RANK #709 / 996 NAT · #14 / 43 CA · POP 1,579,211
1YR FORECAST: -0.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
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.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 28/100, Sacramento County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $84,010 combined with job growth of +2.5% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Sacramento County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $465,900 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.18 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,599/month on average.
Employers in Sacramento County are hiring — job growth of +2.5% — but the population is close to flat (+0.5% YoY). Home values moved -2.7% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.58% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Sacramento County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.