[1] It is located 50 miles (80 km) east of Fresno,[2] at an elevation of 5344 feet (1629 m).

Hume is situated on the south shore of Hume Lake in the Sequoia National Forest, not far from the west entrance to Kings Canyon National Park.

Much of the community and the lake is devoted to the tourism industry.

[3] In an article in 2015, Hume was characterized as the "most conservative community" in the state of California.

John Strain conducted the original surveys for the subdivision and Don French built the roads and water systems.