Kings County, California

County in California, United States

County in California, United States

Kings County, California

County

County of Kings

Kings County Courthouse

Flag

Seal

Interactive map of Kings County

Location in the state of California

Coordinates: 36°04′N 119°49′W﻿ / ﻿36.07°N 119.81°W﻿ / 36.07; -119.81
Country| United States
State| California
Region| San Joaquin Valley
Metropolitan area| Hanford-Corcoran
Established| March 22, 1893[1]
Named after| Kings River
County seat| Hanford
Largest city| Hanford (population)
Avenal (area)
Incorporated cities| 4
Government

• Type| Council–CAO
• Body| Board of Supervisors
• Chair| Doug Verboon
• Vice Chair| Rusty Robinson
• Board of Supervisors[2]|

Supervisors

* Joe Neves
* Richard Valle
* Doug Verboon
* Rusty Robinson
* Robert Thayer

• County Administrative Officer| Kyria Martinez
Area

• Total

| 1,392 sq mi (3,610 km2)
• Land| 1,389 sq mi (3,600 km2)
• Water| 2.1 sq mi (5 km2)
Highest elevation

[3]

| 3,476 ft (1,059 m)
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 152,486

• Estimate

(2024)

| 154,913
• Density| 110/sq mi (42/km2)
GDP

[4]

• Total| $8.146 billion (2022)
Time zone| UTC−8 (Pacific Time Zone)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−7 (Pacific Daylight Time)
Area code| 559
FIPS code| 06-031
GNIS feature ID| 277280
Congressional districts| 20th, 22nd
Website| countyofkings.com

Kings County is a county located in the U.S. state of California. The population was 152,486 at the 2020 census.[5] The county seat is Hanford.[6]

Kings County comprises the Hanford-Corcoran, CA metropolitan statistical area, which is also included in the Visalia-Porterville-Hanford, CA combined statistical area. It is in the San Joaquin Valley, a rich agricultural region.

## History

[edit]

The area was inhabited for thousands of years by Native Americans including the Tachi Yokuts tribe.[7] They continue to live in the area on the Santa Rosa Rancheria. It was colonized by Spain, Mexico and the United States.

An 1805 expedition probably led by Spanish Army Lieutenant Gabriel Moraga recorded discovering the river, which they named El Rio de los Santos Reyes (River of the Holy Kings) after the Three Wise Men of the Bible.[8] At the time of the United States conquest of California in 1848, the new government changed the name to Kings River after which the county was named.[8]

In 1880, a dispute over land titles between settlers and the Southern Pacific Railroad resulted in a bloody gun battle on a farm 5.6 mi (9.0 km) northwest of Hanford; seven men died. This event became known as the Mussel Slough Tragedy.

Kings County was formed in 1893 from the western part of Tulare County.[8] In 1909, by an act of the state legislature, 208 square miles (540 km2) of Fresno County territory was added to the northwest portion of Kings County.[9]

Settlers reclaimed Tulare Lake and its wetlands for agricultural development. In surface area, it was formerly the largest body of freshwater west of the Great Lakes, and supported a large population of migratory birds as well as local birds and wildlife. Monoculture has sharply reduced habitat for many species.

In 1928, oil was discovered in the Kettleman Hills located in the southwestern part of Kings County. The Kettleman North Dome Oil Field became one of the most productive oil fields in the United States.[10]

During the Great Depression, over 18,000 cotton pickers in the southern San Joaquin Valley, mostly migrant Mexican workers, went on strike in the California agricultural strikes of 1933. During the strike, 3,500 striking farm workers lived in a four-acre camp on the land of a small farmer on the outskirts of Corcoran. Ultimately, the federal government intervened to force both sides to negotiate a settlement.[11]

Lemoore Army Airfield was established for training and defense during World War II. In 1961, the U.S. Navy opened NAS Lemoore 9 miles (14 km) west of Lemoore, not far from the earlier site.

The completion of the California Aqueduct in the early 1970s brought needed water for agriculture and domestic use to the west side of the county.

## Historic sites

[edit]

* Kingston
* Mussel Slough Tragedy
* El Adobe de los Robles Rancho built by Daniel Rhoads
* Vaca Adobe
* Cox & Clark Trading Post and Steamboat Landing
* Witt Site

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,392 square miles (3,610 km2), of which 1,389 square miles (3,600 km2) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) (0.2%) is water.[12]

Kings County is bordered on the north and northwest by Fresno County, on the east by Tulare County, on the south by Kern County and a small part of San Luis Obispo County and on the west by Monterey County.

