Mendota, California

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Mendota, California
City
City of Mendota
Welcome sign at south end of Mendota along Highway 180
Welcome sign at south end of Mendota along Highway 180
Template:Infobox settlement/columns
Motto(s): 
The Cantaloupe Center of the World[1]
Template:Location map
Coordinates: 36°45′13″N 120°22′54″W / 36.75361°N 120.38167°W / 36.75361; -120.38167Coordinates: 36°45′13″N 120°22′54″W / 36.75361°N 120.38167°W / 36.75361; -120.38167
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyFresno
IncorporatedJune 17, 1942[2]
Government
 • MayorVictor Martinez [3]
 • Mayor Pro TemporeJose Alonso [3]
 • State senatorTemplate:Representative[4]
 • State assemblymanTemplate:Representative[5]
 • CongressmanTemplate:Representative
Area
[6]
 • TotalTemplate:Infobox settlement/areadisp
 • LandTemplate:Infobox settlement/areadisp
 • WaterTemplate:Infobox settlement/areadisp  0.09%
Elevation
[7]
Template:Infobox settlement/lengthdisp
Population
 (2020)
 • Total12,595
 • DensityTemplate:Infobox settlement/densdisp
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
93640
Area code(s)559
FIPS code06-46828
GNIS feature IDsTemplate:GNIS 4, Template:GNIS 4
Websitewww.cityofmendota.com

Mendota is a city in Fresno County, California, United States. The population was 12,595 at the 2020 U.S. Census.[8] State Routes 180 and 33 run through the agricultural city. Mendota is located 8.5 miles (14 km) south-southeast of Firebaugh.[9][7]

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.8 km2), over 99% land. At the 2000 census, according to the United States Census Bureau, the city had a total land area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2). It is located next to the San Joaquin River, near where the Delta-Mendota Canal intercepts it to bring extra water to the dry riverbed.

Climate

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According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Mendota has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.[10]

History

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Beginning in 1891, Mendota thrived as a Southern Pacific Railroad storage and switching facility site. Southern Pacific management borrowed the name from Mendota, Illinois.[9] The first post office opened in 1892.[9] The city incorporated in 1942,[9] and is mostly recognized for its immense production of cantaloupes. Consequently, the city of Mendota is identified as The Cantaloupe Center of the World. State water projects brought irrigation to the region, setting the stage for the tremendous growth of agriculture.

In 2007 a new Mendota Branch Library opened, part of the San Joaquin Valley Library System.

The city suffers from chronic unemployment averaging 20%. In 2009 a drought combined with a recession caused unemployment to surge above 40%.[11] The unemployment was quoted at 45% in May 2011.[12]

In 2019, USA Today named Mendota the "worst city in America" due to poverty, violent crime rate and high unemployment.[13] However, some residents took issue with the ranking.[14] In response, Mayor Robert Silva noted "the unemployment of 15 percent is distorted because of the seasonal nature of agricultural work".[10]

Demographics

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Template:US Census population

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, Mendota had a population of 12,595. The population density was 3,712.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,433.2/km2). The median age was 26.6 years. 35.4% of residents were under the age of 18, 11.9% were aged 18 to 24, 28.2% were aged 25 to 44, 17.9% were aged 45 to 64, and 6.6% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 111.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 113.9 males.[15][16][17]

99.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.1% lived in rural areas.[18] The whole population lived in households. There were 2,832 households, of which 64.7% had children under the age of 18. Of all households, 52.0% were married-couple households, 9.0% were cohabiting couple households, 22.8% had a female householder with no partner present, and 16.1% had a male householder with no partner present. About 8.7% of households were one person, and 3.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 4.45. There were 2,471 families (87.3% of all households).[17][19][15]

There were 2,875 housing units at an average density of 847.3 units per square mile (327.1 units/km2). Of these, 2,832 (98.5%) were occupied, 44.1% were owner-occupied, and 55.9% were occupied by renters. Of all housing units, 1.5% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.3%, and the rental vacancy rate was 1.2%.[17][15][16]

Racial composition as of the 2020 census[16]
Race Number Percent
White 2,528 20.1%
Black or African American 29 0.2%
American Indian and Alaska Native 262 2.1%
Asian 29 0.2%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 2 0.0%
Some other race 6,436 51.1%
Two or more races 3,309 26.3%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 12,169 96.6%

