Metropolitan Fresno

Metropolitan Fresno Greater Fresno
Combined Statistical Area
Fresno–Hanford–Corcoran, CA CSA
Downtown Fresno skyline
Map of Fresno–Hanford–Corcoran, CACSA Fresno, CAMSA Hanford–Corcoran, CA MSA City of Fresno City of Madera City of Hanford City of Corcoran
Coordinates:37°N120°W
Country	United States
State	California
Largest city	Fresno
Other cities	-Clovis -Madera -Chowchilla -Hanford -Corcoran
Area
• Total	8,099 sq mi (20,980 km2)
Highest elevation	North Palisade14,248 ft (4,343 m)
Lowest elevation	Chowchilla180 ft (54.86 m)
Population
• Total	1,171,617 (2,020 census)
• Rank	49th in the U.S.
Time zone	UTC-8(PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7(PDT)

Metropolitan Fresno,officiallyFresno–Hanford–Corcoran, CA CSA,is a metropolitan area in theSan Joaquin Valley,in theUnited States,consisting ofFresnoandMaderacounties. It is the third-largestmetropolitan regioninNorthern California,behind theSan Francisco Bay AreaandGreater Sacramento.It is also the 49th-largest CSA in the U.S. as of2010 census.

Metropolitan Fresno is anchored byFresno,the fifth-largest city in California and the 35th-largest in the United States. The metropolitan area is located in theCentral Valley,which is one of the world's most productive agricultural regions. It has a large agricultural economy despite being increasingly urbanized. In more recent years, statewidedroughts in Californiahave further strained both the Fresno metropolitan area's and the entire Central Valley'swater security.

Counties

County name	Population (2020 U.S. Census)	Land area
Fresno	1,013,400	5,963 sq mi (15,440 km2)
Madera	158,217	2,136 sq mi (5,530 km2)
Metropolitan Fresno	1,171,617	8,099 sq mi (20,980 km2)

Overview

Metropolitan Fresno, unlike the other metropolitan regions of California, is still largely agricultural, contains a large rural land area and is centered in theSan Joaquin Valley.The metropolitan area is located between the larger metropolitan areas of California, bordering the southernmost boundaries of theSan Francisco Bay Areain the west and separated from theGreater SacramentoandGreater Los Angeles Areasto the north and south respectively by long distances of rural areas and farmland. Additionally, the lifestyle and culture of Metropolitan Fresno does not reflect the San Francisco or Sacramento influence as other areas have in Northern California due to distance from the state capital and bordering an unpopulated area of the outskirts of the Bay Area. Instead, Metropolitan Fresno is more influenced by the interior valley region of California although as the area becomes more urbanized, it has become slightly more influenced by the other metropolitan areas of Northern California, particularly the Bay Area.

Fresnois the largest city in the area and in the Central Valley. Along withSacramento,it is the economic center of California's interior and is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, with the region having a growth of over 20% since 2000. Fresno is a major transportation hub for visitors heading toYosemite,Kings CanyonandSequoiaNational Parks, which are 60 mi (97 km) and 75 mi (121 km) away from Fresno respectively with Fresno being the nearest major city from the parks. TheUnited States Militaryhas a heavy presence in the Fresno area and numerous divisions are based in Metropolitan Fresno, including the40th Aviation Brigadeand144th Fighter Wing.Fresno County is the largest agricultural county and has the largest concentration of agriculture than any other county in the United States.

Madera County is primarily an agricultural county as well but its cities serve as suburbs of Fresno. Since 2010, statewidedroughts in Californiahave further strained both the Fresno metropolitan area's and the entire Central Valley'swater security.

Geography and climate

Geography

Metropolitan Fresno is primarily located in theSan Joaquin Valley,which in turn is a part of the largerCentral Valleyregion of California, one of the world's most important agricultural areas. The eastern portions of the area border theSierra Nevadamountains and the western portions border theCoast Ranges,thus giving the edges of the area higher elevations than the inner valley areas. Several waterways traverse the region, including theSan JoaquinandKingsrivers, theDelta-MendotaandMaderacanals, and theCalifornia Aqueduct,providing water to crops. The California Aqueduct is one of the world's longest artificial aqueducts.

Climate

Metropolitan Fresno has aMediterranean climate(KöppenCsa) with somesemi-aridfactors due to its interior location (KöppenBsh), with mild, moderately wet winters and hot and dry summers. December is the coolest month, with an average of 53.4 °F (11.9 °C) during the day in downtown Fresno while summer temperatures can reach 110 °F (43.3 °C) or more. Thicktule fogis present in the valley areas during the winter. Rainfall is most common between December and April while snowfall is sometimes experienced in the higher mountain elevations.