Table Mountain is the highest point in Kings County at an elevation of 3,476 feet (1,059 m). It is located in the Diablo Range in southwestern Kings County on the boundary between Kings and Monterey counties.

Most of the historic Tulare Lake was within Kings County. Although reclaimed for farming late in the 19th century, it was the largest freshwater lake west of the Great Lakes.

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1900| 9,871| | —
1910| 16,230| | 64.4%
1920| 22,031| | 35.7%
1930| 25,385| | 15.2%
1940| 35,168| | 38.5%
1950| 46,768| | 33.0%
1960| 49,954| | 6.8%
1970| 64,610| | 29.3%
1980| 73,738| | 14.1%
1990| 101,469| | 37.6%
2000| 129,461| | 27.6%
2010| 152,982| | 18.2%
2020| 152,486| | −0.3%
2024 (est.)| 154,913| [13]| 1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1790–1960[15] 1900–1990[16]
1990–2000[17] 2010[18] 2020[19]

### 2020 census

[edit]

Kings County, California – Racial and ethnic composition
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 may be of any race. Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[20] | Pop 1990[21] | Pop 2000[22] | Pop 2010[18] | Pop 2020[19] | % 1980  | % 1990  | % 2000  | % 2010  | % 2020

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

White alone (NH)  | 47,211  | 54,426  | 53,817  | 53,879  | 44,361  | 64.03%  | 53.64%  | 41.57%  | 35.22%  | 29.09%
Black or African American alone (NH)  | 3,504  | 7,747  | 10,418  | 10,314  | 8,300  | 4.75%  | 7.63%  | 8.05%  | 6.74%  | 5.44%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)  | 725  | 905  | 1,304  | 1,297  | 1,690  | 0.98%  | 0.89%  | 1.01%  | 0.85%  | 1.11%
Asian alone (NH)  | 2,189  | 3,408  | 3,884  | 5,339  | 5,511  | 2.97%  | 3.36%  | 3.00%  | 3.49%  | 3.61%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)  | x [23] | x [24] | 192  | 228  | 331  | 0.15%  | 0.15%  | 0.15%  | 0.15%  | 0.22%
Other race alone (NH)  | 282  | 432  | 229  | 803  | 713  | 0.38%  | 0.43%  | 0.18%  | 0.52%  | 0.47%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)  | x [25] | x [26] | 3,156  | 3,256  | 4,973  | x  | x  | 2.44%  | 2.13%  | 3.26%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)  | 19,827  | 34,551  | 56,461  | 77,866  | 86,607  | 26.89%  | 34.05%  | 43.61%  | 50.90%  | 56.80%
Total | 73,738 | 101,469 | 129,461 | 152,982 | 152,486  | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00%

### 2011

[edit]

Population, race, and income

Total population[27] | 152,335
White[27] | 109,704  | 72.0%
Black or African American[27] | 10,988  | 7.2%
American Indian or Alaska Native[27] | 1,927  | 1.3%
Asian[27] | 5,751  | 3.8%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander[27] | 353  | 0.2%
Some other race[27] | 17,832  | 11.7%
Two or more races[27] | 5,780  | 3.8%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)[28] | 76,401  | 50.2%
Per capita income[29] | $18,296
Median household income[30] | $48,838
Median family income[31] | $51,932

#### Places by population, race, and income

[edit]

Places by population and race

Place  | Type[32] | Population[27] | White[27] | Other[27]
[note 1] | Asian[27] | Black or African
American[27] | Native American[27]
[note 2] | Hispanic or Latino
(of any race)[28]
Armona | CDP | 3,419 | 74.1% | 11.9% | 4.6% | 8.9% | 0.6% | 58.6%
Avenal | City | 15,705 | 73.1% | 23.1% | 0.3% | 3.1% | 0.4% | 86.4%
Corcoran | City | 25,113 | 59.8% | 23.8% | 2.0% | 12.2% | 2.3% | 63.0%
Grangeville | CDP | 464 | 95.7% | 4.3% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 19.0%
Hanford | City | 53,159 | 76.2% | 11.9% | 4.6% | 6.7% | 0.6% | 44.3%
Hardwick | CDP | 107 | 33.6% | 64.5% | 1.9% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 64.5%
Home Garden | CDP | 1,726 | 59.4% | 18.3% | 0.9% | 16.7% | 4.7% | 59.1%
Kettleman City | CDP | 1,207 | 80.9% | 14.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 4.6% | 100.0%
Lemoore | City | 24,217 | 68.2% | 14.4% | 6.5% | 8.7% | 2.3% | 36.2%
Lemoore Station | CDP | 7,129 | 69.2% | 11.1% | 9.9% | 9.5% | 0.3% | 17.2%
Stratford | CDP | 1,436 | 68.7% | 30.6% | 0.0% | 0.7% | 0.0% | 91.9%
Places by population and income

