In 1850, Elk Grove was established as a hotel stop and a stop for the stage. 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 1980’s. 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, commercial and retail enterprises.
Our community is located in the southern portion of Sacramento County and is halfway between Sacramento and Stockton, straddling Highway 99. It is within easy driving distance from both the Bay Area and Sierra Mountain resorts.
Government
The City of Elk Grove incorporated on July 1, 2000. We are a general law city and operate 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
One of the most important resources of Elk Grove is its rich educational environment. The Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD) alone boasts a reputation for being one of the best districts in the state! EGUSD students regularly score above the state average as a whole. Local institutions of higher learning offer programs for most undergraduate and graduate degrees, and several cater directly to the business community. This is reflected in our city, which offers a well-educated community and labor force.
The City of Elk Grove is within the Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD), one of the fastest growing school districts in the country and the 8th largest in California. The entire EGUSD includes 320 square miles, or about one third of Sacramento County. Notably, Elk Grove is projected to experience a greater growth in its student population over the next 25 years than any other city in Sacramento County.
Cosumnes River College is near the City’s northern boundary, and California State University, Sacramento is just a short drive away in the City of Sacramento.
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, 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.
