Madera County
County
County of Madera
Images, from top down, left to right: Wassama Round House State Historic Park, Devils Postpile National Monument, Fresno Dome, Banner Peak above Thousand Island Lake, Bass Lake
Seal
Interactive map of Madera County
Location in the state of California
Country	United States
State	California
Regions	San Joaquin Valley, Sierra Nevada
Metropolitan area	Metropolitan Fresno
Incorporated	1893
Named for	Spanish word meaning "wood"
County seat	Madera
Largest city	Madera
Government
• Type	Council–CAO
• Body	Board of Supervisors
• Chair	David Rogers
• Chair Pro Tem	Robert L Poythress
• Board of Supervisors[1]	Supervisors Jordon Wamhoff David Rogers Robert L Poythress Leticia Gonzalez Robert Macaulay
• County Administrative Officer	Jay Varney
Area
• Total	2,153 sq mi (5,580 km2)
• Land	2,137 sq mi (5,530 km2)
• Water	16 sq mi (40 km2)
Highest elevation	13,143 ft (4,006 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	156,255
• Density	73/sq mi (28/km2)
Time zone	UTC−8 (Pacific Time Zone)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−7 (Pacific Daylight Time)
FIPS code	06-039
GNIS feature ID	277284
Congressional districts	5th, 13th
Website	www.maderacounty.com

Madera County (/məˈdɛərə/ ^ⓘ), officially the County of Madera, is located at the geographic center of the U.S. state of California.^[2] It features a varied landscape, encompassing the eastern San Joaquin Valley and the central Sierra Nevada, with Madera serving as the county seat.^[3] Established in 1893 from part of Fresno County, Madera County reported a population of 156,255 in the 2020 census.^[4]

"Madera," meaning "wood" in Spanish, signifies the county's historical ties to the lumber industry.^[5] With a section of Yosemite National Park within its borders, Madera County has leveraged tourism as a key economic driver. Additionally, it has established itself as a leading agricultural center, renowned for its substantial production of almonds, grapes, and pistachios. Despite these economic advantages, Madera County encounters socioeconomic challenges, including a median household income that falls below the California average and poverty rates that exceed state averages, underscoring the economic disparities within the county.^[6]

Madera County is characterized by its diverse population, including a pronounced Native American heritage and a history of immigration and migration dating back to the California Gold Rush. The county has a 59.6% Hispanic or Latino population and 20.3% of residents are foreign-born, both percentages surpassing the national averages. Additionally, nearly half of Madera County's population speaks a language other than English at home, reflecting its multicultural composition.^[7]

Etymology

Madera is the Spanish term for wood.^[8] The county derives its name from the town of Madera, named when the California Lumber Company built a log flume to carry lumber to the Central Pacific Railroad there in 1876.^[9]

History

Madera County was formed in 1893 from Fresno County during a special election held in Fresno on May 16, 1893. Citizens residing in the area that was to become Madera County voted 1,179 to 358 for separation from Fresno County and the establishment of Madera County.^[10]

The Madera County Sheriff's Department employed the first woman in California to die in the line of duty as a sworn law enforcement officer—Tulare native Lucille Helm (1914–1959). For 15 years, the Madera housewife and mother of four worked on call as a "matron" assisting with female transfers.^[11]

Human History

Native People

The region now known as Madera County was originally the territory of several Native American tribes, notably the Mono, Chukchansi, and Miwok. The Mono inhabited the upper San Joaquin River region, encompassing areas around North Fork and Crane Valley. The Chukchansi tribe lived in what are today the communities of Oakhurst, Coarsegold, Ahwahnee, and the lower foothills extending to the San Joaquin Valley. Meanwhile, the Miwok were located in the vicinity of Ahwahnee, Wawona, Mariposa, and the Yosemite Valley.^[12]: 8

Following the California Gold Rush, many Native American communities were displaced, a situation exacerbated by the Mariposa War and institutionalized by the Act for the Government and Protection of Indians.^[13] Despite these adversities, several communities persevered in their traditional lifestyles. However, the creation of the Sierra National Forest in 1897 introduced a citizen-only land use permit system, effectively excluding Native Americans until they were granted citizenship in 1924 through the Indian Citizenship Act.^[12]: 13