Place  | Type[32] | Population[33] | Per capita income[29] | Median household income[30] | Median family income[31]
Armona | CDP | 3,419 | $16,047 | $42,122 | $41,991
Avenal | City | 15,705 | $9,889 | $29,183 | $28,030
Corcoran | City | 25,113 | $8,308 | $31,641 | $33,904
Grangeville | CDP | 464 | $27,003 | $46,979 | $52,989
Hanford | City | 53,159 | $22,383 | $54,421 | $61,532
Hardwick | CDP | 107 | $11,256 | $19,167 | $19,306
Home Garden | CDP | 1,726 | $12,328 | $38,125 | $36,488
Kettleman City | CDP | 1,207 | $15,081 | $34,323 | $35,313
Lemoore | City | 24,217 | $23,045 | $58,706 | $63,539
Lemoore Station | CDP | 7,129 | $16,887 | $42,225 | $43,023
Stratford | CDP | 1,436 | $10,531 | $40,871 | $29,716

### 2010 Census

[edit]

The 2010 United States Census reported that Kings County had a population of 152,982. The census included inmates of the three men's state prisons. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, there were 18,640 inmates in Kings County prisons on March 31, 2010, which was 12.2% of the population.[34] The inmate population had been reduced to 13,894 on December 31, 2013.[34] The racial makeup of Kings County was 83,027 (54.3%) White, 11,014 (7.2%) African American, 2,562 (1.7%) Native American, 5,620 (3.7%) Asian, 271 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 42,996 (28.1%) from other races, and 7,492 (4.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 77,866 persons (50.9%).[35]

The U.S. Census does not identify how many residents are undocumented immigrants. However, the Public Policy Institute of California issued a report in July 2011, which estimated there were 9,000 illegal immigrants living in Kings County in 2008, which would be 5.8% of the county's population.[36]

According to the California Board of State and Community Corrections, Kings County had the highest incarceration rate of California's 58 counties in 2014 at 1,384 per 100,000 population. Statewide, the rate was 567 per 100,000.[37]

Population reported at 2010 United States Census

The County | Total
Population | White | African
American | Native
American | Asian | Pacific
Islander | other
races | two or
more races | Hispanic
or Latino
(of any race)
Kings County | 152,982 | 83,027 | 11,014 | 2,562 | 5,620 | 271 | 42,996 | 7,492 | 77,866
Incorporated
city | Total
Population | White | African
American | Native
American | Asian | Pacific
Islander | other
races | two or
more races | Hispanic
or Latino
(of any race)
Avenal | 15,505 | 6,044 | 1,625 | 186 | 108 | 6 | 7,188 | 348 | 11,130
Corcoran | 24,813 | 8,940 | 3,725 | 349 | 193 | 17 | 10,979 | 610 | 15,545
Hanford | 53,967 | 33,713 | 2,632 | 712 | 2,322 | 53 | 11,599 | 2,936 | 25,419
Lemoore | 24,531 | 13,925 | 1,566 | 333 | 2,010 | 102 | 4,935 | 1,660 | 9,820
Census-designated
place | Total
Population | White | African
American | Native
American | Asian | Pacific
Islander | other
races | two or
more races | Hispanic
or Latino
(of any race)
Armona | 4,156 | 2,058 | 99 | 64 | 85 | 13 | 1,597 | 240 | 2,784
Grangeville | 469 | 393 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 41 | 10 | 145
Hardwick | 138 | 63 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 67 | 3 | 86
Home Garden | 1,761 | 652 | 221 | 63 | 50 | 8 | 677 | 90 | 1,189
Kettleman City | 1,439 | 478 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 887 | 61 | 1,383
Lemoore Station | 7,438 | 4,883 | 729 | 70 | 560 | 53 | 418 | 725 | 1,445
Stratford | 1,277 | 574 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 1 | 617 | 33 | 1,069
Other
unincorporated areas | Total
Population | White | African
American | Native
American | Asian | Pacific
Islander | other
races | two or
more races | Hispanic
or Latino
(of any race)
All others not CDPs (combined)  | 17,488 | 11,304 | 377 | 755 | 267 | 18 | 3,991 | 776 | 7,851

