Visalia is an agriculturally dependent city spanning 28.6 square miles. San Francisco is 230 miles northwest from the city and Los Angeles is 190 square miles south. The city, with a population of 125,921, is currently the 46th largest city in the state of California and the 204th largest within the US. It was ranked the 3rd fastest growing city in California and the 19th fastest growing city in the United States in the year 2007. The city is located in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley in Central California. People proudly refer to themselves as "Visalians." Visalia is nicknamed the "Jewel of the Valley" and is considered to be the Gateway to the Sequoias.
Established during 1852, Visalia is considered to be the very first permanent inland settlement between Los Angeles and Stockton in the Sequoia Valley. The Sierra Nevada, the tallest mountain range within the United States, is only a few miles away from the city. Visalia is also the nearest city to the Sequoia National park. Giant Sequoia trees, amongst the biggest living things on earth, can be found here.
The economy in Visalia mainly consists of agriculture, in particular: grapes, olives, citrus, cotton, and nursery products. Distribution, manufacturing and livestock facilities (mainly electronic and paper products) are also a driving force within the cities financial system. The fastest growing employer base is in the light manufacturing and industrial/commercial distribution sectors.
The 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report states that the top ten employers (not in order) within the city were County of Tulare, Cigna, City of Visalia, College of the Sequoias, International Paper, Jo-Ann Stores, Visalia Medical Clinic and Kaweah Delta Medical Center.
The one drawback of living within Visalia is its nearness to the Pacific Ring of Fire. Each and every year, approximately 10,000 earthquakes hit the Pacific Ring of Fire. While no major earthquakes have ever hit the city, it still suffers from some of the aftershocks. Fortunately, the majority are too low of an intensity to be felt. Nearly all areas within the San Joaquin Valley are susceptible to blind thrust earthquakes. Various parts of the city are vulnerable to floods.