Orange Cove is a comfortable agricultural community located along the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Located within 4 hours drive of the San Francisco Bay and Los Angeles basin areas, the City lies 35 miles south east of Fresno and a 30 minute drive east of Freeway 99 in central California.
The City enjoys a year around growing season for hundreds of acres of orange and lemon citrus fruit, with major packing house operations, surrounding the community. Orange Cove is a destination site for the annual spring Fresno County Blossom Trail event that kicks off the agricultural growing season. It is located within an hour’s drive of the Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Park areas for fishing, hiking and family recreational activity.
In late 2009, the City welcomed establishment of the Orange Cove Police Department. The new Orange Cove City Council has established public safety, economic development and infrastructure development as local community priorities.
Orange Cove is a General Law City with a Council-Manager form of government. The City is governed by a five-member City Council elected at large. The Mayor is elected directly and the Mayor Pro Tem is chosen by the Council. The City Council also serves as the City’s Redevelopment Agency Board of Directors.
The City Council is committed to managing City business and resources effectively, improving the quality of life in the City, and enhancing the public trust. City Council goals include priorities in the areas of economic development, public safety, and community relations. Orange Cove is a full-service City, with a work force of ¬30 fulltime and 3 part-time employees in the departments of Finance, Planning & Building, Public Works, and Police. The City has a total budget of over $9.3 million, of which $1.5 million is budgeted for the Redevelopment Agency.
As we mentioned, Orange Cove is close to many great spots in California.
Fresno, the fifth largest city in the state of California, lies just 48 minutes to the northwest; Sequoia / Kings Canyon National Park is just a quick 44 minute drive up the mountains.
Yosemite National Park is located just north of Orange Cove, approximately 3 hours. You can even be relaxing on the Ocean Beach at Pismo Beach in just 3 hours.
But one of the best things about Orange Cove is just enjoying the many great events and attractions right here in the Orange Cove area.
History
Elmer M. Sheridan founded the city in 1914, and named it prior to large scale citrus growing. The first post office opened in 1914. The city incorporated in 1948.
Demographics
Approximately 9,179 people call Orange Cove home.
2005 – 2009 US. Census Fact Sheet
2005 – 2009 US. Census Narrative Profile
2005 – 2009 US. Census Reference Map
The arbor pictured above is located at the east entrance to Orange Cove at Highway 63. This inviting sculpture was dedicated on April 12, 2007. It was created in a joint effort between the City of Orange Cove and the Orange Cove Area Chamber of Commerce. Robert Pritz, Sam Escobar, and other volunteers were on hand for the dedication. The artwork was designed by Marilyn McKinney, and assembled with the assistance of D.H. Machine, McKinney Packing, Fruit Growers Supply, and numerous other local businesses