### 2000

[edit]

As of the 2000 census, there were 129,461 people, 34,418 households, and 26,983 families residing in the county. However, the California Department of Finance estimates that the population had grown 154,434 as of January 1, 2008.[38] The population density based on the 2000 census was 36/km2 (93/sq mi). There were 36,563 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile (10/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 53.7% White, 8.3% Black or African American, 1.7% Native American, 3.1% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 28.3% from other races, and 4.8% from two or more races. 43.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 7.1% were of Portuguese, 6.2% German, 5.3% Irish and 5.1% American ancestry according to Census 2000. 63.6% spoke English, 30.9% Spanish, 1.4% Tagalog, 1.4% Portuguese and 1.3% Samoan as their first language.

There were 34,418 households, out of which 46.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.6% were non-families. 17.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.18 and the average family size was 3.56.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.0% under the age of 18, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 35.0% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years in 2000, which had increased to 31.1 by the time of the 2010 census.[39] For every 100 females there were 134.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 148.8 males. The ratio may be attributed to the presence of three men's state prisons in the county.

## Government and policing

[edit]

### Administration

[edit]

Kings County is a general law county under the California Constitution. That is, it does not have a county charter. The county is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors. Supervisors are elected by districts for four-year terms. There are no term limits in effect. The chairman and vice-chairman are elected annually by the Board of Supervisors from among its members. On January 7, 2020, the Board elected Supervisor Doug Verboon as chairman and Supervisor Craig Pederson as vice-chairman to serve during 2020. Other Supervisors include Richard Valle, Joe Neves and Richard Fagundes.[40] The Board of Supervisors appoints a County Administrative Officer. Rebecca Campbell was appointed to that office effective on January 1, 2018. She succeeded Larry Spikes who held the post from 1993 through 2017.[41][42][43]

### District Attorney

[edit]

The Kings County District Attorney is Keith Fagundes. The District Attorney of each of the 58 counties in California is responsible for prosecuting the violation of California state and local laws and ordinances. The District Attorney is the sole criminal prosecuting entity in the county. In addition to the prosecution duties of the District Attorney, the Kings County District Attorney also has civil and criminal investigative authority with its own Bureau of Investigations composed of sworn peace officers with arresting authority. The Kings County District Attorney's Victim-Witness Assistance Program also provides assistance to victims of crime through federal, state, and local resources.

### City police departments

[edit]

Within Kings County, there are four city police departments: Hanford (the county seat), Corcoran, Lemoore, and Avenal.

### Sheriff

[edit]

The Kings County Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator is David Robinson. The Kings County Sheriff's Office provides court protection, county jail operation, and coroner services for the entire county. It provides patrol and detective services to the unincorporated areas of the county.[44]

### State and federal representation

[edit]

In the California State Legislature, Kings County is in the 14th senatorial district, represented by Democrat Anna Caballero,[45] and in the 32nd Assembly district, represented by Republican Stan Ellis.[46][47]

In the United States House of Representatives, Kings County in California's 21st District and is represented by Republican David Valadao.[48]

## Politics

[edit]

### Voter registration

[edit]

According to the Kings County Election Office, as of March 24, 2017, 51,323 residents were registered to vote. There were 22,341 voters registered as Republicans, 17,429 registered as Democrats and 9,443 did not state a party preference. The remaining 2,104 registered with minor parties.[49]

Population and registered voters

Total population[27] | 152,335
Registered voters[50][note 3] | 48,485  | 31.8%
Democratic[50] | 17,336  | 35.8%
Republican[50] | 21,893  | 45.2%
Democratic–Republican spread[50] | -4,557 | -9.4%
Independent[50] | 1,236  | 2.5%
Green[50] | 94  | 0.2%
Libertarian[50] | 214  | 0.4%
Peace and Freedom[50] | 86  | 0.2%
Americans Elect[50] | 2  | 0.0%
Other[50] | 161  | 0.3%
No party preference[50] | 7,463  | 15.4%

#### Cities by population and voter registration

[edit]

