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Elk Grove, California

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Elk Grove, California
Official seal of Elk Grove, California
Seal
IncorporatedJuly 1, 2000
Government
 • MayorJames Cooper
 • Mayor Pro TemporeMichael Leary
 • Chief Of PoliceRobert Simmons
Elevation
14 m (45 ft)
Population
 (2005)
 • Total112,338
Time zoneUTC-8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
zip
95624, 95758, 95759
Area code916
Websitehttp://elkgrovecity.org/

Elk Grove is a city in Sacramento County, California, located south of the state capital of Sacramento. State of California population estimates place the city's population at 136,318 as of January 1, 2007. [1]. 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.

History

Old Town

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 quickly started to become a residential suburb of Sacramento. This is no longer the case since incorporation has made it a city. "Old Town" Elk Grove is located about a mile east of California State Route 99 (formerly U.S. Highway 99, the north-south artery of the California Central Valley). Most newer housing developments in Elk Grove lie west between Highway 99 and Interstate 5, the major north-south highway for the U.S. West Coast, in two areas locally called "Laguna Creek" and "Laguna West".

The city has two active community forums, one with about 10,000 members at Elk Grove Online and a newer one called Elk Grove Community located at egCommunity.com

Annual Events

Community Harvest & Giant Pumpkin Festival - This event, in october, is the hometown fall harvest 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.

Elk Grove Western Festival - Held the first full weekend in May every year, the Western Festival is two days of good old-fashioned fun for the entire family.

Strauss Festival - In late July each year, spectators on grassy knolls in the Elk Grove Regional Park see the waltzes of Johann Strauss come alive through the performances of period-costumed dancers, actors and a professional symphonic orchestra.

Dickens Faire - During the Christmas season, Old Town Elk Grove hosts an old-fashioned street fair featuring local retailers and craft vendors located in the historic section of Elk Grove.

Geography

Elk Grove is located at 38°26'18" North, 121°22'55" West (38.438222, -121.381925)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 39.4 km² (15.2 mi²). 39.4 km² (15.2 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.

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. In 2007 the population has increased to over 138,000.

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, compared to $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.

Newspapers and Media

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 is also the home of Eyes of Argus.net, a blog that covers the Practical application of Local Government leadership in Sacramento, Elk Grove, Stockton, Lodi and other surrounding counties since 2005. Argus is edited by local Elk Grove political activist, Jason Daniel

Area Codes and Zip Codes

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

Education

The Elk Grove Unified School District is the 5th 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 served more than 52,500 students, and expects to reach 73,000 students by 2010. Those students attend 38 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, 8 high schools and 4 alternative high schools.

There are also several private schools in town, such as Elk Grove Montessori School and several locations of Merryhill 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.

Public Libraries

The Elk Grove Public Library is located at 8962 Elk Grove Boulevard. The Franklin Community Library, which also functions as the library for Franklin High School and Toby Johnson Middle School, is located at 10055 Franklin High Road.

Climate

Elk Grove's climate varies from low temperatures of 24 to 44 degrees Fahrenheit 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.

City and County 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. The Mayor of Elk Grove is James Cooper who represents District 1. The Mayor Pro Tempore is Michael Leary who represents District 3. The remaining councilpersons are Gary Davis (District 4), Patrick Hume (District 2), and Sophia Scherman (District 5).

Elk Grove is represented on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors by Don Nottoli, 5th district supervisor.

State and Federal Representatives

Elk Grove is represented by a variety of Democrats and Republicans in Sacramento and Washington, DC.

Congressmen

Elk Grove is split between the 3rd congressional district which is represented by Dan Lungren, a Republican and the 5th Congressional District which is represented by Doris Matsui, a Democrat.

State Assemblymen

Elk Grove is split between the 9th assembly district which is represented by Dave Jones, a Democrat, the 10th assembly district which is represented by Alan Nakanishi, a Republican and the 15th State Assembly Districts which is represented by Guy S. Houston, also a Republican.

State Senators

Elk Grove is also split between the 1st Senate District which is represented by Dave Cox, the 5th State Senate District which is represented by Mike Machado, a Democrat, and the 9th State Senate District which is represented by Darrell Steinberg, also a Democrat.

Neighborhoods

Elk Grove is divided into several major areas which are: Laguna West, Laguna Creek, Elk Grove proper, East Elk Grove, and big parts of the Sheldon, Wilton, and Franklin townships. Laguna West is between Interstate 5 and the Union Pacific railroad tracks. Laguna Creek is bordered by the city limits to the south, Sheldon Road to the north, the Union Pacific railroad tracks to the west, and 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.

Transportation

Two major freeways pass through Elk Grove. They are Interstate 5 which skims the western part of town.California State Route 99 passes more directly through town. Major surface streets in Elk Grove include Elk Grove Boulevard, Laguna Boulevard, Bond Road, Sheldon Road, Calvine Road, Franklin Boulevard, Bruceville Road, Big Horn Boulevard, Elk Grove-Florin Road, Waterman Road, Bradshaw Road, and Grant Line Road.

The primary hub for air transportation for the Sacramento region, including Elk Grove, is Sacramento International Airport. The airport is located about 25 miles north of Elk Grove.

Elk Grove also has its own public transit system called e-tran.

Police

Until July 2006, the police forces within the city of Elk Grove were operated under contract with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department. Effective July 1, 2006, the city of Elk Grove completed the establishment of its own independent police force, which has patrolled the city since then.

Famous residents

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