What is the Context of Tulare County, California?

Tulare County

Rich Resources

• Is a thriving agricultural county; the breadbasket of California
• Top dairy producer in the nation
• Attracts tourists visiting Sequoia National Park
• Hosts 4 community colleges
• Neighboring Fresno County hosts the California State University Fresno
• The new UC Merced is 100 miles north of Visalia on Hwy 99

Social and environmental challenges

• Has high rates of poverty and unemployment
• Has high birth rates and teen pregnancy rates
  • Second highest county birth rate and teen pregnancy rate in the State
• Has relatively low rates of health insurance coverage
  • Highest rate of uninsured adults in California metro areas
• Has a relatively low percent of adults with at least a high school education
  • 54 out of 57 counties with percent of adults with a high school education
• 40.7% of adults affiliate with a religious congregation.
• Has high air, water and soil pollution levels

Emerging Issues

• California is in the middle of one of the most severe droughts in recorded state history
  • Tulare County Board of Supervisors proclaimed a State of Local Emergency on February 4, 2014
  • The drought will effect agriculture, local business and local drinking water and household security
• The California High Speed Rail project is currently planning routes through the Central Valley
  • The most recent map of the Fresno to Bakersfield section shows the rail line going through Hanford, about 15 minutes from Visalia

What is the Context of Visalia, Tulare County?

City of Visalia

• Is the local business center of the county
• Has 1/4 of the county's population
• Is located on Hwy 198 and is the gateway to Sequoia National park
• Has high rates of poverty
• Has relatively low rates of health insurance coverage
  • Highest rate of uninsured adults in California metro areas
• Has a comparatively high percent of adults with at least a high school education for the county