$397,732Average Value$244Average Price per Sq Ft66Homes For Sale
A small rural town between Madera and Merced
Set right on Central California's Highway 99, the rural town of Chowchilla offers easy commuter access to area cities like Madera, Merced and Fresno, as well as an engaged, close-knit local community. “Chowchilla is a town with a big heart,” says Kelle Ray, a Chowchilla resident and Realtor with London Properties. “We have a lot of service clubs, and people really show up to support the city with things like the county fair.” Neighbors can be seen greeting each other in leafy community parks and in the local restaurants and shops on palm-tree-lined Robertson Boulevard.
Chowchilla was once known for a 1976 school bus kidnapping, but today, it attracts new residents with a slow pace of life in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. Since 2020, the local population has swelled, mostly with remote workers, and there's been a flurry of newly constructed homes. New employment centers are now in the works, so city officials are anticipating more growth.
Palm tree lined streets help Chowchilla stand out among the small cities in Central California.
Chowchilla is a small community known for being family friendly in the San Joaquin Valley.
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Housing prices are on par with the national median
As of January 2025, homes in Chowchilla have a median price of about $405,000, on par with the national median but far less than California's roughly $890,000. Gridded streets at the town’s core are lined with minimal traditional bungalows and ranch-style homes built between the early and late 20th century. New traditional homes built throughout the 21st century can be found in the eastside's Greenhills gated community and the westside's Oleander Terrace subdivision.
Ranch homes are common throughout the city of Chowchilla.
Traditional bungalow homes can be found in the older sections of Chowchilla.
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Getting together at local parks or for the annual Chowchilla-Madera County Fair
Playgrounds, playing fields and dog parks serve as gathering spots for locals, and RC Wisener Park serves as home base for the local Little League. Pheasant Run Golf Club is in the center of the Greenhills community, but its 18-hole course is also open to non-residents. About 20 miles east of Chowchilla, H. V. Eastman Lake is a popular spot for fishing, hiking and birdwatching.
Each May, the annual Chowchilla-Madera County Fair is held next to the town's municipal airport. Event highlights include livestock exhibits and the Miss Madera County Pageant. Just outside of town, The Ranch of Horror is an annual haunted house and hayride exhibit that opens in October.
Watch a game of baseball at RC Wisener Park in Chowchilla.
Pheasant Run Golf Club offers a scenic setting to play a round of golf among upscale homes.
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Shops, restaurants and bakeries on Robertson Boulevard
Robertson Boulevard bisects the town, lined with auto shops, chain grocers and thrift stores. Locally owned restaurants often serve Mexican or barbeque, and there are plenty of small bakeries and ice cream shops to visit for dessert. National retailers and big-box stores can be found in Madera, Merced and Fresno.
In June and July, Veterans Memorial Park hosts a weekly farmers market and vendor fair on Fridays, followed up in the evening by a free concert series called Music in the Park; attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic and lawn chairs. About 7 miles south, the Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County is a small natural history museum with interactive exhibits geared toward kids.
Chowchilla Taco Shop is a local favorite for Mexican food.
Bravo Smog displays classic cars along the main street in Chowchilla.
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Commuting to surrounding towns via Highway 99
Chowchilla is located right on Highway 99, which leads 18 miles north to Merced, 17 miles south to Madera and 39 miles south to Fresno. The majority of residents commute to one of these cities for work, but regional bus routes only travel to Madera. Some locals are employed by the two prisons located just outside of town, or at the new AutoZone warehouse that opened here in August 2024. A new biomethane facility is expected in 2025, and plans are being considered for a hydrogen plant and a strawberry manufacturing facility.
The Chowchilla Health Center serves the local community, while the more comprehensive Dignity Health Mercy Medical Center is about 21 miles away in Merced. Chowchilla Municipal Airport is used for small private flights. Merced Regional Airport, 20 miles away, has flights to Las Vegas and Hawthorne, while Fresno-Yosemite International Airport, 44 miles away, has commercial flights to 14 cities.
Grade-based school districts, including the top-rated Dairyland Elementary
Some schools within the Chowchilla Elementary District, which earns as overall C from Niche, serve kindergarten through Grade 2, while other serve Grades 3 and 4. Alview-Dairyland Union Elementary District, rated an overall A-minus, includes Chowchilla's top-rated Dairyland Elementary School, which serves Grades 4 through 8. Chowchilla Union High School District is comprised of one B-minus-rated high school, which bears the same name.
Chowchilla Union High School serves grades 9-12 in Chowchilla.
Dairyland Elementary School serves grades 4-8 in the Chowchilla area.
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New public safety funding for the Chowchilla Police Department
According to FBI data, violent crime in Chowchilla decreased by about 18% between 2022 to 2023, while property crime increased by about 10%. In 2019, the City of Chowchilla instituted a new sales tax dedicated to public safety measures implemented by the Chowchilla Police and Fire Departments; partly due to this new funding, residential burglary declined by 79% between 2019 and 2023.
