countyscore
35.2
County Score
Income & Jobs 65.1Schools 65Property Tax 59.7

County Report Card

About Tulare County, California

Tulare falls below national livability standards

Tulare County's composite score of 35.2 ranks in the 27th percentile nationally, below the 50.0 median. The county faces significant livability challenges, particularly in health and safety dimensions, despite some affordability advantages.

Below California's county average performance

At 35.2, Tulare scores below California's 40.9 state average, placing it among the state's lower-ranked counties for overall livability. Agricultural communities across the San Joaquin Valley face similar systemic challenges that require sustained regional attention.

Strong schools and low-cost housing shine

Tulare delivers a school score of 65.0, among California's strongest, with median home values of $303,000 and rent at $1,206 providing affordable living. The school system represents the county's most valuable asset for families seeking education quality on a budget.

Health outcomes and safety need urgent focus

Tulare's health score of 37.8 ranks among California's worst, suggesting serious gaps in medical access and public health infrastructure. Safety at 12.4 indicates crime concerns that compound the county's livability challenges and require sustained intervention.

For school-focused families accepting trade-offs

Tulare County suits families prioritizing strong public education and low housing costs who can manage significant health care and safety limitations. Agricultural workers and those with family ties to the San Joaquin Valley will find affordability, but others should carefully consider the health and safety trade-offs.

2040608010059.713.412.437.86565.1323.453.6Tax59.7Cost13.4Safety12.4Health37.8Schools65Income65.1Risk3Water23.4Weather53.635.2/100
This county
National avg
2 above average5 below average

Tulare County DNA

Foverall

How Tulare County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Tulare County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (65.1/100) but notably weak in Disaster Risk (3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
59.7
Cost
13.4-34.6
Safety
12.4-42.6
Health
37.8-12.200000000000003
Schools
65+11
Income
65.1+14.099999999999994
Risk
3-44
Water
23.4-34.6
Weather
53.6
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Compare mortgage rates in Tulare County

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$303,000

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$1,206/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$303,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$48,240/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $69,489/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

8.2

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Coconino County
Arizona
Median income: $69,748
35.2
El Paso County
Colorado
Median income: $87,470
35.2
Pierce County
Georgia
Median income: $56,691
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Ottawa County
Oklahoma
Median income: $48,656
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Sumter County
South Carolina
Median income: $55,990
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Swisher County
Texas
Median income: $39,031
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Wilbarger County
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Median income: $51,626
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Merced County
California
Median income: $65,044
35.3

Nearby counties

Kings County
California
38.2
Fresno County
California
33
Inyo County
California
41.1
Kern County
California
27.8
Madera County
California
35.5
Esmeralda County
Nevada
67
Mariposa County
California
43.9
San Luis Obispo County
California
42.9

Deep Dives

Tulare County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Tulare County

via TaxByCounty

Tulare's tax rate slightly above state norm

Tulare County's effective tax rate of 0.730% exceeds California's 0.714% average, putting it among the higher-tax counties statewide. The median property tax of $2,213 exceeds the national median of $2,690 despite Tulare's median home value of $303,000.

Above-average tax rate across California

Tulare ranks above the state median with an effective rate of 0.730% compared to California's 0.714%. The median tax of $2,213 falls well below the state median of $4,045 due to lower home prices, but Tulare's effective rate remains notably elevated.

Higher taxes than San Joaquin Valley peers

Tulare's 0.730% effective rate exceeds nearby Stanislaus (0.709%) and falls below Sutter (0.779%). Among Central Valley counties, only Sutter surpasses Tulare's burden, while most other regions remain lower.

A $303,000 home costs $2,213 yearly

The typical Tulare homeowner with a $303,000 property pays approximately $2,213 in annual property taxes at the current effective rate of 0.730%. With mortgage-related assessments, that rises to $2,469.

