Hanford, California

Hanford was once north of Tulare Lake, historically the largest body of fresh water west of the Mississippi River. The area was inhabited by the Tachi Yokuts Indians for several thousand years prior to Euro-American contact. They occupied locations along watercourses such as creeks, springs and seep areas (such as sloughs), along perennial and seasonal drainages, as well as flat ridges and terraces.{{cite report |first1=John |last1=Torrey |first2=Paul |last2=Awosika |title=Environmental Impact Report for the Hanford Mall |publisher=Earth Metrics Inc. for the city of Hanford and State of California Clearinghouse |version=rpt. 10082 |date=March 8, 1990}}

File:Spanish Revival House - Stitched Together Pan (Horizontal) (15541867730) (cropped).jpg homes in Hanford.]]

Since the annexation of California after the Mexican-American War, the locality was settled by Americans and immigrants as farmland, broadly referred to as "Mussel Slough". The earliest dated grave in the area was that of a young Alice Spangler who was initially buried in the Kings River Cemetery just north of her family's farm in 1860. As the settlement grew, Tulare Lake's feeding rivers were diverted for agricultural irrigation, causing it to gradually shrink and, over the 19th and 20th centuries, dry up.

From the mid-to-late 1870s, the Southern Pacific Railroad planned to lay tracks towards the developing farmland west of Visalia, spurring a growth in labor and population. Hanford's namesake was James Madison Hanford, an executive for the company. The earliest known document labeling the settlement as "Hanford" is an 1876 map of Tulare County which once included the territory of present-day Kings County.{{cite report|url=https://davidrumsey.georeferencer.com/maps/4b53d7e0-109e-5b4b-8c09-34dd774cedb4/view|title=Map Of Tulare County California|author=Klokan Technologies GmbH|website=davidrumsey.georeferencer.com|access-date=March 27, 2020|archive-date=March 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327205120/https://davidrumsey.georeferencer.com/maps/4b53d7e0-109e-5b4b-8c09-34dd774cedb4/view|url-status=live}} Tracks were laid through a sheep camp in 1877. According to History of Kings County: "It was but a short step from sheep-camp to village and with the railroad as an attraction the village flourished and became a town within a few historic months."Brown, Robert R. and Richmond, J.E., History of Kings County, A.H. Cawston, Hanford, CA, 1940 Many of those working on the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

File:Sunny Morning in Hanford (15541300968) (cropped).jpg

In 1877, Hanford began to appear in state newspapers, giving details of events in the town's early days. In 1878, Hanford began running their own newspaper service and wiring called "The Public Good" which fed into other papers.{{Cite news|publisher=National Endowment for the Humanities|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn94052418/|title=The public good. [volume]|website=loc.gov|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-date=July 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722205010/http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn94052418/|url-status=live}} In May 1878, Hanford residents drafted a resolve against the South Pacific Railroad from purchasing land with residing settlers.{{cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/623383768/?terms=hanford+tulare|title=The Pacific Bee from Sacramento, California on May 25, 1878 · 7|website=Newspapers.com|date=May 25, 1878 |language=en|access-date=March 30, 2020}} In June 1878, the Workingmen's Party was reported to have a majority vote over the Democrats in the town.{{cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/607582391/?terms=hanford+tulare|title=Los Angeles Evening Express from Los Angeles, California on June 21, 1878 · 1|website=Newspapers.com|date=June 21, 1878 |language=en|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-date=December 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231053554/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/607582391/?terms=hanford+tulare|url-status=live}}

In May 1878, the Upper Kings River Canal and Irrigation Company filed articles of incorporation.{{cite news|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=46202664&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjYyMzM4Njk4NiwiaWF0IjoxNTg1NTc3Njk4LCJleHAiOjE1ODU2NjQwOTh9.tbFyrTai59Y7oA4Qz4diAyxMZGlvYthlyB7dd1v7hPM|title=31 May 1879, 3 - The Pacific Bee at Newspapers.com|newspaper=The Pacific Bee|date=May 31, 1879 |page=3 |language=en|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-date=December 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231053543/http://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=46202664&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjYyMzM4Njk4NiwiaWF0IjoxNTg1NTc3Njk4LCJleHAiOjE1ODU2NjQwOTh9.tbFyrTai59Y7oA4Qz4diAyxMZGlvYthlyB7dd1v7hPM|url-status=live}} On August 1, California Governor candidates George Clement Perkins and Romualdo Pacheco (and on August 10, O F Thornton and W F White W P C) spoke in Hanford and Lemoore.{{cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/623387551/?terms=hanford+tulare|title=The Pacific Bee from Sacramento, California on August 9, 1879 · 5|website=Newspapers.com|date=August 9, 1879 |language=en|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-date=August 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823073037/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/623387551/?terms=hanford+tulare|url-status=live}}

