Folsom, CA

Folsom, California

Introduction to Folsom, California

The California city of Folsom is located in Sacramento County, about 22 miles northeast of the state capital of Sacramento. A large network of area freeways encompasses the city, and these include Interstate I-80 and U.S. Route 50. Surrounding communities include Loomis (to the north), Carmichael (to the west), Rancho Cordova (to the southwest), and El Dorado Hills (to the east).

Folsom traces its origins to the mid-nineteenth century, when gold was discovered in the area and massive mining operations were set up. At the conclusion of the Mexican-American War, U.S. Army Captain Joseph Folsom purchased 35,000 acres of land and planned a town site near one of the mining spots. Envisioning the site as a future railroad stop, Folsom named the new town "Granite City". His vision was realized posthumously in 1856 when the first train on the West's first railroad arrived in the town from Sacramento. Subsequently, Folsom's successors renamed the town in his memory and several decades later, construction began on Folsom Prison. The facility, designed to relieve over-crowding at San Quentin, opened in 1880. Folsom made history in 1895 when the first long-distance transmission of electricity (22 miles) was made from Folsom to Sacramento. Incorporated in 1946, Folsom is best known today as a popular middle-class suburb which is home to the largest employer in the Sacramento area, Intel.

Folsom Attractions

The city of Folsom is rich in historic sites and attractions. The Folsom State Prison, popularized in a Johnny Cash song, became the state's second prison upon its completion in 1880. Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park is an historical site whose hydroelectric powerhouse first delivered power to Sacramento in 1895 and remained in operation until 1952. The Folsom Zoo Sanctuary is not a "mainstream" zoo, but instead more of an animal sanctuary which happens to be open to the public. Many of its animals were raised and rejected as wild pets. Others were injured or orphaned in the wild. All have names and personalities, and their individual stories and information about their species are posted at the exhibits. The Folsom History Museum is housed in a reconstruction of the Wells Fargo & Company Assay Office built in 1860 by Wells Fargo agents in Folsom. The Folsom Dam, constructed non-stop from 1948 until 1956, is one of the most interesting and overlooked attractions in Folsom. One of the city's biggest traditions is the annual Folsom Rodeo. A 4th of July staple for many years, the event kicks off with a community picnic and concert at the city park, followed later by a cattle drive down Folsom's historic Sutter Street, where cowboys and Folsom dignitaries round up the cattle at high noon and parade them down the streets for public viewing. Events at the rodeo itself include bull riding, bronco riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, and more. The rodeo culminates with a large fireworks display visible throughout the city.

High Points

Folsom strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in California):

Category	Trophy
Well-Paid Single Men (vs. Peers)	Top 3%
Median Family Income (vs. Peers)	Top 10%

Comparative Profile of Folsom, CA

Comparing Folsom to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in California (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Male Share of the Population
Well-Paid Single Men
Well-Paid Single Women
Age of the Population
Racial Diversity
Children Under 5 Years Old
Senior Citizens
Female Share of the Population

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Portion of People Married
Average Household Size

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Median Family Income
People in Middle Class or Better
College Educated Adults
People Above Poverty

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Working at Home
Walking and Biking to Work
Public Transportation Use
Short Commute Times

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Housing Recently Built
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
People Living Alone
Affordability of Property Taxes
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
Affordability of Rents

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Violent Crime
Low Property Crime

Folsom Almanac

Folsom Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Folsom Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Neighborhood and Nearby Area Names

According to the US Postal Service, Folsom, its neighborhoods, and/or surrounding areas are also referred to as:

Note that not all alternate names are acceptable for use in US Post Office addresses.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Folsom Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

Folsom Hospitals

MERCY HOSPITAL OF FOLSOM
(Proprietary)
1650 CREEKSIDE DRIVE
(916) 983-7400
Emergency Service: Yes

Starbucks in Folsom

Wal-Mart in Folsom

Folsom High Schools (2004)

FOLSOM HIGH
1655 IRON POINT RD.
916-355-1115
Serves 2,537 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 26.5

FOLSOM LAKE HIGH (CONT.)
715A RILEY ST.
916-294-9809
A Non-traditional School
Serves 109 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 21.8

Folsom Colleges

Click school name for a detailed profile.

Folsom Lake College

(List of All California Colleges)

NEW: Community Comments below!