 However, the community was impacted by the 2008-2012 global recession as well as the California drought and restrictions on pumping from the Sacramento River delta to protect endangered species.In November 2016, the unemployment rate was 12.7%

In 2013, the City Council self-proclaimed Avenal to be the Pistachio Capital of the World, reflecting the importance of the pistachio industry to the city's economy.Avenal has an annual celebration held on the first weekend in May called Avenal Old Timers Day.