In May 1880, a dispute over land titles between settlers and the Southern Pacific Railroad resulted in a bloody gun battle on a farm {{convert|5.6|mi|km|abbr=on}} northwest of Hanford that left seven men dead. This event became famous as the Mussel Slough Tragedy. The next month, the town's first census was held counting some 269 residents.{{cite web|url=https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYB4-9M1B?wc=XHQ5-T38%3A1589395335%2C1589395671%2C1589395993%2C1589394862&cc=1417683|title=1880 Hanford Census|date=1880|website=FamilySearch}} Forty-four of them were Chinese immigrants who resided in what's known today as China Alley.{{cite web|url=https://www.chinaalley.com/|title=China Alley|website=China Alley|language=en-US|access-date=March 27, 2020|archive-date=March 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327195948/https://www.chinaalley.com/|url-status=live}}

A post office was established in 1887.{{California's Geographic Names|1044}}

On several occasions, major fires destroyed much of the young community's business district. The need for fire protection led to the town becoming an incorporated city in 1891. Its first mayor was local resident Yamon LeBaron.

File:Lacey Milling Company, Hanford (11769465066).jpg

An electrical generating plant was built in 1891 by pioneering flour miller H.G. Lacey, bringing the first electric lights to the city. The Lacey Milling Company, founded in 1887, was operated by Lacey and his descendants for 136 years before shutting down in 2023.{{cite web|url=https://hanfordsentinel.com/news/local/lacey-milling-co-is-shutting-down-operations-after-a-century-of-commerce/article_09a0ce2f-265b-584e-b859-a1a9aed0ffa5.html|title=Lacey Milling Co. is shutting down operations after a century of commerce|date=December 21, 2023|website=The Hanford Sentinel|access-date=December 30, 2024}}

The first public high school, Hanford Union High School, was started in 1892 with one teacher, W. S. Cranmer, and an average enrollment of fourteen.Gibson, Harold, History of Kings County Public Schools, Hanford, CA, 2004

When Kings County was created in 1893 from the western part of Tulare County, Hanford became its county seat.

File:Bastille 090907 1.JPG

A second railroad was laid through Hanford in 1897, which today is the main north–south line of the BNSF Railway through the San Joaquin Valley. The original east–west Southern Pacific Railroad branch line is now operated by the San Joaquin Valley Railroad.

Saloons flourished in Hanford's early days despite an anti-saloon movement until the town voted to become "dry" in 1912, eight years before nationwide prohibition was enacted.

In the 1930s, famed pilot Amelia Earhart lived in Hanford to teach flying lessons at Fresno Chandler Airport. She befriended local resident and student of hers Mary Packwood with whom she gifted a personally-designed dress and left luggage shortly before her disappearance in the Pacific Ocean in 1937. The belongings are on display in Hanford's Carnegie Museum.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/amelia-earharts-fashion-l_b_341283|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200331200136/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/amelia-earharts-fashion-l_b_341283|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 31, 2020|title=Amelia Earhart's Fashion Line: Found at Last {{!}} HuffPost Life|date=March 31, 2020|website=archive.is|access-date=March 31, 2020}}

File:Sunny Morning in Downtown Hanford (15541298548) (cropped).jpg

Hanford is situated in the south-central portion of California's San Joaquin Valley, {{convert|28|mi|km}} south-southeast of the city of Fresno and {{convert|18|mi|km}} west of the city of Visalia. The city is {{convert|249|ft|m}} above sea level and has a flat terrain. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|16.6|sqmi|km2}}, all land. The only natural watercourse is Mussel Slough, remnants of which still exist on the city's western edge. The Kings River is about {{convert|6.5|mi|km}} north of Hanford. The People's Ditch, an irrigation canal dug in the 1870s, traverses Hanford from north to south.{{cite web |url=http://www.calarchives4u.com/history/kings/king1913-ch23.htm |title=Kings County History |access-date=August 1, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219070421/http://www.calarchives4u.com/history/kings/king1913-ch23.htm |archive-date=February 19, 2007 |url-status=usurped }} Hanford's land was once a drainage basin for Tulare Lake.

