In the Tupi language, "votu" means "air", "breeze" and "poranga" means "nice", "good". Literally this term means "good air", "good winds" or "soft breezes". The city is known as the "City of soft breezes".  73.85% of the city's GDP is generated by the Tertiary sector, and 23.61% comes from Industry. Votuporanga has a significant furniture industry, characterized by small and medium companies. These firms employ around 15,000 workers. The HDI of the city, measured by the UNDP, was 0.817 in 2000. Votuporanga has 2 hospitals, "Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Votuporanga" and "Casa de Saúde e Maternidade Nossa Srª Aparecida". There are also 2 free access priority healthcare facilities for non-critical emergency treatment, "Mini-Hospital "Fortunata G. Pozzobon"" and an . There are 4 universities in the city: the UNIFEV, IFSP Câmpus Votuporanga, the REGES, and a branch of the FATEC ("Faculdade de Teologia e Ciências"). Votuporanga is well known for its nightlife. With the local motto "ímã da diversão" (Magnet of Entertainment), it is recognized as one of the most vibrant nightlife centres in the microregion. Pride in Votuporanga's cow-breeding heritage is one of the cornerstones of Votuporangese identity. "Ópera," the most expensive cow ever sold in Brazil, is from the Votuporanga microregion. Numerous streets, a shopping centre and a local brothel are named in her honour. The city has one professional football club, "Clube Atlético Votuporanguense".