HomeCaliforniaMadera County
Madera County, California: commercial real estate data.
Madera County, California had an estimated 165,432 residents on July 1, 2024, up 5.9 percent since the 2020 census base of 156,254, across 2,137 square miles. County output reached $8.85 bn in 2024, 2,366 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 101 7(a) approvals worth $107.8 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Madera County
How many people live in Madera County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024160,940
- Households45,379
- Average household size3.55
- Median household income$76,627
- Median age34.6
- Median gross rent$1,390 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$393,200
- Home value to household income5.1 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income21.8 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher17.9 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree6.2 percent
- Adults 25 and over101,462
- Population under 1843,672
- Share under 1827.1 percent
- Population 65 and over23,148
- Share 65 and over14.4 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6494,120
- Civilian labor force69,012
- Unemployment rate10.1 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over58.8 percent
- Rank by population among California counties32nd of 58
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included429th of 3,222
Madera County is the 32nd largest of 58 California counties by population. A median home costs 5.1 times median household income, which is severely unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 27.1 percent against 14.4 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Madera County
Is Madera County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024165,432
- Census 2020 base population156,254
- Population change since the 2020 census base5.87 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 20242,030
- Births, 20242,070
- Deaths, 20241,338
- Natural change, 2024732
- Net domestic migration, 2024704
- Net international migration, 2024592
- Total net migration, 20241,296
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 20245,119
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents425th of 3,144
The county has grown 5.87 percent since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Madera County
Where are people moving to Madera County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving3,592
- People arriving, from those returns7,058
- Tax returns filed by households leaving3,202
- Net household movement390
- Adjusted gross income arriving$234.2 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$62.6 m
- Average income of an arriving household$65,197
- Average income of a leaving household$53,578
- Largest single originFresno County (1,523 households)
- Largest single destinationFresno County (1,124 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno County | 1,523 | 3,119 | $111.3 m |
| Merced County | 217 | 453 | $11.4 m |
| Santa Clara County | 161 | 323 | $14.0 m |
| Los Angeles County | 127 | 229 | $7.4 m |
| Stanislaus County | 89 | 168 | $4.2 m |
| Alameda County | 75 | 156 | $6.5 m |
| Tulare County | 75 | 143 | $4.5 m |
| Monterey County | 67 | 165 | $3.8 m |
Households arriving report $11,619 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Fresno County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Madera County
What is the Madera County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$8.85 bn
- County GDP, 2023$8.08 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20249.5 percent
- GDP change over five years36.7 percent
- Rank by GDP among the California areas BEA publishes34th of 58
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes490th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$54,966
Output grew 9.5 percent in the latest year and 36.7 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Madera County
Employment by industry in Madera County
- Covered employment, annual average56,858
- Establishments reporting5,638
- Average annual pay$56,070
- Average weekly wage$1,078
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, employment12,608
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, average annual pay$39,867
- Health care and social assistance, employment9,321
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$66,768
- Retail trade, employment4,127
- Retail trade, average annual pay$40,151
- Accommodation and food services, employment3,738
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$29,104
- Manufacturing, employment3,437
- Construction, employment2,324
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 12,608 | 424 | $39,867 |
| Health care and social assistance | 9,321 | 2,892 | $66,768 |
| Retail trade | 4,127 | 331 | $40,151 |
| Accommodation and food services | 3,738 | 252 | $29,104 |
| Manufacturing | 3,437 | 109 | $76,270 |
| Construction | 2,324 | 314 | $67,470 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 1,928 | 138 | $68,183 |
| Wholesale trade | 1,173 | 98 | $71,424 |
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting is the largest private sector at 12,608 jobs, 22.2 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Madera County
How many businesses are in Madera County?