It has a cold-semi arid climate typical of the San Joaquin Valley floor with hot, dry summers and cool winters characterized by dense tule fog. The wetter season occurs from November through March. The average annual rainfall over the ten years from 1997/98 through 2006/07 was {{convert|8.97|inch}}. The city falls within USDA plant hardiness zones 9a ({{convert|20|to|25|F|C|disp=semicolon}}) and 9b ({{convert|25|to|30|F|C|disp=semicolon}}).{{Cite web |title=2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map {{!}} USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map |url=https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=planthardiness.ars.usda.gov}}{{Cite web |title=ZIP Code 93230 - Hanford, California Hardiness Zones |url=https://www.plantmaps.com/93230 |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=www.plantmaps.com}}

{{Weather box

|collapsed = yes

| single line = Y

| location = Hanford Municipal Airport, California (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1899–present)

|Jan record high F = 95

|Feb record high F = 94

|Mar record high F = 95

|Apr record high F = 100

|May record high F = 107

|Jun record high F = 114

|Jul record high F = 116

|Aug record high F = 115

|Sep record high F = 114

|Oct record high F = 105

|Nov record high F = 94

|Dec record high F = 80

|Jan avg record high F = 66.8

|Feb avg record high F = 72.5

|Mar avg record high F = 81.5

|Apr avg record high F = 90.6

|May avg record high F = 98.3

|Jun avg record high F = 104.1

|Jul avg record high F = 105.6

|Aug avg record high F = 105.3

|Sep avg record high F = 101.6

|Oct avg record high F = 93.2

|Nov avg record high F = 79.1

|Dec avg record high F = 66.8

|year avg record high F= 107.4

|Jan high F = 56.6

|Feb high F = 63.0

|Mar high F = 69.8

|Apr high F = 76.3

|May high F = 84.6

|Jun high F = 92.5

|Jul high F = 98.2

|Aug high F = 97.4

|Sep high F = 92.1

|Oct high F = 80.7

|Nov high F = 66.6

|Dec high F = 56.7

|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 46.8

|Feb mean F = 50.9

|Mar mean F = 56.7

|Apr mean F = 61.8

|May mean F = 69.2

|Jun mean F = 76.0

|Jul mean F = 81.1

|Aug mean F = 79.9

|Sep mean F = 74.7

|Oct mean F = 64.6

|Nov mean F = 53.2

|Dec mean F = 46.0

|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 37.0

|Feb low F = 38.9

|Mar low F = 43.5

|Apr low F = 47.2

|May low F = 53.8

|Jun low F = 59.5

|Jul low F = 64.0

|Aug low F = 62.4

|Sep low F = 57.4

|Oct low F = 48.5

|Nov low F = 39.8

|Dec low F = 35.3

|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 27.6

|Feb avg record low F = 30.4

|Mar avg record low F = 34.5

|Apr avg record low F = 37.5

|May avg record low F = 45.5

|Jun avg record low F = 50.5

|Jul avg record low F = 57.3

|Aug avg record low F = 55.9

|Sep avg record low F = 49.0

|Oct avg record low F = 39.2

|Nov avg record low F = 30.2

|Dec avg record low F = 26.2

|year avg record low F= 24.8

|Jan record low F = 14

|Feb record low F = 18

|Mar record low F = 23

|Apr record low F = 25

|May record low F = 30

|Jun record low F = 36

|Jul record low F = 44

|Aug record low F = 40

|Sep record low F = 35

|Oct record low F = 28

|Nov record low F = 18

|Dec record low F = 15

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 1.56

|Feb precipitation inch = 1.44

|Mar precipitation inch = 1.49

|Apr precipitation inch = 0.72

|May precipitation inch = 0.35

|Jun precipitation inch = 0.07

|Jul precipitation inch = 0.02

|Aug precipitation inch = 0.00

|Sep precipitation inch = 0.04

|Oct precipitation inch = 0.46

|Nov precipitation inch = 0.62

|Dec precipitation inch = 1.36

|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 8.3

|Feb precipitation days = 8.1

|Mar precipitation days = 6.8

|Apr precipitation days = 4.5

|May precipitation days = 2.5

|Jun precipitation days = 0.5

|Jul precipitation days = 0.2

|Aug precipitation days = 0.1

|Sep precipitation days = 0.5

|Oct precipitation days = 2.8

|Nov precipitation days = 6.7

|Dec precipitation days = 8.7

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USW00053119&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Hanford MUNI AP, CA

|access-date = May 26, 2023

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=hnx

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Hanford

|access-date = May 26, 2023

}}

}}

;Notes:

{{notelist}}

{{US Census population

| 1880 = 269

| 1890 = 942

| 1900 = 2929

| 1910 = 4829

| 1920 = 5888

| 1930 = 7028

| 1940 = 8234

| 1950 = 10028

| 1960 = 10133

| 1970 = 15179

| 1980 = 20958

| 1990 = 30897

| 2000 = 41686

| 2010 = 53967

| 2020 = 57990

| estyear = 2023

| estimate = 59938

| estref = {{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |access-date=March 24, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|website=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015|archive-date=July 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701194652/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|url-status=live}}

}}

The 2010 United States Census{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0631960|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715025348/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0631960|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA – Hanford city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}} reported that Hanford had a population of 53,967. The population density was {{convert|3,253.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Hanford was 33,713 (62.5%) White, 2,632 (4.9%) African American, 712 (1.3%) Native American, 2,322 (4.3%) Asian, 53 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 11,599 (21.5%) from other races, and 2,936 (5.4%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25,419 persons (47.1%).

