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Chowchilla
cityChowchilla is a city located in Madera County, California, in the state's Central Valley. As of 2020, the city had a population of 19,039. Chowchilla is known for its agricultural surroundings and its location as the home of two large correctional facilities: the Central California Women's Facility and Valley State Prison. The city's economy is rooted in agriculture, with manufacturing and logistics providing additional opportunities. The presence of the correctional facilities also contributes to the local economy. Chowchilla serves as a strategic location for distribution due to its intersection with major transportation routes. Chowchilla's name is derived from the indigenous Yokuts people who historically inhabited the area. The city gained national attention in 1976 following the kidnapping of a school bus full of children, an event that remains a significant part of the city's history.
Chowchilla, California
Overview
- Classification
- City
- FIPS Code
- 06-13294
- Country
- United States
- County
- Madera County
Geography
- Region
- Central Valley
- Elevation
- 240 ft
- Total Area
- 11.13 sq mi
- Land Area
- 11.08 sq mi
- Water Area
- 0.046 sq mi
- Latitude
- 37.117
- Longitude
- -120.267
- Climate
- Mediterranean climate with dry, hot summers and mild to cool, rainy winters.
- Notable Features
- Ash Slough
- Neighboring Areas
- Madera · Merced
Demographics
- Population (2020)
- 19,039
- Est. Population (2024)
- 19,191
- Median Age
- 34.6
- Median Income
- $21,819
- Family Households
- 65.7%
- Owner-Occupied
- 57.3%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- The largest racial/ethnic groups are Hispanic (50.3%), White (32.5%), and Asian (6.1%).
Governance
- Government Type
- Mayor-Council
- Governing Body
- City Council
- Body Size
- 5 members
- School District
- Chowchilla Elementary School District and Chowchilla Union High School District
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire · Public Works · Chowchilla Area Transit (CATX) · Community & Economic Development
U.S. Congress
Padilla, AlexD
U.S. SenatorSchiff, Adam B.D
U.S. RepresentativeHuffman, JaredD
U.S. Representative - District 2Kiley, KevinI
U.S. Representative - District 3Thompson, MikeD
U.S. Representative - District 4McClintock, TomR
U.S. Representative - District 5Bera, AmiD
U.S. Representative - District 6Matsui, Doris O.D
U.S. Representative - District 7Garamendi, JohnD
U.S. Representative - District 8Harder, JoshD
U.S. Representative - District 9DeSaulnier, MarkD
U.S. Representative - District 10Pelosi, NancyD
U.S. Representative - District 11Simon, LateefahD
U.S. Representative - District 12Mullin, KevinD
U.S. Representative - District 15Khanna, RoD
U.S. Representative - District 17Lofgren, ZoeD
U.S. Representative - District 18Panetta, JimmyD
U.S. Representative - District 19Fong, VinceR
U.S. Representative - District 20Costa, JimD
U.S. Representative - District 21Valadao, David G.R
U.S. Representative - District 22Obernolte, JayR
U.S. Representative - District 23Carbajal, Salud O.D
U.S. Representative - District 24Ruiz, RaulD
U.S. Representative - District 25Brownley, JuliaD
U.S. Representative - District 26Whitesides, GeorgeD
U.S. Representative - District 27Chu, JudyD
U.S. Representative - District 28Rivas, Luz M.D
U.S. Representative - District 29Friedman, LauraD
U.S. Representative - District 30Cisneros, Gilbert RayD
U.S. Representative - District 31Sherman, BradD
U.S. Representative - District 32Aguilar, PeteD
U.S. Representative - District 33Gomez, JimmyD
U.S. Representative - District 34Torres, Norma J.D
U.S. Representative - District 35Lieu, TedD
U.S. Representative - District 36Kamlager-Dove, SydneyD
U.S. Representative - District 37Sánchez, Linda T.D
U.S. Representative - District 38Takano, MarkD
U.S. Representative - District 39Kim, YoungR
U.S. Representative - District 40Calvert, KenR
U.S. Representative - District 41Garcia, RobertD
U.S. Representative - District 42Waters, MaxineD
U.S. Representative - District 43Barragán, Nanette DiazD
U.S. Representative - District 44Tran, DerekD
U.S. Representative - District 45Correa, J. LuisD
U.S. Representative - District 46Min, DaveD
U.S. Representative - District 47Issa, DarrellR
U.S. Representative - District 48Levin, MikeD
U.S. Representative - District 49Peters, Scott H.D
U.S. Representative - District 50Jacobs, SaraD
U.S. Representative - District 51Vargas, JuanD
U.S. Representative - District 52Economy
- Economic Profile
- Agricultural · Manufacturing · Logistics
- Employment Sectors
- Health Care & Social Assistance · Accommodation & Food Services · Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting
Education
- Schools
- 5
- Students
- 2,171
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23:1
- School Districts
- Chowchilla Elementary School District · Chowchilla Union High School District
Infrastructure
- Transportation
- California State Route 99 · California State Route 233 · Chowchilla Area Transit (CATX)
- Utilities
- Municipal water · Solid waste · Storm water
- Major Facilities
- Chowchilla Municipal Airport
Recreation
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Eastman Lake · Berenda Reservoir
- Parks & Trails
- RC Wisener Park · Robertson Park · Edward Ray Park
History
- Founded
- 1912
- Incorporated
- 1923
- Named After
- The anglicized spelling of chaushila, the name of an indigenous Yokuts people.
- Historical Significance
- Chowchilla represents a planned agricultural community in the Central Valley, with a history tied to both Native American heritage and early 20th-century land development.
- Key Events
- John Fremont's party traveled through the area in 1844. · O.A. Robertson purchased the Chowchilla Ranch in 1912 and developed the town. · The Chowchilla arch was built in 1913 to attract attention to land colonization efforts. · A bus kidnapping occurred in 1976, gaining national attention.