Immigration and Migration

Early United States Era

Since the area was part of Mexico until 1848, it has maintained a significant population of Mexican descent.^[14] After the California Gold Rush, the region became a vibrant mosaic, drawing individuals from across the United States and beyond.^[15] Chinese laborers played a key role in constructing the Madera Flume and working in the Sugar Pine lumber yards. However, their numbers declined after restrictive immigration laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act and the Immigration Act of 1917 were enacted. This led to Mexican immigrants filling the roles previously held by Chinese workers, signifying a notable change in the area's labor dynamics.^{[16][17]: 81}

20th century

During the 1930s, Madera County became a destination for significant numbers of refugees from the Dust Bowl, primarily originating from Oklahoma and Arkansas.^[18][19]

In the mid-20th century, the Bracero Program, designed to recruit labor from Mexico, played a crucial role in mitigating the agricultural labor shortages that arose during World War II and the Korean War. Advocated by the Madera County Chamber of Commerce, efforts were made to persuade the federal government to prolong the guest worker program beyond its original expiration in 1964.^[20][21] Despite the program's conclusion, labor migration continued, and by the end of the century, Madera County had become increasingly dependent on a migrant workforce. As of the 1990s, this workforce was predominantly composed of Mixtecs from Oaxaca, Mexico, numbering an estimated 5,000 individuals.^[22][23]

Geography

Madera County is characterized by its diverse landscapes, encompassing the fertile San Joaquin Valley, grasslands and oak woodlands of the foothills, and the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains. A significant part of Yosemite National Park, known for its wilderness and alpine areas, lies within the county. Madera County also hosts important waterways, including parts of the San Joaquin River and several lakes and reservoirs, vital for agriculture, ecosystems, and recreation.

The county experiences a range of climates, from arid in the valley to alpine in the higher Sierra Nevada, creating diverse microclimates and environments across the area.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,153 square miles (5,580 km²), of which 2,137 square miles (5,530 km²) is land and 16 square miles (41 km²), or 0.8%, is water.^[24]

Madera County is part of the Madera AVA wine region.

National protected areas

• Devils Postpile National Monument
• Inyo National Forest (part)
• Sierra National Forest (part)
• Yosemite National Park (part)

Demographics

2020 Census

Madera County's demographic composition and economic indicators reveal contrasts with both state and national averages. The county's median household income is reported at $76,920, which is below California's median of $91,551, reflecting economic disparities within the region.^[32] Additionally, Madera County's poverty rate of 24.3% surpasses the state's 12.2% rate, underscoring significant economic challenges, particularly affecting children under 18, with 38.2% living in poverty.^[33] Comparatively, Madera County's median income slightly exceeds the national median of $69,717. However, its poverty rate of 22.0% also exceeds the national average, indicating a notable income inequality within the county.^[33]

In terms of housing, Madera County offers relatively more affordable options compared to the rest of California, with a median gross rent of $1,189 against the state's $1,870.^[33] The homeownership rate in Madera County is 69.0%, which is higher than California's rate of 55.8%.^[33]

The labor force participation rate in Madera County is 56.4%, which is lower than the national rate. The county has a youthful demographic, with 27.1% under 18 years old, compared to the national figure of 22.4%.^[33] The percentage of elderly residents in Madera County is slightly below the U.S. average.^[33]

Madera County is notable for its higher percentage of foreign-born residents at 20.3%, surpassing the national average. This contributes to the county's multicultural identity, with a significant Hispanic or Latino population of 59.6%.^[33] Linguistic diversity is evident, with 46.5% of residents speaking a language other than English at home.^[33] An estimated 12,500 to 15,000 people in Madera County are undocumented immigrants.^[34][35]

Educational attainment in Madera County shows that 21.4% of its population holds a Bachelor's degree or higher, which is below the California average.^[33]

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.