Within Central California's San Joaquin Valley, the city of Clovis has just over 100,000 residents, and plenty of suburban subdivisions, parks and shopping malls. Established in 1890 as a freight train stop for frontiersmen, Clovis' historic western charm can still be felt at its annual Clovis Rodeo and in its walkable Old Town, with lots of small local businesses. Malls and national chains are largely set along Highway 168, which leads 9 miles east to downtown Fresno.
Many Clovis residents work in neighboring Fresno – where major employers include the City of Fresno, California State University Fresno and area hospitals – but settle here for the renowned Clovis Unified School District and a wealth of new construction. Within Clovis, top employers include the school district and the City of Clovis itself, as well as large companies like Wawona Frozen Foods and Agriculture & Priority Pollutants Laboratories, both of which have facilities here.
Property values in Clovis are rising, with new subdivisions popping up each year, but the city remains affordable compared to larger metro areas in California. And while West Coast wildfires sometimes affect air quality in the greater San Joaquin Valley, Clovis residents can still enjoy nearly 300 acres of public parks, and sunny weather all year.
The city of Clovis is known as the Gateway to the Sierras.
The Clovis Rodeo is a yearly attraction that has been taking place for over 100 years.
The residential areas of Clovis are known as quiet and family friendly.
The Sierra Vista Mall offers an indoor setting for shopping on a warm day in Clovis.
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Plenty of new construction and custom builds on large lots
The median price of a single-family home in Clovis has increased steadily in the last five years; between fall 2023 and fall 2024, for instance, the median home price in Clovis went up 4%. The present median home price here is $505,000, compared to the California median of $673,333 and the national median of $416,700. Homes in Clovis tend to be pricier than in Fresno, where the median home price is $387,000 and new construction is more limited. “If you want space, you gravitate to Clovis,” says Laura Mather, broker associate with London Properties. “You’re able to get custom homes on 2-acre parcels, which are not typically found in Fresno.”
Midcentury ranch-style homes are generally found in the Clovis' southwest corner, along with a few 55+ mobile home parks and condo complexes. As development moves to the north and the east, homes within uniform subdivisions become newer and newer; this trend is expected to continue as the city grows.
Ranch style homes with colorful landscaping can be found throughout Clovis.
Homes with Mediterranean styling are found in newer sections of Clovis.
Homes in the Harlan Ranch area of Clovis can feature Tudor style accents.
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Small neighborhood parks and trails, with plans to expand
Clovis has a dozen parks, collectively spanning 285 acres of outdoor space. Small neighborhood parks with playgrounds and picnic tables are most common, while the larger Sierra Bicentennial Park also offers basketball courts, lighted baseball fields and a batting range. Over 40 miles of multi-use trails wind throughout the city, including the 5-mile Dry Creek Trail, whose paved pathways pass through the 4-acre, still-expanding Clovis Botanical Garden. Just east, the 52-acre Wild Water Adventure Park gets packed in the summer months, when locals come out in droves to beat the heat. Other nearby recreation options include bowling alleys and skate parks.
Clovis city officials are working to bring more green spaces to the community. In 2019, the city council outlined the Dog Park Master Plan, which highlights three potential spaces for new dog parks, including Sierra Bicentennial Park, which currently has a temporary dog park; construction has not yet begun on any new dog parks. In 2023, the city began looking for funding for a new pedestrian and bicycle overpass, known as the Enterprise Trail Pedestrian Bridge, which will span Highway 168 and increase the area's walkability.
Clovis Botanical Garden is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon in the Clovis area.
Dry Creek Trail is a popular place to walk and bike in Clovis.
Watch migratory birds from Cottonwood Park in Clovis.
Bring the family for playground fun at Pasa Tiempo Park in Clovis.
