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Sacramento County, CA

RANK #787 / 996  ·  POP 1,579,211  ·  CA

PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.5%

Sacramento County ranks in the bottom tier of U.S. counties on economic momentum.

[01] Why Sacramento County?

Sacramento County, situated in California's Central Valley, is often recognized as the "Farm-to-Fork Capital" due to its agricultural surroundings and emphasis on local produce. The county encompasses the state capital, Sacramento, and other notable towns like Folsom and Elk Grove. Located approximately 90 miles northeast of San Francisco, Sacramento County offers a blend of urban and suburban living. Commute options include public transit services like Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) and regional express buses. The American River Parkway, a 23-mile greenbelt, provides extensive opportunities for hiking, biking, and water activities, while Folsom Lake State Recreation Area offers swimming, boating, and fishing. The region experiences a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm, dry summers.

Life in Sacramento County offers a balance of city amenities and access to nature. Residents often appreciate the community atmosphere. The economy is diverse, with government remaining a significant employer. Beyond its historical roots in agriculture and government, Sacramento County is seeing growth in advanced industries, including manufacturing, energy, and high-tech services. Efforts are underway to expand the construction workforce and develop new housing, commercial, and logistics spaces. The Sacramento County Office of Education oversees numerous public school districts, including Elk Grove Unified and Folsom Cordova Unified, which serve families in the area.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
6.9x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+4.3%

Well above national median

Home Prices
-2.7%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain
3.6

Favorable climate & terrain

Price/Rent
18x

Above national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 6.9x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Sacramento County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
1,579,211
+0.47% YoY
Median Household Income
$84,010
Median Home Value
$465,900
-2.66% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,599
Average Annual Pay
$80,125
+4.5% YoY
Employment
726,937
+2.5% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.1803
Near national average
Migration Inflow
3.58%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$530,000
Days on Market
31
Active market
Months of Supply
2.3
Seller's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
99.5%
Near asking price
Sold Above List
37.5%
Listings w/ Price Drops
24.4%
Building Permits (2024)
6,747
Single-Family Permits
4,868

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$1,625M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Prime Sacramento Data Center Campus (2 facilities)
Prime
$500M Operating
NTT Global Data Centers Sacramento Campus (3 facilities)
NTT Global Data Centers
$500M Operating
Coyote Creek Agrivoltaic Ranch
Sacramento Valley Energy Center, LLC (Developer), D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments (Developer)
$250M Planned
Dry Creek Energy Storage
SMUD and DESRI
$160M Under Construction
Ameresco Biogas Cogeneration Facility (EchoWater Resource Recovery Facility)
Ameresco, Sacramento Area Sewer District
$140M Under Construction
Oveja Ranch Solar Project
SMUD
$75M Proposed

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +4.3% 76 percentile
Population Growth +0.5% 50 percentile
Income Growth +9.9% 79 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.9% 64 percentile
Home Price Change -2.7% 11 percentile
Rent Growth +1.2% 22 percentile
Price/Rent 18x 13 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sacramento County, CA a good place to move to?

Sacramento County has a Boom Town Index score of 21/100, ranking #787 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.5% and a median household income of $84,010, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Sacramento County affordable?

The median home value in Sacramento County is $465,900 with median rent at $1,599/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1803, which is less affordable than the national average.

Is Sacramento County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.5%. Home values changed -2.7% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Sacramento County?

Yes — 3.58% of Sacramento County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Shasta County, CA 31 Stanislaus County, CA 31 Kennebec County, ME 31 Beaufort County, SC 31 Kern County, CA 31 Brazoria County, TX 31 Ellis County, TX 31 Bradley County, TN 31