The Census reported that 53,068 people (98.3% of the population) lived in households, 283 (0.5%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 616 (1.1%) were institutionalized.

There were 17,492 households, out of which 8,053 (46.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 9,088 (52.0%) were married couples living together, 2,833 (16.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,207 (6.9%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,315 (7.5%) unmarried partnerships, and 117 (0.7%) same-sex partnerships. 3,483 households (19.9%) were made up of individuals, and 1,405 (8.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03. There were 13,128 families (75.1% of all households); the average family size was 3.49.

The population was spread out, with 16,731 people (31.0%) under the age of 18, 5,478 people (10.2%) aged 18 to 24, 14,764 people (27.4%) aged 25 to 44, 11,647 people (21.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 5,347 people (9.9%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.

There were 18,493 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,114.8|/sqmi|/km2|adj=off}}, of which 10,208 (58.4%) were owner-occupied, and 7,284 (41.6%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.6%. 31,109 people (57.6% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 21,959 people (40.7%) lived in rental housing units.

15.5% of the populace lived below the poverty line.

{{As of|2000|alt=As of the 2000 census|post=,}} there were 41,686 people, 13,931 households, and 10,378 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|3,184.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|adj=off}}. There were 14,721 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,124.5|/sqmi|/km2|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 64.1% White, 5.0% Black or African American, 1.4% Native American, 2.9% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 20.8% from other races, and 5.7% from two or more races. 38.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Foreign-born residents accounted for 13.2% of Hanford's population and 28.3% spoke a language other than English at home.

There were 13,931 households, out of which 42.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.39.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.6% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.

Hanford is a major trading center serving the surrounding agricultural area. According to the California Employment Development Department, as of September 2012, most residents of the Hanford-Corcoran Metropolitan Statistical Area were employed in services (31,000 employees), government (14,400 employees) and farming (6,400 employees) as well as in some manufacturing enterprises (5,700 employees).{{cite web|url=http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/|title=EDD Labor Market Information Division|website=Labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov|access-date=August 17, 2018|archive-date=August 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818084220/https://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/|url-status=live}}

The heavy industry sector has declined significantly over the past 30 years.{{When|date=May 2020}} An oil refinery formerly operated in the city under several different owners (Caminol Oil Co. from 1932 to 1967, Beacon Oil Co. from 1967 to 1982 and Ultramar Oil Co. from 1982 to 1987) until it permanently closed in 1987.{{cite web |url=http://www.energy.ca.gov/oil/refinery_history.html |title=History of California Oil Refineries |publisher=California Energy Commission |date=April 2007 |accessdate=December 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713152152/http://www.energy.ca.gov/oil/refinery_history.html |archive-date=July 13, 2007 |url-status=dead}} A tire manufacturing plant was built in 1962 by the Armstrong Rubber Co., which operated it until that company was purchased by the Italian manufacturer Pirelli, which eventually closed the factory in 2001. In August 2017, Faraday Future announced that it had signed a lease for the former Pirelli plant where it plans to manufacture electric vehicles. The company said that it could employ up to 1,300 people over time and build up to 10,000 cars a year.{{Cite news |url=http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article165856987.html|title=Old tire plant in Hanford gets new life, and electric-car buyers could be interested |last=Lee |first=Bonhia |date=August 7, 2017 |work=The Fresno Bee |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807213143/http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article165856987.html |archive-date=August 7, 2017 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://hanfordsentinel.com/news/local/electric-car-maker-coming-to-hanford/article_20a95c51-da08-584d-a799-2612293a06cb.html|title=Electric car maker coming to Hanford|date=August 7, 2017|work=The Sentinel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810215002/http://hanfordsentinel.com/news/local/electric-car-maker-coming-to-hanford/article_20a95c51-da08-584d-a799-2612293a06cb.html|archive-date=August 10, 2017|url-status=live}}

