While many San Joaquin Valley towns are growing fast, the unassuming town of Fowler, set just south of Fresno, maintains its modest size and quiet vibe. "Fowler is a small agricultural community, with a lot of third- and fourth-generation farmers," says Todd Thompson, a Realtor with FresYes Realty who has many years of experience in the area. The town has a few small parks and a cluster of local businesses on Merced Street, but for large retailers and other conveniences, locals travel to Fresno and other surrounding towns. Still, the sense of seclusion here is a big draw for many, and the community comes together for small events and Sunday mass.
Farmlands surrounding Fowler produce crisp apples and other produce. The Blossom Trail, a 60-mile loop that curves around Fowler on the northeast side, passing by miles of private orchards that put on a show in springtime. "The trees here bloom for about a month — with purples and whites and pinks everywhere you drive," Thompson says. "It's just a visual feast."
Fowler is a great spot to check out the famous Fresno County Blossom Trail.
Fowler is situated amongst productive orchards and vineyards in Fresno County.
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Long-held properties with new construction on the west side
The average home price in Fowler is $453,000, compared to the national average of $416,700; between fall 2023 and fall 2024, prices here rose 3%. Midcentury ranch-style homes and stucco-sided bungalows in the heart of Fowler are the city's oldest and least expensive housing, ranging from $200,000 to $400,000. On the western edge of town, newer 21st-century developments have Craftsman- and Mediterranean Revival-style homes at slightly higher price points, ranging from $400,000 to $600,000. “The majority of homebuyers here are employed in some sector of agriculture,” says Alex Salazar, team leader and associate with Re/Max Gold. “Because it’s such a small town, lots of people can get USDA financing with no money down, and that makes it very affordable.”
Classic farmhouses can be found in quiet areas of Fowler.
Craftsman homes with original details can be found in Fowler.
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Gathering at Panzak Park and other local green spaces
Panzak Park is the most popular of the town's green spaces, offering a playground, pavilion and tennis courts; from August through October, Wednesday Nights at the Park is a weekly social gathering here, with food trucks and live entertainment. Donny Wright Park, to the west, includes a small dog park, and Fowler Veterans Memorial Park is a monument to the local military community. Since roughly 2019, Fowler town officials have planned for new trails and bike lanes, but as of fall 2024, construction has not yet begun. In October 2024, work began on upgrades to the local water tower, which will reduce the risk of agricultural contamination and improve the local water supply.
Kids can get some exercise on the playground at Panzak Park in Fowler.
Take an afternoon walk at Donny Wright Park in Fowler.
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Small local businesses and community events on Merced Street
Fowler's small commercial district on Merced Street is lined with restaurants, the local dentist, a gym and a colorful flower shop. The food scene includes Mexican, Mediterranean and Chinese spots, as well as chains like McDonald's and Starbucks. Small grocers include the mom-and-pop Lee's Market. For larger grocery stores and retailers, residents head to 6 miles to Selma or 11 miles to Fresno.
Locals can meet their neighbors at a regular roster of community events. These include the annual Christmas on Merced Street celebration, with pony rides and Santa Claus, and the Fourth of July fireworks show at Fowler High School, with local food vendors and live music. The Fowler Branch Library also has children's story time and family movie nights. Locals can also gather at a broad selection of religious institutions, including the small Iglesia de Cristo, where Catholic services are held in Spanish, and the Fowler Buddhist Church, which follows Pure Land Buddhism.
China Kitchen is a popular spot for diner in Fowler.
Lee's Market offers groceries and hot Mexican food in Fowler.
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Accessing Fresno and other surrounding towns on Highway 99
Fowler is set along Highway 99, about 10 miles from the heart of Fresno; commuters have a 15- to 25-minute drive, depending on traffic. The Fresno County Rural Transit Agency runs a bus line from Fresno to Fowler that takes about 17 minutes, extending toward Selma and Kingston, as well. Train tracks bisect the community, mainly used for agricultural shipments. Fresno Yosemite International Airport is 15 miles away and offers service to 14 major cities in the U.S. and Mexico. There are local doctor’s offices in Fowler, and the nearest major hospital, Adventist Health Selma, is 8 miles away.
Agriculture-focused programs at Fowler Unified School District
Fowler Unified School District has nine schools, serving about 2,500 students, and earns an overall B-plus from Niche. Fowler High opened a new agriculture center in 2023 and has a Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter, where students learn to tend pigs, sheep and goats. For the more mechanically inclined, welding is a popular elective.
John C. Fremont Elementary serves grades 3-5 in Fowler.
Fowler High School is known for it's agricultural program.
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Low crime rates compared to the rest of California
Fowler’s quiet community has low crime rates overall. In December 2023, the Fowler Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 82 incidents per 100,000 residents, lower than the statewide rate of 99 and the national rate of 121. During the same period, property crimes occurred at a rate of 109 incidents per 100,000 residents, compared to the statewide rate of 196 and the national rate of 180.
Hot California summers and air quality concerns in the San Joaquin Valley
Though summer temperatures here often top 100 degrees and the town sees little rainfall, Fowler is excluded from any Fire Severity Zones, as defined by the California State Fire Marshal. The San Joaquin Valley has poor air quality due to wildfire smoke and other pollutants, but Fowler's open land and orchards lend a feeling of marginally improved air quality compared to bigger cities like Fresno.
The Fowler area is surrounded by Vineyards.
Dry crops can create a lot of dust in the air in the Fowler 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.