Cities by population and voter registration

City  | Population[27] | Registered voters[50]
[note 3] | Democratic[50] | Republican[50] | D–R spread[50] | Other[50] | No party preference[50]
Avenal | 15,705 | 10.7% | 53.7% | 26.7% | +27.0% | 5.3% | 16.4%
Corcoran | 25,113 | 17.1% | 57.4% | 26.3% | +31.1% | 4.8% | 13.4%
Hanford | 53,159 | 41.1% | 33.9% | 47.0% | -13.1% | 6.5% | 15.2%
Lemoore | 24,217 | 39.2% | 31.9% | 46.2% | -14.3% | 7.2% | 17.8%

### Overview

[edit]

Kings has long been a strongly Republican county in Presidential elections. The last Democratic candidate for president to win the county was Hubert Humphrey in 1968, and the last to win a majority was Lyndon Johnson in 1964.

United States presidential election results for Kings County, California[51][note 4] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 25,074  | 60.41% | 15,519  | 37.39%  | 915  | 2.20%
2020 | 24,072  | 54.88% | 18,699  | 42.63%  | 1,090  | 2.49%
2016 | 18,093  | 52.73% | 13,617  | 39.69%  | 2,600  | 7.58%
2012 | 17,671  | 56.24% | 12,979  | 41.31%  | 768  | 2.44%
2008 | 19,710  | 56.14% | 14,747  | 42.00%  | 651  | 1.85%
2004 | 21,003  | 65.41% | 10,833  | 33.74%  | 274  | 0.85%
2000 | 16,377  | 57.80% | 11,041  | 38.97%  | 917  | 3.24%
1996 | 12,368  | 47.91% | 11,254  | 43.59%  | 2,193  | 8.50%
1992 | 10,673  | 41.61% | 9,982  | 38.91%  | 4,996  | 19.48%
1988 | 12,118  | 56.41% | 9,142  | 42.56%  | 222  | 1.03%
1984 | 13,364  | 64.10% | 7,324  | 35.13%  | 160  | 0.77%
1980 | 10,531  | 55.37% | 7,299  | 38.37%  | 1,191  | 6.26%
1976 | 8,263  | 49.65% | 8,061  | 48.44%  | 318  | 1.91%
1972 | 10,509  | 56.52% | 7,274  | 39.12%  | 812  | 4.37%
1968 | 7,796  | 43.07%  | 8,643  | 47.75% | 1,662  | 9.18%
1964 | 5,753  | 30.54%  | 13,073  | 69.39% | 14  | 0.07%
1960 | 6,991  | 42.31%  | 9,439  | 57.13% | 92  | 0.56%
1956 | 6,195  | 42.28%  | 8,417  | 57.45% | 40  | 0.27%
1952 | 7,708  | 49.19%  | 7,850  | 50.09% | 113  | 0.72%
1948 | 4,289  | 37.23%  | 6,909  | 59.97% | 323  | 2.80%
1944 | 3,468  | 34.22%  | 6,591  | 65.04% | 75  | 0.74%
1940 | 3,911  | 31.75%  | 8,307  | 67.43% | 102  | 0.83%
1936 | 2,226  | 23.67%  | 7,062  | 75.10% | 116  | 1.23%
1932 | 2,009  | 26.72%  | 5,191  | 69.05% | 318  | 4.23%
1928 | 2,947  | 51.51% | 2,701  | 47.21%  | 73  | 1.28%
1924 | 2,812  | 50.00% | 1,109  | 19.72%  | 1,703  | 30.28%
1920 | 2,806  | 59.61% | 1,604  | 34.08%  | 297  | 6.31%
1916 | 2,221  | 39.65%  | 2,905  | 51.86% | 476  | 8.50%
1912 | 0  | 0.00%  | 1,967  | 49.82% | 1,981  | 50.18%
1908 | 1,198  | 53.22% | 859  | 38.16%  | 194  | 8.62%
1904 | 1,110  | 58.67% | 595  | 31.45%  | 187  | 9.88%
1900 | 1,032  | 51.76% | 872  | 43.73%  | 90  | 4.51%
1896 | 673  | 43.06%  | 862  | 55.15% | 28  | 1.79%

In November 2008, Kings County voted 73.7% for Proposition 8 which amended the California Constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman.[52]

## Crime

[edit]

The following table includes the number of incidents reported and the rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense.

