A growing agricultural town, close to National Parks
In the heart of California's Central Valley, Sanger is a small agricultural hub that's focused on fruit and nut farming since the early 20th century. This still growing town is bordered to the north by State Route 180, which leads 16 miles west to Fresno. “A few years ago, they expanded Highway 180 out of Fresno, and that whole east-west corridor is definitely a growth zone,” says Jeff Starbuck, broker associate with Realty Concepts, specializing in Fresno County. “Sanger has been seeing a lot of that growth, especially on its west side.” New housing developments and national chains have been popping up in recent years, but the town’s downtown corridor remains the central gathering place, with many local restaurants and small shops.
Sanger is an agricultural hub just outside of Fresno.
Citrus groves and other productive farmland surround the city of Sanger.
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Comparatively low housing costs and new developments.
Mature oak trees line the wide streets, some of which have sidewalks. Ranch-style homes are most common, including early- to mid-20th-century properties at the center of town and late-20th and early-21st-century homes around the edges of town. Recently built subdivisions offer slightly larger multi-story new traditional homes. The median home price here is about $403,000, a bit higher than Fresno's median of roughly $380,000, but much lower than the state median of $868,000; Sanger's home prices increased by 3% between fall 2023 and fall 2024. The town's least expensive homes are generally found on the west side in the 55+ Vista Del Monte Mobile Home Park, where manufactured homes range from $100,000 to $200,000.
Craftsman style homes can be found in the older sections of Sanger.
New homes with Mediterranean accents are being built on the edges of Sanger.
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Local green spaces and national parks in the San Joaquin Valley
Parks in Sanger feature a mix of playgrounds, picnic areas and playing fields. John F. Kennedy Park, on the south side of town, has a large splash pad that’s very popular in the hot summer months. On the east side, the Sanger Skate Park has an open bowl, a quarter pipe, a handrail and stairs. North Sanger Trail runs along Fowler Switch Canal for about 2 miles and is open to hikers and bikers. National parks like Kings Canyon and Sequoia are about 40 miles east in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The densely forested Kings Canyon National Park is home to the General Grant Tree, the world's largest sequoia. In 1925, a couple of Sanger locals began holding a Christmas program beside this towering redwood; the following year it was dedicated as the Nation’s Christmas Tree by the U.S. Department of the Interior, and Sanger dubbed itself the "Nation's Christmas Tree City." To this day, each second Sunday in December sees Sanger's "Trek to the Nation’s Christmas Tree" event, where attendees gather in Kings Canyon National Park for musical performances and wreath-laying ceremonies to honor fallen soldiers.
Sanger is directly on the Blossom Trail, a 60-mile looped route that passes by private orchards and farms that bloom in the spring. The scenic roadway is celebrated during the Blossom Trail Festival, held in downtown Sanger every March, with music, food trucks and a car show.
Skaters can practice their skills at Sanger Skate & BMX Park.
Families enjoy the large playground at John F. Kennedy Park in Sanger.
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Dining and community events at the intersection of East Jensen and Academy Avenues
East Jensen Avenue and Academy Avenue are two of Sanger's main shopping and dining drags, and they intersect near downtown. Along these avenues, there are local Mexican, Chinese and Italian restaurants, as well as cafes, donut shops and bakeries. In the downtown core, locals can learn about the region's history at the Sanger Depot Museum, or spend the evening at one of a few local bars. Farther west on Jensen Avenue, there are more national chains like Walmart.
Mi Linda Tierra Taqueria has great Mexican food in Sanger.
Residents of Sanger can find fresh meat and groceries at State Foods Supermarket.
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Commuting to Fresno on State Route 180
State Route 180 is 2 miles north, and leads 16 miles west to Fresno. The Fresno County Rural Transit Agency operates intercity bus routes that stop in Sanger, Fresno and other surrounding small towns. Outside of smaller medical centers and practitioners, Adventist Health Reedley is the closest major hospital, 13 miles away. Fresno Yosemite International Airport is 12 miles west.
Public schools under Sanger Unified School District
Sanger is served by the Sanger Unified School District, which has 20 schools and 13,000 students. The district earns an overall B-plus from Niche and includes charter options like the A-rated Hallmark Academy. "Sanger schools tend to have small student-to-teacher ratios," says Veronica Torres-Luna, a Realtor with Re/Max Gold who has represented the area for nearly six years. Sanger High School is situated on 60 acres and offers agricultural mechanics and plant science pathways.
Sanger High School serves grades 9-12 in Sanger.
Hallmark Academy is a charter school serving grades K-12 in Sanger.
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Growth, new developments and low reported crime rates
Sanger is experiencing rapid growth thanks to comparatively low housing costs and the wealth of open space here. A new business park with a Chipotle and a Starbucks is expected to open in spring 2025. Additionally, a new housing project will add 490 single-family homes and a sports park with three softball fields; the expected completion date has yet to be announced.
Crime rates in Sanger are significantly lower than state and national rates. In December 2023, local police reported a property crime rate of 72 incidents per 100,000 residents, compared to a statewide rate of 196 and a national rate of 180. Violent crime rates in the same period were 56 incidents per 100,000 residents, compared to a statewide rate of 99 and a national rate of 121.
Planned repairs to the wastewater system and other environmental concerns
In July 2024, local officials declared a state of emergency for its wastewater treatment plants due to violations of state regulations. There are plans to repair the plant while building a new facility, though officials warn that this could take years or, in the case of an entirely new plant, as many as 15. There is a chance that unpleasant smells emanating from the plant could reach residents within the town while the work is being completed.
Hot, dry summers bring over 100-degree heat waves to Sanger, while winters are milder, with a few inches of monthly rainfall. According to the California State Fire Marshal, Sanger is at low risk of wildfires. Set in the San Joaquin Valley, air quality here is generally poor due to small particle pollutants and wildfire smoke from surrounding regions.
Hazy skies can often obscure the mountain views from Sanger.
Winter months can bring days of thick fog to the Sanger area.
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