Agriculture and the San Joaquin River in a rural Fresno County city
Between San Jose and Fresno, Firebaugh has views of endless fields, with metal barns and silos punctuating the landscape. An agricultural community founded in 1854, this tranquil city was built as a rustic San Joaquin River ferry crossing and sheep shearing operation. Firebaugh and its ferry also happened to be the primary gateway to the lower San Joaquin Valley. This simple passage provided access to some of the most fertile land in the country. “Firebaugh is a rural farming community. The people are very friendly, and it’s got a hometown feel,” says Suzanne Cole, a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices with almost a decade of experience. “There’s no delineation in neighborhoods or subdivisions. It’s all Firebaugh, although there are a few pockets of newer houses. It’s just a little country town.”
Firebaugh is a quiet city of mostly single family homes set against productive farmland.
Orchards of almond and pistachio trees surround the Firebaugh area and are a major part of the local economy.
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Firebaugh's industry and healthcare services
For decades, the city’s central positioning between two significant roadways has contributed to Firebaugh’s economic base. Transportation companies use Firebaugh as a base for operations, while agriculture is the area’s primary industry. There are several food manufacturers. However, the Olam America spice plant closed in 2024, taking nearly 300 jobs. The town has been working to expand economically through new industrial and commercial enterprises. One sector that’s growing is healthcare. Valley Health Team and the Firebaugh Community Health Center provide employment and various healthcare services in the city, while Memorial Hospital Los Banos is 30 miles northwest.
There are several food manufacturing operations in the Firebaugh area.
The Valley Health Team is one of the primary providers of health care in Firebaugh.
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Parks, river views and the Firebaugh Rodeo Grounds
Maldonado Park has baseball diamonds, basketball courts and a skate park. Plus, it has a seasonal splash pad for relief from the summer heat that can reach 100 degrees in the summer months, while a covered playground stays open year-round. The city recently opened a new playground for two- to five-year-olds in Dunkle Park. The green space has a baseball field, horseshoe pits and a large grassy area. Riverside Park rests on the banks of the San Joaquin River, offering a disc golf course, scenic views and large shade trees. A paved walking path leads to the adjacent Firebaugh Rodeo Grounds, one of the city’s main event spaces.
Kids in Firebaugh can find relief from the summer heat in the splash pad at Maldonado Park.
Tranquil views of the San Joaquin River are available at Riverside Park in Firebaugh.
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A variety of housing in California’s Central Valley
Most housing comes in the form of three-bedroom single-family homes constructed between 1970 and 1999. Manufactured housing and communities like the Firebaugh Hacienda Mobile Home Park are also available. While there’s lots of available land in Firebaugh, houses rarely come up for sale. Only 16 were placed on the market in 2024. The city also has a high percentage of renters in multi-unit properties. In fact, there’s nearly a 50/50 split between owners and renters here. Homes sell for a median price of $330,000, roughly even with the national median.
Newer contemporary homes are available along the edges of Firebaugh.
Ranch style homes can be found throughout the Firebaugh area.
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After-school activities and career preparation in the Firebaugh-Las Deltas Unified School District
Firebaugh-Las Deltas Unified School District operates six campuses and educates over 2,400 students from preschool through 12th grade. It received a B-minus ranking from Niche and is known for its expanded learning programs, dual enrollment courses and career technical pathways. Coalinga College—Firebaugh Center offers professional certificates, associate degrees and selected bachelor’s degrees across 70 programs.
Firebaugh Middle School serves grades 6-8 in Firebaugh.
Residents of Firebaugh can take college classes at the Firebaugh Center of West Hills College Coalinga.
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Shopping and dining opportunities in Madera, Los Banos and Fresno
Firebaugh doesn’t have big-box stores or a large dining scene, although town favorites Giant Burger and Don Pepe’s Taqueria thrive along N Street. Around 25 miles east, Madera has multiple shopping centers with local and regional shops and restaurants. Los Banos is home to national retailers, Latin eateries, classic diners, specialty grocers and entertainment venues, like movie theatres and the Los Banos Fairgrounds. For even more options, Fresno is less than an hour away.
Giant Burger is a popular place for lunch in Firebaugh.
Don Pepe's Taqueria offers authentic Mexican food in Firebaugh.
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Major roads, Firebaugh-Mendota Transit and Fresno Yosemite International Airport
State Route 33 connects to Interstate 5 around 20 miles west and Highway 99 about 30 miles east. Firebaugh Transit operates weekday in-town transit services, while Firebaugh-Mendota Transit takes people between the cities Monday through Friday. People have around a half-hour one-way commute to places like Madera and Mendota. There are no bike lanes in town, but sidewalks are everywhere except a few subdivisions. The nearest major city, Fresno, is 45 miles east, and Fresno Yosemite International Airport is located at its eastern edge.
Natural disaster risks, the San Joaquin River and crime data
Firebaugh is aptly named for the hot, dry summers and the wildfire risk resulting from the high temperatures. The winters are mild and rainy, with an average of 11 inches of rainfall yearly. Farmers use the Helm Canal and the San Joaquin River to irrigate, both of which pose significant flooding threats during prolonged, heavy storms. The city also has severe levels of air pollution for more than 23 days annually. People are advised to wear masks to avoid breathing problems during these times. According to 2023 FBI crime data, property and violent crime rates in Firebaugh are below the national average. Violent crime rates are slightly less than average, while property crime rates are nearly half the national average.
With 20 years in real estate, I’m Alex Salazar, Team Leader at The Salazar Group Powered by RE/MAX Gold. I take pride in my extensive experience, specializing in helping first-time homebuyers, move-up buyers, and generational buyers. I also have a strong background in working with residential properties, investment opportunities, land acquisitions, and new construction projects.
Covering Madera, Fresno, and Merced Counties, I bring a wealth of industry knowledge and a commitment to personalized service. Whether you’re buying your first home, expanding your real estate portfolio, or looking into new construction, I am dedicated to delivering exceptional results and guiding you through every step of the process.
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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.
