Tulare
California

What stands out

If you had to describe Tulare County in numbers, start here: unemployment is among the highest in America (8.2%), high-school completion is in the bottom 2% of American counties (73%), and natural-hazard risk is in the top 4% of American counties (96 of 100). Within California it ranks 3rd of 58 counties for unemployment.

Where you are

You live in Tulare County, California. 473,446 people live here with you. The population grew 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -2,119).

California's 13.3% top income-tax rate applies only to income above roughly $1 million, and Proposition 13 caps property-tax growth at 2% a year for as long as you own the home, so long-time owners pay far less than new buyers on identical houses. Wildfire risk now drives insurance availability in much of the state, and several major carriers have stopped writing new homeowner policies.

Money

The typical household here brings in $64,474 a year, higher than 61% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $53,038. Unemployment runs 8.2%, higher than almost every county in America. 5% of workers work from home.

California takes 3.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,542 a year.

Home

The median home costs $363K, pricier than 81% of American counties, about 4.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,041 a month. Property tax is 0.73% of home value, roughly $2,053 a year on that median home, lower than 62% of American counties. 58% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.6 per 1,000 residents, higher than 85% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 20 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.2 years, longer than 54% of American counties. There are 746 active physicians in the county, about 15.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 8.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.58 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 93% of American counties. 73% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 23 points. 56% of eligible voters turned out. Under California law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 56°F, highs near 68 and lows near 45, warmer than 52% of American counties. About 23 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 96 out of 100, riskier than 96% of American counties; the county has had 23 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 257 Mbps down, faster than 77% of American counties. There are 10 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 3 breweries, 7 museums, 1 National Park Service site.