demographic makeup of Visalia is diverse, with Latinos making up the largest ethnic group at 54% of the population. Whites account for 34% of residents, while Asians, African Americans, Native Americans and those of mixed race make up the remainder. Over 30% of households speak Spanish at home.
Visalia has a younger population compared to statewide averages. The median age is 31.3 years old, lower than the median of 36.5 years across California. Over 28% of the population is under age 18.
For more demographic statistics and information, visit the Visalia, California Wikipedia page.
Economy and Major Employers
The economy of Visalia is strongly tied to agriculture and related industries. As the county seat and largest city in Tulare County – the top dairy and agricultural producing county in the United States – many of Visalia’s major private sector employers are involved in food production, processing, and manufacturing.
Major private employers in Visalia include:
- Ruiz Food Products – frozen Mexican food manufacturing
- Land O’Lakes – dairy product manufacturing
- Karoun Dairies – dairy product manufacturing
- Sun Pacific – produce grower, packer and shipper
- Visalia Medical Clinic – physician practice group
Other major drivers of the local economy are trade, transportation, utilities, education, and health care. Top public sector employers include the County of Tulare, Visalia Unified School District, College of the Sequoias, and Kaweah Delta Medical Center.
Some recent economic development highlights include the opening of a new fulfillment center by Amazon in 2021, expected to bring over 1,000 full-time jobs. Agriculture technology and research is also growing, with the opening of the Lemoore based AgTech Innovation Hub in partnership with the University of California system.
To learn more about the Visalia economy and employment, visit the Visalia Economic Development Corporation website.
Popular Landmarks and Attractions
Visalia offers plentiful options for dining, shopping and entertainment. Some of the most popular landmarks and attractions include:
- The Fox Theatre – a 1930s movie palace restored to its original glory and home to live performances.
- Kaweah Oaks Preserve – a nature preserve with 324 acres of oak woodland habitat and miles of trails.
- Tulare County Museum – highlights local history, arts, and culture.
- Riverway Sports Park – large multi-use sports complex with softball, soccer, golf, playgrounds and more.
- Visalia Rawhide Baseball – a professional minor league team affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Outdoor enthusiasts also enjoy Sequoia National Park and King’s Canyon National Park located an hour’s drive east of the city. The iconic giant sequoia trees draw over 1.5 million visitors per year.
Learn more about things to do in Visalia at the Visalia Tourism site.
City Government
Visalia employs a council-manager form of government, with a City Council consisting of five members elected to overlapping four-year terms. The City Council appoints professional administrators to manage the day-to-day operations of the city and implement policies.
The current City Manager is Leslie Caviglia. The major departments of the city include Economic Development, Finance, Fire, Parks & Recreation, Planning, Police, and Public Works. Popular services include utilities, public transit, waste management, parks, police and emergency services.
Learn more about Visalia’s local government and services on the City of Visalia website.
Sports Teams and Local Pride
Visalians are passionate supporters of their local sports teams across high school, college, and professional leagues. The Visalia Rawhide minor league baseball team has been part of the community since 1946 and plays at downtown’s Valley Strong Ballpark.
The Visalia football rivalry between the Redwood High School Rangers and the Mt. Whitney High School Pioneers draws huge crowds multiple times each season. The College of Sequoias Giants are also closely followed within the community.
Follow the Rawhide and more local sports coverage from The Visalia Times Delta on the newspaper’s sports page.
Community Pride
Community pride runs deep in Visalia. Local non-profits like Arts Visalia and First Friday Visalia provide opportunities for civic engagement through the arts. The Visalia Gleaning Seniors have volunteered over 1.5 million hours of service since 1993.
The city has been recognized nationally for leadership in technology access and digital inclusion for all residents through its Connect Visalia program.
The annual Candy Cane Lane Parade in December draws locals from across Visalia into the streets downtown to celebrate the holidays each year.
Follow the Connect Visalia Facebook page to keep up with community events and news.