Elk Grove

by The Linguist

Elk Grove, California is a city located just south of the state capital of Sacramento in Sacramento County. With a population of over 174,000 as of 2019, Elk Grove is the second largest city in the county after Sacramento and one of the fastest growing cities in California.

Population and Growth

According to the Wikipedia page for Elk Grove, the city has experienced rapid growth in recent decades. In 1970, the population was just 1,535 people but grew steadily over the next few decades. By 2000, the population had jumped to 71,388 and then nearly doubled to 153,015 by the 2010 census. The estimated population as of 2019 was 174,775, making Elk Grove the 27th largest city in California.

This rapid growth can be attributed to Elk Grove’s proximity to Sacramento as well as its reputation as a family-friendly suburb. The city has focused on planned community development, with a number of master-planned subdivisions catering to families and professionals looking for affordable single-family homes within commuting distance of Sacramento. Several major shopping malls have also been constructed as the population has expanded.

Elk Grove was actually only incorporated as a city in 2000. Prior to that it was an unincorporated suburban community that was part of Sacramento County. With its incorporation and rapid growth in the early 2000s, Elk Grove earned the title of fastest growing city over 100,000 people in the U.S. from 2003 to 2004.

While the growth has slowed a bit since the early 2000s, Elk Grove is still projected to keep growing in population. With available land for development and expansion and its desirable location, Elk Grove may add another 50,000 or more residents by 2030.

Economy and Major Employers

In addition to its residential growth, Elk Grove has also developed into a regional economic hub, with several major employers located in the city. According to the City of Elk Grove’s economic development department, top employers include:

  • Elk Grove Unified School District
  • Apple Inc.
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • California Department of Health Care Services
  • CalSTRS (California State Teachers’ Retirement System)
  • Los Rios Community College District
  • Walmart
  • Nuance Communications
  • SI Group
  • COTY, Inc.

Other major companies with offices or facilities in Elk Grove include Farmers Insurance, Mitsubishi, Mercury Insurance, and Citizen Hotel. The city is also home to the California Emergency Medical Services Authority administrative office.

In addition to jobs within the city limits, Elk Grove residents also have access to employment in nearby Sacramento. The state government is a major employer in the capital, as are UC Davis Medical Center and Sacramento State University. Residents are also within commuting distance of Roseville, West Sacramento, Folsom and other job centers in the region.

With its educated workforce, affordable housing and access to transportation like I-5 and Highway 99, Elk Grove is well positioned to continue growing its local economy across sectors like health care, education, technology and more.

Landmarks

Despite being a relatively young city, Elk Grove still has a few noteworthy landmarks and points of interest:

  • Old Town Plaza – This quaint historic district features antique shops, restaurants and the Elk Grove House museum.
  • Elk Grove Regional Park – Spanning over 100 acres, this park includes a golf course, soccer fields, disc golf course and hiking trails.
  • Harriet Eddy Middle School – The oldest school still operating in Elk Grove, it was founded in 1880.
  • Outlets at Elk Grove – A large outlet mall located off I-5 with over 100 stores.
  • Elk Grove Aquatics Center – This regional aquatics facility hosts competitive swimming and diving events.

The city is also home to the Cosumnes Community Services District which operates parks, recreation facilities, fire protection and other services for Elk Grove and surrounding areas.

Sports

Residents of Elk Grove can cheer for their hometown teams including:

  • Sacramento Republic FC – Part of the USL Championship league, Republic FC is Elk Grove’s professional soccer team. They play at Heart Health Park located within the city limits.
  • Elk Grove Thundercats – This minor league baseball team is part of the summer collegiate Pacific West Baseball League.

Elk Grove is also conveniently located just 15 minutes from downtown Sacramento, where sports fans can root for major league teams including the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, MLB’s San Francisco Giants affiliate the Sacramento River Cats, and the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers. The city is also a short drive from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, home of the 49ers.

For outdoor recreation, the Elk Grove Regional Park offers a golf course, aquatics center, and over 10 miles of trails for walking, running and cycling.

City Government

Elk Grove is run by a City Council-City Manager form of government. The five-member City Council is made up of the mayor and four council members who are elected at-large by voters. As of 2022, the Mayor of Elk Grove is Bobbie Singh-Allen, and the four City Council members are Stephanie Nguyen, Pat Hume, Darren Suen, and Kevin Spease.

The Elk Grove City Council holds public meetings every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. Residents can find information on upcoming meetings, city services, public records requests and more on the City of Elk Grove website.

Living in Elk Grove

Known as a family-friendly community, Elk Grove offers plenty of amenities for residents:

  • Top-rated schools in the Elk Grove Unified School District
  • Over 20 public parks plus recreation centers and aquatics complexes
  • Public libraries including the award-winning Elk Grove Library
  • Events like the Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival, Rib Cook Off, and Fourth of July fireworks show
  • Access to light rail stations connecting to Sacramento and the Bay Area
  • Over 150 restaurants and shops located in the city

For those thinking about moving to Elk Grove, the Elk Grove Tourism website highlights community events, local businesses, and things to do. And as one of the fastest growing cities in California, Elk Grove offers opportunity for new residents and businesses while maintaining its welcoming, small-town vibe.