Population and crime rates

Population[27] | 152,335
Violent crime[53] | 562 | 3.69
Homicide[53] | 4 | 0.03
Forcible rape[53] | 32 | 0.21
Robbery[53] | 77 | 0.51
Aggravated assault[53] | 449 | 2.95
Property crime[53] | 1,513 | 9.93
Burglary[53] | 774 | 5.08
Larceny-theft[53][note 5] | 1,428 | 9.37
Motor vehicle theft[53] | 294 | 1.93
Arson[53] | 30 | 0.20

### Cities by population and crime rates

[edit]

Cities by population and crime rates

City  | Population[54] | Violent crimes[54] | Violent crime rate
per 1,000 persons  | Property crimes[54] | Property crime rate
per 1,000 persons
Avenal | 15,704 | 53 | 3.37 | 132 | 8.41
Corcoran | 25,119 | 89 | 3.54 | 328 | 13.06
Hanford | 54,787 | 309 | 5.64 | 1,711 | 31.23
Lemoore | 24,904 | 131 | 5.26 | 698 | 28.03

## Economy

[edit]

The economy is based on agriculture. About 87% of Kings County's 890,000 acres is agricultural farmland. The gross value of all agricultural crops and products produced during 2018 in Kings County was $2,351,983,000. Kings County is 10th among California counties in agricultural production. The top commodity in 2018 was milk with a value of $676.7 million. Other major agricultural commodities included pistachios, cotton, cattle and calves, almonds and processing tomatoes.[55][56] Another major employer is NAS Lemoore, the U.S. Navy's newest and largest master jet base. According to a Navy study in 2008, payroll, base spending, retiree and veterans' checks total more than $1 billion in annual economic impact to the region.[57] Other important employers include a Del Monte Foods tomato processing plant, Adventist Health, the J. G. Boswell Company, an Olam International tomato processing facility, Leprino Foods, the largest mozzarella cheese maker in the world, the Kings County Government and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation which operates three state prisons in Kings County.[58]

In 2011–2013, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the median household income in the county was $47,035 and that 17.6% of the population was below the poverty line.[59] In 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, average per capita income was $35,306 in Kings County, which ranked it last of California's 58 counties.[60] Per capita personal income is calculated by dividing the population by the total personal income of the area's residents. In Kings County's case, the U.S. Census Bureau's estimated population of 151,366 was used for that calculation. However, the population estimate includes incarcerated persons with little or no income.

The homeownership rate was 54.2% at the time of the 2010 census.[39] According to Zillow Real Estate Research, an estimated 24% of homeowners in the county owned their homes free and clear in the third quarter of 2012.[61]

Taxable sales in 2015 totaled about $1.7 billion.[62]

Kings County did not escape the effects of the Great Recession. The unemployment rate in May 2012 was 14.9%, up from 10.1% in July 2008. However, the rate had dropped to 9.8% in February 2020 at the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic. The unemployment rate had risen to 16.8% in April of that year.[63] According to the California Employment Development Department, as of December 2012, civilian employment totaled 53,100 and an additional 8,900 people were unemployed. Many residents of Kings County were employed in services (31,900 persons, including 14,800 government employees) and agriculture (5,500 employees) as well as in some manufacturing enterprises (4,300 employees) and construction (1,000 employees).[64] Jeffrey Michael, director of the Business Forecasting Center at the University of the Pacific, stated in an October 2010 newspaper interview that nearly half of Kings County's personal earnings come from government jobs, which pay more than agricultural employment.

Kings County's dairy industry dropped from $670 million in milk sold in 2008 to $411 million in 2009 - a 39% drop.[65] By mid-2009, the price paid to milk producers had dropped to a point that was far below the cost of production according to a July 2009 quote from Bill Van Dam, CEO of the Alliance of Western Milk Producers.[66] By December 2010, milk prices had increased to about $13 per hundredweight from a low of below $10 in 2009. However, the price of corn used for feed had increased because of its use by the ethanol industry. Van Dam was quoted that month as saying that at current prices, dairy operators are at or close to the break-even point.[67] By the summer of 2012, it was reported that despite a milk price of about $15 per hundredweight, the rising cost of cattle feed had caused many dairy farmers to sell all or part of their herds and even file for bankruptcy.[68] In 2014, milk prices were topping $22 per hundredweight and the value of milk sold rose to $970 million in that year.[69] However, by March 2016 milk was reportedly selling closer to $13 per hundredweight.[70]

## Culture

[edit]

Kings County has a large annual celebration held each May called Kings County Homecoming Week.[71] In 2015, the event was scaled back to one day and renamed Pioneer Days.[72] The event returned as Kings County Homecoming Week in 2016 but without the traditional parade.[73]

## Transportation

[edit]

### Major highways

[edit]

* Interstate 5
* State Route 33
* State Route 41
* State Route 43
* State Route 137
* State Route 198
* State Route 269

### Public transportation

[edit]

Kings Area Regional Transit (KART) operates regularly scheduled fixed route bus service, vanpool service for commuters and Paratransit (demand response) services throughout Kings County as well as to Fresno.[74]

Amtrak trains stop in Corcoran and Hanford.

