Sitting on the eastern edge of the San Joaquin Valley, 50 miles north of Bakersfield is Porterville, a city of 63,000 residents with a convenient location. “People move here because they want that rural, small-town feel, but with that said we are slowly growing,” says Casey Contreras a Porterville native and Realtor with Century 21 Jordan-Link & Company. “The location is great because you don’t have to deal with the congestion that major cities in California do, but you are close to the mountains, national parks and only three hours from some amazing beaches.” Gold mining, railroads and agriculture are all a part of Porterville’s past, but today it has evolved into a major shipping hub. “We have the Walmart distribution plant and more corporations are building shipping stations here because the land is cheap and it’s close to the highways,” says Contreras.
Visitors to Porterville Northwest are greeted by a large granite sign.
The Tule River runs through the Porterville Southeast neighborhood from Lake Success.
There are a variety of unique shops in Porterville Southeast.
Families enjoy biking along the residential streets of Southwest Porterville.
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New homes being built on the south side
As of December 2024, the median price for a single-family home in Porterville is $344,000. This price has increased 19% over the past three years and 72% over the past five years. “The price is what brings a lot of people here because compared to the rest of California, we’re extremely affordable,” says Contreras. “There is a lot of new construction on the northwest side where the newer, larger homes are being built.” Properties on the west side of town also have large lots and, occasionally, private backyard pools. Many new ranch-style builds have also popped up on the south side of town near the Walmart distribution center. While most properties are single-family homes, there are manufactured home parks on the far western and eastern borders of town.
Porterville Northwest is filled with ranch style homes.
Restored Victorian style homes can be found in Porterville Northeast.
Some of the homes in Southwest Porterville have Spanish style inspired tile roofs.
Residents 55 years and older can live in a mobile home park in Porterville Southeast.
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Parks, Lake Success and Sequoia National Park
Overall, the city has nine parks ranging in size. Murray Park is a 20-acre green space with a 9-hole disc golf course and a fishing pond, and Veterans Park spans 26 acres of recreational area, making it the largest in the city. Residents walk its 1.66-mile path, while kids practice tricks at the skate park. The city also has a dog park, dedicated sports fields and facilities for youth and adult sports programs. Golfers can visit Porterville Municipal Golf Course, a 9-hole course with a driving range and pro shop. “A lot of the recreation is just outside the city because we’re so close to Lake Success and Sequoia National Park,” says Mike Bennett, owner of Home Realty and Land Company and a licensed broker since the 1970s. “Kayaking, camping and some gorgeous hiking are all within an hour's drive. It's like having it in your backyard.” Just a couple miles southwest of Porterville is the Eagle Mountain Casino, which has slot machines, table games and a full-service bar and restaurant.
Porterville Municipal Golf Course is a great place to practice your swing.
Porterville skateboarders can practice tricks at the Veterans Park skatepark.
Disc golf is a popular activity at Murry Park in Porterville.
Sequoia National Park is a popular day trip for residents of Porterville.
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Shopping in downtown Porterville
Residents can head downtown to fulfill their shopping and dining needs. “For our size, we have a pretty fun and vibrant downtown scene,” says Bennett. “It’s a lot of locally owned spots because we’re not big on chains and would rather support the local economy.” The downtown district is home to a handful of bars, a chocolate and candy store and a few coffee shops. Restaurants include Asian fusion eateries, pizza joints and a multitude of spots with Latin cuisine. Shoppers can find antique shops and boutique clothing stores along North Main Street. The city has incentivized local businesses to grow in Porterville through tax breaks and the Shop Local Porterville Campaign, designed to help local entrepreneurs. To the west, near Veterans Park, is Porterville Plaza, home to Galaxy Movie Theatres and big box stores like Target, Walmart and Kohl’s. For more shopping, locals can drive 25 miles northwest to the Tulare Outlets.
Meet up with friends for coffee at the Mud House in Porterville Northeast.
Porterville Northeast residents can satisfy their sushi craving at Nanlangka.
Mother Earths Gemz is a popular gift shop in the downtown area of Porterville.
Target is one of several big box retailers available in Porterville Northwest.
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Porterville events
The city of Porterville hosts a variety of events like Freedom Fest, a celebration held each year on the Saturday before Independence Day. “It’s one of the big festivals they have at the Sports Complex and they’ve got live music and tons of local food vendors,” says Contreras. The city also hosts an Easter Egg Hunt, a Christmas Home Decorating Contest and more.
Children with the 4-H bring their animals for show at the annual Porterville Fair.
Stop by the vendors at the annual Spring Festival in Porterville for something tasty.
Porterville homes celebrate the season during the The Christmas Home Decorating Contest.
Local crafts are featured at the Summer Time Fun Makers Market in Porterville.
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Porterville Unified School District
Kids in Porterville either attend the Porterville Unified School District or the Burton School District. The Porterville Unified School District is the city’s largest employer; it has a B-plus rating on Niche and was named by the service as the second-best district in Tulare County. Harmony Magnet Academy and Monache High School are both A-rated public high schools The Burton School District has a B grade. Porterville College is a two-year community college in town.
Burton Elementary School serves grades K-4 in Porterville.
Sequoia Middle School serves grades 7-8 in Porterville.
Porterville High School serves grades 9-12 in Porterville.
Porterville Military Academy is a free public charter school serving the Porterville area.
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Public safety
The Porterville Police Department reports that violent crime has decreased over the past two years, while property crime has remained consistent.
Access to Highways 65 and 99
Porterville Transit has six bus routes for local transportation, running daily until 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday. Locals can head 50 miles south on Highway 65 to Bakersfield, or 70 miles northwest on Highway 99 to Fresno, which is home to the nearest international airport. On the west side of town is Sierra View Medical Center, Porterville’s main hospital and a 167-bed acute care facility. Extreme heat is an issue in the summer months; with temperatures regularly reaching 100 degrees. In addition, the city’s proximity to farmland makes the atmosphere hazy and contributes to poor air quality. The Tule River goes through town and can cause flooding, so many homeowners will want to have flood insurance. Minor earthquakes can also be an issue, since Porterville is located along major fault lines.
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