If work-life balance is important to you, consider joining us here in Visalia. We are a thriving community that offers the most affordable housing in California with a typical commute time of less than 20 minutes. With a population of over 138,000, our city offers small town charm with metropolitan amenities. Visalia has a world class health care system, our own Sequoia Symphony Orchestra, a flourishing arts community, a minor league baseball team, a downtown convention center, fine dining and much, much more.
As the county seat, we are the principal retail center in the region and home to several large industrial employers. We're proud of our vibrant downtown district, safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, institutions for higher learning and low cost of living.We have many community parks, organized team sports, a municipal golf course and private country club, as well as a family friendly regional sports park, and numerous outdoor and recreational activities.
Located in the heart of California's San Joaquin Valley, Visalia offers easy access to the nearby mountains, national parks, and lakes and rivers which provide year-round opportunities for sports and recreation within an hour or less. Visalia ranked as the top Central Valley community and one of seven California cities in the top 25 of Gallup Sharecare's latest State of American Well Being Index. Our strong sense of community and social well-being keeps Visalians happy, healthy and moving forward.
Visalia is a full service City that employs over 600 full-time employees and approximately 200 hourly employees. We have a total 2019/2020 budget of $213.6 million, and our financial health is positive.