Major employers within the city of Hanford in 2006 included the Kings County government with 1,041 employees, the Adventist Health with 857, the Hanford Elementary School District with 520, the Del Monte Foods tomato cannery with 435 year-round and 1,500 seasonal employees and Marquez Brothers International, Inc., makers of Hispanic cheese and other dairy products.{{cite web |url=http://www.kingsedc.org/hanford.html |title=Kings County Economic Development Corporation including Hanford, Lemoore, Corcoran, and Avenal |access-date=July 16, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070720144642/http://www.kingsedc.org/hanford.html |archive-date=July 20, 2007 }} Many Hanford residents work for other nearby employers such as NAS Lemoore, the U.S. Navy's largest Master Jet Base located {{convert|15.5|mi|km|abbr=on}} WSW of Hanford and for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation which operates three state prisons in Kings County. Additionally, the National Weather Service's San Joaquin Valley office is located in Hanford.{{cite web |title=NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs) |url=https://www.census.gov/topics/preparedness/related-sites/nws.html |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=24 June 2024 |date=22 November 2023}}

The city was impacted by the Great Recession (2007–09) and employment was also affected by the California drought (2012–13). The unemployment rate in January 2016 was 10.3%. However, the rate had dropped to 7.9% in February 2020 at the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic. The unemployment rate had risen to 16.0% in April of that year.{{cite web |url=http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/data/labor-force-and-unemployment-for-cities-and-census-areas.html |title=Labor Force and Unemployment Rate for Cities and Census Designated Places |publisher=Labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov |date= |accessdate=December 31, 2021 |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130171912/http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/data/labor-force-and-unemployment-for-cities-and-census-areas.html |url-status=live }} According to the United States Census Bureau, median household income in Hanford was $54,767 and 18.3% of the population was living below the poverty line in 2008–2012.{{cite web |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0631960.html |title=Hanford (City) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau |access-date=December 24, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111226082030/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0631960.html |archive-date=December 26, 2011 }} accessed December 26, 2013

File:Fox 090907 1.JPG Hanford Fox Theatre, built 1929.]]

The Kings Art Center was opened in 1989 to be the premier visual arts gallery and art training center of Kings County. It hosts gallery showings throughout the year, as well as art classes for adults and children.{{cite web|url=http://www.kingsartcenter.org|title=Kings Art Center|website=Kings Art Center|access-date=March 16, 2018|archive-date=January 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123032450/http://www.kingsartcenter.org/|url-status=live}}

The Kings District Fair is a traditional county fair held on four days in mid-June at the Kings Fairgrounds.{{cite web |url=http://www.visithanford.com/hfdvis23b.html |title=California kings county hanford visitor agency |access-date=July 31, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070803042732/http://www.visithanford.com/hfdvis23b.html |archive-date=August 3, 2007 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.hanfordsentinel.com/calendar/community/kings-fair/event_84947eb8-d5fe-11e3-b8e2-9fa1642c0ed1.html |title=Event : 2014 Kings Fair |access-date=June 17, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140617231454/http://www.hanfordsentinel.com/calendar/community/kings-fair/event_84947eb8-d5fe-11e3-b8e2-9fa1642c0ed1.html |archive-date=June 17, 2014 }} accessed on September 13, 2014 The Renaissance of Kings Cultural Arts Faire{{cite web|url=http://www.hanfordrenofkings.org/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928063959/http://www.hanfordrenofkings.org/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 28, 2008|title=Hanford Renaissance of Kings|date=September 28, 2008|access-date=August 17, 2018}} is held the first weekend of October at Courthouse Square in Hanford's city center. The event typically attracts 15,000 people over the two-day period.{{Cite news|url=http://hanfordsentinel.com/news/local/renaissance-faire-to-return-this-fall/article_d8951c94-fbc9-11e2-9e3c-001a4bcf887a.html|title=Renaissance faire to return this fall|last=Eiman|first=Mike|date=August 3, 2013|work=The Sentinel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811194010/http://hanfordsentinel.com/news/local/renaissance-faire-to-return-this-fall/article_d8951c94-fbc9-11e2-9e3c-001a4bcf887a.html|archive-date=August 11, 2017|url-status=live}}

The Kings Symphony Orchestra{{cite web|url=http://kingssymphony.org/history/|title=History - Kings Symphony Orchestra|website=Kingssymphony.org|access-date=March 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726221658/http://kingssymphony.org/history/|archive-date=July 26, 2011|url-status=dead}} was founded in 1963 and draws musicians from throughout the central and southern San Joaquin Valley. The orchestra generally performs four times a year.