Challenge your valuation if it seems excessive

Tulare homeowners paying above-average effective rates should review their property assessments for potential overvaluation. An appeal could reduce your annual tax burden and is worth pursuing if your home's value has declined since last assessment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Tulare County

via CostByCounty

Tulare rents below state average

Tulare County residents spend 20.8% of income on rent, comfortably below California's 22.4% average and just under the national norm. At $1,206 per month, median rent is 26% cheaper than the state median, reflecting Tulare's Central Valley agricultural economy.

Tulare ranks among California's cheapest

Tulare sits in the lower-cost tier statewide with a median home value of just $303,000, making it one of California's most affordable counties for homebuyers. The county's agricultural heritage translates directly to lower land values than coastal or Bay Area regions.

Tulare undercuts Stanislaus and Sonoma

Renters in Tulare pay $1,206 monthly versus $1,528 in Stanislaus and $2,093 in Sonoma, offering savings of 21% and 42% respectively. Tulare's median income of $69,489 is lower than Sonoma and Ventura but competitive with other Valley counties.

Tulare housing affordability breakdown

A Tulare household earning $69,489 annually dedicates roughly $14,961 to rent (20.8% of income) or $16,596 to mortgage payments. This leaves above-average flexibility for other necessities and savings compared to most California counties.

Tulare for agricultural and energy workers

Tulare's low rent and strong housing affordability attract workers in agriculture, energy, and food processing—the region's primary employers. Remote workers and families relocating from coastal California can dramatically reduce housing costs while maintaining reasonable access to Fresno and Bakersfield job markets.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Tulare County

via IncomeByCounty

Tulare lags U.S. earnings averages

Tulare County's median household income of $69,489 trails the national median of $74,755 by 7%. The San Joaquin Valley county's economy, anchored by agriculture and manufacturing, produces below-average U.S. earnings.

Valley earnings below state norm

At $69,489, Tulare falls 20% short of California's median household income of $87,001, ranking among the state's lower-income counties. Per capita income of $27,550 significantly trails the state average of $43,669, the lowest in this cohort.

Lowest per capita in the group

Tulare ($69,489) earns less than Stanislaus ($79,661), Sutter ($75,450), and Tuolumne ($72,259), but more than Tehama ($61,834) and Trinity ($53,498). The county's per capita income of $27,550 is notably depressed, indicating significant income inequality.

Affordable housing, stretched wages

Tulare's 20.8% rent-to-income ratio is among California's best, and median home values of $303,000 remain highly affordable. Low housing costs provide relief, though median household income of $69,489 still limits overall financial flexibility.

Leverage Valley affordability

Tulare residents earning $69,489 can capitalize on the county's affordable housing to build homeownership equity and establish starter investment accounts. Focus on debt reduction and employer retirement plans to grow wealth despite modest wage levels.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Tulare County

via CrimeByCounty

Tulare County safety trends

Tulare County holds a safety score of 95.9, sitting just below the California state average of 96.3. The total crime rate of 2,577.0 per 100,000 exceeds the national average of 2,385.5.

Middle tier safety for Tulare

Tulare ranks in the middle tier of California counties for safety, with a crime rate about 9% higher than the state average. Fifteen reporting agencies cover the county's vast agricultural and mountain landscapes.

Tulare compared to Central Valley neighbors

Tulare's crime rate is higher than the state average of 2,355.2 per 100,000 residents. It reflects the safety profile of a major agricultural hub with several growing urban centers.

Property crime as a local concern

Property crime stands at 2,134.1 per 100,000, while violent crime is 442.9. While violent crime is lower than the state average, property crime remains a more significant local concern for residents.

Vigilance and home security in Tulare

Installing security cameras and ensuring all entry points are reinforced can help protect against property theft. Residents should remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to their local precinct.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Tulare County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Massive Central Valley System

Tulare County hosts a sprawling network of 194 public schools serving 102,514 students. These schools are organized across 50 districts, providing a mix of 111 elementary and 43 high schools. This infrastructure makes it one of the largest and most complex educational systems in the California interior.

