Visalia, CA, known as 'The Gateway to the Sequoias,' offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and modern urban amenities. Located in Tulare County, Visalia is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Fresno (43 miles) and Bakersfield (77 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Visalia's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Visalia is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Visalia Fox Theatre, the historic Tulare County Museum, and the scenic Mooney Grove Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Sequoia National Park to the bustling Visalia Mall, known for its shopping and dining. Visalia's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Californian cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Visalia Springfest and the Tulare County Fair highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Visalia's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like College of the Sequoias contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Visalia is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Visalia Fox Theatre and the Arts Consortium are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Visalia provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Visalia’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Visalia Rawhide (MiLB), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Visalia include healthcare, education, and agriculture, with significant employers such as Kaweah Health and Tulare County Office of Education driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike-sharing programs, making it easy to navigate the area.
Commute
The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Ratings
According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Cost Of Living
This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Health & Safety
Subpar air quality and the limited availability of certain health-related facilities such as hospitals, police stations, doctors and pharmacies may have contributed to the low score in this category.
Located in the state of California, Visalia is a medium-sized city with a population of 133,100 residents. In Visalia, there are 3,504 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. According to the most recent Census, 66% of Visalia residents are White, 6% Asian and 3% Black. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Visalia are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 30% of the population also speak Spanish. The median age of all Visalia residents is 33, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Visalia will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 21 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Visalia, California could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like cost of living, health & safety, education and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Visalia and in the areas around Visalia is a much easier task.
Visalia has a livability score of 75 out of 100 and is ranked #142 in California and #3,401 in the USA. Based on this score, Visalia would be considered a very livable city! There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Visalia scores well for education (A+) and housing (A+) On a less positive note, Visalia does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (D) and cost of living (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Visalia has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Visalia is real estate affordability. The median home price for Visalia homes is $254,600, which is 37.8% lower than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Visalia, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.8, which is 40.6% lower than the California average.
| Statistic | Visalia | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 21min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 80.7% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.6% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.8% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.2% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.4% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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