Cities

County seat

City	County	Population (January 1, 2010)	Land area
Chowchilla	Madera	18,698	7.1 sq mi (18 km2)
Clovis	Fresno	97,218	22.03 sq mi (57.1 km2)
Coalinga	Fresno	19,065	5.9 sq mi (15 km2)
Firebaugh	Fresno	6,941	2.8 sq mi (7.3 km2)
Fowler	Fresno	5,764	2 sq mi (5.2 km2)
Fresno	Fresno	502,303	104.4 sq mi (270 km2)
Huron	Fresno	8,062	1.3 sq mi (3.4 km2)
Kerman	Fresno	14,381	2.2 sq mi (5.7 km2)
Kingsburg	Fresno	11,504	2.3 sq mi (6.0 km2)
Madera	Madera	58,243	12.3 sq mi (32 km2)
Mendota	Fresno	9,966	1.9 sq mi (4.9 km2)
Orange Cove	Fresno	11,089	1.5 sq mi (3.9 km2)
Parlier	Fresno	13,658	1.6 sq mi (4.1 km2)
Reedley	Fresno	26,227	4.4 sq mi (11 km2)
Sanger	Fresno	25,664	4.7 sq mi (12 km2)
San Joaquin	Fresno	4,071	1 sq mi (2.6 km2)
Selma	Fresno	23,435	4.3 sq mi (11 km2)

Census-designated places

• Auberry
• Biola
• Bonadelle Ranchos-Madera Ranchos
• Bowles
• Calwa
• Cantua Creek
• Caruthers
• Del Rey
• Easton
• Friant
• Lanare

• Laton
• Madera Acres
• Oakhurst
• Parksdale
• Parkwood
• Raisin City
• Riverdale
• Shaver Lake
• Squaw Valley
• Tranquillity
• Yosemite Lakes

Transportation

The Santa Fe Passenger Depot is the largest train station in Metropolitan Fresno.

Owing to its gateway location to numerous national parks as well as being in between the largerGreater Los AngelesandSan Francisco Bay AreaandGreater Sacramentoregions, Metropolitan Fresno serves as a transportation hub in the California interior. However, unlike the larger metropolitan areas of California, Metropolitan Fresno does not have a large public transit system but is served by numerous freeways and highways.

Highways and freeways

Metropolitan Fresno is served by a large number of highways and freeways that are vital in linking the rest ofNorthern CaliforniawithSouthern Californiaand its location in between the three larger metropolitan areas of the state allows for a large trucking industry as well as services to travelers. Highways and freeways in Metropolitan Fresno include:

• Interstate 5
• State Route 33
• State Route 41
• State Route 43
• State Route 49
• State Route 63
• State Route 99

• State Route 145
• State Route 152
• State Route 168
• State Route 180
• State Route 198
• State Route 201
• State Route 269

Air

TheFresno Yosemite International Airportis the only commercial airport in the region and is the major gateway intoYosemite National Park,Sequoia National Park,andKings Canyon National Park.Additionally, there are several general aviation airports in the area, includingFresno Chandler Executive Airport,Firebaugh Airport,Sierra Sky Park AirportandMadera Municipal Airport.

Public transit

Metropolitan Fresno's central California location allows it to be a large rail transport center. TwoAmtrakrail stations are located in the area,Santa Fe Passenger DepotandMaderawhich are on theSan Joaquinline.Fresno Area Expressand Madera County Express serve as bus transit lines connecting to downtown Fresno.GreyhoundandOrange Belt Stagesprovide long distance bus travel to the area.

Politics

See also:Politics of California

Unlike the other metropolitan areas of California, Metropolitan Fresno has historically been a strongRepublicanstronghold and the region reflects theCoastal Californiaand interior California divide in which coastal areas and urbanized areas of California tend to leanDemocraticwhile interior areas tend to lean Republican. Exceptions to this areOrange Countyin Greater Los Angeles, which has been a Republican stronghold since the 1940s, and most of Greater Sacramento, which is a politically competitive area where the major parties are often divided in pluralities although recently there have been Democratic majorities.Metropolitan Fresno has begun to become a politically competitive region as well, as in the2008 presidential election,the region was split with Fresno County going forBarack Obamawith the majority of the votes, whileJohn McCaincarried Madera County with a comfortable margin. Locally, Democratic concentrations are found in much of Fresno and most non-agricultural suburbs while Republican concentrations are found in Madera County and most rural towns.