Decline of Citrus in Southern California

Growth of the Suburbs

Following the end of WWII and the return of the GI's, a surge in California's population shifted California's citrus groves to the Central Valley. The citrus industry also declined such as in Orange County where in 1955, citrus declined to 235,000 from a high in 1945 of 314,910 acres. (Griffin, 272) This trend would continue as the population continued to increase and the expansion of residential development in the area. With increasing development of the area and the creation of schools, and other public utilities, there was a rise in property taxes that made citriculture increasing difficult to maintain profitable.  

The shift to the Central Valley is suitable but not ideal. The Los Angeles Basin in particular is the best ideal area for Oranges. Despite this fact, the Central Valley, including Tulare County, are considerably cheaper and many of the growers sold their land at large profits. At the end, the growers chose to follow the economics and remain profitable.