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Local businesses and community events in Old Town Clovis
The southeastern Sierra Vista Mall has dozens of national chains and a movie theater, while the popular Old Town district, found along Clovis Avenue between 2nd and 7th Streets, offers colorful, historic storefronts and plenty of outdoor patio space. Shoppers can visit Old Town's many antique and jewelry stores, while diners can sit at a coffee shop or grab a slice of pizza. “They have a Friday night farmers market in Old Town,” says Craig Barton, a Clovis native, broker and owner of ERA Valley Wide Homes. “It’s a great place to go take your family out. There're activities for the kids, and as soon as you're done, you can walk to a local restaurant and have dinner.” The Big Dry Creek Museum in Old Town pays homage to the city’s history as a Western railroad town, and open-air antique fairs include the Glorious Junk Days in May and September.
Each April, the annual Clovis Rodeo attracts over 50,000 attendees to the Clovis Rodeo Grounds for traditional rodeo events like bull riding, as well as a concert series and parade. Local sports fans enjoy cheering on California State University Fresno’s football team, the Bulldogs, and attending fall and winter home games at the Valley Children’s Stadium, just west of Clovis.
Two Cities Coffee Roasters is a popular coffee spot in Old Town Clovis.
The Clovis Big Dry Creek Museum is a great place to learn the history of the area.
Veggies straight from the farm are waiting at the Old Town Clovis Farmer's Market in Clovis.
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Commuting to downtown Fresno
The Clovis Transit bus system operates four routes throughout the city, and a few Fresno Area Express bus system routes connect Clovis residents with the greater metropolitan area. Highway 168 leads about 9 miles from Clovis to downtown Fresno, where locals can access Highways 41, 180 and 99. Locally known as the Golden State Highway, Highway 99 spans much of the San Joaquin Valley, stretching 103 miles north to Modesto and 118 miles south to Bakersfield.
The only hospital in Clovis, Clovis Community Medical Center, includes the Marjorie E. Radin Breast Care Center and more than 300 private rooms. Several other hospitals are just west in Fresno, including Saint Agnes Medical Center and Fresno Heart & Surgical Hospital. Also in Fresno is the closest airport, Fresno Yosemite International Airport, used by both passenger and military aircraft.
Highly sought-after public schools
The Clovis Unified School District is a big draw for Clovis residents, with 49 schools, over 42,000 students and an overall A rating from Niche. Twenty-one of the district's elementary schools are rated A, while two of its high schools, Clovis North and Buchanan, are rated A-plus. On the western border of Clovis, Fresno State University has an enrollment of over 25,000 students, a campus of over 1,000 acres and an NCAA Division I athletics department.
Students in the central area of Clovis may attend Clovis Elementary School.
Clark Intermediate School serves grades 7-8 in Clovis.
Clovis High School is the oldest secondary school in the city of Clovis.
Clovis residents can watch college football games at Fresno State University.
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Comparatively low crime rates
According to FBI crime data, the Clovis Police Department at the end of 2023 reported a property crime rate of about 152 incidents per 100,000 residents; this was lower than the California rate of about 195 incidents and the national rate of about 180. Also at the end of 2023, Clovis police reported a violent crime rate of about 59 incidents per 100,000 residents, lower than the California rate of about 98 incidents and a national rate of about 121.
California summers and ongoing concerns about air quality
In the winter months, Clovis residents can expect temperatures in the 40s and 50s, while summer brings intense heat waves that sometimes exceed 100 degrees. Most of the area's annual rainfall occurs between October and April, but even during the rainy season, the average monthly rainfall is typically less than two inches in total.
The San Joaquin Valley is known to have poor air quality across the board, with high levels of short-term particle pollution. This pollution comes in the form of debris from suburban development, industrial operations and agriculture production. However, in recent years, wildfires from across the region have created clouds of toxic smoke and ash trapped in the valley by surrounding mountains. City officials are working on reevaluating land usage and transportation to improve air quality, though efforts are ongoing. There is some risk of forest fires in the undeveloped land northeast of Clovis, which is classified by the city as having moderate fire hazard severity. These fires typically have little to no effect on residential areas, and the Clovis Fire Department provides emergency services.
Agricultural activity can contribute pollution in the summer months near Clovis.
Outdoor water usage can be restricted during the summer in Clovis.
Relax on a hot day at Pasa Tiempo Park in Clovis.
Dry conditions in the foothills can result in fires that bring smoke into the Clovis area.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