- Establishments, all industries2,366
- Employment at those establishments30,472
- Annual payroll$1.68 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents14.7
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Madera County
Building permits in Madera County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 20241,343
- Declared construction value permitted$465.1 m
- Single family units authorized1,335
- Multifamily units authorized8
- Multifamily share of units0.6 percent
- Average declared value per unit$346,316
- Units authorized per 1,000 households29.6
Single-family homes are 99.4 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Madera County
SBA loans in Madera County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded101
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$107.8 m
- Average 7(a) approval$1,066,923
- Median 7(a) approval$410,000
- 10th percentile approval$25,000
- 90th percentile approval$3,800,000
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)975
- Jobs per approval9.7
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active34
- Distinct industries receiving approvals66
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer41.6 percent
- Loans on real estate terms42
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter55
- Franchise loans16
- Franchise share of approvals15.8 percent
- Leading industry by approval countGasoline Stations with Convenience Stores (12)
- Most active lenderCeltic Bank Corporation (11)
- 504 approvals recorded51
- 504 gross approval dollars$48.5 m
- Average 504 approval$950,039
- Median 504 approval$469,000
- Distinct CDCs active11
- 504 jobs per approval13.9
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved14.6
- Most active CDCCen Cal Business Finance Group (25)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$156.2 m
The average approval of $1,066,923 sits well above the median of $410,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. 41.6 percent of approvals run on real estate terms of 240 months or more, so this is a market where SBA credit is buying buildings, not just funding operations.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Madera County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Madera County
Do SBA loans in Madera County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded15
- Paid in full15
- Charged off0
- Status: Exempt from disclosure70
- Status: Paid in full15
- Status: Cancelled13
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed3
Only 15 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Madera County
SBA lending by place in Madera County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending9
- Madera, approvals67
- Oakhurst, approvals11
- Chowchilla, approvals8
- Coarsegold, approvals6
- North Fork, approvals4
- Ahwahnee, approvals2
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Madera | 67 | $59,461,800 |
| Oakhurst | 11 | $6,487,800 |
| Chowchilla | 8 | $17,072,000 |
| Coarsegold | 6 | $8,121,900 |
| North Fork | 4 | $14,563,300 |
| Ahwahnee | 2 | $47,000 |
| Fresno | 1 | $1,150,000 |
| Bass Lake | 1 | $500,000 |
| 1 other borrower city | 1 | $355,400 |
Madera accounts for 67 approvals against 11 in Oakhurst. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Madera County
How large is Madera County?
- Land area2,137 sq mi
- Rank by land area among California counties24th of 58
- Width, east to west83.7 mi
- Height, north to south69.6 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary5
- Residents per square mile of land75
- Establishments per square mile1.11
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Madera County
Flood risk in Madera County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Madera County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 060170
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book3
- Of those, participating in the NFIP3
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Madera County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/LZone 2
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Madera County (community 060170), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Madera County in radon zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Madera County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Madera County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024160,940
- Households45,379
- Average household size3.55
- Median household income$76,627
- Median age34.6
Common questions
Madera County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Madera County, California?
The Census Bureau estimates 165,432 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 160,940, in 45,379 households, ranking 32nd of 58 California counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Madera County's population growing?
The population has grown 5.87 percent since the 2020 census base of 156,254, to 165,432 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 2,070 births against 1,338 deaths, with net migration of 1,296. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Madera County?
$76,627. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $393,200, which is 5.1 times income, and median gross rent is $1,390 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Madera County?
2,366 establishments, employing 30,472 people with an annual payroll of $1.68 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Madera County?
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting is the largest private sector at 12,608 jobs, 22.2 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 56,858 jobs at an average annual pay of $56,070, or $1,078 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Madera County?
101 7(a) approvals totaling $107.8 m since FY2020, across 34 lenders, with a median approval of $410,000, plus 51 504 approvals worth $48.5 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Madera County?
1,343 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $465.1 m. Multifamily was 0.6 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Madera County?
Zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Madera County come from?
The largest single origin is Fresno County, with 1,523 households. Arriving households report an average income of $65,197 against $53,578 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Madera County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Madera County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Madera County
Cities and places in Madera.
17 Census places lie wholly or partly in Madera County. All 17 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madera | city | 67,831 | 67 | Wholly in this county |
| Chowchilla | city | 19,020 | 8 | Wholly in this county |
| Madera Acres | CDP | 9,846 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Oakhurst | CDP | 6,091 | 11 | Wholly in this county |
| Bonadelle Ranchos | CDP | 5,465 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Yosemite Lakes | CDP | 5,288 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Coarsegold | CDP | 3,967 | 6 | Wholly in this county |
| Madera Ranchos | CDP | 3,037 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| North Fork | CDP | 2,999 | 4 | Wholly in this county |
| Parksdale | CDP | 2,885 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Parkwood | CDP | 1,758 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Ahwahnee | CDP | 1,453 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Fairmead | CDP | 1,229 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| La Vina | CDP | 789 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Rolling Hills | CDP | 575 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Nipinnawasee | CDP | 558 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Bass Lake | CDP | 499 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
A further 2 of the county's 101 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Madera County, the largest being Fresno (1), Raymond (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.
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