1st Advantage MortgageThe median Tulare County household earns $71,300, and 18% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in California before sharing details.
On this page
- Tulare County by the numbers
- Household income in Tulare County
- Housing costs in Tulare County
- Jobs and commutes in Tulare County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Tulare County towns compared
- What a median Tulare County budget can carry
- Local borrowing considerations for Tulare County
- Tulare County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Lender oversight for Tulare County
- A Tulare County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Tulare County
- Frequently asked questions
Tulare County by the numbers
Tulare County is home to about 478,693 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 18th most populous of 58 county-level areas in California. Land area is 4,824 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 99 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Visalia, CA metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Visalia is the biggest of its 70 Census places, at roughly 143,939 people (30% of the county total).
Household income in Tulare County
Tulare County households have a median income of $71,300 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 40th of 58 in California.
| Income band | Share in Tulare County | Difference from California |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.4% | +4.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.2% | +11.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.9% | -4.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.5% | -12.0 pts |
About 22% of households earn under $35,000, while 33% clear $100,000. Census counts 17.9% of Tulare County residents in poverty, against 12.0% across California. For a borrower in Tulare County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Housing costs in Tulare County
Renters in Tulare County pay a median of $1,280 a month, 37% below the California figure of $2,036. 50% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 26% spend half or more. With a median value of $330,100, a typical Tulare County house costs 4.6 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 58%. The median year built is 1983.
| Home costs | Tulare County | California | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,280/mo | $2,036/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $330,100 | $734,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 58% | 56% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 55% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 35% | 38% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 6.3% | 3.5% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Jobs and commutes in Tulare County
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Tulare County residents work in education and health care and 15% in agriculture, forestry and mining. Compared with California, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (15% against 2%). The survey's unemployment rate for Tulare County averages 9.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 6.6%). 15% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Tulare County | Gap to California |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.1% | +1.0 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 14.6% | +12.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.3% | +0.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.9% | -0.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.9% | -1.6 pts |
| Construction | 6.8% | +0.2 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (59 to 110 miles). San Luis Obispo County leads the group on income ($97,446), Kern County trails ($70,210), and Tulare County out-earns 2 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulare County | - | $71,300 | $1,280/mo | 58% |
| Kings County, CA | 59 mi | $70,995 | $1,331/mo | 54% |
| Fresno County, CA | 61 mi | $74,201 | $1,392/mo | 56% |
| Kern County, CA | 61 mi | $70,210 | $1,300/mo | 60% |
| Inyo County, CA | 80 mi | $73,991 | $1,189/mo | 66% |
| Madera County, CA | 86 mi | $76,627 | $1,390/mo | 67% |
| San Luis Obispo County, CA | 110 mi | $97,446 | $1,992/mo | 62% |
Tulare County towns compared
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 70 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 87% of Tulare County residents live in one of the 70. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $29,028 in Linnell Camp to $99,000 in Springville. Median rent ranges from $605 in Linnell Camp to $1,557 in Three Rivers. This guide covers each of the 70 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visalia | city | 143,939 | $81,989 | $1,490 | 31 mi |
| Tulare | city | 70,945 | $72,410 | $1,435 | 31 mi |
| Porterville | city | 63,157 | $60,461 | $1,148 | 18 mi |
| Dinuba | city | 25,475 | $59,484 | $1,209 | 41 mi |
| Lindsay | city | 12,643 | $53,201 | $1,009 | 17 mi |
| Farmersville | city | 10,397 | $60,804 | $1,114 | 24 mi |
| Exeter | city | 10,258 | $75,769 | $1,286 | 21 mi |
| Orosi | CDP | 8,966 | $54,604 | $1,204 | 36 mi |
| Woodlake | city | 7,702 | $46,266 | $968 | 22 mi |
| Earlimart | CDP | 7,214 | $52,881 | $965 | 36 mi |
| Goshen | CDP | 5,136 | $73,125 | $1,231 | 37 mi |
| East Porterville | CDP | 5,066 | $41,061 | $1,044 | 16 mi |
| Ivanhoe | CDP | 4,629 | $52,179 | $870 | 27 mi |
| Cutler | CDP | 4,361 | $59,231 | $1,249 | 35 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
What a median Tulare County budget can carry
Here is the Tulare County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,942 before taxes
- Median rent: $1,280, or 22 cents of every gross dollar
- $859: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Tulare County's.
Local borrowing considerations for Tulare County
What the Tulare County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- 50% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Tulare County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
Tulare County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 17% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 8.1%, against 6.6% for California.
| Measure | Tulare County | California statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.1 | 37.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.6% | 37.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 25.2% | 15.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.1% | 6.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.5% | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.1% | 17.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.9% | 12.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 9.3% | 6.6% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Tulare County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.4% |
| 60+ min | 7.4% |
Lender oversight for Tulare County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Tulare County, check the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: California guide.
A Tulare County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Tulare County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
More guides for Tulare County
The California guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Tulare County earn?
The median is $71,300; 33% earn $100,000 or more and 22% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Tulare County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,280 against $2,036 statewide, and 50% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Tulare County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 70 Census places: Visalia, Tulare, Porterville, Dinuba, Lindsay.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Tulare County or elsewhere in California, the same rules apply.
Where can someone in Tulare County check a lender's license?
With the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.