Folsom

by The Linguist

 

Folsom, California

Folsom is a city in Sacramento County, California with a population of over 77,000 residents as of 2019 according to Wikipedia. Folsom was founded in 1856 and incorporated in 1946. It is named after Joseph Libby Folsom who purchased Rancho Rio de los Americanos in the 1840s.

Folsom is part of Sacramento County in California. The Sacramento County website can be found at https://www.saccounty.net/ and their contact information is:
County of Sacramento
700 H Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 874-5411

Population and Demographics

According to the US Census Bureau, the population of Folsom was estimated to be 82,104 in 2021. The racial makeup of the city is approximately 75.7% White, 9.5% Asian, 5.7% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 5.9% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Approximately 15.3% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.

History of Folsom

Folsom was founded in 1856 after Joseph Folsom purchased the ranch lands known as Rancho Rio de los Americanos. Gold was discovered in the foothills above the town shortly after, bringing an influx of miners and entrepreneurs to settle the area. Folsom soon became an important hub and trading center. It was officially incorporated as a city in 1946.

Some key moments in Folsom’s history include:

  • 1856 – Town of Granite City (later renamed Folsom) established
  • 1857 – Folsom Prison completed
  • 1895 – Powerhouse built to provide electricity to Sacramento
  • 1943 – Folsom Dam construction completed
  • 1946 – Folsom officially incorporated as a city
  • 1963 – Folsom Lake formed by new dam

To learn more about the history of Folsom, visit the Folsom Historical Society or the Folsom History Museum.

Folsom Economy and Major Employers

Folsom has a strong and diverse economy with major industries including technology, healthcare, retail, education, and more. Some of the top employers in Folsom include:

  • Intel Corporation – 11355 Gold Express Dr, Gold River, CA 95670, Phone: (916) 355-5000
  • California State Prison, Sacramento – 100 Prison Rd, Represa, CA 95671, Phone: (916) 985-2561
  • Mercy Hospital of Folsom – 1650 Creekside Dr, Folsom, CA 95630, Phone: (916) 983-7400
  • Folsom Cordova Unified School District – 1965 Birkmont Dr, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742, Phone: (916) 294-9000
  • City of Folsom – 50 Natoma St, Folsom, CA 95630, Phone: (916) 355-7200
  • Kaiser Permanente – 100 Iron Point Rd, Folsom, CA 95630, Phone: (916) 608-4870

To learn more about economic development in Folsom, visit the Folsom Economic Development website.

Folsom Attractions and Landmarks

Some of the most popular attractions and landmarks in Folsom include:

  • Folsom Prison Museum – 115 Cold Springs Rd, Represa, CA 95671, Phone: (916) 985-2334
  • Folsom Lake – 7570 Rodeo Park Dr, Rodeo, CA 95683, GPS Coordinates: 38.7101974, -121.1384872
  • Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park – 9980 Greenback Ln, Folsom, CA 95630, Phone: (916) 986-0287, GPS Coordinates: 38.6811722, -121.168635
  • Georgia Murray Building – 100 Placerville Rd, Folsom, CA 95630, Phone: (916) 461-6000
  • Sutter Street – Sutter St, Folsom, CA 95630, GPS Coordinates: 38.6783861, -121.1665025
  • Nimbus Dam – 8701 Nimbus Rd, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670, Phone: (916) 988-1638, GPS Coordinates: 38.6567176, -121.2352576

You can learn more about things to see and do in Folsom at VisitFolsom.com.

Folsom Public Library

The Folsom Public Library serves the education and literacy needs of the community with locations at 411 Stafford Street and 100 Natoma Street. More information can be found on the Folsom Public Library website.

Public Transportation in Folsom

Public transportation in Folsom is provided by Sacramento Regional Transit District. Folsom is connected to the greater Sacramento area by light rail and bus lines. More information on routes, fares, and schedules can be found on the Sacramento RT website.

Museums and Arts

Folsom is home to several museums and arts institutions including:

Parks and Recreation

Folsom has over 20 parks and over 50 miles of trails for residents and visitors to enjoy. Some of the most popular parks include Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, Negro Bar State Recreation Area, Lembi Community Park, and Brooktree Park. Learn more at Folsom.CA.gov.

Sports Teams and Venues

Folsom is home to several sports teams and venues including:

School Districts

Most of Folsom is served by the Folsom Cordova Unified School District. There are also portions of Folsom served by other nearby school districts:

Additional Community Resources

Map of Folsom, California

Folsom Facebook

You can follow the latest news and events in Folsom by liking the City of Folsom Facebook page.