Mendota is a city in Fresno County, California, United States. The population was 12,595 at the 2020 U.S. Census. State Routes 180 and 33 run through the agricultural city. Mendota is located 8.5 miles (14 km) south-southeast of Firebaugh.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Mendota ranks

All →

#29Lowest property tax in CA #33Cheapest rent in CA #76Most affordable in CA All CA rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code93640

Area code559

Living in Mendota

Housing in Mendota

$333K▲ 5.2% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Mendota home is worth about $333,000, up 5.2% in a year, 56% below the California typical home.

Only 1 sale in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Mendota

C⁻

Safety Grade C-

Mendota reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 82% report less.

Violent crime per 1,000

Mendota 8.2

California 4.3

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Mendota 8.7

California 18.2

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Mendota

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Mendota for work: only 15% work in town. The top destinations are Fresno (13%), Firebaugh (4%) and Kerman (4%). Half commute less than 33 miles.

Fresno

13%

Firebaugh

Kerman

Madera

15%Work in townlive and work in Mendota 33 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 1,523Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Mendota →

Health in Mendota

D⁻

Health Grade D−

Healthier than 2% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with California

1better than CA·24worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 7 are too close to call.

Conditions 1▲ 6▼ 5 close Habits 2▼ 2 close Care 7▼ 0 close Mind 5▼ 0 close Everyday needs 4▼ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

3.2%Fewer adults who have had cancerCA 6.4% · better 34.3%More uninsured adultsCA 10.6% · worse

Care nearby

Madera Community HospitalMadera · 22.6 mi · ER

United Health Centers Mendota Barboza 121Mendota · 0.6 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthNo shortage

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Mendota · CMS · HRSAHealth in Mendota →

Natural hazards in Mendota

Very high

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 83% of U.S. communities.

🌵 Drought🏚️ Earthquakes

3Does Mendota flood?paid flood claims since 1978 2Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Mendota

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Mendota →

Climate in Mendota

Full climate →

Mendota has mild winters and hot summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 95°, a January night drops to 40°, and snow is almost unheard of.

58° / 40°Winter

75° / 49°Spring

93° / 63°Summer

78° / 52°Fall

How much snow does Mendota get?Almost none.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Nov 30, with the last in spring around Feb 12.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.5° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Mendota →

Schools in Mendota

All Mendota schools →

C⁻

School Grade C-

The public schools Mendota’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, trail 76% of California’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the bottom.

See how Mendota’s schools compare in CA →

DistrictMendota UnifiedSchools7

McCabe Elementary C-Elementary · Grades 2–6 · 986 students Mendota Elementary C-Elementary · Grades K–6 · 857 students Washington ElementaryElementary · Grades K–1 · 423 students Mendota Junior High CMiddle · Grades 7–8 · 612 students Mendota High B-High · Grades 9–12 · 1,065 students Mendota Continuation HighHigh · Grades 9–12 · 24 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within CA. Ratings are from neighbors.