File:Carnegie 090907 2.JPG

In 1903, steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donated $12,500 for the construction of the Hanford Carnegie Library which opened in 1905 as one of the many Carnegie libraries. The library was replaced by a new structure at a different location in 1968. The old library was later renovated and re-opened as the Hanford Carnegie Museum in 1975.{{cite web|url=https://www.carnegie-libraries.org/california/hanford.html|title=Carnegie Libraries of California - Hanford, California|website=www.carnegie-libraries.org|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-date=August 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817052409/https://www.carnegie-libraries.org/california/hanford.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.visithanford.com/hfdvis23i.html |title=California kings county hanford visitor agency |access-date=June 17, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070803042907/http://www.visithanford.com/hfdvis23i.html |archive-date=August 3, 2007 }}

File:Kings Art Center 090907 1.JPG

The former Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture had the mission of collecting, preserving and exhibiting works of fine art, primarily the arts of Japan. The center also housed a specialist library for Japanese art and culture. The Clark Center closed permanently on June 30, 2015. The art collection was moved to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the bonsai collection was transferred to the Shinzen Friendship Garden at Woodward Park in Fresno, California.{{Cite news|url=http://www.fresnobee.com/entertainment/performing-arts/article25945105.html|title=Sad, final day for Clark Center museum: 'We're losing a treasure'|last=Munro|first=Donald|date=June 30, 2015|work=The Sentinel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811193254/http://www.fresnobee.com/entertainment/performing-arts/article25945105.html|archive-date=August 11, 2017|url-status=live}}

Chinese immigrants that arrived in the late 19th century created a thriving Chinatown in Hanford in the neighborhood around China Alley. China Alley was the site of the famous but now closed Imperial Dynasty restaurant. Hanford's Taoist Temple (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) built in 1893 is also there. A Moon Festival is held in China Alley in early October. In July 2011, Hanford city council commissioned a study of China Alley with the hope of revitalizing it. The China Alley Preservation Society is a non profit organization dedicated to preserving and revitalizing China Alley.{{Cite news |last=Pridgen |first=Andrew |date=March 9, 2025 |title=One of California's most historic streets could disappear forever |url=https://www.sfgate.com/centralcalifornia/article/historic-california-chinatown-disappearing-20209540.php |work=SFGATE}}

Hanford is the site of the Hanford Criterium{{cite web |url=http://www.velopromo.com/hanf-ent.htm |title=The Hanford Criterium |access-date=March 23, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324014423/http://www.velopromo.com/hanf-ent.htm |archive-date=March 24, 2014 }} bicycle races held on a Sunday in late March or early April. The {{convert|0.9|mi|km|adj=on}} hourglass style loop course is run on downtown streets. The Criterium is held under USA Cycling racing rules and permit.

Dirt track auto racing takes place at the Kings Speedway[https://web.archive.org/web/20060709231941/http://www.kingsspeedway.net/ title=kingsspeedway.net] from March through October. The track is a 3/8-mile semi-banked clay oval and is at the Kings Fairgrounds.

Hanford is incorporated as a general law city under the California Constitution. The city has a council-manager government with a city manager{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.hanford.ca.us/City%20Manager.htm |title=City Manager's Office |access-date=July 5, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070727190618/http://www.ci.hanford.ca.us/City%20Manager.htm |archive-date=July 27, 2007 |url-status=dead }} appointed by the city council.{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.hanford.ca.us/City%20Council.htm |title=Hanford City Council Information |access-date=July 5, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703194210/http://www.ci.hanford.ca.us/City%20Council.htm |archive-date=July 3, 2007 |url-status=dead }}

The city council is made up of five members elected by districts for four-year terms. There are no term limits in effect. The mayor and vice mayor are elected annually by the city council from among its members. Council members include former mayors Lou Martinez, Diane Sharp, Kalish Marrow, and Hanford Vice Mayor Mark Kairis.https://www.cityofhanfordca.com/government/city_council/index.php {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}} The current mayor is teacher and former Hanford Planning Commission Vice Chair Travis Paden following the 2022 California elections.{{cite web | url=https://hanfordsentinel.com/news/local/three-new-members-sworn-in-to-hanford-city-council-travis-paden-named-mayor-mark-kairis/article_e2c324ba-c17f-55cd-91f9-b08dbc630f9f.html#2 | title=Three new members sworn in to Hanford City Council; Travis Paden named mayor, Mark Kairis vice mayor | date=December 5, 2022 }}

Hanford's city manager is the chief administrative officer of the city and is responsible for the overall administrative direction of the city. The city manager's duties include development and implementation of the annual budget for approval by the city council. Mario Cifuentez II was appointed as the city manager in 2019.Hanford Sentinel”, November 21, 2019

In the state legislature, Hanford is in the 14th State Senate District, which is represented by Democrat Melissa Hurtado,Fresno Bee”, December 6, 2018 and in the 32nd State Assembly District, represented by Democrat Rudy Salas. The north side of Hanford is represented by Republican David Valadao, with the south side represented by Republican Vince Fong.https://www.wedrawthelinesca.org/final_maps, Final California Congressional District Maps

Hanford has 15 elementary schools, three junior high schools, four high schools with a total of 8,464 Kindergarten through 8th grade students and 3,522 high schoolers.

