Elk Grove, California

Although this city is recognized as the fastest growing city in the U.S., it is small in terms of numbers.  This city lying south of Sacramento has many large homes in very desirable neighborhoods.  The homes in Elk Grove can vary widely in size and price.  Let us help you find or sell that wonderful home in Elk Grove.

Elk Grove is a city in Sacramento County, California, located south of the state capital of Sacramento. The (U.S. Census' 2005 population estimates) list the city's population as 112,338. [1] City-limit signs at the city's entrance, however, list the population as 130,609. Due to its rapid growth, Elk Grove has earned the title of the fastest growing city in the U.S. Elk Grove is the second-largest city in Sacramento County. The incorporated city boundaries are larger than the census-designated place boundaries set by the Census in 2000.

Elk Grove was founded in 1850 as a stage stop. It is located about 15 miles south of historic Sutter's Fort and thus became a crossroads for business, entertainment, mail service and agriculture, and acted as home base for gold miners in nearby communities. After it played its part in the early gold rush and statehood history in California, a close-knit community evolved with a distinctly rural and western lifestyle.

Although the town developed around agriculture, it has since become a residential suburb of Sacramento. "Old" Elk Grove is located about a mile east of Highway 99 (formerly U.S. Highway 99, the north-south artery of California central valley). Most newer housing developments in Elk Grove lie west of Highway 99, toward Interstate 5, now the major north-south artery for the U.S. West Coast, in an area locally called "Laguna" or "Laguna Creek".

The city currently has an "official" newspaper, The Elk Grove Citizen owned and operated by the Herburger family company, Herburger publications, Inc. since 1959.

Elk Grove's telephone area code is 916. Its ZIP codes are:

95624

east of Highway 99

95757

west of Highway 99 and south of Elk Grove Boulevard

95758

west of Highway 99 and north of Elk Grove Boulevard

The city's ZIP codes are not necessarily continuous with city boundaries. For example, while the 95758 ZIP code does indicate an Elk Grove address, a portion of the ZIP code actually lies within the city of Sacramento. Residents with an Elk Grove ZIP code living within the city of Sacramento receive Sacramento city services, such as police and trash collection. An unusual case is a neighborhood at the north end of Laguna Star Drive, which has an Elk Grove ZIP code but lies within Sacramento's city limits, and is only accessible by traveling through Elk Grove.

Education

The Elk Grove Unified School District is the 12th largest school district in California and one of the fastest growing school districts in the nation. Located in southern Sacramento County, the district covers 320 square miles, one-third of the county. For the 2002-03 school year, the district will serve more than 52,500 students and expects to reach 73,000 students by 2010. Of the 52,500 students, there are 38 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, 8 high schools and 4 alternative high schools.

More than 60 percent of the district's students are on a four-track year-round schedule, where students attend school for three months and are then off for a month. The district serves a diverse student population and enrolled students speak more than 80 languages.

There are also several private schools in town, such as Elk Grove Montessori School and several locations of Merry Hill Schools. A local community college, Cosumnes River College, offers both vocational training and a transfer program to four-year universities. Located nearby are California State University, Sacramento and the University of California, Davis, as well as branches of Golden Gate University and St. Mary's College.

Climate

Elk Grove's climate varies from low temperatures of 24 to 44 degrees to highs of 80 to 110 degrees. Average annual rainfall is 22 inches per year falling primarily from October through April. The elevation of the city is 45 feet.

Government

The City of Elk Grove incorporated on July 1, 2000. It is a general law city and operates on the Manager-City Council type of governance. Elk Grove is in the 3rd and 5th Congressional Districts, the 10th and 15th State Assembly Districts, and the 1st and 5th State Senate Districts.

Geography

The city of Elk Grove is divided into several major areas, including Laguna West, Laguna Creek, Elk Grove proper, and East Elk Grove. Laguna West is the area within the city limits between Interstate 5 and the Union Pacific railroad tracks. Laguna Creek, just east of this area, is bordered by the city boundary to the south, Sheldon Road to the north, the Union Pacific railroad tracks to the west, and State Highway 99 to the east. Elk Grove proper is bordered by Highway 99 to the west, Waterman Road to the east, Calvine Road to the north, and Grant Line Road to the south and includes old Elk Grove east of Elk Grove-Florin Road. East Elk Grove is bordered by Calvine Road to the north, Grant Line Road to the east and south, and Waterman Road to the west.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 59,984 people, 18,526 households, and 15,358 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,523.7/km² (3,947.0/mi²). There were 18,894 housing units at an average density of 479.9/km² (1,243.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 59.12% White, 8.52% Black or African American, 0.94% Native American, 17.59% Asian, 0.59% Pacific Islander, 6.44% from other races, and 6.79% from two or more races. 14.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 18,526 households out of which 49.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.0% are married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.1% were non-families. 12.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.5% had someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.22 and the average family size is 3.51.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 32.9% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 6.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $60,661, and the median income for a family was $64,069. Males had a median income of $42,247 versus $33,119 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $20,916. 5.2% of the population and 3.8% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.0% of those under the age of 18 and 4.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Police

Until recently (July 2006), the police forces within Elk Grove city limits were operated under contract with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department. Since April 2005 there has been a gradual transition from SCSD to city control, now fully transferred (officially transferred on July 1, 2006).

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