VISALIA, CA — Retail stores and jobs in the Visalia area grew more than twice as fast as the national average between 2020 and 2024, according to a recent analysis of federal labor data.
A report by Printastic used U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data to rank the Visalia area 27th for growth among midsize U.S. metro areas. During that four-year period, the region saw an 8.1% increase in retail stores—more than double the 3.7% national average.
The local retail workforce grew by 9.5%. This growth added 1,450 retail jobs and 84 new storefronts to the community since 2020. By 2024, the metro area reached a total of 1,123 stores employing 16,668 workers.
Infrastructure and Expansion
City officials expect this growth to continue as they prepare for a second Costco warehouse at the intersection of Shirk Road and Riggin Avenue. The new store, which will include a car wash, is designed to handle the city’s growth and reduce overcrowding at the current warehouse. It is scheduled to open by mid-2026.
The Shirk Road expansion project began in March 2025 to prepare for the expected increase in traffic. The work includes widening the road and installing new streetlights, sewer lines, and storm drains. These road improvements will also support Carleton Acres, a new housing community being developed nearby.
Much of the city’s recent retail construction and activity is focused on the Mooney Boulevard area, North Visalia, and East Visalia. This includes the ongoing renovation of the Sequoia Mall.
Regional Economic Hub
Visalia serves as the main shopping and service hub for people living in Tulare and Kings counties, as well as southern Fresno County. Visitors at the Visalia Convention Center and tourists traveling to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks also boost the local retail economy.
Devon Jones, Visalia’s Economic Development Manager, said the city’s strategy focuses on creating "primary jobs." These are jobs in manufacturing and shipping that bring money from outside the region into the community. This increased local wealth then drives demand for more shops and services.
The city uses planning and zoning rules to attract businesses. However, local officials noted that private property owners and developers—not the city government—make the final decisions on which businesses move to the area.
Central Valley Growth
Other cities in the Central Valley also grew faster than the national average for retail between 2020 and 2024. Hanford ranked 35th among small metro areas with a 6.8% increase in stores, while Fresno ranked 44th among midsize metros with a 6% increase in businesses. Nationwide, Boise City, Idaho, saw the most expansion with a 19.3% increase in store locations during that period.