The Hanford Elementary School District provides kindergarten through eighth grade education for most of the city.{{cite web|url=http://www.hesd.k12.ca.us/|title=Hanford Elementary School District|website=Hesd.k12.ca.us|access-date=March 16, 2018|archive-date=September 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901153950/http://www.hesd.k12.ca.us/|url-status=live}} The Pioneer Union Elementary School District serves much of the northern part of Hanford.{{cite web |url=http://www.pioneerschooldistrict.org/education/district/district.php?sectionid=1 |title=Pioneer Union Elementary School District - Home |access-date=November 20, 2007 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080125020157/http://www.pioneerschooldistrict.org/education/district/district.php?sectionid=1 |archive-date=January 25, 2008 }} Part of north Hanford is served by the Kings River-Hardwick School District.{{cite web |url=https://www.edline.net/pages/krhsd |title=Kings River-Hardwick School District Home Page |access-date=November 20, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026171901/https://www.edline.net/pages/krhsd |archive-date=October 26, 2008 |url-status=dead }} The Hanford Joint Union High School District provides public secondary education. It operates Hanford Union High School, Hanford West High School, Sierra Pacific High School as well as Earl F. Johnson High School.

The College of the Sequoias operates an education center in Hanford as part of the Joint Educational Center that includes Sierra Pacific High School.{{cite web|url=http://www.cos.edu/|title=The First Step to Success - College of the Sequoias|website=Cos.edu|access-date=March 16, 2018|archive-date=October 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010192353/http://www.cos.edu/|url-status=live}}

Brandman University has a Hanford campus for adult students.{{cite web|url=http://www.brandman.edu/locations|title=Online & Campus Locations|website=Brandman.edu|access-date=August 17, 2018|archive-date=January 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107182033/https://www.brandman.edu/locations|url-status=live}}

Kings Area Regional Transit (KART) operates regularly scheduled fixed route bus service, vanpool service for commuters and Dial-A-Ride (demand response) services throughout Kings County as well as to Fresno.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kartbus.org/|title=KART - Kings Area Regional Transit|website=KART - Kings Area Regional Transit}} Hanford was also served by Orange Belt Stages until it ceased operations in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism.

Amtrak provides passenger rail service from Hanford station to the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento, and service to Southern California by a combination of rail and bus. Freight service is available from both the BNSF Railway and the San Joaquin Valley Railroad.

Amtrak Thruway 18 provides a daily connection to Visalia on the east, and Santa Maria on the west, with several stops in between.{{cite web | url=https://amtraksanjoaquins.com/route18/ | title=Route18 }}

California High-Speed Rail has a station under construction to the east of Hanford, however construction only started in 2019 after a series of disputes between neighbouring Visalia, which favoured the project, and Hanford, which opposed construction altogether until the station design was changed from being at-grade to being an elevated structure east of the city.{{Cite web|url=https://thesungazette.com/article/business/2019/12/11/kings-tulare-hsr-station-platform-construction-to-start/|title=Kings-Tulare HSR station platform construction to start|last=Lindt|first=John|date=December 11, 2019|website=The Sun-Gazette Newspaper|language=en-US|access-date=March 6, 2025}}

The Hanford Municipal Airport serves general aviation and has a {{Convert|5175|feet}} paved runway.

;Water

The city's water system is supplied by a network of 14 active deep wells and one standby well ranging in depth from {{Convert|600|feet}} to {{Convert|1700|feet}} with {{Convert|203|miles}} of main lines and serves 15,900 water connections.{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.hanford.ca.us/depts/pw/utilities/water.asp |title=City of Hanford - Water Information |access-date=June 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727015355/http://www.ci.hanford.ca.us/depts/pw/utilities/water.asp |archive-date=July 27, 2011 |url-status=dead }}2017 Consumer Confidence Report, City of Hanford, Department of Public Works Formerly, the water had contained naturally occurring arsenic in excess of the maximum contaminant level adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, according to the Consumer Confidence Report issued by the city of Hanford in March 2010 for calendar year 2009, since November 2009, the city has supplied water that is below the federal standard of 10 micrograms of arsenic per liter of water. Although it does not pose a health hazard, Hanford's drinking water also naturally contains hydrogen sulfide, which caused the water to have a noticeable "rotten egg" odor.{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.hanford.ca.us/Public%20Works%20-%20Water%20Division.htm |title=Public Works Department - Water Division |access-date=November 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080104211741/http://www.ci.hanford.ca.us/Public%20Works%20-%20Water%20Division.htm |archive-date=January 4, 2008 |url-status=dead }} In February 2015, the city completed a project to chlorinate all of its water, to eliminate the odor.{{Cite news|url=http://hanfordsentinel.com/news/local/hanford-chlorination-project-finished/article_3cc201ab-baae-55ad-b031-db1fba4a3083.html|title=Hanford chlorination project finished|last=Eiman|first=Mike|date=February 20, 2015|work=The Sentinel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223151236/http://hanfordsentinel.com/news/local/hanford-chlorination-project-finished/article_3cc201ab-baae-55ad-b031-db1fba4a3083.html|archive-date=February 23, 2015|url-status=live}}

