Tulare is known for its agriculture and dairy industries. It’s a city centrally located between Los Angeles and San Francisco, near the Sierra Nevada Mountains. You’ll get a small-town feel in Tulare, yet it has all the amenities of a larger city, including many restaurants, boutique shops, and shopping areas. Tulare is home to many events and festivals during the year, including the World Ag Expo and the Tulare County Fair. Tulare is a very good place to live!
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Where Is Tulare California?
Tulare is located in the San Joaquin Valley, 60 miles north of Bakersfield and 47 miles south of Fresno. The city is named after Tulare Lake, which was once the largest freshwater lake west of the Great Lakes. Nearby cities to Tulare include Visalia to the north, Farmersville to the northeast, Tipton to the south, Goshen to the northwest, and Woodville to the southeast.
Tulare CA Population & Demographics
Tulare has a population of 59,278 people according to the 2020 census, which was a 34% increase from 43,994 in 2010. The median household income for Tulare is $57,394, which is about $13,000 below the national average. Bob Mathias, a two-time Olympic decathlon gold medalist, who later become a U.S. Congressman, was born in Tulare.
The racial demographics of Tulare are 87.7% White, 4.1% Asian, 2.8% American Indian and Alaskan Native, 2.7% of two or more races, and 2.3% Black or African American. Hispanics make up 66.7% of the population. Tulare has a young population, with 44% of the people under 24 years of age.
Additional Tulare demographics
- Median age: 29.1
- Sex ratio: 49.9% female to 50.1% male
- Homeownership rate: 57.4%
- Educational attainment: 15.2% bachelor’s degree or higher, 72.6% high school grad or higher
- Foreign-born population: 5.6%
- Veteran population: 5.5%
The crime rate in Tulare is 15% higher than the national average, and the violent crime rate is 17% higher. Per 100,000 people, 2,698 total crimes were reported in Tulare in 2020; 453 violent crimes were reported, and 2,244 property crimes. These statistics are consistent with the California average. Though crime is present, as it is in every city, there are safe places in Tulare to live. The Tulare Police Department serves the Tulare community with 75 sworn officers and is committed to the safety of all its citizens.
Cost of Living in Tulare
The cost of living in Tulare is very close to the national average. It’s 5% more expensive to live in the city overall, although goods and services are 1% lower and housing is 8% lower. The cost of living in Tulare is 35% below the California average, making Tulare one of the more affordable places to live in the state. Transportation and utilities are expensive in Tulare. Transportation costs are is 16% higher than the U.S. average, and utilities are 61% higher.
Typical Tulare Living Expenses
- Milk: $3.27
- White Bread: $2.47
- Average Tulare utility bill per month: $191.30
- Movie Ticket: $12.50
- Fitness Club Membership: $30
Source: Numbeo
Housing in Tulare is 8% lower than the national average. The Tulare median home cost is $353,000, a 23% increase from the previous year due to Tulare’s very competitive housing market. Homes in Tulare sell in around 27 days, compared to 51 last year. You can check out Tulare, CA homes for sale to get an estimate of what a home in the city will cost you.
The average rent in Tulare is $1,787 for 971 square feet, according to RentCafe. According to the Economic Policy Institute, you’ll spend $6,546 per month on expenses as a family of four.
Best Neighborhoods in Tulare, CA
You’ll find a variety of great neighborhoods in Tulare to fit every taste and budget.
Bender Park – Affordable Homes in Tulare
The neighborhood around Bender Park is quiet and only 6 minutes from downtown. The median home value in the area is about $226,000, so homes are affordable in the community. Most homes are 2 or 3-bedroom single-family houses on beautiful tree-lined streets. Nearby schools make it a great neighborhood for families.
The Acres at Copper Heights – Brand New Construction
The Acres at Copper Heights is a new community located on the desirable east side of Tulare. This family-friendly neighborhood offers a variety of customizable home designs. Recreational facilities are nearby, as is Highway 99 for easy commutes. Home prices in The Acres at Copper Heights start at $471,490 and go up to $598,490.
Brighton at Willow Glen – Variety of Options and Floorplans
This planned community is only a five-minute drive from Visalia and comes complete with a community park. A wide range of sizes and floorplans are designed to meet your family’s needs and budget. The convenient location gives residents plenty of nearby shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities. Homes at Brighton at Willow Glen start at $284,900.
Tulare, CA Weather & Climate
Tulare gets very hot in the summer. July is the hottest month in Tulare. The monthly average high temperature in July is 95.7°F, and the low is 64°F, making Tulare warmer than most places in California. The most comfortable months in Tulare are May, April, and October when high temperatures range from 70°F to 85°F.