Orange Belt Stages provides inter-city bus service to and from Hanford. Connections with Greyhound can be made in Visalia or Paso Robles.

### Airports

[edit]

Hanford Municipal Airport is a general aviation airport located just southeast of Hanford. The privately owned airport in Avenal is the home of the Central California Soaring Club.[75]

## Communities

[edit]

### Incorporated cities

[edit]

* Avenal
* Corcoran
* Hanford (county seat)
* Lemoore

### Census-designated places

[edit]

* Armona
* Grangeville
* Hardwick
* Home Garden
* Kettleman City
* Lemoore Station
* Stratford

### Unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Halls Corner
* Lakeside

### Formerly proposed new city

[edit]

* Quay Valley

### Native American Reservation

[edit]

* Santa Rosa Rancheria

### Population ranking

[edit]

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Kings County.[76]

† county seat

Rank  | City/Town/etc.  | Municipal type  | Population (2010 Census)

|
|
|

1  | † Hanford | City  | 53,967
2  | Corcoran | City  | 24,813
3  | Lemoore | City  | 24,531
4  | Avenal | City  | 15,505
5  | Lemoore Station | CDP  | 7,438
6  | Armona | CDP  | 4,156
7  | Home Garden | CDP  | 1,761
8  | Kettleman City | CDP  | 1,439
9  | Stratford | CDP  | 1,277
10  | Santa Rosa Rancheria[77] | AIAN | 652
11  | Grangeville | CDP  | 469
12  | Hardwick | CDP  | 138

## See also

[edit]

* California portal

* California census statistical areas
* List of museums in the San Joaquin Valley
* Mussel Slough Tragedy
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Kings County, California

## Explanatory notes

[edit]

