Community Profile
Home to an entrepreneurial spirit and superior quality of life, Elk Grove is a family-oriented community where opportunity is around every corner. The City offers everything from starter homes to ranch estates, and provides a safe, youthful environment where families put down roots. Its population of more than 170,000 residents is diverse in ethnicity, age and income levels. There are approximately 52,000 households in Elk Grove with a median income, second largest City in Sacramento region, of $84,827.
Elk Grove's location provides easy access to two major freeways, the Sacramento International Airport, rail lines and two ports. The City of Elk Grove is known for an award winning school district, a variety of outstanding restaurants, a historical district, first-rate parks, and much more. Elk Grove has a prosperous business community that boasts a diversity of shops, services and promising careers.
Named the first city to incorporate in California during the 21st century (July 2000), Elk Grove has blossomed with new businesses, residents, and employment opportunities, City services include an outstanding police department, animal care services unit and a first-rate public transportation system.
Elk Grove is a city with small town roots that boasts a proud heritage and bright future.
| City of Elk Grove: | |
|---|---|
| 2017 Population | 171,059 |
| Median Income | $84,827 |
| Square Miles | 42.0 |
| Previous Populations | |
|---|---|
| 2001 Population | 75,637 |
| 2002 Population | 81,253 |
| 2003 Population | 86,348 |
| 2004 Population | 109,948 |
| 2005 Population | 121,489 |
| 2006 Population | 131,033 |
| 2007 Population | 136,210 |
| 2008 Population | 141,430 |
| 2009 Population | 143,885 |
| 2010 Population | 153,015 |
| 2011 Population | 154,440 |
| 2012 Population | 155,937 |
| 2013 Population | 159,074 |
| 2014 Population | 160,688 |
| 2015 Population | 162,899 |
| 2016 Population | 162,899 |
About Elk Grove
In 1850, Elk Grove was established as a hotel and a stop for the stage coach. 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.
Despite its close proximity to California's capital city, Elk Grove remained quietly independent of Sacramento';s growth and development as it expanded into adjoining countrywide areas until the 1980s. Today, Elk Grove had its start in agriculture and it is still a big part of the area's economy today, with vineyards, dairy and cattle and row crops; but, now, there is also high technology, professional service, and commercial and retail enterprises.
Government
The City of Elk Grove incorporated on July 1, 2000 as a general law city which 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.
Education
Serving the City of Elk Grove and surrounding communities since 1959, the Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD) is a top performing school district recognized throughout California and the nation as a leader in progressive education. EGUSD mirrors the diversity of California, with more than 80 languages and dialects spoken throughout the district. As the diversity of EGUSD has grown, so has its student population. The district is currently the largest school district in Northern California and the fifth largest in the state - with nearly 62,000 students. EGUSD offers a variety of educational programs, including preschool, kindergarten through twelfth grade, adult education and special education. EGUSD has been honored numerous times at the local, state and national levels, proving that EGUSD is truly a district of excellence by design.
Primary, Secondary and Higher Education:
- Elk Grove Unified School District
- Cosumnes River College
- American River College
- Sacramento City College
- California State University, Sacramento
- UC Davis, UC Davis Extension
- National University
- University of San Francisco
- University of Southern California
- Golden Gate University
- University of Phoenix
- Chapman University
- St. Mary’s College
- McGeorge School of Law
- DeVry University Center
- California Northstate University
Vocational Training:
- Heald Business College
- MTI College of Business Technology
Airport
The Sacramento International Airport is located approximately 26 miles north of Elk Grove off I-5 and provides the major carrier airlines.
Attractions
Local attractions include:
- Laguna Creek Parkway, a 13-mile waterway featuring wetlands, open space, walking and riding trails, fishing and bird watching.
- Stone Lakes Refuge is on the western edge of Elk Grove, a narrow stretch of floodplain, and was recently dedicated as a National Wildlife Refuge comprised of 3,000 acres along the Pacific Flyway.
- Cosumnes River Preserve is on the southern edge of Elk Grove, a riparian habitat running along the Cosumnes River.
Climate
The local weather offers a mild four-season climate. Warm dry days during the summer are cooled off in the evenings by Delta breezes and winter temperatures typically range from 43 degrees to 58 degrees. The rainy season in the area occurs between November and April, with a regional annual average precipitation of about 12 inches.
Events
May
Elk Grove Western Festival
Held the first full weekend in May every year, the Western Festival offers two days of good old-fashioned fun for the entire family. The event offers great food, lively entertainment, a Saturday parade, car show, carnival, art show and variety of vendors selling everything from crafts to food. Approximately 25,000 people attend this popular community event.
June
Run 4 Hunger
5k and 10k run sponsored by the Elk Grove Food Bank. View more details.
July
Salute to Red, White & Blue
An annual Fourth of July family affair sponsored by the City of Elk Grove featuring spectacular fireworks displays celebrating the birth of our nation.
