City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Fresno, CA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Fresno - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

543,615
Residents
$66,804
Median income
$348,500
Median home
$1,664
Median rent (state)

Fresno - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Fresno places in the 45th percentile for household income and the 7th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

45th
percentile, household income
72nd
percentile, home value
66th
percentile, median rent
7th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Fresno, CA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 543,615 residents in Fresno, a mid-sized U.S. city within California. The typical household in Fresno brings in $66,804 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 16.3%. Home values in Fresno run a median of $348,500, and the median resident age is 32.4 years. 24.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 57.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 1,124 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 30% from five years earlier. Fresno's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 4006.8 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 66.7°F with 11.8 inches of precipitation per year.

California carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 110.7 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,664 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts California's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). The average commute for Fresno workers runs 20.0 minutes, with 73.7% driving alone and 10.2% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 99.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

543,615 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$66,804 /yr

Poverty 16.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Fresno compare to other US cities?

Here's how Fresno stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 45% higher than other cities
Home value 72% pricier than other cities
Median rent 66% pricier than other cities
Safety 7% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just California and the picture shifts: Fresno ranks #409 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Fresno's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in California, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

45thIncome percentile
7thSafety percentile

45th percentile nationally for median household income · 7th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Fresno's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Fresno's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 28 Avg. percentile National median
Fresno's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Fresno's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$348,500 28th percentile more affordable than 28% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Fresno $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Fresno, CA Fresno, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Fresno, CA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Fresno, CA median $66,804/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Fresno, CA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Fresno, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 24.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 16.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.0%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
543,615
Median Income
$66,804
Median Home Value
$348,500
Median Age
32.4
Poverty Rate
16.3%
Labor force participation
57.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
24.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4006.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
735.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3271.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
11.8"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
180
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
540,000 residents545,000 residents550,000 residents555,000 residents560,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 542,675 residents 555,549 residents ▲ +2.4%
Fresno's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
1,124
housing units authorized
Single-Family
983
detached homes
Multifamily
141
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1,611
2020 1,576
2021 2,178
2022 2,095
2023 1,802
2024 1,124

Permit volume decreased 30% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
20.0 minutes
Drive Alone
73.7%
Carpool
11.2%
Public Transit
1.3%
Walk
1.6%
Work from Home
10.2%
Other
2.0%

Based on 226,585 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for California - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$150
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$70
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect California state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a California state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Fresno sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,664/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Sacramento
524,802 people
Long Beach
458,491 people
Oakland
438,072 people
Bakersfield
408,366 people
Anaheim
344,553 people
Stockton
320,470 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Fresno's 543,615 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Tucson, AZ
543,348 people
Albuquerque, NM
562,488 people
Milwaukee, WI
569,756 people
Baltimore, MD
577,193 people
Kansas City, MO
508,233 people
Mesa, AZ
507,478 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Fresno's $66,804 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Higginson, AR
$66,806 median income
Batesville, IN
$66,806 median income
Bermuda Run, NC
$66,800 median income
South Williamsport, PA
$66,810 median income
Pembroke, GA
$66,797 median income
Prophetstown, IL
$66,797 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Fresno, CA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Fresno, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 38.0% 6.7% 14.2% 17.1% 22.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 50.5% White 38.0% Black or African American 6.7% Asian 14.2% American Indian 1.5% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 17.1% Two or more races 22.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Fresno compares to nearby California cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Fresno (this city) 543,615 $66,804
Sacramento 524,802 $83,753
Long Beach 458,491 $83,969
Oakland 438,072 $97,369
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Fresno, CA?

What is the population of Fresno, CA? +

The population of Fresno, CA stands at 543,615 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Fresno, CA? +

In Fresno, the typical household earns $66,804 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Fresno? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Fresno; the closest available measure is the California state average, a cost of living index of 110.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within California vary by metro area.

Is Fresno, CA safe? +

Fresno has a total crime rate of 4006.8 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Fresno, CA? +

Homes in Fresno carry a median value of $348,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Fresno? +

Fresno has an average annual temperature of 66.7°F, 11.8 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.