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Porterville

city

Porterville is a city located in Tulare County, California, nestled at the base of the Southern Sierra Nevada mountains on the eastern side of the San Joaquin Valley. It serves as the economic hub for the Southern Sierra region and acts as a gateway to outdoor recreational areas like the Sequoia National Forest. The city has a rich history dating back to the mid-19th century and has grown significantly since its incorporation in 1902. Porterville's economy is a mix of agribusiness, light industry, and commercial enterprises. Key sectors include healthcare, agriculture, retail trade, and education. Major employers operate facilities in the city, contributing to the local job market. The city's location provides access to major transportation routes, facilitating its role as a trade area for a large population. Known for its small-town charm and family-oriented activities, Porterville offers a slower pace of life while still providing access to essential services and recreational opportunities. The city has several historical sites, parks, and community events that contribute to its distinctive character.

Porterville, California

Overview
Classification
City
FIPS Code
06-58240
Country
United States
County
Tulare County
Geography
Region
San Joaquin Valley
Elevation
459 ft
Total Area
18.7 sq mi
Land Area
18.65 sq mi
Water Area
0.054 sq mi
Latitude
36.06861
Longitude
-119.0275
Climate
Hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters
Notable Features
Tule River · Lake Success · Sierra Nevada Foothills
Neighboring Areas
Tulare · Lindsay · East Porterville
Demographics
Population (2020)
62,623
Est. Population (2026)
63,773
Median Age
30.9
Median Income
$60,461
Poverty Rate
17.29%
Owner-Occupied
54.3%
Racial & Ethnic Composition
The racial makeup of Porterville includes 34.1% Other Race, 32.97% White, 3.11% Asian, and smaller percentages for Native American, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations. A significant portion of the population, 73.6%, identifies as Hispanic or Latino.
Governance
Government Type
Council-Manager
Governing Body
City Council
School District
Porterville Unified School District
Municipal Services
Police · Fire · Public Works · Parks & Recreation · Library
U.S. Congress
Padilla, Alex
Padilla, AlexD
U.S. Senator
Schiff, Adam B.
Schiff, Adam B.D
U.S. Representative
Huffman, Jared
Huffman, JaredD
U.S. Representative - District 2
Kiley, Kevin
Kiley, KevinI
U.S. Representative - District 3
Thompson, Mike
Thompson, MikeD
U.S. Representative - District 4
McClintock, Tom
McClintock, TomR
U.S. Representative - District 5
Bera, Ami
Bera, AmiD
U.S. Representative - District 6
Matsui, Doris O.
Matsui, Doris O.D
U.S. Representative - District 7
Garamendi, John
Garamendi, JohnD
U.S. Representative - District 8
Harder, Josh
Harder, JoshD
U.S. Representative - District 9
DeSaulnier, Mark
DeSaulnier, MarkD
U.S. Representative - District 10
Pelosi, Nancy
Pelosi, NancyD
U.S. Representative - District 11
Simon, Lateefah
Simon, LateefahD
U.S. Representative - District 12
Mullin, Kevin
Mullin, KevinD
U.S. Representative - District 15
Khanna, Ro
Khanna, RoD
U.S. Representative - District 17
Lofgren, Zoe
Lofgren, ZoeD
U.S. Representative - District 18
Panetta, Jimmy
Panetta, JimmyD
U.S. Representative - District 19
Fong, Vince
Fong, VinceR
U.S. Representative - District 20
Costa, Jim
Costa, JimD
U.S. Representative - District 21
Valadao, David G.
Valadao, David G.R
U.S. Representative - District 22
Obernolte, Jay
Obernolte, JayR
U.S. Representative - District 23
Carbajal, Salud O.
Carbajal, Salud O.D
U.S. Representative - District 24
Ruiz, Raul
Ruiz, RaulD
U.S. Representative - District 25
Brownley, Julia
Brownley, JuliaD
U.S. Representative - District 26
Whitesides, George
Whitesides, GeorgeD
U.S. Representative - District 27
Chu, Judy
Chu, JudyD
U.S. Representative - District 28
Rivas, Luz M.
Rivas, Luz M.D
U.S. Representative - District 29
Friedman, Laura
Friedman, LauraD
U.S. Representative - District 30
Cisneros, Gilbert Ray
Cisneros, Gilbert RayD
U.S. Representative - District 31
Sherman, Brad
Sherman, BradD
U.S. Representative - District 32
Aguilar, Pete
Aguilar, PeteD
U.S. Representative - District 33
Gomez, Jimmy
Gomez, JimmyD
U.S. Representative - District 34
Torres, Norma J.
Torres, Norma J.D
U.S. Representative - District 35
Lieu, Ted
Lieu, TedD
U.S. Representative - District 36
Kamlager-Dove, Sydney
Kamlager-Dove, SydneyD
U.S. Representative - District 37
Sánchez, Linda T.
Sánchez, Linda T.D
U.S. Representative - District 38
Takano, Mark
Takano, MarkD
U.S. Representative - District 39
Kim, Young
Kim, YoungR
U.S. Representative - District 40
Calvert, Ken
Calvert, KenR
U.S. Representative - District 41
Garcia, Robert
Garcia, RobertD
U.S. Representative - District 42
Waters, Maxine
Waters, MaxineD
U.S. Representative - District 43
Barragán, Nanette Diaz
Barragán, Nanette DiazD
U.S. Representative - District 44
Tran, Derek
Tran, DerekD
U.S. Representative - District 45
Correa, J. Luis
Correa, J. LuisD
U.S. Representative - District 46
Min, Dave
Min, DaveD
U.S. Representative - District 47
Issa, Darrell
Issa, DarrellR
U.S. Representative - District 48
Levin, Mike
Levin, MikeD
U.S. Representative - District 49
Peters, Scott H.
Peters, Scott H.D
U.S. Representative - District 50
Jacobs, Sara
Jacobs, SaraD
U.S. Representative - District 51
Vargas, Juan
Vargas, JuanD
U.S. Representative - District 52
Economy
Economic Profile
Agribusiness · Light Industry · Commercial Enterprise
Employment Sectors
Health Care & Social Assistance · Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting · Retail Trade · Educational Services
Major Employers
Walmart Distribution Center · National Vitamin · Beckman Instruments · Sierra Pacific Apparel · Royalty Carpeting
Education
Students
13,963
Student-Teacher Ratio
22:1
School Districts
Porterville Unified School District
Colleges & Universities
Porterville College
Infrastructure
Transportation
State Highway 65 · Rail service
Utilities
Municipal water · Fiber/broadband
Major Facilities
Hospital · Porterville Municipal Airport
Recreation
Outdoor Access
Yes
Major Recreation Areas
Sequoia National Forest · Lake Success Recreation Area · Tule River Parkway
Parks & Trails
Centennial Park · Murry Park · Veterans Memorial Park · Rails to Trails corridor
History
Founded
1864
Incorporated
1902
Named After
Royal Porter Putnam
Historical Significance
Developed as an agricultural center and a gateway to the Sierra Nevada
Key Events
Peter Goodhue established a stopping place in 1854 · Royal Porter Putnam bought land and established Porter Station in 1860 · Southern Pacific Railway arrived in 1888 · City incorporated in 1902