;Sanitation

The city's sanitary sewer system consists of {{convert|212|mi|km|abbr=on}} of collector lines and 22 pump stations.{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.hanford.ca.us/depts/pw/utilities/sewer.asp |title=City of Hanford - Sanitary Sewer Information |access-date=July 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817101046/http://www.ci.hanford.ca.us/depts/pw/utilities/sewer.asp |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |url-status=dead }} The wastewater treatment plant treats {{Convert|5000000|usgal|liter|abbr=off}} of sewage per day. The treated effluent is used to irrigate non-food crops.{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.hanford.ca.us/Public%20Works.htm |title=Department of Public Works |access-date=November 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130010708/http://www.ci.hanford.ca.us/Public%20Works.htm |archive-date=November 30, 2007 |url-status=dead }}

• {{flagicon|Japan}} Setana, Japan{{cite web|url=https://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/e_m07_06_01.html|title=Northern and Central California Sister Cities in Japan|website=Consulate-General of Japan in San Francisco|accessdate=20 November 2024}}

The Lacey mill was featured as a filming location in several movies and music videos, including the 1989 film Night Shadow, starring Kato Kaelin, and the music video for John Mellencamp's "Walk Tall," starring Peter Dinklage.{{cite web|url=https://www.hanfordinsider.com/hanford-insider-the-136-year-legacy-of-lacey-milling/|title=The 136 Year Legacy of Lacey Milling|date=January 11, 2025|website=Hanford Insider|access-date=January 11, 2025}}

• Leslie Bassett was a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer who was born in Hanford.
• Ryan Bowen was a baseball player for the Houston Astros and Florida Marlins
• Ken Caminiti was a Major League Baseball player and National League MVP
• Tyson Chandler is a basketball player in the National Basketball Association
• Chris Cohan, a Cable TV executive; former owner of the Golden State Warriors
• Calvin M. Dooley served in the U.S. House of Representatives
• Dameane Douglas was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL)
• Harlan F. Hagen served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1953 to 1967.
• Jermaine Haley is a football player who was born in Hanford.
• Tyler Henry, a self-proclaimed psychic medium
• Ed Hill, songwriter and musician
• Tamara Keith, radio reporter, host and producer
• Bill Landis, baseball player on the 1967 American League Boston Red Sox
• Mark Lee was a cornerback in the National Football League
• Melinda Lira, American Idol season 5 semi-finalist.
• Pauline Lord, actress, was born in Hanford.
• Ruth MacLeod, writer, born in Hanford.
• Chad Mendes, UFC fighter
• May Merrill Miller, an American writer best known for her novel First the Blade
• Richard C. Miller, photographer, a native of Hanford
• Lorenzo Neal, a 3-time Pro Bowl fullback in the NFL
• Scott Parker, hockey players in the NHL
• Sean Parnell, former Governor of Alaska
• Steve Perry a rock singer with the band Journey
• Slim Pickens, cowboy and actor, grew up in Hanford
• Phillip Pine, actor, born in Hanford
• Poor Man's Poison, American folk band based in Hanford
• Jessica Gao, television writer and producer, born in Hanford
• J. G. Quintel, creator of Regular Show
• James Rainwater, physicist and co-winner of the 1975 Nobel Prize in Physics
• Matt Shively, actor on True Jackson, VP
• Bill Simas, pitcher for the Chicago White Sox
• Jewerl Thomas is a former professional National Football League football player
• David Valadao, elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012
• Andy Vidak, State Senator
• Jan-Michael Vincent, actor, moved to Hanford with his family as a teenage
• Cornelius Warmerdam, longtime pole vault world record holder, grew up in Hanford.
• Darrell Winfield is an actor who played the Marlboro man and was born in Hanford.
• Delbert Wong (1920–2006), first judge of Chinese-American descent in the continental United States

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Official website}}
• [http://www.HanfordChamber.com/ Hanford Chamber of Commerce website]
• [http://www.hanfordsentinel.com/ Hanford Sentinel newspaper website]

{{Cities of Kings County, California}}

{{California county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Kings County, California

Category:County seats in California

Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California

Category:San Joaquin Valley