Hot summers and wildfire risk in the San Joaquin Valley
Chowchilla has sunny weather most of the year, with mild winters and intense summer heat waves. The San Joaquin Valley generally has poor air quality, largely due to regional wildfires and industrial agriculture. Chowchilla itself doesn’t fall within any of the Fire Hazard Severity Zones outlined by the California State Fire Marshal, but nonetheless, the Chowchilla Fire Department hosts community events that focus on fire prevention. The Ash Slough Bypass Canal borders Chowchilla to the north, and while there's some risk of flooding along the canal during heavy rainfall, residential areas are at low risk.
The Chowchilla Fire Department is always ready to respond to any local area fires.
Summers can bring hazy air quality to the Chowchilla area.
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Written By
Andi Sink
Video By
Aiyshanti Green
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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On average, homes in Chowchilla, CA sell after 52 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Chowchilla, CA over the last 12 months is $400,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Exquisite custom built Mediterranean boasts the classical features architectural features such as stucco smooth walls, columns, and arches with the classic outdoor living space. Specifically designed, crafted, and thoughtfully designed for this owner's sole comfort and beauty. Perfect blend for a family who wants large animals but the convenience of high end living. The family room amenities are
Owned solar and an exceptional lake view highlight this beautifully positioned home in one of the community's premier lake locations. Centered to capture an expansive view of the entire lake, the property offers a wonderful setting for relaxing and entertaining. The outdoor living spaces are truly special, featuring two custom-built, HOA-approved pavilions with permits, electrical breakers,
Welcome to the heart of Chowchilla, where small town charm meets everyday convenience. Situated on a corner lot among the city's historic homes, 701 Ventura Avenue offers comfortable living in a friendly community with easy access to nearby cities including Madera, Merced, and Fresno.Inside, you will find a spacious layout designed for everyday living. The large kitchen opens to the dining area
App. 2 acre parcel zoned Ag Commercial, great for a small business/shop with substantial traffic on Robertson Blvd. Terms may be available. Open ground with easy access to electricity. Located in an Enterprise Zone, tax benefits may be available. Located in the county of Madera just a short distance from the Chowchilla City limits. Neighboring lot, parcel 026-310-043-000 is also available in case
This offering presents a rare opportunity consisting of 1,124.08 assessed acres to acquire a well located agricultural property featuring established infrastructure, dual water source, and functional improvements. The property has been historically utilized for [farming/orchard/irrigated agriculture] and offers both immediate operational utility and long-term investment upside. Subject property
LocationProperty is located on the west side of South Vista Ave in north Chowchilla, CA.Size+/-66.6 Assessed AcresPlantingsProperty is planted to +/-38 acres of Merlot wine grapes and +/-22 acres of prunes.WaterProperty is located within the Chowchilla Water District and is adjacent to the newly developed Chowchilla Water District recharge basins. The
40.16 acres of Nonpareil and Monterey almonds planted in 2013. 30 hp, 450 gpm well and a 15 hp 290 gpm well connected to 3 sand filters for drip irrigation. There is a Chowchilla Water District outtake located 14 mile south of this block. There is an easement to the outtake for a pipeline that has not been installed yet.
Located in Chowchilla, is a 78.96 Acre well-maintained fig orchard planted to Sierras, Black Mission and Tenas. The growing crops are included in the sale with reimbursement to Seller for cultural costs.
±3,200 acre wine grape ranch under long-term CASH RENT lease to high quality, large-scale grower/winemaker tenant with extensive groundwater credits for use on this ranch. Lease runs to the end of 2036 with tenant option to renew for five subsequent one year renewals. Thus, lease could extend through the end of 2041. The lease is contracted at $3,939,924 ($1,260/contracted acre) cash rent for
Welcome to 2082 Bidan in Chowchilla! This beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bath home offers style, comfort, and energy efficiency with paid solar and possible RV parking. The inviting open-concept layout features a spacious family room that flows seamlessly into the kitchen with granite countertops, bar seating, stainless steel appliances, gas stove, microwave, dishwasher, and ample cabinet
The lovely Abernathy floor plan is welcoming and warm, with a spacious great room at its heart. The great room flows into the dining area and the kitchen, which offers a wraparound counter and a built-in pantry. Toward the front of the home, there are two generous secondary bedrooms and a full bath, while the airy primary suite sits at the back. The attached bath includes dual vanities and a
This charming 5-bedroom, 2-bath home offers a cozy and inviting feel with plenty of space to enjoy. Recently updated throughout, the home features new appliances, including a Wi-Fi-enabled stove, along with comfortable living spaces perfect for everyday life. The welcoming exterior, attractive landscaping, rain gutters, and many thoughtful touches reflect how well this home has been loved and
The captivating Beaumont plan offers a modern, open-concept layout centered around an inviting great room. A dining area and a kitchen with a wraparound counter are adjacent, and a covered patio sits right outsideperfect for entertaining and everyday living. The spacious owner's suite is secluded at the back of the home, offering a large walk-in closet and a private bath with dual vanities and a
Get ready to fall in love with this beautiful brand-new home. It is a spacious 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home located in Chowchilla, CA.You will enjoy a fantastic, flowing layout with plenty of room to spread out and relax.Property Features:-Onsite parking-Appliances: Electric Range w/ Oven, matching Microwave & Refrigerator-Laundry: Washer & Dryer Hook Up-Comfort:
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