Lindsay and Porterville receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Measured values
| Metric | Lindsay | Porterville | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,643 | 63,157 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $53,201 | $60,461 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $20,514 | $24,102 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 4,340/sq mi | 3,356/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $286,400 | $285,700 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,009 | $1,148 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 49.5% | 54.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 10.1% | 13.7% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.5% | -1.5% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 5.7% | 14.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 33.1% | 17.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 18 | 141 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.4 | 2.2 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 500.0% | -35.3% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 96°F | 98°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 37°F | 40°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 12.1" | 11.0" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 52 mi | 44 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 31.2 min | 25.3 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 31.0 | 30.9 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 11 | 32 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 21.46 | 22.58 | 2024-25 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 87.9% | 87.2% | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Lindsay
Elevated or high exposure: heat wave, inland flooding, wildfire.
Porterville
Elevated or high exposure: heat wave, inland flooding, wildfire.
Your best match
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Full profiles: Lindsay, CA · Porterville, CA · How this is calculated: methodology