1. ^ Other = Some other race + Two or more races
2. ^ Native American = Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander + American Indian or Alaska Native
3. ^ a b Percentage of registered voters with respect to total population. Percentages of party members with respect to registered voters follow.
4. ^ This total comprised 1,419 votes for Progressive Theodore Roosevelt (who was official Republican nominee in California), 406 votes for Socialist Eugene V. Debs and 156 votes for Prohibition Party nominee Eugene W. Chafin.
5. ^ Only larceny-theft cases involving property over $400 in value are reported as property crimes.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Kings County". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
2. ^ "Board of Supervisors | Kings County".
3. ^ Table Mountain
4. ^ "Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Kings County, CA". Federal Reserve Economic Data. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
5. ^ "Kings County, California". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
6. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
7. ^ "Tachi Yokut Tribe – The Indians of the San Joaquin Valley were known as Yokuts". Tachi-yokut-nsn.gov. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
8. ^ a b c Hoover, p. 132
9. ^ Brown, Robert L. (1940). History of Kings County. A. H. Cawston. p. 53.
10. ^ Brown, Robert L. (1940). History of Kings County. A. H. Cawston. p. 123.
11. ^ Weber, Devra (1994). Dark Sweat. White Gold: California Farm Workers, Cotton and the New Deal. Berkeley and Los Angeles, California: University of California Press. pp. 79–111\. ISBN 0-520-20710-6.
12. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
13. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
14. ^ "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
15. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
16. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
17. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
18. ^ a b "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Kings County, California". United States Census Bureau.
19. ^ a b "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Kings County, California". United States Census Bureau.
20. ^ "California: 1980, General Social and Economic Characteristics, Part 1 - Table 59: Persons by Race, Hispanic Origin, and Sex" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
21. ^ "California: 1990, Part 1 - Table 5: Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
22. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Kings County, California". United States Census Bureau.
23. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
24. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
25. ^ not an option in the 1980 Census
26. ^ not an option in the 1990 Census
27. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B02001. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
28. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B03003. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
29. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19301. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
30. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19013. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
31. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19113. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
32. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
33. ^ U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B01003. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
34. ^ a b California, State of. "Monthly Total Population Report Archive". Cdcr.ca.gov. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
35. ^ "2010 Census P.L. 94-171 Summary File Data". United States Census Bureau.
36. ^ "Unauthorized Immigrants in California: Estimates for Counties - Public Policy Institute of California". Ppic.org. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
37. ^ Hanford Sentinel, March 28–29, 2015
38. ^ California Department of Finance, Table E-2, California County Population Estimates and Percent Change, Revised July 1, 2000, through Provisional July 1, 2006
39. ^ a b Fresno Bee, May 15, 2011
40. ^ https://www.countyofkings.com/home/showdocument?id=21427[permanent dead link] accessed January 12, 2020
41. ^ "News | Kings County". www.countyofkings.com. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
42. ^ Hanford Sentinel, December 23, 2017
43. ^ Hanford Sentinel, December 27, 2017
44. ^ "Sheriff | Kings County". www.countyofkings.com. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
45. ^ "Communities of Interest — County". California Citizens Redistricting Commission. Archived from the original on October 23, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
46. ^ "Statewide Database". UC Regents. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
47. ^ Fresno Bee, December 6, 2018
48. ^ "'s 21st Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC.
49. ^ Hanford Sentinel, April 11, 2017
50. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q California Secretary of State. February 10, 2013 - Report of Registration Archived July 27, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
51. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
52. ^ Bowen, Debra (December 13, 2008). "Statement of Vote: November 4, 2008, General Election" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
53. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Office of the Attorney General, Department of Justice, State of California. Table 11: Crimes – 2009 Archived December 2, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
54. ^ a b c United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation. Crime in the United States, 2012, Table 8 (California). Retrieved November 14, 2013.
55. ^ 2018 Kings County Crop Report, Kings County Department of Agriculture/Measurement Standards, July 16, 2019
56. ^ "2018 Crop Report". www.countyofkings.com. Retrieved July 21, 2019.[title missing]
57. ^ Fresno Bee, February 22, 2016
58. ^ "Major Employers in California". Labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
59. ^ Hanford Sentinel, November 15–16, 2014
60. ^ Fresno Bee, November 18, 2019
61. ^ "Free and Clear American Homeowners | Zillow Real Estate Research". Archived from the original on January 23, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
62. ^ Equalization, California State Board of. "Taxable Sales In California 2015 - Board of Equalization". www.boe.ca.gov. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
63. ^ "Labor Force and Unemployment Rate for Cities and Census Designated Places".
64. ^ "Hanford-Corcoran Metropolitan Statistical Area" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 21, 2011. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
65. ^ Hanford Sentinel, October 2–3, 2010
66. ^ Hanford Sentinel, July 11, 2009
67. ^ Hanford Sentinel, December 18, 2010
68. ^ Fresno Bee, August 19, 2012
69. ^ Fresno Bee, June 17, 2015
70. ^ Hanford Sentinel, March 10, 2016
71. ^ "accessed 5-9-10". Kingscountyhomecoming.org. Archived from the original on October 22, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
72. ^ Hanford Sentinel, May 9, 2015
73. ^ Hanford Sentinel, May 7–8, 2016
74. ^ "Home - My Kart Bus". My Kart Bus. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
75. ^ "Central California Soaring Club". Soaravenal.com. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
76. ^ "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
77. ^ https://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=3520 [dead link]

* Hoover, Mildred Brooke; Douglas E. Kyle (1990). Historic Spots in California. Stanford University Press. ISBN 978-0-8047-1734-2.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kings County, California.

* Official website
* Kings County Crop Reports
* Kings County Community Health Status Report, 2008-2009
* Kings County history website operated by the Kings County Office of Education Archived September 25, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
* Kings County Economic Development Corporation website
* Kings County Facts - Index Mundi

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Kings County, California

| Fresno County | Fresno County |

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|

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Monterey County |

Kings County, California

| Tulare County
|  |
San Luis Obispo County | Kern County |

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Municipalities and communities of Kings County, California, United States

County seat: Hanford

Cities|

* Avenal
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* Lemoore

Kings County map

CDPs|

* Armona
* Grangeville
* Hardwick
* Home Garden
* Kettleman City
* Lemoore Station
* Stratford

Unincorporated
communities|

* Halls Corner

Ghost towns|

* Cox & Clark Trading Post and Steamboat Landing
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* Vaca Adobe

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Cities and towns
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