High Success Rates on a State Budget

Tulare County excels in student outcomes, posting a graduation rate of 90.9% that far exceeds the national average of 87%. The county achieves this with a per-pupil spend of $8,603, which is slightly below the state average. Its school score of 57.5 is higher than the state average of 56.0, indicating strong academic performance.

Visalia Unified Leads a Diverse Mix

Visalia Unified is the regional powerhouse with 28,827 students enrolled across 41 schools. Charter schools represent 10.3% of the county's total, including the massive Summit Charter Academy which serves 2,378 students. Large high schools are common here, with Redwood High in Visalia leading the way with 2,483 students.

Suburban and Rural Diversity

The county features a balanced mix of 68 suburban schools and 49 rural campuses, catering to both town dwellers and farming communities. The average school size is 540 students, though many city-based high schools exceed 2,000 students. This variety allows families to choose between bustling urban high schools and quieter rural elementary settings.

Your Home in a High-Performing County

With graduation rates exceeding 90%, Tulare County is a premier destination for families focused on education. Neighborhoods within the Visalia or Porterville Unified districts offer access to some of the largest and most diverse extracurricular programs in the state. Start your search now for a home near these top-tier schools.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Tulare County

via RiskByCounty

Tulare ranks among highest national risks

Tulare County's composite risk score of 97.04 places it firmly in the Relatively High category nationally. This score reflects exposure to four major hazard types at dangerous levels.

Top tier of California's riskiest counties

Tulare's 97.04 score ranks it among California's five highest-risk counties, nearly 10 points above the state average of 88.72. The county's agricultural and mountain terrain concentrate multiple hazards.

Nearly tied with Stanislaus for regional worst

Tulare (97.04) nearly matches Stanislaus County (96.88) as the Central Valley's most at-risk county. Both counties face severe earthquake, flood, and wildfire exposure simultaneously.

Earthquakes, floods, wildfires all peak

Tulare faces near-maximum risk across earthquake (97.87), flood (98.12), and wildfire (97.96) hazards. Tornado risk at 30.34 also exceeds most California counties, creating a uniquely dangerous four-hazard profile.

Quadruple coverage protects your property

Standard homeowners insurance is insufficient; you need separate earthquake, flood, and wildfire policies immediately. Given Tulare's rare tornado exposure, confirm your agent discusses wind coverage and structural reinforcement.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Tulare County

via WaterByCounty

Tulare Records 400 Health Violations

Tulare County receives a Grade F, marked by a high volume of 400 drinking water health violations over five years. The violation rate of 98.4 per 100,000 residents is double the California state average of 49.1. This data confirms that many residents in the county are served by systems struggling with federal safety standards.

Toxicity and pH Drive Watershed Concerns

About 16.4% of Tulare's 122 assessed water bodies are impaired, which is notably lower than the California average of 37.2%. The primary issues identified in the 2022 cycle include toxicity, alkalinity, and pH imbalances. Despite fewer impaired sites, the large number of assessed bodies provides a comprehensive view of local water health.

Pesticide Monitoring Active at 39 Sites

Monitoring efforts at 39 sites have generated 9,932 measurements over the past five years, focusing on organics and pesticides. This data is critical for understanding how agricultural runoff affects the 16.4% of water bodies currently listed as impaired. Consistent measurements help track whether toxicity levels are improving or declining over time.

Limited Streamgage Data for Tulare County

There is currently no representative USGS streamgage providing live flow data for the Kern River or other major Tulare County waterways in the NWIS system. In the absence of live flow signals, residents must rely more heavily on drinking water compliance records and periodic watershed assessments. This lack of data can make it harder to predict how drought or floods affect local water quality.

Prioritizing Filtration in High-Violation Areas

With 400 health violations on record, Tulare County residents should prioritize the use of certified water filters for drinking and cooking. While overall watershed impairment is lower than the state average, the high frequency of distribution system failures is a significant concern. Staying informed about specific system violations is the best way to ensure household water safety.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Tulare County

via WeatherByCounty

Warmer than the national median

Tulare County’s 59.2°F average annual temperature is several degrees warmer than the national median. This reflects its dual identity as both a valley agricultural giant and a mountain gateway. The temperature profile is distinctly Californian and consistently warm.