2023 ACS 5-year estimates

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In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that 47.6% of the population were foreign-born. Of all people aged 5 or older, 12.1% spoke only English at home, 87.6% spoke Spanish, and 0.3% spoke Asian or Pacific Islander languages. Of those aged 25 or older, 39.3% were high school graduates and 4.5% had a bachelor's degree.[20]

The median household income in 2023 was $46,458, and the per capita income was $14,474. About 28.9% of families and 30.3% of the population were below the poverty line.[21]

Politics and government

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Mendota has 1,827 registered voters and has the lowest percentage of "decline to state" voters in California. 7.6% of voters are "decline to state" while 69.1% are registered Democrats and 17.9% are registered Republican.[22]

In the United States House of Representatives, Mendota is in California's 13th congressional district, represented by Democrat Adam Gray as of January 2025.

Education

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The Mendota Unified School District, which covers the whole municipality,[23] is the school district serving Mendota.

  • Mendota High School
  • Mendota Junior High School
  • Washington Elementary School
  • Mendota Elementary School
  • McCabe Elementary School
  • Mendota Alternative Education

Economy

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Major employers in Mendota include Stamoules Produce, Oro Loma Ranch, Ruby Fresh, and Cardella Ranch and Winery.[24]

Mendota has been known as "The Cantaloupe Center of the World". In 2021, climate change-related drought and high temperatures slowed both cantaloupe production and local population growth.[25]

Federal Correctional Institution, Mendota

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As of September 2006, Mendota Federal Correctional Institution, a federal prison, was under construction about 1 mile (1.6 km) south of downtown Mendota. A prominent water tower marks the location. The facility is built on 960 acres (390 ha) of land at a cost of over US$110 million. Completion was scheduled for 2010, but the facility opened in 2012 after several years of funding delays. The facility plan includes a medium security section, housing up to 1,152 adults, and a minimum security satellite camp with a capacity of 128, supervised by a full-time staff of 300 to 350.[26][27]

Mendota Wildlife Area

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Further information: Mendota Wildlife Area

In 1956, the State of California purchased 6,100 acres of waterfowl wintering habitat along the San Joaquin River and established the Mendota Wildlife Area.[28] The wildlife preserve is about 1 mile (1.6 km) southeast of downtown Mendota, with the entrance on the south side of CA Route 180.[29]

References

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  1. ↑ Marcum, Diana (August 20, 2019). "Gay shopkeeper stands his ground in a Central Valley town, carving out space for others". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  2. ↑ "California towns by Incorporation Date". California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions. Archived from the original (Word) on October 17, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Government". City of Mendota. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Senators". State of California. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Members Assembly". State of California. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  6. ↑ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Template:Cite GNIS
  8. ↑ https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/mendotacitycalifornia/POP010220
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Template:California's Geographic Names
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Climate Summary for Mendota, California
  11. ↑ McKinley, Jesse (February 22, 2009). "Drought Adds to Hardships in California". The New York Times.
  12. ↑ Marcum, Diana (May 19, 2011). "Chess takes root in Central Valley farm town, blossoms into a state title for Latino high school team". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
  13. ↑ "These are the worst cities to live in America. Is yours one of them?". USA Today.
  14. ↑ "Is Mendota the worst place to live? Residents say that's a distorted view". February 9, 2019.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 "Mendota city, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  18. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Mendota city, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Mendota city, California; CP02: Comparative Social Characteristics in the United States - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Mendota city, California; DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 1, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  23. ↑ Geography Division (December 18, 2020). 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Fresno County, CA (PDF) (Map). Suitland, Maryland: U.S. Census Bureau. p. 2 (PDF p. 3/4). Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  24. ↑ Search Results - Mendota, California - ReferenceUSA Archived July 29, 2018, at Archive-It Current Businesses
  25. ↑ Werner, Erika; Reiley, Laura (August 27, 2021). "California's 'Cantaloupe Center' struggles to reign supreme as drought pummels agriculture across the West". Washington Post. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  26. ↑ Spaulding, M., Federal Correctional Institution, Mendota, California: Project Description and Employment and Business Opportunities, (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, 2005).
  27. ↑ "FCI Mendota".
  28. ↑ "Mendota Wildlife Area". Mendota Wildlife Area. August 2001. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  29. ↑ Mendota Wildlife Area entrance location at 36°43′57″N 120°20′26″W / 36.7325°N 120.3405°W / 36.7325; -120.3405
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Template:Cities of Fresno County, California

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