The City of Porterville is a picturesque community of more than 62,000 nestled against the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and serves as a gateway to the world-famous Sequoia National Forest in the southeastern region of Tulare County. Founded in 1864, the city is centrally located in California's agriculturally rich San Joaquin Valley and part of the Visalia-Porterville metropolitan area which has a population of nearly half a million.
Download the City of Porterville's Market Profile.
Transportation
Porterville supports innovation, transportation and industry through its strategic geographic location with access to major California transportation routes. The city is only 17 miles from the major north-south corridor State Highway 99, and only one hour away from either Bakersfield to the south or Fresno to the north. With a close proximity to Los Angeles (165 miles south) and San Francisco (255 north), Porterville is an attractive commerce location for businesses small and large and a variety of developments. It is also home to generations of farmers who continue producing much of the world’s citrus, fruits and nuts.
Exploration
As a gateway to the Sequoias, Porterville helps thousands of visitors yearly to explore the awe-inspiring Sequoia National Forest and the Giant Sequoia National Monument with direct access through State Route 190, also known as The Mighty 190. The Mighty 190 is a local tourism initiative promoting countless outdoor adventures and natural amenities located along the route. The City of Porterville proudly participates in the Sequoia Tourism Council, which connects to the State of California’s Visit California tourism initiative..png)
Natural Beauty
There is plenty to see in the City of Porterville and plenty of natural beauty to take in throughout the surrounding communities. To the east, visitors enjoy recreation at Success Lake, which is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Porterville is also home to the CalFire/US Forest Service Air Attack Base. Success Lake, which spans 3,490 feet across the Tule River, provides a variety of water recreation activities nearby to the east of the city.
Native American Heritage
The area to the east of the city is home to the Tule River Indian Tribe, a federally recognized tribe of Native Americans. The tribe is comprised of Yokuts, Yowlumne, Wukchumnis, Western Mono and Tübatulabal. The Tule River Tribe is working to relocate the Eagle Mountain Casino in Porterville from its current location in the nearby mountains. Learn more.
History
Porterville is home to three National Registry of Historic Places (NRHP) destinations: The Zalud House built in the late 1800s and featuring Second Empire architecture, a United States Post Office featuring Art Deco Architecture from the 20s and 30s, and the First Congregational Church built in the 1900s in the Late Gothic Revival and Shingle Style. 
Culture
Porterville became an All-America City in 1994 and is known for its small-town feel. Residents and visitors of the area enjoy the slower pace, casual lifestyle and warm felt friendliness of a small town, all while still having access to high-quality services and recreation opportunities.
Recreation
The community hosts a variety of special events, such as the Veterans Day Parade Parade and Race, which draws upwards of 20,000 individuals. Other community events include the Pioneer Days Rib Cook-Off and yearly Cinco de Mayo and Christmas Parades.
Investment
With an emphasis on workforce development. The City of Porterville has partnerships with Porterville College, which is part of the Kern Community College District (KCCD) and sister college to Bakersfield College. Porterville College serves as a true community partner offering a broad spectrum of career opportunities for local residents. Always thinking of future generations, city departments help foster the workforce of tomorrow by providing internship opportunities for local high school students to learn all about the municipality.
Business Community
Featuring a growing small business community, the City of Porterville has something for everyone. From charming cafés and beautiful agricultural groves to delicious taco spots and fine dining, the city is home to a growing arts community and manufacturing. Local area businesses have several things in common: a love for community, a dedication to craft and production, and a deep appreciation for the outdoors and local history.
The City of Porterville provides a variety of incentives and business programs to help promote creativity, innovation and commercial development.
Funding Opportunities
The City of Porterville is proactive in seeking funding opportunities to improve local infrastructure and provide avenues for economic growth and local beautification efforts. Recently, the city received a federal grant of more than $4.4 million for improvements to the Porterville airport. Through the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program, the City of Porterville has been awarded 7.8 million for the Fourth Street Community Park Project to create a new community center and park adjacent to the Rails to Trails corridor off of Henderson Avenue at Fourth Street. Through annual Community Development Block Grant funding, the city focuses on improving the community's quality of life through projects including housing, workforce development, and increased business opportunities.
With a historic past, the City of Porterville has a bright future and we invite you to learn more and plan a visit to see all our city has to offer.
Contact UsTo get in touch with the City of Porterville’s Economic Development team, please email ecdev@ci.porterville.ca.us.
