Where is Porterville, California, U.S.

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: May 11, 2026

Where is Porterville, California Located in the United States? - Porterville is a city located in the Tulare County in California, United States. Porterville lies between 36.0652 Degrees North latitudes and -119.0168 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Porterville, Tulare, California

Where is Porterville Located in Tulare, California

About Map: The map shows the location of Porterville in Tulare County, in the U.S. state of California.

Porterville Map, California, USA

About Porterville Map: This Google Map provides a detailed view with zoom, satellite, and street options to explore the area and its surroundings.

About Porterville, Tulare County, California

Porterville is located in Tulare County in the U.S. state of California, United States. It lies in the central part of the state in the state of the United States at the base of the Sierra Nevada foothills in the southeastern San Joaquin Valley. The city was incorporated in 1902 and was named after founder Zalmon G. Porter, and it developed as an agricultural and citrus-growing center before expanding into a residential and commercial community.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Porterville is 59,599 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 3,400 people per square mile.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Porterville covers a total area of approximately 17.7 square miles (about 45.8 square kilometers), including about 17.6 square miles (45.6 square kilometers) of land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 square kilometers) of water.

Location and Surroundings

Porterville is situated east of Tulare and south of Lindsay, positioned near the foothills that lead into Sequoia National Forest. The city features agricultural lands, residential neighborhoods, and access to nearby rivers and mountain recreation areas. State Route 65 runs through the city, providing a major transportation route connecting Porterville to Bakersfield and other Central Valley communities.

Top Attractions

Porterville offers parks, museums, and outdoor recreation that support tourism and community activities. Popular destinations include Lake Success Recreation Area, the Porterville Historical Museum, and Zalud Park. The city is also home to Porterville College, contributing to higher education and workforce development in the region.

Transportation

Porterville is served by State Route 65 and State Route 190, offering convenient highway access to the Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada region. Public transportation includes regional bus services connecting the city to surrounding communities. The nearest major airport is Fresno Yosemite International Airport, located approximately 80 miles to the north.

Explore more cities in California or visit the United States Map section to learn more about the country’s geography.

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the Official Porterville City Website.

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Porterville, California Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CityPorterville
CountyTulare County
StateCalifornia
State CapitalSacramento
US RegionWestern United States (Pacific Region)
Latitude36.0652° N
Longitude119.0168° W
Elevation455 ft (139 m)
Land Area17.61 sq mi
Water Area0.04 sq mi
Total Area17.65 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)62,623
Population DensityApproximately 3,556 people per sq mi
ZIP Codes93257, 93258
Area Code559
Time Zone StandardPacific Standard Time (PST, UTC−8)
Time Zone DaylightPacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC−7)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code06-58224
Congressional DistrictCalifornia's 22nd Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Porterville

CategoryDetails
Airport NameVisalia Municipal Airport
IATA CodeVIS
PortFresno and Bakersfield regional transportation access
Major HighwaysState Route 65, State Route 190, State Route 198 (nearby)
Train/Amtrak ServiceNearest Amtrak service in Hanford
Local Bus/Transit ServicePorterville Transit
  • State Route 65 – Main north–south highway connecting Porterville with Lindsay, Terra Bella, and Bakersfield.
  • State Route 190 – Scenic route connecting Porterville with the Sierra Nevada foothills and mountain communities.
  • State Route 198 – Regional highway connecting Porterville with Visalia, Hanford, and Sequoia National Park areas.

Top Places to Visit in Porterville, California

Landmark NameType
Lake SuccessRecreation Area
Sequoia National ForestNational Forest
Porterville Historical MuseumHistory Museum
Zalud HouseHistoric Landmark
Trail of 100 GiantsNatural Attraction
River Island Country ClubGolf Course
Porterville Municipal Golf CourseGolf Course
Murray ParkCommunity Park
Veterans ParkMemorial Park
Eagle Mountain CasinoEntertainment Venue

Driving Distances from Porterville, California to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
VisaliaCalifornia3040 minutes
TulareCalifornia3545 minutes
BakersfieldCalifornia551 hour
FresnoCalifornia751 hour 20 minutes
Sequoia National ParkCalifornia701 hour 45 minutes
Los AngelesCalifornia1502 hours 45 minutes
Santa BarbaraCalifornia2003 hours 30 minutes
San FranciscoCalifornia2304 hours
SacramentoCalifornia2504 hours 30 minutes
San DiegoCalifornia2604 hours 30 minutes

Colleges and Universities Near Porterville, California

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Porterville CollegePublicCommunity CollegeAssociate degrees, transfer programs, and career education
College of the SequoiasPublicCommunity CollegeAgriculture, healthcare, and workforce training
California State University, BakersfieldPublicUniversityBusiness, education, nursing, and regional research
Fresno Pacific UniversityPrivateUniversityEducation, business, and liberal arts
Fresno State (California State University, Fresno)PublicUniversityAgriculture, science, business, and research
Porterville Unified School DistrictPublicK–12 DistrictPrimary and secondary education

Waterbodies in Porterville, California

Tule River, Lake Success, Tule River Reservoir, White River, and nearby Sierra Nevada foothill waterways.

Golf Courses Near Porterville

Porterville Municipal Golf Course, River Island Country Club, Lindsay Golf Course, Sierra View Country Club, and Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Club.

Porterville, California — Key Historical Facts

  • Porterville was founded in the mid-nineteenth century as a trading and agricultural community along the Tule River.
  • The city was named after Royal Porter Putnam, an early settler who established a store and trading post in the area.
  • Agriculture, especially citrus, olives, dairy, and other crops, became an important part of Porterville's economy.
  • The arrival of rail service in the late nineteenth century helped Porterville grow as a regional commercial center.
  • Today, Porterville is known for its agricultural heritage, access to Sequoia National Forest, outdoor recreation, and location in California's San Joaquin Valley.

References

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