California

Fresno

1,008,654

2020 population

1860

first census record

census records

About Fresno

Fresno, California, first appears in the United States federal census in 1860, when it recorded a population of 4,605. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 1,008,654.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, one documented military engagement has been recorded within the county, among them Kings River Fight, and 45 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census Year	Population	Chart
2020	1,008,654
2010	930,450
2000	799,407
1990	667,490
1980	514,621
1970	413,053
1960	365,945
1950	276,515
1940	178,565
1930	144,379
1920	128,779
1910	75,657
1900	37,862
1890	32,026
1880	9,478
1870	6,336
1860	4,605

Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Fresno

Military engagements that took place in Fresno, California.

Kings River Fight

1866

Historic places in Fresno

National Register of Historic Places listings in Fresno, California.

Dinkey Creek Bridge

Dinkey Creek

Southern Pacific Passenger Depot

Fresno

Fresno Sanitary Landfill

Fresno

Fresno Republican Printery Building

Fresno

Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church

Fresno

Meux House

Fresno

Old Fresno Water Tower

Fresno

Azteca Theater

Fresno

Birdwell Rock Petroglyph Site

Kearney, M. Theo, Park and Mansion

Fresno

Santa Fe Passenger Depot

Fresno Memorial Auditorium

Fresno

Knapp Cabin

Cedar Grove

Orange Cove Santa Fe Railway Depot

Orange Cove

Forestiere Underground Gardens

Fresno

Einstein House

Fresno

Pantages, Alexander, Theater

Fresno

Browse all Californiahistoric sites ›

Other counties in California

Explore census history and historic records for more California counties.

Lassen Los Angeles Madera Marin Mariposa Mendocino Merced Modoc Mono Monterey Napa Nevada Orange Placer Plumas Riverside Sacramento San Benito San Bernardino San Diego

Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Fresno County, California

This page charts the census history of Fresno County, California. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview

An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.

The Land

The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.

Geology

The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.

LiDAR Terrain

Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.

Conflict & War

The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.

The Civil War

The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.

The Soldiers

The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.

Native Heritage

The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.

Settlement

Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.

The Community

How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.

Rivers & Rail

The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.

Notable People

The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.

Historical Maps

Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.

Finds & Access

Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.

Literature

The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.

Spotlight

A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.

Points of Interest

The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.

Timeline

The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.

First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Fresno County, California report

Or see a real report first

Explore California records

Californiahistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from California›

Frequently asked about Fresno

When does Fresno first appear in the US census?

Fresno, California first appears in the federal census in 1860, with a recorded population of 4,605.

What is the population of Fresno?

At the most recent federal census (2020), Fresno had a recorded population of 1,008,654.

Were any battles fought in Fresno?

1 documented military engagement took place in Fresno, including Kings River Fight.

How many historic places are in Fresno?

45 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Fresno, California.

Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your location View a free sample report