Winters in the city are cold and partly cloudy. December is the coldest month of the year in Tulare. The nightly low temperatures average 35.3°F, and the highs only reach 57°F. Tulare gets colder than most of California. The best time to visit Tulare is in September. Tulare gets about 15 inches of rain per year. The US average is 38 inches. Those moving to Tulare will get around 12 inches of snow.
Things to Do in Tulare
Wondering what fun things you can do in Tulare, CA? check out Tulare Outlets, the Village Shopping Center, or the Tulare Pavilion Shopping Center for all your retail shopping needs.
Here are some of the most popular attractions in Tulare.
Tulare Historical Museum
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The Tulare Historical Museum tells the story of Tulare. See exhibits showcasing the Yokuts Indians, the area’s first inhabitants, Tulare’s founding by the Southern Pacific Railroad, and replications of fully furnished rooms from Tulare’s pioneer families. The museum also houses the Heritage Art Gallery, featuring art pieces from local artists, the Depot Gallery, and the Tom Hennion Archives Room.
Tulare Historical Museum, 444 W Tulare Ave, Tulare, CA 93274, (559) 686-2074
Del Lago Community Park
If you like the outdoors, you’ll love spending the day at Del Lago Community Park. The park has lots of open space, picnic areas with BBQ facilities, basketball courts, tennis courts, and a lake. Bring the kids too. They’ll enjoy the kid’s area, complete with a water play section with splash pads during the summer months. The park also has 1.4 miles of walking trails.
Del Lago Community Park, 444 W Tulare Ave, Tulare, CA 93274, (559) 686-2074
Additional attractions near Tulare:
Tulare has 18 parks managed by the Parks and Recreation Department, providing a variety of programs for the entire family, including instructional and sports programs for youth and adults, as well as community events that you can see on the city events calendar.
Tulare CA Restaurants
You’ll find a variety of top-rated restaurants in Tulare. Here are some of the best restaurants in Tulare.
Apple Annie’s
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Apple Annie’s is an American Diner in Tulare that serves great-tasting food that they prepare fresh every day with the highest quality ingredients. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Apple Annie’s is a great place to eat any time during the day!
Apple Annie’s, 1165 North Blackstone Street, Tulare, California 93274, (559) 686-3411
Cool Hand Luke’s
Cool Hand Luke’s steakhouse is where you’ll find tasty steaks from corn-feed beef, wood smoked and cooked over an open fire. They also serve seafood, sandwiches, and more, all in a rustic western atmosphere.
Cool Hand Luke’s, 1470 N Cherry Ct, Tulare, CA 93274, (559) 686-0825
La Piazza Ristorante Italiano
A fine dining Italian establishment in Tulare, La Piazza has a selection of classic Italian dishes to choose from. This is the best restaurant in Tulare for date night!
La Piazza Ristorante Italiano, 1600 E Tulare Ave, Tulare CA 93274, (559) 687-983
Jobs in Tulare
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Tulare employs about 26,200 people. The largest industries in Tulare, CA are healthcare & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. Tulare is home to a thriving agricultural and dairy industry. A significant part of Tulare County’s 342,600 dairy cows can be found in the city. Tulare County produces over 8.9 billion pounds of milk each year. A Land O’Lakes dairy facility, the largest single-site dairy complex in the nation, is located in Tulare.
Major employers in Tulare:
The average salary for Tulare residents is $38,872. Tulare job market increased by 2.0% since 2021. Future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 23.7%. You can view Indeed Tulare job board or the Tulare city job board for more opportunities.
Tulare Schools & Higher Education
The Tulare City School District consists of 10 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, and 2 k-8 schools. St. Aloysius is a private K-8 school in Tulare. The city also has 5 K-8 country schools. High school students in Tulare attend schools operated by the Tulare Joint Union High School District. The district operates five high schools in the city.
The College of the Sequoias in Tulare is a community college in the city. Another campus of the college is in nearby Visalia. California State University Fresno is about 50 minutes north of Tulare.
Students and residents can enjoy the free Tulare Public Library.
Tulare Statistics & Information
- County: Tulare
- Area: 20.46 square miles
- Tulare zip code: 93274, 93275
- Tulare Area code: 559
- Tulare Elevation: 289 feet
- Tulare Time zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST)
- Closest airport to Tulare CA: Fresno (FAT) Airport, 44.3 miles away
Tulare CA Map
Check out more fun things to do and attractions with this map of Tulare!
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