Gateway to Yosemite
Welcome to Madera, a San Joaquin Valley city and Madera County seat that pairs its agricultural heritage with a position as a gateway to Yosemite.
Madera sits in the central San Joaquin Valley, roughly 20 miles northwest of Fresno, and serves as the seat of Madera County. The county was carved out of Fresno County in 1893, and the name Madera—Spanish for 'wood'—recalls the lumber industry that helped establish the region. Today the city of about 66,000 residents is the county's population and commercial center, surrounded by some of California's most productive farmland. Agriculture defines the local economy and landscape. Cotton, wine grapes, almonds and other tree nuts, and a broad range of row crops dominate the surrounding countryside, supported by food processing, cotton gins, wineries, and nut plants. This agricultural base gives Madera a working, Valley-town character distinct from the state's coastal cities, and it anchors a significant share of local employment. The city's downtown retains landmarks from its early-20th-century growth, including the historic Madera County Courthouse and the distinctive Madera Water Tower. Residential growth has expanded outward, with newer master-planned communities such as Riverstone adding modern subdivisions, while areas like Madera Ranchos offer larger lots and rural, horse-friendly properties. Public schools are provided by Madera Unified School District, which serves the city and surrounding area. State Route 99, the Valley's main north-south artery, runs through Madera, linking it to Fresno and Sacramento. The city's position at the edge of the Sierra Nevada foothills also makes it a gateway to Yosemite National Park, with portions of the park lying within Madera County. For recreation, residents use a network of city parks, a river trail, and the open farmland and foothill country beyond. Madera suits those seeking Valley affordability, agricultural community life, and access to both Fresno and the Sierra Nevada.
Madera is in Madera County, in California's central San Joaquin Valley, and serves as the county seat. The county was formed in 1893 from part of Fresno County, with Madera as its administrative and population center.
The name Madera is Spanish for 'wood,' a reference to the area's early lumber industry. The county was established in 1893 during a period when timber and agriculture shaped the local economy.
Madera is served by Madera Unified School District, which operates elementary, middle, and high schools across the city and surrounding area. Higher education institutions, including Fresno State, are available in nearby Fresno.
Madera functions as a gateway to Yosemite National Park, with portions of the park lying within Madera County. The city sits at the edge of the Sierra Nevada foothills, east of State Route 99.
Yes. Madera's economy has long been tied to agriculture, including cotton, wine grapes, almonds and other tree nuts, and food processing. The surrounding farmland is among the most productive in California's San Joaquin Valley.
MARKET SNAPSHOT
How homes have been selling here over the last 90 days.
Market data reflects closed sales over the last 90 days and is provided for informational purposes.
BROWSE BY ZIP
Browse listings by postal code in this area.
No listings found.