Fresno metro, CA relocation guide
Moving to Chowchilla, CA
About Chowchilla
Chowchilla (~19,000 residents) sits about 16 miles northwest of Madera on SR 99. The name is an anglicized spelling of "chaushila," the Yokuts people who inhabited the area. Founded as a 1912 land-development project by promoter O.A. Robertson and incorporated February 7, 1923 (centennial celebrated in 2023), it grew from cattle ranch into a grain, cotton, and dairy town. Signature traditions include the Western Stampede Cattle Drive arriving each year and the Chowchilla Fair. The Fossil Discovery Center houses one of North America's largest middle-Pleistocene fossil excavations — saber-toothed cats, mammoths, dire wolves. The city also hosts two state prisons: Central California Women's Facility and Valley State Prison. Birthplace of Star Trek writer Ronald D. Moore.
Home prices in Chowchilla
The median list in Chowchilla is $459,000.
Top places in Chowchilla
- Fossil Discovery Center — Pleistocene fossils including mammoths and saber-toothed cats
- Western Stampede Cattle Drive (annual) — cattle drive through town
- Chowchilla Fair — livestock shows, carnival rides, live entertainment
- Downtown Chowchilla historic storefronts
- Berenda Reservoir — fishing and outdoor recreation nearby
- Pheasant Land — hunting facility
Commuting from Chowchilla
- About 35 miles north of central Fresno on SR 99 — roughly a 40-minute drive. Many residents commute to Madera or Fresno.
Chowchilla FAQs
- What is the housing market like in Chowchilla, CA?
The median list in Chowchilla is $459,000. Median listing price · Sep 2026 - How is the commute from Chowchilla, CA?
About 35 miles north of central Fresno on SR 99 — roughly a 40-minute drive. Many residents commute to Madera or Fresno.
Town links
Schools
Official town resources. School report cards via the National Center for Education Statistics.