Strauss Festival -
In late July each year, guest travel to Elk Grove Regional Park to enjoy an evening of music and dancing to the music of Johann Strauss come alive through performances by costumed dancers, actors and a professional symphonic to orchestra. View more details.
August
Multicultural Festival
Elk Grove’s premier community-wide celebration of diversity is held annually on the 4th Saturday of August at Elk Grove Regional Park. More than 8,000 participants attend the popular event, which features ethnic foods, entertainment, music and art shows representing Elk Grove's diverse community. View more details.
September
Spotlight Elk Grove
Each September, the community comes together to celebrate all Elk Grove has to offer while supporting the Elk Grove Community Foundation. The event features local businesses and the finest food and wine available in the Elk Grove area. View more details.
October
Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival
Presented by Cosumnes CSD, this event is a hometown fall festival, with crafts, food and fun for the entire family. In 1998, it also became the official California weigh-off site for a national Giant Pumpkin contest.
November
Dickens Faire
Old Town Elk Grove hosts an old-fashioned street fair featuring local retailers, craft vendors and a Festival of Lights Parade located in the historic section of Elk Grove. View more details.
Hospitals
Elk Grove residents have the best medical providers located in their community. A full range of physicians, including many specialists, have active practices in the area.
Additionally, the city is serviced locally by the following medical facilities:
- Kaiser Permanente Hospital
- Dignity Healthcare
- Sutter Health Systems
- UC Davis Medical Center
- Calvine Corners Urgent Care
- Elk Grove Urgent Care
- Ready Urgent Care
Hotels
Multiple local hotels are easily accessible from the major highways that serve Elk Grove and provide a wide range of accommodation levels and meeting/conference facilities.
Local hotels include:
- Extended Stay America
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
- Hampton Inn
- Hilton Garden Inn
- Holiday Inn Express (2 locations)
Housing
Housing available in the Elk Grove area ranges from the low $160,000s for newer, entry-level homes to $400,000+ for executive homes. Rents at apartment complexes range from about $850 to $1,400, and single-family homes commonly rent for about $1,250 to $1,750. The City has a large stock of affordable rental housing, with rents as low as $630 for qualifying households.
The City also has ample condominium and senior living options.
Newspapers
The Elk Grove Citizen, published twice weekly by Herburger Publications, is the newspaper serving Elk Grove. The local daily newspaper is the Sacramento Bee.
Recreation
- Golf Courses: Emerald Lakes Golf Center and Valley Hi Country Club and a number of driving ranges provide area golfers with facilities to meet their needs.
- Health Clubs: There are several health clubs that serve the Elk Grove area that offer full facilities for swimming, indoor basketball court, weight training, racquetball, tennis and aerobics. Additionally, a family sports complex provides the newest forms of entertainment including bowling, wave riding, laser tag and computerized games.
- Parks: Elk Grove has more than 90 parks, totaling more than 700 acres of lush landscaping and recreational amenities. This includes picnic areas, softball fields, a skate park and swim center. The Cosumnes River Preserve, Laguna Creek Parkway and Stone Lakes Refuge border Elk Grove, providing wetlands, open space, walking and riding trails, fishing and bird watching.
- Theaters: The two main theater complexes are Century 16 and United Artists and Laguna Village.
Dining
There are more than 70 local dining establishments. Many locally-owned restaurants provide excellent cuisine and atmosphere. Elk Grove also has a variety of coffee shops and delicatessens.
Senior Center
The Elk Grove Senior Center provides classes, trips, game night, fitness classes, bingo, estate planning, AARP classes and tax preparation assistance. Lunches are served during the week for a nominal cost.
Shopping
Numerous specialty shops offering unique gifts and clothing are located in Elk Grove, and multiple shopping centers provide some of the most popular chain stores. Old Town Elk Grove provides an eclectic collection of historical buildings, antique shops and small businesses.
Transportation
Elk Grove is located between Interstate 5 and Highway 99--the cornerstones for efficient transportation in the Sacramento region. Elk Grove is also in close proximity to Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 50.
In addition to these four major highways, Elk Grove is further served by an international passenger and freight, transcontinental rail and a cargo port-each only minutes away in the neighboring state capital of Sacramento.
The City of Elk Grove provides comprehensive transit services via e-tran, which transports more than 5,000 riders a day and offers commuter, local fixed route, local e-van (paratransit) service, regional Dial-A-Ride service to ADA certified passengers for medical trips. Commuter and Regional Dial-A-Ride services operate Monday through Friday and local fixed route and paratransit services operate seven days a week. For more information, please visit E-Tran or call (916) 68-ETRAN.
Youth Organizations
Youth organizations in Elk Grove include: Elk Grove Youth Commission, Cosumnes Community Services District Teen Action Committee/Teen Leadership Committee, Elk Grove Police Activities League, Elk Grove Teen Center, Camp Fire USA, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, Big Brother/Big Sister Program, and the Boys & Girls Club.