Slightly warmer than the state

At 59.2°F, Tulare is slightly above the California average of 58.7°F. It experiences more heat than its coastal neighbors but stays cooler than the southern deserts. It represents the quintessential climate of the southern Central Valley.

Massive snowfall in the heights

While much of the county is dry, the mountains bring the annual snowfall average to a staggering 58.1 inches. This is vastly different from valley neighbors like Stanislaus, which see zero snow. The 22.5 inches of rain is slightly below the state average of 25.8.

Valley heat meets mountain snow

The county endures 85 extreme heat days annually, with July averages reaching 77.2°F. Conversely, winter averages 44.7°F and features heavy mountain snow. This results in one of the most diverse seasonal profiles in the entire country.

Equip for extreme temperature swings

Strong air conditioning is a non-negotiable for the three months of extreme heat. Those in higher elevations must have professional snow removal equipment for the 58-inch annual average. Utility budgets should account for high cooling costs in summer and heating in winter.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Tulare County

via SoilByCounty

The heart of agricultural diversity

Tulare County does not have aggregated pH or taxonomic data currently available in this dataset. Most productive valley soils hover near the national median of 6.5, which supports a vast range of commercial crops. Identifying your specific soil acidity is essential for optimizing fertilizer use.

Complex alluvial soil textures

Sand, silt, and clay percentages vary widely across the county and are not currently summarized in the regional data. The county features everything from sandy streaks to heavy basin clays that hold water for long periods. Your local texture will dictate how often you need to irrigate your crops.

Aiming for peak productivity

Specific organic matter levels are unavailable, but the state average of 3.30% serves as a primary benchmark for local farmers. Maintaining an available water capacity near the state average of 0.141 in/in is critical for sustaining the county's famous citrus groves. Adding organic amendments can help bridge any fertility gaps.

Navigating drainage in the valley

Hydrologic data is limited, but drainage is a known priority for agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley. Poorly drained areas can lead to salt buildup, which is detrimental to many sensitive crops. Observation of water infiltration after heavy irrigation is the best way to assess your land.

Endless potential in zone 9b

Tulare's zone 9b hardiness allows for one of the most diverse growing regions in the world. From oranges and grapes to summer vegetables, the climate provides a nearly year-round growing window. Use this thermal advantage to start your dream garden today.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Tulare County

via LawnByCounty

A High-Maintenance Valley Environment

Tulare County's score of 29.4 indicates that lawn care is much more difficult than the 51.3 state average. Zone 9b heat is a major factor that requires dedicated maintenance.

Intense Summer Heat Peaks

With 85 days over 90°F, turf grass faces extreme evaporation rates. The 22.5 inches of annual precipitation is slightly below the state average, making supplemental irrigation vital.

Manage Soil for Best Results

Local soil data is sparse, so checking for compaction is a vital first step. Increasing organic matter will help your soil hold onto every drop of water in this 4388 GDD climate.

Recovering from Drought Stress

The county spent 32 weeks in drought over the last year, though it is currently clear of severe drought areas. Watering in the early morning helps prevent water loss to evaporation.

Spring Planting for Success

Warm-season grasses like Zoysia or Bermuda are the best fit for these conditions. Start your lawn after the March 12 frost to give it time to establish before the 85 heat days arrive.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tulare County's county score?
Tulare County, California has a composite county score of 35.2 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Tulare County rank among counties in California?
Tulare County ranks #51 among all counties in California on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Tulare County, California?
The median annual property tax in Tulare County is $2,213, with an effective tax rate of 0.73%. This earns Tulare County a tax score of 59.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Tulare County?
The median household income in Tulare County, California is $69,489 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Tulare County earns an income score of 65.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Tulare County, California a good place to live?
Tulare County scores 35.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #51 in California. The best way to evaluate Tulare County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Tulare County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.